Faulted Circuit Indicator with State Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing faulted circuit indicators (FCIs) in power distribution systems can only display binary fault detection, lack real-time monitoring of transmission line conditions, and fail to communicate state information effectively, making it difficult for technicians to locate faults and prevent equipment damage due to transient or intermittent issues.
Innovation Solution
A faulted circuit indicator system that includes sensors to collect data on current, voltage, temperature, and vibration, coupled with a controller to determine fault conditions and display states, and a communication facility to transmit this information to a remote location, allowing for remote monitoring and improved fault detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art FCIs use automatic reset to ensure only existing faults are indicated, then false fault indications are reduced, but intermittent or transient faults become nearly impossible to locate
Solution Approach 1:
The FCI continuously monitors transmission line conditions and stores historical state information before faults occur. This preliminary data collection enables technicians to identify intermittent faults by analyzing state changes over time, even after the FCI has automatically reset.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback through remote communication of state information to control centers, allowing continuous monitoring and analysis of transmission line conditions. This feedback mechanism enables detection of intermittent faults through pattern recognition in historical data without requiring manual intervention.
2Device complexity
If prior art FCIs provide only binary fault detection, then device complexity is reduced, but technicians must carry additional equipment to determine if transmission lines are de-energized
Solution Approach 1:
The FCI integrates multiple functions into a single device: binary fault detection, real-time state monitoring, historical data storage, and remote communication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for technicians to carry separate equipment for determining line energization status, as all this information is available through the FCI's display and communication capabilities.
3Loss of information
If technicians search for FCIs on foot along transmission lines to locate faults, then fault location can be determined, but the process is time consuming and increases repair costs
Solution Approach 1:
The FCI acts as an intermediary between the transmission line and technicians, providing real-time state information and fault detection through remote communication. This eliminates the need for technicians to physically search along transmission lines, as the FCI transmits location and status information directly to control centers, dramatically reducing fault location time.
4Device complexity
If prior art FCIs cannot monitor conditions like power surges, heat, or vibration, then device complexity is reduced, but equipment damage may occur before faults are detected
Solution Approach 1:
The FCI continuously monitors transmission line conditions including power surges, heat, and vibration in advance of potential faults. This preliminary detection enables early warning of equipment deterioration, allowing preventive maintenance before actual faults occur and cause damage or outages.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a faulted circuit indicator apparatus with transmission line state display, as well as methods for using the apparatus. The faulted circuit indicator has a sensor that can be electrically coupled to an electrical conductor for collecting data relating to a state of the electrical conductor. The faulted circuit indicator also has a controller that is logically coupled to the sensor for receiving data and determining whether a fault condition has occurred on the electrical conductor. The faulted circuit indicator also has one or more indicators that are logically coupled to the controller for indicating whether a fault condition has occurred as well as the state of the electrical conductor. The state of the conductor may be the voltage, the temperature, or the vibration present on the conductor.