DC Fault Injection Testing for Protective Isolation Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for testing DC electrical systems are often damaging, non-repetitive, and pose safety risks to personnel, while being time-consuming and inefficient in confirming fault isolation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes measurement assemblies for sensing voltages and currents at various points in a DC electrical system, a power controller for inducing faults, and a fault assembly to selectively apply faults, allowing for controlled testing without damaging equipment or exposing personnel to unsafe conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional testing techniques are used to confirm fault isolation, then fault isolation can be confirmed, but equipment components may be damaged or altered and personnel may be exposed to unsafe conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a testing apparatus as an intermediary device between the power supply and load that safely induces faults and measures system response without requiring personnel contact with hazardous equipment. The apparatus includes measurement assemblies and fault induction capabilities that mediate the testing process to eliminate direct personnel exposure to dangerous electrical conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional manual testing methods with an automated electronic testing apparatus that uses electrical measurement assemblies and controlled fault induction circuits. This substitution eliminates the need for personnel to physically interact with hazardous equipment while maintaining the ability to confirm fault isolation through automated measurements and analysis.
2Reliability
If conventional testing methods are used, then fault isolation can be confirmed, but the testing cannot be repeated without altering system operation
Solution Approach 1:
The testing apparatus performs preliminary measurements and baseline characterizations of the electrical system before inducing faults. It captures pre-fault operating parameters and compares them against post-fault measurements, enabling repeated testing cycles without altering system operation. The system can reset and retest multiple times by comparing measurements taken before and after fault induction.
3Reliability
If conventional testing systems are used, then testing can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and burdensome to prepare and execute
Solution Approach 1:
The testing apparatus is designed to be self-configuring and self-measuring, automatically setting up test parameters, inducing faults, measuring system response, and generating test results without requiring extensive manual preparation or intervention. The system performs self-diagnosis and automated analysis, significantly reducing the time and effort required to prepare and execute fault isolation testing.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus configured to test an electrical system including one or more power supplies, a load, and one or more protective-isolation devices disposed between the one or more power supplies and the load is disclosed. The apparatus has a first measurement assembly configured to sense a first voltage or a first current at an input side of the one or more power supplies, a second measurement assembly configured to sense a second voltage or a second current at an output side of the one or more power supplies, and a third voltage or a third current between the one or more protective-isolation devices and the load, and a power controller electrically disposed between the second or third measurement assembly and a fault assembly. The fault assembly and the power controller are configured to selectively induce a fault, which is selected from a plurality of fault types, either to the output side of the electrical system or between the one or more protective-isolation devices and the load.