Resistive Voltage Divider Sensor for Safe Medium-Voltage Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring voltage in high-voltage power lines are inefficient and pose safety risks due to the use of metal wires, which can lead to electrical hazards and inaccuracies in voltage measurement.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing capacitive or resistive voltage dividers to connect sensor units to power lines, allowing for accurate measurement of voltage and other electrical properties while minimizing safety risks and power consumption, using capacitors and distributed resistive elements to facilitate safe and efficient installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If metal wires or potential transformers are used to electrically couple voltage sensors to power lines, then voltage measurement capability is achieved, but electrical safety risks and measurement inaccuracies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optoelectric isolator as an intermediary component between the high-voltage power line and the measurement circuit. This isolator contains a capacitor that couples the voltage sensor to the power line through capacitive coupling, creating an electrical isolation barrier that prevents direct metal-to-metal contact while still allowing voltage measurement. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement capability while eliminating the electrical safety hazards associated with direct metal wire connections.
2Reliability
If conventional metal wire connections are used for voltage sensing, then electrical coupling is achieved, but power loss and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical/electrical metal wire connection system with an optoelectric isolation system based on capacitive coupling and optical isolation. This substitution eliminates the need for direct metal-to-metal electrical contact, thereby reducing power losses associated with resistive heating in metal wires while maintaining reliable voltage measurement capability through the optoelectric isolator.
3Ease of operation
If direct electrical coupling using metal wires is used, then voltage measurement is possible, but device complexity and safety risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The optoelectric isolator serves as a safety intermediary that maintains installation simplicity while eliminating electrical hazards. The device provides a standardized interface for voltage measurement that does not require complex safety procedures or specialized handling, making it as easy to install as conventional methods but without the associated electrical dangers of metal wire connections to live power lines.
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 accurate and safe measurement of voltage and other electrical properties in high-voltage power lines, reducing the risk of electrical hazards and improving power line management by providing reliable data for power distribution systems.
Implementation Method 1
obtain a voltage measurement of a power line by measuring the voltage between the voltage-carrying wire and the neutral wire or ground, measuring a current flow through the resistive element, and adjusting the measured voltage for the voltage drop across the resistive element based on the measured current flow and the resistance of the resistive element
Implementation Method 2
conventional approaches to measuring the voltage of a high voltage power line involve using metal (e.g., copper) wire(s) or potential transformers (PT) to electrically couple a voltage sensor to a voltage carrying (i.e., 'hot') wire of the power line and a neutral wire of the power line
Data Source
AI summary
A system configured to measure an electrical property of a power line comprising a first wire and a second wire, the system comprising a sensor unit including a first capacitor, the sensor unit configured to be connected to the first wire, and a second capacitor configured to be connected to the first capacitor and also to the second wire, wherein the second capacitor is larger than the first capacitor.