Transformer Self-Monitoring via Integrated Ampere-Hour Meters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transformer and potential transformer monitoring systems lack real-time internal performance monitoring and fail to effectively detect irregularities or fraud in electric power measurement systems, leading to underinvoicing and economic losses due to the inability to continuously verify and record time-integrated current and voltage data.
Innovation Solution
A self-monitoring system that includes time-integrated electrical quantity meters (Ampere-hour and Volt-hour meters) directly coupled to transformer windings, combined with a remote communication module for data transmission and storage, allowing for continuous monitoring and diagnosis of transformer performance and potential irregularities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional current transformers are used without internal monitoring, then the measurement system is simpler and cheaper, but the system cannot detect fraud or irregularities in real-time leading to commercial losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the current transformer function with time-integrated current measurement capability by directly coupling the Ampere-hour meter to the transformer winding. This integration allows the transformer to simultaneously perform current transformation and time-integrated measurement, enabling fraud detection without adding separate monitoring equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The current transformer is equipped with built-in time-integrated current measurement capability through direct coupling of the Ampere-hour meter. This self-monitoring feature allows the transformer to automatically detect and record irregularities, fraud, or malfunctions without requiring external monitoring systems, thereby improving reliability while maintaining simplicity.
2Loss of information
If time-integrated electrical quantity meters are directly coupled to transformer windings, then continuous monitoring and fraud detection is enabled, but the device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by equipping the monitoring system with both Ampere-hour meters for time-integrated current measurement and Volt-hour meters for time-integrated voltage measurement. This universal approach allows the system to simultaneously monitor both current and voltage parameters, providing comprehensive data for detecting various types of fraud and irregularities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote communication module as an intermediary device that receives data from the time-integrated electrical quantity meters and transmits it to remote locations. This mediator enables continuous monitoring and data transmission without requiring complex local processing or storage systems, thereby reducing on-site device complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
3Reliability
If remote communication modules are added for data transmission, then real-time data access and evidence preservation is improved, but the system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transmission and storage functions into a separate remote communication module that can operate independently from the main measurement system. This extracted module receives data from the time-integrated electrical quantity meters and handles all communication and storage operations remotely, thereby simplifying the main system architecture while maintaining reliable data transmission and preservation capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an individualized self-monitoring system for transformers (31, 33) in a electric power measurement installation that comprises at least a transformer (31, 33) and at least a time-integrated electrical quantity meter (3, 4, 13), directly coupled to one of the windings of the transformer (31, 33), the meter (3, 4, 13) being capable of measuring and recording the electrical quantity of said winding.The present invention also relates to a method of monitoring and diagnosing transformers (31, 33) in a power measurement installation that comprises the steps of measuring the values of at least a directly measured time-integrated electrical in at least a winding of at least one transformer (31, 33), performing comparisons between the measured and generating diagnostic results with the compared data.