Load Center Thermal Model for Dynamic Overload Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load centers often trip due to overload when additional or larger loads are added, necessitating costly upgrades and disruptions, which can be avoided by managing load energy and temperature to prevent thermal tripping.
Innovation Solution
An energy management system monitors load center temperature and energy level, using communication protocols to coordinate with smart loads to reduce power consumption and avoid thermal tripping, or disconnect loads if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If additional or larger loads are added to the load center, then the power capacity and functionality are improved, but the load center operates in an overloaded state causing thermal tripping
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of loads based on real-time temperature monitoring. When the load center temperature approaches tripping thresholds, the system automatically reduces or shuts off non-essential loads to maintain safe operating conditions, enabling the load center to handle higher peak loads without tripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of loads (power consumption levels) based on temperature conditions. By monitoring temperature and adjusting load parameters dynamically, the system allows the load center to operate in an overloaded state temporarily without causing thermal tripping.
2Power
If the load center is upgraded to handle higher loads, then the power capacity is improved, but the cost and complexity of installation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The load management system automatically monitors temperature, identifies overloaded conditions, and autonomously adjusts load distribution without requiring manual intervention or physical upgrades to the load center infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of physically upgrading the load center hardware, the system achieves higher effective power capacity by dynamically changing the operational parameters of connected loads, allowing the existing load center to handle higher loads without physical modification.
3Power
If the load center is upgraded to handle higher loads, then the power capacity is improved, but the cost of upgrade increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automatic load management that eliminates the need for expensive physical upgrades. By self-monitoring and self-adjusting load distribution, the system achieves cost-free expansion of effective power capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of investing in expensive, permanent load center upgrades, the system uses a software-based solution that provides temporary, flexible load management capabilities at minimal cost, allowing the existing infrastructure to serve expanded power needs.
4Reliability
If loads are disconnected to prevent tripping, then thermal tripping is avoided, but utility service continuity is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages load disconnection based on real-time temperature conditions. Rather than permanent disconnection, the system temporarily adjusts non-essential loads and automatically restores them when temperature conditions improve, maintaining service continuity while preventing thermal tripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic monitoring and adjustment of load operations. Loads are cyclically managed based on temperature thresholds, allowing temporary reductions in non-essential loads followed by restoration, thereby maintaining overall service continuity while preventing thermal tripping events.
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
Enables load centers to operate in an overloaded state without tripping, avoiding costly upgrades and minimizing interruptions, ensuring continuous utility service.
Implementation Method 1
monitors temperature change within the load center and also the load center energy level, and determines whether the load center is close to thermal tripping based on the temperature change and the energy level
Implementation Method 2
the demand for utility power may increase beyond the load center rating and cause the load center to operate in an 'overloaded' state. When that happens, an overcurrent protection device (OCPD) in the load center interrupts or 'trips' utility power to the branch circuits
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems/methods for managing a load center (500) uses a thermal model of an overcurrent protection device to adjust the load center (500) energy level. The systems/methods provide an energy management system (EMS) that manages the amount of load energy in the load center (500) to allow the load center (500) to operate in an overloaded state without inducing thermal tripping. The EMS (512) includes a dynamic load control algorithm that can continuously determine in real time the amount of time remaining until load shedding is required to ensure thermal tripping is avoided, and coordinate with various loads (508) to reduce the amount of load center (500) energy. The EMS (512) can send a request to the loads (508) that includes the time remaining until load shedding is required to allow each load (518) to decide for itself how best to respond. In some embodiments, the request may also include a power margin by which each load (508) should reduce power consumption.