PV Inverter Boost Circuit Short-Circuit Detection Without Fuses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for detecting a short circuit in an inverter's boost circuit require manual observation of a fuse melting, increasing costs and maintenance workload, and are inefficient in identifying short-circuited diodes before they cause damage to photovoltaic modules.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a processing module to detect short circuits by increasing the voltage of a common bus and analyzing circuit parameters, such as voltage or current, to determine if a boost circuit is short-circuited, eliminating the need for additional fuses and simplifying the detection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fuse is disposed between each boost circuit and photovoltaic module to detect short circuits, then the photovoltaic module is protected from damage, but the cost of the inverter increases and the maintenance workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the physical fuse and relocates it to the control circuit. The control circuit actively detects short circuits by monitoring voltage differences between the input and output sides of each boost circuit, eliminating the need for fuses while maintaining protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit implements continuous feedback monitoring of the boost circuit status by comparing voltages at different points. When a short circuit is detected through voltage differential measurement, the control circuit immediately responds by adjusting the switching transistor or disconnecting the affected circuit, providing active protection without additional components.
2Reliability
If a fuse is disposed between each boost circuit and photovoltaic module to detect short circuits, then the photovoltaic module is protected from damage, but the cost of the inverter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the physical fuse and relocates it to the control circuit. The control circuit actively detects short circuits by monitoring voltage differences between the input and output sides of each boost circuit, eliminating the need for fuses while maintaining protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit performs multiple functions: it controls the switching transistors of the boost circuits, monitors for short circuits through voltage differential measurement, and responds to detected faults. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fuse components, reducing overall system cost.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If operation and maintenance personnel need to observe whether the fuse melts to determine short circuits, then the short circuit can be detected, but the workload of maintaining the inverter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit implements continuous feedback monitoring of the boost circuit status by comparing voltages at different points. When a short circuit is detected through voltage differential measurement, the control circuit immediately responds by adjusting the switching transistor or disconnecting the affected circuit, providing active protection without additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis through the control circuit's automatic monitoring of voltage differences. The control circuit independently detects short circuits and takes corrective action without requiring manual inspection or intervention, significantly reducing maintenance workload.
4Reliability
If the diode in the boost circuit is short-circuited, then the backflow current protects the photovoltaic module through the fuse, but the detection process is delayed until the fuse melts
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit performs preliminary detection by continuously monitoring voltage differences before a short circuit can cause damage. When abnormal voltage differentials indicating a short circuit are detected, the control circuit immediately responds by adjusting the switching transistor or disconnecting the circuit, preventing damage before it occurs rather than waiting for fuse melting.
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
This approach reduces the complexity and cost of the inverter system, enables quicker and more efficient detection of short circuits, and protects photovoltaic strings from damage by automatically reducing output power when a short circuit is detected, thereby enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the processing module increases a voltage of a common bus connected to the plurality of boost circuits
Implementation Method 2
detect a circuit parameter of an input side of each boost circuit in the plurality of boost circuits
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for detecting a short circuit of an inverter, and an inverter are provided. A voltage of a common bus is increased when a plurality of boost circuits in the inverter are all in a non-working state, and after circuit parameters of input sides of all the plurality of boost circuits are detected, a boost circuit in which a diode is short-circuited in the plurality of boost circuits is further determined based on the circuit parameters of the input sides of the boost circuits. According to the method and the apparatus for detecting a short circuit of an inverter, and the inverter, circuit complexity of the inverter can be reduced, and circuit complexity of a photovoltaic power generation system including the inverter is reduced.