Centralized Power Contactor Control for Scheduled Equipment Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the tertiary sector, particularly in the catering industry, there is a need to reduce electricity consumption due to varying customer demand, but existing solutions like smart sockets and programmable time switches are not suitable for high-power equipment and are expensive or require manual programming.
Innovation Solution
A centralized control system using power contactors and a control unit that allows for easy programming and automatic switching of high-power electrical equipment based on predefined time schedules, ensuring efficient operation during peak hours and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If smart outlets or programmable time switches are used to control equipment operation times, then energy consumption can be reduced, but these solutions are not suitable for high-power equipment and fail to meet electrical safety standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces power contactors as intermediary devices between the control unit and high-power electrical equipment. These contactors are specifically designed to handle high-power circuits while meeting electrical safety standards, thereby enabling automatic time-based control without compromising safety. The control unit sends low-power control signals to the contactors, which then switch the high-power equipment on or off according to predefined schedules.
2Extent of automation
If programmable time switches are installed in the electrical distribution panel to control each device, then automatic operation control is achieved, but the cost becomes very high as each device requires a separate expensive switch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual time control functions into a single centralized control unit that can manage all high-power electrical equipment. Instead of installing separate programmable time switches for each device, one control unit with a user interface programs the operating schedules for all equipment, significantly reducing the number of control devices while maintaining full automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed as a universal device capable of controlling multiple different types of high-power electrical equipment simultaneously. It provides multi-functional control through a single interface, allowing one device to perform the work of many individual time switches, thereby simplifying the system and reducing costs.
3Loss of energy
If manual switching of each electrical device is performed to reduce energy consumption during off-peak periods, then electricity cost is reduced, but the operation becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automatic control where the electrical equipment is switched on or off automatically based on pre-programmed time schedules without requiring manual intervention. The control unit autonomously monitors the current time and device schedules, then actuates the appropriate power contactors to control equipment operation, eliminating the need for tedious manual switching while maintaining energy efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Centralized control system for the power supply of electrical power equipment installed in a professional premises in the tertiary sector, comprising: - power contactors (3), each intended to be connected to the electrical circuit of a piece of equipment to be controlled, to authorize or interrupt the power supply of the corresponding equipment, upon receipt of an electrical control signal; - a control unit (1) comprising a user interface (10) for the entry by a user of operating schedules of the equipment, a storage unit (11) for these parameters, a central unit (12) for generating a control signal based on the stored schedules;- a control unit (2) in communication with the central unit (10), electrically connected to each of the power contactors (3), and configured to receive the pilot signal, and send a control signal to the contactors (3) according to the pilot signal, to control the opening or closing of the contactors.