Switchboard Sensor Unit for Insulation Breakdown Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current switchboard diagnosis systems are insufficient in precisely detecting insulation breakdown due to internal and external factors, leading to delayed detection and increased risk of accidents, as they rely on single sensors that are prone to noise interference and have limited sensitivity, especially in detecting early signs of deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A diagnosis system incorporating a sensor unit with multiple sensors, including UHF, HFCT, L sensors, and light receiving sensors, along with a data collecting device and remote monitoring device, to collect and process signals for precise status monitoring and early detection of insulation breakdown, thereby enhancing the accuracy and reliability of diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single partial discharge sensor or temperature sensor is attached for monitoring, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability of insulation breakdown detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring function is segmented into multiple specialized sensors: partial discharge sensors (UHF, HFCT, L-type) for different detection needs, temperature sensors for thermal monitoring, and vibration sensors for mechanical coupling assessment. Each sensor type targets specific deterioration modes, improving overall detection precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensor types are combined into an integrated monitoring system that processes data from partial discharge sensors, temperature sensors, and vibration sensors simultaneously. This merging allows cross-validation of signals and comprehensive diagnosis of insulation deterioration, significantly improving measurement precision compared to single-sensor systems.
2Ease of operation
If HFCT sensor is used to detect PD signal on earth wire, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to weak signal and noise interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges HFCT sensor with other partial discharge sensor types (UHF, L-type) and temperature sensors. When HFCT detects weak PD signals, other sensors provide complementary detection capabilities, allowing the system to overcome noise interference and maintain high measurement precision while retaining the ease of HFCT installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors PD signals and compares readings across multiple sensor types. When noise interference affects HFCT measurements, the feedback mechanism identifies anomalies and cross-validates with other sensor data, maintaining measurement precision through adaptive signal verification.
3Ease of operation
If UHF sensor is installed in external box without cover, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to external radiation noise
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines UHF sensor with other partial discharge sensor types and temperature sensors. When external radiation noise affects UHF sensor reliability, other sensors provide alternative detection pathways, maintaining overall system reliability while preserving the installation simplicity of the UHF sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system uses feedback to continuously verify signal authenticity by comparing UHF sensor readings with other sensor types. When external noise interferes with UHF detection, the feedback mechanism identifies inconsistent readings and relies on corroborating data from other sensors, maintaining reliable detection despite environmental challenges.
4Ease of operation
If temperature sensor is attached to busbar center, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates as it cannot detect overheating at coupling parts
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature monitoring function is segmented into multiple sensors positioned at different locations: one at the busbar center for general thermal monitoring and additional sensors at coupling parts and connection points for localized overheating detection. This segmentation maintains ease of operation while significantly improving measurement precision for critical overheating zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges temperature sensor data with vibration sensor data and partial discharge sensor data. When temperature sensor at the center detects elevated temperatures, the system cross-references with vibration and PD signals to identify coupling part deterioration, improving overall overheating detection precision through multi-parameter correlation.
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
The system enables early detection of insulation breakdown and reduces the time to determine faulty devices, improving the precision of switchboard status diagnosis and preventing accidents by using a combination of sensors to minimize measurement errors and noise interference.
Implementation Method 1
The partial discharge sensor is installed mostly as an ultra high frequency (UHF) sensor in the switchboard and detects an electromagnetic signal emitting when partial discharge PD due to the insulation deterioration of a mold transformer in the switchboard occurs
Implementation Method 2
The PD signal flowing along the earth wire 4 is detected by the HFCT sensor 5, a measuring sensor to be displayed by an oscilloscope or a data obtaining device 6 that may check signals
Implementation Method 3
The temperature sensor is attached to a busbar in the switchboard to measure the temperature of the busbar by using a contact type or non-contact type sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnosis system for monitoring a status of a switchboard is provided. The diagnosis system for monitoring a status of a switchboard includes a sensor unit installed in a switchboard, wherein the sensor unit comprise a plurality of sensors sensing two or more of a partial discharge (PD) signal, a temperature signal and an acc signal and outputting each switchboard status sensing signal; a data collecting device receiving each switchboard status sensing signal corresponding to two or more of the PD signal, the temperature signal, and the arc signal from the sensor unit wherein the data collecting device collects a plurality of datums for status monitoring and diagnosis control of the switchboard based on each switchboard status sensing signal received; and a remote monitoring device performing the status monitoring and diagnosis control of the switchboard based on a plurality of measuring datums received from the data collecting device.