Central Control Device Auto-Configuration for Electrical Switchgear Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for protecting, controlling, and monitoring electrical switchgear or energy supply systems face challenges in efficiently reconfiguring and commissioning after adding new terminal devices without requiring service technician intervention.

Innovation Solution

A method where the central control device assigns network configuration data to newly connected terminal devices, which then send their type identifiers, allowing the central control device to operate function-related communication using device type descriptions, potentially using DHCP and LLDP protocols, and updating device databases automatically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a new terminal device is connected to the central control device via the communication network, then the functionality and versatility of the system is improved, but the complexity of commissioning and configuration increases, requiring service technician intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reconfigurabilityVSAvoidcommissioning effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device automatically performs self-configuration by sending its type identifier to the central control device upon connection. The central control device automatically assigns network configuration data and retrieves the appropriate device type description from the database, eliminating the need for service technician intervention in the commissioning process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Device type descriptions are pre-stored in the central control device's database before any terminal devices are connected. When a new terminal connects, the system quickly matches the terminal's type identifier against pre-existing descriptions and automatically configures the communication parameters, avoiding manual configuration efforts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If device type descriptions are manually configured in the central control device, then communication accuracy is improved, but the time and effort for system changes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidreconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

All device type descriptions are pre-stored in the central control device's database before system operation begins. When a new terminal device is added, the system performs a quick automatic match between the terminal's type identifier and the pre-existing descriptions, retrieving the correct configuration instantly without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device automatically sends its type identifier to the central control device upon connection. The central control device uses this feedback to automatically retrieve the corresponding device type description from the database and configure the communication parameters, creating a closed-loop automatic configuration process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2529458B1Arrangement for protecting, controlling and/or monitoring an electrical switchgear or energy supply system
Publication Date: 2017.09.13 SIEMENS AG
  • EP2529458B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2529458B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates, inter alia, to a method for operating an arrangement (10) which is suitable for protecting, controlling and/or monitoring an electrical switchgear or energy supply system and comprises: a central control unit (20), at least one terminal (E1-E4) which is suitable for measuring energy, switching energy and/or transmitting status data relating to an energy source connected to the terminal or an energy consumer connected to the terminal, and a communication network (30). According to the invention, the central control unit allocates network configuration data (D) to the terminal after the terminal has been connected to the communication network, for the terminal to transmit the type identifier (T4) thereof to the central control unit using the allocated network configuration data and for the function-related communication between the terminal and the central control unit to be operated using a terminal type description (G (E4) ) which corresponds to the type identifier.