High Voltage Training System with Safety Relay and Current Limiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current training methods for electricians and line workers, which involve either de-energized or full voltage/current states, are unsafe and can lead to serious or fatal injuries due to the lack of realistic and controlled high-voltage training environments.
Innovation Solution
A high-voltage training system and device that simulates real-life conditions by monitoring the energized circuit for trigger events, such as contact with energized lines, and engages a safety relay and alarm system to de-energize the circuit promptly, using a current-limiting transformer, controller, current transducer, and safety relay to limit exposure and provide safe training scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If training is conducted in full voltage/current state to provide realistic training, then training effectiveness is improved, but safety of trainees deteriorates leading to serious or fatal injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary safety system between the trainee and the high voltage circuit. This includes monitoring devices that detect trainee proximity to energized lines and automatically de-energize the circuit when unsafe conditions are detected, allowing realistic training while preventing injuries
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback through monitoring devices that track trainee position and circuit status. When the system detects that a trainee approaches unsafe proximity to energized lines, it provides feedback by automatically de-energizing the circuit, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism
2Object-affected harmful factors
If training is conducted in de-energized state to ensure safety, then safety of trainees is improved, but training effectiveness deteriorates due to false sense of security
Solution Approach 1:
The training system dynamically transitions between energized and de-energized states based on real-time monitoring of trainee position and system conditions. The circuit can be energized for realistic training when safe, and automatically de-energized when unsafe conditions are detected, providing both realism and safety
3Reliability
If high voltage is applied to provide realistic training conditions, then behavioral training effectiveness is improved, but risk of injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary safety assessments by monitoring trainee position and system conditions before allowing high voltage to be applied. Safety checks are conducted in advance, and the circuit is only energized when conditions are confirmed safe, preventing injuries before they can occur
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a safe and realistic training environment, reducing the risk of injury by limiting electrical exposure and promoting safe work practices through real-time monitoring and immediate de-energization in response to potential hazards, thus enhancing both technical and behavioral training for electrical workers.
Implementation Method 1
a current transducer, and configured to detect a change in current of the yard circuit
Implementation Method 2
a voltage transducer, and configured to detect a change in voltage of the yard circuit
Implementation Method 3
A safety relay is electrically connected in the training yard circuit... configured to de-energize the training yard circuit in response to the trigger event
Data Source
AI summary
A high voltage training system is provided comprising a high voltage training device in connection with one or more energized lines, and configured to detect a trigger event involving the interaction of a user with the energized lines, modulating/regulating current output in response, and engage one or more of an alert from an alert system, whereby the training system aids in the behavioral modification of the user in a training scenario. A trigger event comprises an event occurring between a user and the energized lines, or contact between a grounding conductor and the energized lines. An alert comprises one or more of an audible alarm, a visual indicator of alarm, or an electrical current (of less than 20 mA) emitted from the energized lines and contacted with the skin of the trainee engaged with the training system.