Portable Motor Starter Ride-Through Tester
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current test equipment for evaluating ride-through capabilities of electric motor starters is cumbersome, costly, and not suitable for field use, lacking the ability to easily assess and adjust voltage drop magnitude and duration, which is essential for maintaining industrial processes during power fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A portable low voltage ride-through test apparatus with a variable transformer and programmable logic circuitry that simulates voltage drops at the control circuitry of motor starters, allowing technicians to manually set voltage magnitude and duration, and monitor the motor starter's response, enabling precise determination of ride-through capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing test equipment is used to evaluate ride-through capabilities, then comprehensive testing can be performed, but the equipment is cumbersome, costly, and not suitable for field use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential testing function from complex existing equipment by using a simple variable transformer connected directly to the motor starter control circuit. This extracted approach provides ride-through capability assessment without requiring cumbersome test equipment, achieving both reliability and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive, simple components (variable transformer, voltmeter, timer) that can be easily deployed and moved for field testing. These simple objects replace expensive, complex permanent test equipment, enabling cost-effective field usability while maintaining testing reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual testing methods are used, then equipment cost is reduced, but the ability to easily assess and adjust voltage drop magnitude and duration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a variable transformer with adjustable settings that allow dynamic modification of voltage drop magnitude and duration during testing. This dynamic adjustment capability provides versatility in testing different ride-through scenarios while maintaining cost-effectiveness through simple manual controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables testing of various voltage drop conditions by changing parameters (voltage magnitude, duration, timing) using the variable transformer and timer. This parameter variability allows comprehensive ride-through assessment across different operating conditions without requiring complex automated equipment.
3Reliability
If ride-through protection is implemented, then power interruptions are prevented during intermittent outages, but the manufacturer specified RC circuitry values can drift over time causing inadequate protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables field technicians to perform self-testing and verification of ride-through capabilities without requiring manufacturer intervention or complex diagnostic equipment. This self-service approach allows ongoing monitoring and validation of protection effectiveness, ensuring continuous reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides feedback on actual ride-through performance by allowing technicians to observe whether the motor starter maintains operation during induced voltage drops. This feedback mechanism enables verification of RC circuitry effectiveness and timely detection of drift or degradation.
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 quick, cost-effective, and portable assessment of motor starter ride-through capabilities, facilitating early detection of issues and minimizing downtime in industrial settings by allowing technicians to easily test and adjust for optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
a variable transformer for manually controlling the magnitude of the voltage drop
Implementation Method 2
Timing circuitry is programmed to count cycles of a 120 VAC input voltage to affect the occurrence and duration of the voltage drop
Data Source
AI summary
A portable ride-through (RT) tester provides a voltage drop at control circuitry of a motor starter to test its RT capabilities. The RT tester includes a variable transformer for manually controlling the magnitude of the voltage drop. Timing circuitry is programmed to count cycles of a 120 VAC input voltage to affect the occurrence and duration of the voltage drop. The primary windings of the transformer are connected to the 120 VAC. The variable secondary winding is connected to output terminals, which are electrically connected to the starter control circuitry via conductive probes. The power circuit of the starter is disengaged during testing. The timers sequentially provide the 120 VAC input voltage and the voltage drop at the starter control circuitry. Repeated testing at different durations and monitoring for tripping of relays/solenoids of the starter enables the tester to determine the exact ride-through capability of the motor starter.