Polyphase Conductor Phase Determination via PLC

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining the phase of a polyphase electrical current distribution network lack the ability to identify the phase of a conductor relative to a common reference phase across the entire network, especially when direct communication between conductors is not possible, and they do not provide sufficient reliability or automation in phase determination.

Innovation Solution

A method that calculates phase shifts between conductors and uses statistical distribution to determine the phase of a target conductor relative to a reference phase, allowing for phase determination without direct communication between the target and reference conductors, and can be automated and repeated as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If two portable devices are installed at different locations to determine phase order, then phase comparison is possible, but device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase determination capabilityVSAvoidnumber of portable devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses PLC communication technology as an intermediary to transmit phase information through the existing electrical conductors. Instead of requiring multiple portable devices, a single device can determine its phase by receiving phase reference information from other devices through the power line carrier communication system, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical conductors in the power distribution network serve dual functions: they simultaneously carry electrical power and transmit communication signals for phase determination. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated measurement infrastructure, allowing phase determination using existing network infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If phase determination requires direct communication between target and reference conductors, then measurement is straightforward, but adaptability to network topology changes decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase shift measurementVSAvoidnetwork topology adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the phase determination process into multiple independent measurement steps. Instead of requiring direct communication between target and reference conductors, the system determines phase shifts between adjacent conductors in sequence, then combines these incremental measurements to calculate the overall phase relationship. This segmented approach allows the system to adapt to various network topologies including those where direct communication is not possible

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses intermediate conductors as mediators to transmit phase information indirectly. When direct communication between target and reference conductors is not possible, the phase information is transmitted through intermediate conductors that are accessible to both, enabling phase determination without direct connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If manual phase determination methods are used, then equipment requirements are simple, but productivity and automation level are low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment simplicityVSAvoidphase determination speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automated phase determination that operates without continuous human intervention. The portable device automatically performs phase measurements, processes the collected data, determines phase relationships, and can even identify network topology. This self-service capability significantly increases productivity while maintaining equipment simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where measurement results are automatically processed and used to guide subsequent measurements or operations. The device receives phase information from PLC communications, automatically calculates phase relationships, and can provide feedback for network configuration or load balancing decisions, enhancing productivity through automated decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3753117B1Determining the phase of a conductor belonging to a polyphase network

Publication Date: 2022.03.16 ENEDIS

Figure 1

AI summary

A method makes it possible to determine a phase of a conductor (5) that belongs to a polyphase electric power distribution network (100). To this end, the network has to be communicating in accordance with a power line communication (PLC) protocol, and the method is designed for such an asynchronous PLC protocol. Each phase determination sequence is fast, and is able to be executed automatically without an operator having to move to the conductor whose phase is to be determined.