Electric Meter Overload Detection Using Bus Bar Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric meters in power grids are prone to failure due to excessive heat and current overload, which can cause damage to the meter and surrounding systems, with existing temperature sensing methods often failing to provide timely warnings before irreparable damage occurs.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes multiple temperature sensors associated with each bus bar and a magnetic field sensor to detect temperature and current events, comparing readings to predetermined thresholds to trigger alerts and potentially disconnect power to prevent damage, using a combination of temperature, current, and magnetic field data to confirm overload events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors and magnetic field sensors are deployed to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring system into multiple independent sensor units: temperature sensors placed at different locations within the meter, and magnetic field sensors positioned to detect current through bus bars. Each sensor provides localized measurements, and the controller integrates these segmented data points to achieve comprehensive monitoring with improved precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
2Reliability
If temperature thresholds are set low to enable early detection, then reliability improves by preventing damage, but false alarms increase due to normal operating temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and comparison of temperature readings against predetermined thresholds before actual damage occurs. The controller continuously evaluates temperature data from multiple sensors and only triggers alerts when readings exceed the threshold, enabling early intervention while maintaining reliability by using objective criteria rather than reactive responses to normal variations.
3Measurement precision
If magnetic field sensing is added to confirm current overload events, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines magnetic field sensing with existing temperature monitoring systems into an integrated controller that processes both data types. The magnetic field sensor detects current through the bus bar, and the controller merges this information with temperature readings to confirm overload events, achieving enhanced measurement precision through data fusion while managing complexity through a unified control architecture.
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 allows for early detection and prevention of meter failures and damage to surrounding systems by providing nuanced temperature readings and confirming current overload events through multiple sensor data points, reducing the likelihood of equipment damage and enabling timely intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The system includes a magnetic field sensor associated with an electric meter... The system detects a magnetic field and compares the detected magnetic field to an expected magnetic field threshold
Implementation Method 2
a first temperature sensor associated with the electric meter, a plurality of bus bars connected to the electric meter and at least one temperature sensor uniquely associated with each of the plurality of bus bars... the system detects a plurality of temperatures and compares the detected plurality of temperatures to expected temperature thresholds
Data Source
AI summary
A system that detects temperature and current events in a power grid is provided. The system includes a magnetic field sensor associated with an electric meter, a first temperature sensor associated with the electric meter, a plurality of bus bars connected to the electric meter and at least one temperature sensor uniquely associated with each of the plurality of bus bars. The system detects a magnetic field and compares the detected magnetic field to an expected magnetic field threshold or magnetic field threshold range to provide a magnetic field comparison result and the system detects a plurality of temperatures and compares the detected plurality of temperatures to expected temperature thresholds or temperature threshold ranges to provide a temperature comparison result. The system determines if a notification should be sent based on the magnetic field comparison result and/or the temperature comparison result.