Electric Meter Cut-Off Actuation Delaying Power Cutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for cutting off electrical power supply during hazardous events, such as earthquakes or fires, often result in unnecessary power outages that can damage equipment or hinder evacuation, and pose challenges in safely reestablishing power to potentially damaged electrical installations.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for an electricity meter that uses sensor systems to detect environmental conditions, delaying the actuation of a cut-off device based on detected singularities (e.g., seismic, temperature, or gas levels) to ensure timely power cutoffs and safe resupply, incorporating an internal power supply for operation during network outages and communication with a centralized information system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cut-off device is actuated immediately when a dangerous event is detected, then the electrical power supply is cut off quickly to prevent hazards, but equipment damage may occur and evacuation may be hindered due to sudden power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and monitoring of environmental conditions (smoke, heat, gas) before triggering the power cutoff. Sensors continuously monitor the environment and only activate the cut-off device when predetermined thresholds are exceeded, ensuring that power is cut off only when truly necessary and not during temporary or controllable hazardous events
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the cutoff decision based on real-time environmental conditions. Rather than a fixed immediate response, the control unit evaluates current sensor readings against safety thresholds and determines the appropriate timing for power cutoff, allowing flexibility to maintain power during manageable situations while ensuring rapid cutoff when danger is confirmed
2Reliability
If the cut-off device is actuated quickly to protect against hazards, then safety is improved, but equipment damage and unnecessary power outages occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives feedback from sensors monitoring environmental conditions (smoke density, temperature, gas levels) and adjusts the power supply status accordingly. The control unit processes sensor signals in real-time and provides feedback control, maintaining power supply when conditions are safe and cutting off power only when sensor readings exceed dangerous thresholds, thereby preventing both unnecessary outages and equipment damage from hazardous conditions
3Reliability
If power supply is cut off during hazardous events, then safety is improved, but resupplying power to potentially damaged installations becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically manages the power cutoff and resupply process without requiring manual intervention. The control unit continuously monitors environmental conditions and autonomously decides when to cut off power and when to restore it, based on whether sensor readings remain above dangerous thresholds. This self-service approach simplifies resupply control by eliminating the need for complex manual assessment procedures
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of actuation of a switching device included in an electrical meter supervising an electrical installation, the switching device being able to take an open or closed position allowing respectively to cut off or restore an electrical supply to the electrical installation.The electric meter implements the following steps: obtain (300) for each signal provided by a set of sensors, an actuation criterion for the switching device adapted to said signal, comprising a detection value and a time value; search (301) for singularities in said signals, a singularity being detected in a signal when at least one value of said signal reaches the detection value corresponding to said signal; when a singularity is detected (302) in a signal, start (303) a measurement of a duration of said singularity; and, decide (305) a time at which the switching device should be actuated in the open position when said duration reaches (304) the time value corresponding to said signal.