Power Interruption Device Using Phase Difference Arc Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power interruption methods fail to rapidly and accurately detect and respond to arcs in electrical loads, leading to potential fires and circuit damage due to delayed power interruption in fault scenarios like wire faults or short-circuits.

Innovation Solution

A power interruption method and device that utilize phase difference measurements between voltage and current signals, rectification, low-pass filtering, and predetermined signal adjustments to generate a control signal for interrupting power supply when an arc is detected, with adjustable thresholds for different load levels and real-time data storage and display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional power interruption methods are used, then the system structure is simple, but the arc detection speed and accuracy are insufficient leading to delayed power interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearc detection speedVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection process is segmented into distinct stages: voltage signal detection, current signal detection, phase difference calculation, and arc determination. Each stage processes specific parameters independently, enabling faster overall detection while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular functional blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from conventional single-parameter detection to multi-dimensional analysis by simultaneously measuring both voltage and current signals and calculating their phase difference. This dimensional expansion from scalar to vector analysis enables rapid arc detection by exploiting the temporal relationship between voltage and current waveforms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If conventional power interruption methods are used, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement precision of arc detection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearc detection precisionVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces conventional mechanical or simple thermal arc detection mechanisms with electronic signal processing. By using voltage and current sensors coupled with phase difference calculation circuits, the system achieves precise arc detection through electrical measurement rather than mechanical response, significantly improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The phase difference calculation serves as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the raw voltage and current measurements and the final arc detection decision. This intermediate computational step transforms complex waveform analysis into a simple threshold comparison, achieving high precision while managing processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If rapid power interruption is implemented, then fire prevention capability is improved, but the risk of false tripping increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire prevention reliabilityVSAvoidfalse tripping harm
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the phase difference between voltage and current and compares it against predetermined thresholds. This feedback mechanism enables rapid response to actual arc conditions while the threshold-based decision logic filters out transient variations that would cause false tripping, balancing reliability with false alarm reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the detection parameter from simple current magnitude to phase difference between voltage and current. This parameter transformation enables more reliable arc detection because the phase relationship provides specific information about load conditions, allowing the system to distinguish between normal operating variations and actual arc faults, thereby reducing false tripping while maintaining rapid response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3772147B1Power interruption method and device based on phase measurement and arc detection of power level
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 CHEIL ELECTRIC WIRING DEVICES CO LTD
  • EP3772147B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3772147B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3772147B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed are a power interruption method and a power interruption device based on power phase measurement and arc detection and a method thereof and disclosed are a power interruption method and a power interruption device which accurately determine, when a value measured by a current transformer (CT), a voltage detector, etc., is input into the main control unit, whether the measured value is a value equal to or more than a predetermined threshold through a comparison between phases of voltage and current to effectively prepare for a disaster such as preventing fire or protecting a subsequent circuit by a rapid and accurate power interruption by arc at a load side.