Low-Voltage Power Detection Module for DIN Rail Energy Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current current measuring modules in low-voltage distribution boards can only measure effective current, which is proportional to active power only in simple linear consumers, leading to errors in recording active, reactive, and distortion reactive power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A detection system that measures active, reactive, or apparent power by using a module designed to determine currents through conductors connected to modular installation devices in a low-voltage distribution board, with each module having its own current sensors and a functional unit to process signals representative of power or energy, allowing for accurate power measurement across multiple conductors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If current measuring modules measure only effective current, then the measurement system remains simple and compact, but measurement precision deteriorates for non-linear consumers with displacement or distortion reactive power
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement function is segmented into two independent parts: current measurement (via current sensors in series with consumers) and voltage measurement (via voltage sensors connected to phase conductors). This segmentation allows each sensor type to measure its specific parameter accurately without being affected by the limitations of the other, enabling precise power calculation through subsequent multiplication of current and voltage signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces voltage sensors as intermediary measurement elements that capture voltage signals from the phase conductors. These voltage signals serve as a mediator between the electrical parameter domain and the computational domain, enabling the system to calculate active power, reactive power, and distortion power by combining voltage and current measurements through signal processing and mathematical operations.
2Measurement precision
If voltage signals are integrated into the measurement module, then power measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement modules are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as current measurement devices and as integrated power analysis systems. By incorporating voltage sensing capabilities and signal processing functions within the same module structure, the system achieves comprehensive power measurement (active, reactive, distortion) without requiring separate dedicated devices for each function, thus managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the current measurement function, voltage measurement function, and power calculation function into a unified measurement module. This combining of functions allows the system to determine multiple power parameters simultaneously from a single integrated device, reducing the overall number of components needed while maintaining measurement precision across all power types.
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 precise recording and analysis of energy consumption, optimizing household or company energy use by accurately measuring active, reactive, and apparent power, reducing measurement errors and supporting dynamic switching of consumers based on consumption and price situations.
Implementation Method 1
The currents 2 are recorded in a galvanically isolated manner using a suitable current sensor 4
Implementation Method 2
using a voltage signal provided, which is generated from at least one input voltage at the low-voltage level, to generate signals which are representative of the powers or the amounts of energy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Module (10) for a detection system for power or energy quantities transmitted through conductors (2, 40) connected to a low-voltage distribution board, wherein the module is configured to determine a number of currents (I) flowing through a number of conductors, the number of conductors being connected to a number of DIN rail devices (5) arranged in the low-voltage distribution board, and using a provided voltage signal (SU) generated from at least one input voltage (14) at low-voltage level, to generate signals representative of the power or energy quantities transmitted through each of the number of conductors, wherein the module is configured to be arranged in the low-voltage distribution board in a longitudinal direction, in particular directly above or below the number of DIN rail devices.