Remote Isolating Device for Circuit Breaker Lockout-Tagout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lockout-tagout procedures for electrical equipment require specialized personnel and are cumbersome, especially for mid-size and large motors, as they necessitate physical presence in an electrical room, which can be hazardous and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A supplementary isolating device with interlocking functionality that allows remote operation of a circuit breaker using control voltages, featuring a mechanically lockable electrical disconnection switch, an indicator for operational status, and flexible installation near machinery, eliminating the need for large power cables and specialized personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical disconnect is performed directly on supply equipment in electrical room, then isolation reliability is ensured, but operator safety deteriorates and procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A supplementary isolating device with remote control functionality is introduced as an intermediary between the operator and the circuit breaker. This device includes a control unit that can remotely operate the circuit breaker through control circuits, eliminating the need for operators to physically access high-voltage equipment while maintaining isolation reliability through interlocking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolating function is segmented into two parts: the original circuit breaker in the electrical room and a supplementary isolating device with remote control capabilities. This segmentation allows the control function to be separated from the power interruption function, enabling safe remote operation while maintaining the reliability of the original isolation mechanism.
2Reliability
If physical disconnect is performed in electrical room, then proper isolation is achieved, but accessibility and efficiency deteriorate due to distance from machinery
Solution Approach 1:
The supplementary isolating device acts as an intermediary control station that can be positioned near the machinery while maintaining electrical connection to the circuit breaker through control circuits. This allows operators to perform lockout-tagout procedures at a convenient location close to the equipment being serviced, dramatically improving accessibility without compromising the reliability of isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical requirement for physical presence at the electrical room is replaced by an electrical/control system that allows remote operation. The supplementary isolating device uses control voltages and control circuits to operate the circuit breaker from a remote location, substituting the need for physical mechanical access with an electrical control mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If switch-disconnectors are installed next to motors, then accessibility improves, but device size and cost increase for mid-size and large motors
Solution Approach 1:
The isolating function is segmented between the existing circuit breaker (which remains in the electrical room) and a compact supplementary control device (which can be placed near the machinery). This segmentation allows the bulk of the isolation mechanism to remain centralized while providing remote control capabilities through a small auxiliary device, avoiding the need for large disconnectors at each motor location.
Solution Approach 2:
A compact supplementary isolating device serves as an intermediary control station that provides remote operation capabilities without requiring large physical disconnectors near the machinery. This intermediary device uses control circuits to operate the main circuit breaker from a distance, maintaining accessibility while keeping the device size small.
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
Enables safe and efficient lockout-tagout operations remotely from the electrical room, reducing the need for specialized personnel and allowing convenient access for maintenance, while ensuring the circuit breaker's operational status is accurately indicated.
Implementation Method 1
the latch mechanism comprises a latch arm, a resilient element biased in a latch releasing direction, and an electromagnetically actuable coil arranged to cooperate with the latch arm
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a supplementary isolating device for remote operation of a circuit breaker with interlocking functionality. The supplementary isolating device includes: an electrical disconnection switch manoeuvrable between a mechanically lockable first position and a mechanically lockable second position, which electrical disconnection switch is configured to be connected in the control circuit of a circuit breaker for an electrical drive system, wherein the supplementary isolating device is configured to send a first control voltage to the circuit breaker to provide an electrical disconnect and interlocking the operation of the circuit breaker, when the electrical disconnection switch is in the first position, an electric terminal configured to be connected to an auxiliary contact of the circuit breaker to obtain an operational status of the circuit breaker, and an indicator configured to indicate the operational status of the circuit breaker.