Portable Voltage Verification Workflow for High-Voltage Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrotechnical workflows in high-voltage installations face safety risks due to human errors in adhering to critical safety rules, such as isolation, protection against reclosing, grounding, and safeguarding, despite strict guidelines.
Innovation Solution
An automatic monitoring method and device using portable communication devices that confirm isolation, safeguarding, and grounding through bidirectional communication with central systems, generating alarms if safety protocols are not met, and integrating sensors and imaging for real-time verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual monitoring of safety rules is used in electrotechnical workflows, then flexibility and ease of operation are maintained, but safety reliability deteriorates due to human errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-monitoring of safety rule compliance through portable devices that autonomously capture images, analyze workflow adherence, and generate compliance certificates without requiring manual intervention from safety officers, thereby improving reliability while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Manual visual inspection and paper-based compliance tracking are replaced with automated image recognition technology and digital monitoring systems, eliminating human error in safety assessment while providing objective, verifiable compliance data
2Reliability
If automated monitoring systems with multiple sensors and imaging devices are deployed, then safety reliability improves through real-time verification, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The portable monitoring device integrates multiple functions including image capture, workflow analysis, compliance verification, and certificate generation into a single unified system, eliminating the need for separate sensors and devices while achieving comprehensive safety monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses portable devices as intermediary tools that bridge the gap between complex safety requirements and simple user operation, providing automated analysis and verification without requiring users to directly manage multiple sensors or complex monitoring infrastructure
3Reliability
If continuous real-time monitoring is implemented throughout the workflow, then safety compliance is improved, but loss of time for workflow execution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated compliance checks at key workflow stages rather than continuous monitoring, capturing images and verifying safety rules at critical transition points, which maintains compliance reliability while minimizing interference with workflow execution speed
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system operates in the background during workflow execution without interrupting the primary task, automatically capturing and analyzing compliance data continuously while allowing workers to proceed with their duties uninterrupted
4Loss of information
If portable communication devices with bidirectional communication are used, then information accuracy improves through real-time confirmation, but device complexity and communication infrastructure requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback loops where compliance data is captured, analyzed, and immediately communicated back to relevant personnel through portable devices, ensuring information accuracy and enabling real-time corrective actions without complex communication infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for the automatic monitoring of an electrotechnical work flow and to a corresponding device. The method comprises the following steps: establishing (S0) a first bidirectional communications link (F1) between a mobile communications unit (1) and a mobile voltmeter (10); starting (S1) a work step sequence program on a mobile communications unit (1) by means of an input device (1b) of the mobile communications unit (1); outputting (S2) a work step instruction of a plurality of work step instructions (A) to disconnect a live electronic component (K1) in order to effect an absence of voltage at the electronic component (K1) on an outputting device (1a) of the mobile communications unit (1) by the work step sequence program; automatically or manually confirming (S3) the disconnection of the electronic component (K1) at the mobile communications unit (1); following the confirmation (S3) of the disconnection of the electronic component (K1), outputting (S4) a work step instruction of the plurality of work step instructions (A) to check the absence of voltage at the electronic component (K1) by means of the mobile voltmeter (10) on the outputting device (1a) of the mobile communications unit (1) by the work step sequence program; checking (S5) the absence of voltage at the electronic component (K1) by means of the mobile voltmeter (10); communicating (S6) the result of the check from the mobile voltmeter (10) to the mobile communications unit (1); if the result of the check indicates an absence of voltage, automatically confirming (S8) the check of the absence of voltage from the electronic component (K1) by outputting a confirmation signal by the mobile communications unit (1); if the result of the check does not indicate an absence of voltage, outputting (S9a) a first alarm signal by the mobile communications device (1).