PLC Configuration Software for Medium-Voltage Switchgear

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing technologies require significant manual programming effort and expertise to configure control and protection devices for medium or high-voltage switching devices, making it difficult to set up suitable monitoring and control functions without extensive programming knowledge.

Innovation Solution

Configuration software that integrates PLC programming software to automatically generate a PLC program based on user-inputted basic data, allowing for the creation of control, signaling, and interlocking functions for switching devices without requiring manual programming knowledge, using standard software that translates human-readable code into machine code for programmable logic controllers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual programming of PLC is used to provide control functions for switching devices, then the control and protection device can be adapted to specific switch panel configurations, but the programming effort and required programming knowledge increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to specific switch panel configurationsVSAvoidprogramming effort and required programming knowledge

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A configuration software is introduced as an intermediary between the user and the PLC programming process. This software automatically generates the PLC program based on user-provided configuration data about the switch panel, eliminating the need for users to manually program the PLC while still achieving specific adaptations to different configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The PLC programming system performs self-service by automatically generating the control program based on configuration parameters. The system uses the provided configuration data to autonomously create the PLC code, reducing manual intervention and expertise requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If configuration programs with manual parameter entry are used, then comprehensive configuration data can be obtained, but the effort to set up the control device is not reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive configuration dataVSAvoidsetup effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical process of programming the PLC is replaced with an automated software-based system. The configuration software automatically translates configuration parameters into PLC programs, substituting the manual programming mechanical process with an automated information processing system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2806319B1Configuration software and method for creating configuration data and a PLC program for a stored program controller comprising control and/or protective devices for medium-voltage or high-voltage equipment

Publication Date: 2020.01.22 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS

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AI summary

The invention relates to configuration software for creating configuration data and a PLC program for at least one control and/or protection device comprising a programmable logic controller for monitoring and/or controlling at least one drive component for at least one switching device for medium or high voltage technology, wherein PLC programming software for programming a programmable logic controller is integrated into the configuration software.