Surge Protection Devices for Low-Voltage Network Quality Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evaluating the condition and quality of low-voltage networks with many connected consumers require complex and costly integration of measuring and testing devices at multiple points, along with extensive data transmission infrastructure, making them inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
Upgrading existing surge protection devices with self-diagnosis units and wireless or wired interfaces to incorporate power quality measuring and testing capabilities, creating a network status map for location- and time-related data access and analysis, and using parameterizable filters to adapt to network disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If power quality measuring and testing devices are integrated at multiple points in the low-voltage network, then network quality assessment capability is improved, but device complexity and integration cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes surge protection devices multi-functional by integrating power quality measuring and testing capabilities into them. This allows existing surge protection devices to serve dual purposes: protecting against voltage spikes and monitoring network quality, thereby eliminating the need for separate measuring devices at multiple network points and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables surge protection devices to autonomously perform power quality measurements and self-diagnosis without requiring external dedicated measuring equipment. The devices use their own diagnostic capabilities to assess network conditions, reducing the need for complex external integration infrastructure
2Measurement precision
If dedicated measuring and testing devices are deployed throughout the network, then data accuracy is improved, but loss of substance and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repurposes existing surge protection devices to perform power quality measurements, eliminating the need to purchase and deploy separate dedicated measuring devices. This multi-functional approach maintains data accuracy while significantly reducing material costs and deployment expenses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers and utilizes the unused measurement capabilities already present in surge protection devices rather than discarding them or adding redundant dedicated measuring equipment. By activating and using existing diagnostic functions, the system avoids additional material costs while maintaining measurement accuracy
3Loss of information
If extensive data transmission infrastructure is established, then data availability is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes existing communication interfaces in surge protection devices (such as wireless or wired standard interfaces) to transmit power quality data, rather than building dedicated data transmission infrastructure. This approach maintains data availability while avoiding the complexity and cost of new infrastructure deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses existing communication protocols and interfaces as intermediaries to transfer data from surge protection devices to central systems. By leveraging established communication pathways already present in the devices, the system avoids creating complex new transmission infrastructure
4Productivity
If surge protection devices are upgraded with power quality measuring capabilities, then network monitoring efficiency is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent activates and utilizes existing self-diagnosis units and measurement capabilities within surge protection devices without requiring physical hardware modifications or complex manufacturing processes. The upgrade involves software activation and configuration rather than manufacturing changes, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving monitoring efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes surge protection devices multi-functional by enabling them to perform both surge protection and power quality monitoring. This is achieved through software configuration and activation of existing capabilities rather than manufacturing new devices, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enhancing network monitoring efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for evaluating the state and the quality of low-voltage networks, in the branched system of which there is a plurality of connected loads, by determining network measurement data by means of power quality measuring and testing devices and transferring the network measurement data, by means of a standard interface, to a control system or in retrievable form to a server. According to the invention, the overvoltage protection devices, which are or can be used in the low-voltage system and have a self-diagnosis unit and an existing wireless or wired standard interface for data transfer, are able to determine network measurement data by means of integrated or adapted power quality measuring and testing devices.