Storm-Triggered Isolation Device for Electrical Equipment Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for protecting electrical equipment from overvoltages, such as surge arresters and automatic monitoring devices, are not sufficiently reliable and efficient, particularly in ensuring user safety during storm conditions, as they either filter only part of the surges or do not fully disconnect electrical equipment from the earth line.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that includes an isolation device with main line and earth line cutoffs, controlled by monitoring storm risk, which successively disconnects the main line and then the earth line in case of detected storm risk, allowing equipment to operate without being connected to the earth line, thereby preventing overvoltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive devices such as surge arresters are used to filter surges, then part of the surges are filtered, but the protection is not complete and only filters part of the surges
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system segments the surge protection function into multiple independent components: meteorological monitoring module, control module, and isolation device with main line cutoff and earth line cutoff. Each component performs a specific function, and together they provide comprehensive protection that addresses the limitations of single passive devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by monitoring meteorological data in advance to detect storm risks before they occur. When a storm risk is detected, the control module activates the isolation device to disconnect the main line and earth line before the surge arrives, preventing damage rather than merely filtering it when it occurs.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical disconnectors are used to disconnect electrical equipment, then equipment can be disconnected, but user safety is not fully guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control module continuously monitors meteorological data and receives status information from the isolation device. This closed-loop control ensures that disconnection actions are taken only when necessary (storm detected) and that the system state is continuously verified, providing both operational capability and safety assurance.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module acts as an intermediary between the meteorological monitoring system and the isolation device. It processes the storm risk detection and intelligently controls the timing and sequence of disconnection operations, ensuring that the earth line is disconnected after the main line to maintain user safety while achieving complete isolation.
3Reliability
If the earth line is opened before the main line, then equipment is protected from overvoltages, but the disconnection sequence must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The control module is programmed with preliminary knowledge of the correct disconnection sequence. Upon detecting a storm risk, it automatically executes the predetermined sequence: first disconnecting the main line and then disconnecting the earth line. This eliminates the need for complex real-time decision-making and ensures the protective sequence is always followed.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation device is designed to be self-controlled through the automated control module that monitors conditions and executes disconnection actions without human intervention. The system serves itself by automatically detecting storm risks and performing the complex sequencing operations, reducing the burden on users while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates mainly to a method of protecting electrical equipment (7, 14) connected to a cable network (2) comprising at least one main line (3, 4, 5) in which an electric current is capable of flowing, and an earth line (6) connected to an earthing device (8), which method comprising the successive steps of: -detection of a risk of storm by means of storm risk monitoring (13); -generation by control means (12) of a command to disconnect the equipment (7, 14) from the cable network (2) following the detection of a risk of storm; -opening of the main line (3, 4, 5) of the cable network (2) by means of cutting (9, 10) of the main line, and - after the implementation of this step of opening the main line, the opening of the earth line (6) of the cable network (2) by means of cutting (11) of earth.