Modular Protection Device for Electrical Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protection devices for medium and high voltage electrical networks are cumbersome to switch from normal to test position, making functional tests non-intuitive and complicating access to the trip circuit during testing.
Innovation Solution
A protection device with a removable active part and test part that allows easy mechanical and electrical connection, enabling the test part to replace the active part and connect directly to the base part, maintaining access to the trip circuit through external terminals in the test position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the active part is turned around to place it in the test position, then the test part can be accommodated, but the procedure becomes non-intuitive and access to the trip circuit is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into three separate replaceable modules: a base part, an active part, and a test part. This segmentation allows the test part to be directly connected to the base part without requiring the active part to be repositioned or turned around, making the switching procedure intuitive and maintaining access to the trip circuit through accessible external terminals on the base part.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the active part is turned around to accommodate the test part, then functional tests can be performed, but access to the trip circuit is masked and operators cannot connect to it
Solution Approach 1:
The trip circuit connection functionality is extracted from the active part and integrated into the base part. This allows the trip circuit to remain accessible through external terminals on the base part even when the test part is connected, enabling operators to monitor and interact with the trip circuit during functional tests without being blocked by the active part.
3Reliability
If the active part is mechanically fixed to the base part in the normal position, then electrical measurements are processed, but switching to test position is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device is segmented into modular components (base part, active part, test part) with standardized connection interfaces. This modular design simplifies the switching mechanism between normal and test positions, allowing operators to simply connect or disconnect the appropriate modules without complex mechanical operations, while maintaining reliable electrical connections during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for protecting a medium or high voltage electrical network is provided, including a base part connected to means for measuring values representative of the electrical network and to a trip circuit of the electrical network, an active part that includes means for analogue-digital conversion of the values representative of the electrical network and which is mechanically and electrically connected to the base part in a first position referred to as the normal position, and a removable test part that is mechanically and electrically connected to the active part in a second position referred to as the test position. The test part includes means for mechanically and electrically connecting to the base part such that, in the test position, external terminals of the test part are connected to the trip circuit through the base part.