MV Switching Device Power Drive Circuit Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medium voltage (MV) switching devices of the electromagnetic type lack protection functions against faults in the power drive circuit and diagnostic capabilities for the main components, leading to potential damage and difficulty in identifying and preventing faults during operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sensing means within the power drive circuit to provide information on currents, voltages, and operative status, enabling protection and diagnostic functions such as fault protection, over-current protection, and fault determination methods to ensure safe operation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protection functions and sensing means are added to the power drive circuit, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing means are designed to serve multiple functions: fault detection, over-current protection, and diagnostic operations. A single sensing circuit monitors both the power drive circuit and excitation windings, eliminating the need for separate protection systems and reducing overall complexity while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The power drive circuit performs self-diagnostics by monitoring its own operational parameters through the sensing means. The system automatically detects faults and generates diagnostic information without requiring external monitoring equipment, thereby improving reliability while avoiding additional circuit complexity
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If sensing means are added to monitor excitation windings, then diagnostic capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing means for monitoring excitation windings are merged with the existing power drive circuit architecture. The same sensing infrastructure used for power circuit monitoring is extended to monitor excitation winding currents, combining multiple diagnostic functions into a unified system that improves detection capability without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing means are designed with multi-functionality to monitor both power drive circuit operation and excitation winding status simultaneously. This universal monitoring approach enables comprehensive diagnostics while avoiding the need for separate dedicated sensing systems for each function
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
The solution effectively prevents faults from propagating to critical components, reduces maintenance needs, and facilitates periodic diagnostic checks, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of MV switching devices.
Implementation Method 1
a MV switching device of the electromagnetic type comprises an electromagnetic actuator for coupling or uncoupling its electric contacts during switching operations
Implementation Method 2
the electromagnetic actuator comprises a magnetic core provided with an excitation winding and a movable plunger mechanically coupled to the mobile contacts of the switching device
Data Source
AI summary
A MV switching device (100) comprising:one or more electric poles, each comprising a movable contact (16) and a fixed contact (17) adapted to be coupled or uncoupled during the switching operations of said switching device; andan electromagnetic actuator (13) operatively coupled to the movable contacts of the electric poles, said electromagnetic actuator having at least an excitation winding (152);power supply means (60) for supplying electric power to said electromagnetic actuator;a power drive circuit (1) for driving said electromagnetic actuator, said power drive circuit comprising sensing means for providing signals indicative of the currents flowing along the circuit branches of said power drive circuit and of the voltages at the terminals of said power drive circuit.