Power Distribution Cable Sizing From Load Operation Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
In power supply systems with daisy chain or tree connection configurations, the risk of using power cables with excessively high specifications increases manufacturing costs due to varying current consumptions among load devices, leading to inefficient cable utilization.
Innovation Solution
A design support device and program that acquires configuration and operation pattern information to calculate the maximum current value for each power cable, recommending appropriate cable specifications and connectors to optimize cable usage, thereby reducing unnecessary high specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power cable specifications are determined based on maximum current consumption of each load device, then the electrical performance and mechanical performance of each power cable are protected from deterioration, but the manufacturing cost of the system increases due to excessively high specifications on upstream power cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the current calculation by power cable, calculating the maximum current for each individual cable based on the specific load devices it supplies. This allows each cable to be sized appropriately for its actual load rather than using a uniform high specification for all cables in the distribution path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by calculating current requirements only for the specific portions of the system (individual power cables) that actually need high current capacity. Instead of over-specifying all cables, it determines the appropriate current capacity for each cable based on the cumulative load of devices supplied through that cable.
2Reliability
If power cable specifications are determined based on maximum current consumption of each load device, then the electrical performance and mechanical performance of each power cable are protected from deterioration, but the cable utilization efficiency decreases due to unnecessarily high specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different current capacity specifications to different power cables based on their specific roles in the distribution system. Each cable is sized according to the actual current load it carries, creating locally optimized specifications rather than a uniform high specification throughout the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of cable specification from a uniform high value to variable values tailored to each cable's actual current requirements. By calculating and applying different current ratings to different cables based on their specific load conditions, the system achieves both performance protection and improved utilization efficiency.
3Reliability
If uniform high specification power cables are used throughout the distribution path, then the electrical performance and mechanical performance of each power cable are protected from deterioration, but the manufacturing cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power distribution system into individual cable paths and calculates the current requirements for each segment separately. This allows each cable to be specified according to its actual needs rather than using a uniform high specification for all cables, reducing overall system cost while maintaining performance protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cable specification parameter from a uniform high value to optimized variable values for each cable. By determining the appropriate current rating for each cable based on the cumulative load of devices it supplies, the system achieves cost reduction without compromising the electrical and mechanical performance protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A design support device including: a unit configured to acquire configuration information indicating a configuration of the power distribution supply path; a unit configured to acquire, for each of the plurality of load devices, operation pattern information representing an operation pattern of the load device; a unit configured to calculate, for each power cable, a maximum current value, which is a maximum value of a current flowing through the power cable, based on the configuration information and the operation pattern information of each load device; and a unit configured to output, for each power cable, at least one of the maximum current value for the power cable and recommended cable information representing a cable recommended for use as the power cable based on the calculated maximum current value for each power cable. With this configuration, the design of the power supply system is supported.