AU2013201380B9 - Method for locating current consumption points in an electrical current distribution system, processing system and associated electrical current distribution system - Google Patents

Description

1 METHOD FOR LOCATING CURRENT CONSUMPTION POINTS IN AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, PROCESSING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL CURRENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM This invention relates to electric current distribution systems from a central node to current consumption points each associated to at least one electric load. In these distribution systems, respective current connect each consumption point to the central node. In some cases, a respective current meter arranged on each consumption point is 5 adapted to measure the energy consumed by the associated consumption point. The central node is for example a station, referred to as an MV/LV station, interfaced between the medium voltage distribution network (MV) and the low voltage distribution network (LV) to which the domestic users are connected. The LV networks are dense, and sometimes buried, mixing materials and cables 10 of a varying age. In certain cases, they are operated by separate electric utilities, and have been subject to modifications, extensions and repairs, sometimes disparate, without these events having been tracked or listed. As such, the actual constitution of the LV networks is sometimes unknown. In particular, it is not always possible to make the connection between a cable at the outlet 15 of the MV/LV station and a current meter associated with a consumption point. This lack of knowledge of the precise structure of the LV networks is the sources of various problems. For example, it gives rise to a poor estimation of the quality of the network connections, to substantial repair delays, the occurrence of imbalances between the power consumed by the phases of three-phase networks, to the difficulty locating and 20 characterisation of theft of electrical power or fraud. US 2010/0007219 describes a system for automatically detecting the configuration of a system wherein distribution transformers transmit via Power Line Communication (PLC) their identifier to their consumption devices, which themselves then send a message to a central system with both their own identifier and that of their 25 distribution transformer. Such a system makes it possible to make the connection between the distribution transformers and their consumption devices. However, in such a system, crosstalk problems can occur giving rise to the reception of the identifier of a distribution transformer via consumption devices attached to other distribution transformers, and to an incorrect determination of the structure of the distribution system. 30 Furthermore, although such a system does make it possible to locate the MV/LV stations on their MV outlet, it does not make it possible to locate a subscriber meter on an LV outlet.

2 Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia on or before the priority date of the claims 5 herein. Comprises/comprising and grammatical variations thereof when used in this specification are to be taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. 10 In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for locating current consumption points in an electric current distribution system, wherein cables each including an outlet departure departing from a central node provide electric current for respective consumption points provided with first means of telecommunications of the Power Line Communication type referred to as PLC, at least 15 one measuring module being adapted to receive, on the departure outlet of each cable, PLC Messages via second means of telecommunication of the PLC type and to measure a power level of said messages received, said method including the following steps, following the reception, on the departure outlets of separate cables, the same PLC message sent by a consumption point and indicating an identifier of said consumption 20 point: i/ measurements, by at least the measuring module, of the power level on each of said departure outlets of separate cables, of said received associated with said identified indicated; ii/ comparison of said levels of power measured; 25 iii/ selection of the maximum level of power from among the levels of power compared; iv/ determination of the cable at the outlet departure of which was measured the power level selected as being a power cable of said consumption point. Such a method as such makes it possible to identify to which cable at the 30 departure from an MV/LV station, corresponds an electricity meter and/or a consumption point, to be able to know the typology of the LV network and to consequently improve the operations concerning repair, maintenance, estimation of the quality of the LV network connections, locating theft of power, etc. This invention as such makes it possible in particular to locate the subscriber 35 meters on the phase of the LV outlet which is supplying them.

3 In embodiments, the method for locating current consumption points in an electric current distribution system according to the invention further comprises one or several of the following characteristics: - the measuring module furthermore being adapted to remotely transmit data to a 5 collection system, said method comprising a step of remote transmission to the collection system by at least said measuring module, of a dataset indicating the identifier of the consumption point that has sent the message, said power level measured by said measuring point and an identifier of the cable at the outlet departure of which was measured said level, for the purpose of the determination by said collection point of the 10 power cable referred to as consumption point; - the remote transmission is carried out using second means for PLC communication; - the consumption point comprising an electricity meter adapted to be incremented according to the current consumed by said associated consumption point, 15 said PLC message sent by the consumption point comprises data indicating a reading of the electrical consumption by said consumption point; - a filter is arranged between the central node and a measuring module installed on a cable, for the purposes of attenuating a PLC signal passing through the filter; - the application of the filter between the central node and a measuring module 20 can be controlled remotely; and - for a given cable, a classification of consumption points determined in the step iv/ is determined as supplied by said given cable, in terms of the distance between each of them and the departure outlet of the cable, according to a classification of the levels of power selected for said consumption points. 25 According to a second aspect, the invention has for purpose a measuring module comprising first means of telecommunications of the Power Line Communication type referred to as PLC by the intermediary of an electrical current conductor cable and adapted to, following the reception on said cable of a PLC message indicating the identifier of a consumption point that has sent the message, measure a power level of 30 said message received and remotely transmit to a collection system, a dataset indicating the identifier of the consumption point that has sent the message, the power level of the message measured and an identifier of the measuring module or of the conductor cable. According to a third aspect, the invention has for purpose a collection system of an electric current distribution system for consumption points, comprising means of 35 telecommunications with at least one measuring module and adapted to receive at least from said measuring module, via said means of telecommunication, datasets each 4 indicating an identifier of a consumption point, a power level measured by the measuring device on a cable of a PLC message sent by said consumption point and an identifier of the cable or of the measuring module; said collection system furthermore being adapted to compare levels of power, concerning the same message sent by a determined 5 consumption point which were measured on separate cables and indicated in datasets received and, in order to select a maximum level of power from among the levels compared and in order to determine the cable at the outlet departure of which was measured the power level selected as being a power cable of said determined consumption point. 10 According to a fourth aspect, the invention has for purpose an electric current distribution system comprising: - cables each comprising a departure outlet and distributing electric current to respective consumption points, - one or several measuring module(s) according to the second aspect of the 15 invention, adapted to measure levels of power of PLC Messages at the departure outlets of several power cables, - a collection system according to the third aspect of the invention. The invention shall be better understood when reading the following description and when examining the figures that accompany it. These figures are provided for the 20 purposes of information, but in no way limit the invention. These figures are as follows: - figure 1 is a view of a portion of an electrical distribution network; - figure 2 is a detailed view of a portion of the electrical distribution network shown in figure 1; - figure 3 shows a view of a consumption point (comprising a subscriber meter 25 and its load) in an embodiment of the invention; - figure 4 is a flow chart of a method in an embodiment of the invention; - figure 5 shows a filtering system in an embodiment of the invention. In figure 1, a MV outlet (Medium voltage) of an electrical distribution network 1 is shown diagrammatically, comprising a HT/MV (High Voltage/Medium Voltage) 30 transformation station 3 provided with several three-phase outgoing branches MV B 1 , B,. The MV and LV distribution network corresponding to the branch B+ shall be described hereinbelow, similar to the networks corresponding to the other branches. The MV branch B, connects a plurality of MV/LV (Medium Voltage/Low Voltage) 35 transformer stations 2, of which three were shown in figure 1.

