Outlet Fault Isolation for Precise Electrical Fault Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical systems lack efficient and precise methods for detecting and locating electrical faults, which can lead to safety hazards, equipment damage, and power outages.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a controller and outlets with integrated fault detection units, where the controller communicates with outlets to learn their relative positions and monitor for faults, allowing for precise fault detection and location identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional electrical systems without integrated fault detection are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of fault location deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fault detection and location capabilities directly into the outlet devices themselves, merging multiple functions (power distribution, fault detection, fault location) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate complex monitoring systems while achieving precise fault location through the controller's communication with equipped outlets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary that coordinates between outlets and provides centralized fault detection and location capabilities. The controller receives signals from outlets, determines fault locations based on outlet positions, and manages the overall system, thereby achieving precise measurement without requiring each outlet to be independently complex.
2Reliability
If integrated fault detection units are installed in outlets, then reliability of electrical system improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes outlets multi-functional by equipping them with both power distribution and fault detection capabilities. Each outlet serves universal purposes: providing electrical power and monitoring for faults, arc faults, and providing location information. This multi-functionality improves system reliability without requiring separate dedicated detection devices for each function.
3Loss of information
If controller learns and stores relative positions of outlets, then loss of information about fault location is reduced, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the controller learn and store the relative positions of outlets during normal operation before any fault occurs. This pre-established spatial information is immediately available when a fault is detected, eliminating the need for complex real-time location calculations and reducing energy consumption during actual fault events.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are described. An example system embodiment includes a controller configured to receive a fault detection signal from an outlet of a plurality of outlets indicating detection of a fault; in response to the fault detection signal, configure each of the outlets to be in the open state; cause individual ones of the outlets to transition from the open to the closed state one at a time until an additional fault occurs; determine a location of the additional fault based on an identity of a first outlet configured in the open state and transitioned to the closed state prior to the additional fault occurring; determine a corrective state for each of the outlets; cause each of the outlets to be in the corrective state determined for each of the outlets; and transmit a notification based on the location of the additional fault.