Individual Power Consumption Measurement via Voltage Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring individual power consumption in electrical installations are costly and bulky, requiring multiple electricity consumption meters or current sensors, which are expensive and difficult to install, especially in space-constrained electrical panels.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that measure current and voltage at the upstream main line and individual distribution branches, calculating individual power consumption by correlating voltage drops across circuit breakers, reducing the need for multiple sensors and meters, and using a single device to monitor overall and individual power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple electricity consumption meters are installed to monitor individual power consumption, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single electricity consumption meter installed on the upstream main line. By combining voltage measurement and current detection capabilities, the system determines individual branch consumptions through centralized measurement and calculation rather than requiring separate meters for each branch.
Solution Approach 2:
The upstream electricity consumption meter performs multiple functions: measuring overall consumption, detecting voltage drops across circuit breakers, and enabling calculation of individual branch consumptions. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated measurement devices on each branch while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If current sensors are installed on each distribution branch, then individual power consumption can be measured, but ease of operation deteriorates due to installation difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the current sensing function from individual branch installations and relocates it to the upstream main line. By measuring voltage drops across circuit breaker terminals instead of installing current sensors on each branch, the system eliminates complex installation requirements while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses voltage drop measurement across circuit breakers as an intermediary method to indirectly determine branch currents. Instead of directly measuring current on each branch, the system measures voltage differences that correlate with current flow, providing an easier installation approach.
3Measurement precision
If multiple electricity consumption meters are installed, then individual power consumption data is obtained, but loss of substance increases due to space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates all measurement functionality into a single upstream electricity consumption meter, eliminating the need for multiple meters that would occupy significant space in the electrical panel. The unified approach maintains measurement precision while minimizing space requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces costs and installation complexity, providing a compact and economical solution for monitoring individual power consumption in electrical installations, suitable for various types of electrical systems, including single-phase and three-phase installations.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the voltage of at least one individual distribution branch, downstream of a circuit breaker equipping the branch; determining the current flowing in the individual distribution branch from the difference between the voltage of the upstream main line and the voltage of the individual distribution branch
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
To determine consumption in a group of individual electricity distribution branches (3), a method comprises steps in which: a) the current (I) flowing in an upstream main line (2) and the voltage (U) of the upstream main line are measured; b) the voltage (Ui) of at least one branch, downstream of a circuit breaker (7) equipping each branch (3), is measured; c) the current (Ii) flowing in the branch is determined from the difference (ΔUi) of the upstream-downstream voltages; d) the individual power consumption (Pi') of the branch is calculated from the current and voltage of the branch; e) the total power (P) consumed by the group of branches is calculated from the current and voltage of the upstream main line;and f) we correct (F6) the individual power consumption (Pi'), so that an instantaneous variation in electrical consumption observed at the branch (3) is equal to an instantaneous variation in electrical consumption observed simultaneously at the upstream main line (2).;