DC Arc Detection Using Voltage Frequency Analysis Across Branch Lines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing arc detection technologies are inadequate for detecting arc faults in multiple power supply lines branching from a DC power source, particularly when no current is flowing in the lines due to disconnected loads, and require multiple installations to cover all lines.
Innovation Solution
An arc detection device that determines the possibility of arc faults by analyzing a specific frequency component of the voltage applied to one power supply line, using a microcomputer to perform frequency analysis and normalization, and optionally incorporating current measurements to enhance accuracy, with a current limiter to temporarily halt current flow and an auxiliary determiner to confirm the fault.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple arc detection devices are installed to cover all power supply lines, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arc detection device is designed to detect arc faults in multiple power supply lines simultaneously through a single installation. The device measures voltage and current in each line and performs frequency analysis to identify arc faults across the entire set of lines, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices and reducing installation complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage
2Measurement precision
If current measurement is used for arc detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but the system becomes ineffective when no current is flowing in the lines
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges voltage measurement and current measurement approaches into a unified detection system. It simultaneously measures both voltage and current in each power supply line, then performs frequency analysis on both signals. This combination allows the system to detect arc faults through voltage fluctuations alone when current is zero, while also utilizing current measurements when current is present for enhanced accuracy
3Measurement precision
If frequency analysis is performed on both voltage and current, then detection accuracy is improved, but computational load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs frequency analysis selectively based on the operational state of the power supply lines. When current is zero or negligible, it performs frequency analysis only on voltage measurements. When current is present, it performs frequency analysis on both voltage and current signals. This partial application of the computationally intensive frequency analysis reduces energy consumption while maintaining sufficient detection accuracy for each operating condition
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An arc detection device (1) includes an obtainer (11) and a determiner (12). The obtainer (11) obtains a measurement result for a voltage (V1) applied to one target power supply line (L0) among a plurality of power supply lines (L1) to which power is supplied from a DC power source (2). The determiner (12) determines, based on a component of a specific frequency band in the measurement result for the voltage (V1) obtained by the obtainer (11), whether there is a possibility of an arc fault occurring in the plurality of power supply lines (L1).