Virtual Branch Load Management for Power Distribution Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power monitoring systems require bulky and noise-susceptible current transformers (CTs) and extensive wiring at the branch level, making installation time-consuming and error-prone, while also compromising accuracy due to signal degradation.
Innovation Solution
A virtual branch load management system that estimates and records branch-level current data by measuring total load at the Power Distribution Panel (PDP) without direct branch-level metering, using remotely operable circuit breakers and eliminating bulky CTs and wiring, with control modes like Manual, Remote Manual, and Agile to automate the estimation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current transformers (CTs) and wiring are installed at the branch level to measure current, then direct current measurement is achieved, but installation becomes time-consuming and error-prone, and accuracy deteriorates due to noise susceptibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the metering function from the branch level and relocates it to the main panel level. Instead of installing CTs at each branch circuit, the system uses a single CT at the main panel to measure total current, then electronically distributes and attributes current measurements to individual branches through software algorithms, eliminating the need for physical CT installation at each branch location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational layer that acts as a mediator between the main panel current measurement and branch-level monitoring requirements. The system uses a current distribution algorithm that calculates branch currents based on appliance power consumption data, appliance catalogs, and circuit configuration information, rather than direct physical measurement at each branch.
2Reliability
If multiple ribbon cables are connected within the panel to carry CT wires, then branch-level current measurement is enabled, but installation time increases and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate measurement functions into a single integrated measurement system. Instead of requiring separate CT installations and cable connections for each branch circuit, the system combines all branch monitoring into one main panel measurement point, using a single CT and consolidating all wiring connections at the main panel location rather than at each branch breaker.
3Loss of information
If wires connecting CT to monitoring circuitry are used, then current data transmission is achieved, but accuracy diminishes due to noise susceptibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical signal transmission system with an information-based computational system. Instead of transmitting analog current signals through physical wires that are susceptible to electromagnetic interference, the system uses digital data processing, appliance power consumption calculations, and software-based current distribution algorithms to determine branch currents, eliminating analog signal transmission entirely.
Data Source
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AI summary
A load estimation algorithm for automatically estimating power consumed by each branch load connected to circuit breakers in a power distribution panel (PDP) without requiring individual current sensing at each branch. The load estimation algorithm can be operated in a manual mode, remote manual mode, or an agile mode. In manual mode, the user turns off individual circuit breakers in an ordered sequence, and the load estimation algorithm calculates the difference in the power consumption when all loads are connected versus when one load is disconnected to estimate the power consumption of the disconnected load. In the remote manual mode, the circuit breakers are remotely operable, so that load estimation algorithm controls their states through software. In agile mode, the algorithm continuously attempts to estimate power consumption of each load connected to the PDP by comparing present load estimates with previous load estimate and flagging any discrepancies.