5 Typically, this number of MV/LV transformer stations 2 is between 3 and 15. The MV/LV transformer stations 2 are arranged between the MV distribution network and the LV distribution network. For example, the voltage on the MV networks is 3 to 33 kV and the voltage on the 5 LV networks is from 110 V to 600 V. Hereinbelow the MV/LV transformer station 2 and the network LV supplied by this MV/LV transformation station, which are located in the bubble Z in figure 1, shall be described. The other MV/LV transformer stations and LV networks supplied by these stations have a similar structure. 10 The MV/LV transformer station 2 comprises a transformer F 1 , adapted to carry out the conversion of the medium voltage into low voltage, supplied by the MV branch B 1 . In the MV/LV transformer station 2, the convertor F 1 is followed by a node D, upstream of a distribution table T 1 . This table T 1 distributes, in the MV/LV transformer station 2, the current received 15 at the point of departure D, on a certain number of outgoing LV (Low voltage) three phase carrying an electric current to a plurality of consumers 10, single-phase or three phase- typically between 20 and 200 consumers generally provided with an electricity meter. Figure 2 is a more detailed view of the MV/LV transformer station 2 and of the LV 20 network supplied by this MV/LV transformer station 2, which are located in the bubble Z of figure 1. The distribution table T 1 supplies a certain number of three-phase LV outlets. Typically, this number is generally between 2 and 10. Two three-phase outlets Depa and Depb were considered in reference to figure 2. 25 As such from the distribution table T 1 , for the three-phase outlet Depa, four single phase cables 2 0 a1, 2 0 a2, 2 0 a3, 2 0 aN, corresponding respectively to the first, second, third phases and to the neutral in voltage, depart for the consumers 10. The cables 2 0 a1, 20a2, 2 0 a3 are adapted to deliver an electric current, respectively 1al, 1, la3 to this plurality of consumers 10. 30 Similarly from the distribution table T 1 , for the three-phase outlet Depb, four single phase cables 2 0 b1, 2 0 b2, 2 0 b3, 2 0 bN, corresponding respectively to the first, second, third phases and to the neutral in voltage, depart for the respective consumers 10. The cables 2 0 b1, 2 0 b2, 2 0 b3 are adapted to deliver an electric current, respectively 1bi, 1b2, 1b3 to this plurality of consumers 10. 35 In the MV/LV station 2, a processing system 40, also named concentrator, is electronically connected to the node D, upstream of the distribution table T 1

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6 The processing system 40 comprises a radiofrequency transmission/reception module 41, a PLC transmission/reception module ("Power Line Communication") 42, a microcontroller 43 and a memory 44. A database 45 is stored in the memory 44 of the processing system 40. 5 Each cable 20ai, 2 0 bi (with i between 1 and 3) supplies (between one and 10) consumption points, for example a home or a group of homes, a factory etc., thanks to bypasses distributed along the cable. Here are considered the consumption points 10 a 1, 1 2, 1 3, 10 4, 1 5 , 10 b 1, 10O 2, 10O 3, 1Ob_ 4 10 Generally, the distribution of the consumption points in relation to the cables identified at the outlet of the MV/LV transformer station 2 is unknown, as the connection between the cable departures in the transformation station and the consumers is not obvious to establish, since in many cases, the cables have buried sections, have been modified or bypassed many times, etc. 15 The length of these cables can vary and reach 200 metres. The structure of a consumption point 1Oj, for j taking the values a_1, a_2, a_3, a_4, a_5, b_1, b_2, b_3, b_4, is described in reference to figure 3. A consumption point 10j comprises a current meter 3 0j which is arranged between the cable C which supplies it (one of the cables from among cables 2 0 a1, 2 0 a2, 2 0 a3, 2 0 b1, 20 2 0 b2, 2 0b3) and the electric load 33 j which is the real electric load of the consumption point 10j. In the embodiment considered, the current meter 30j comprises a PLC transmission-reception module 3 1j, a microcontroller 3 2 j, an electronic or electromechanical counting module 34 j, and a memory 3 5 j. 25 When the load 3 3 j consumes current I supplied by the cable C electrically supplying the consumption point 10j, the counting module 3 4 j is adapted to measure the energy consumed by the load 3 3 j and to increment as a function the count of the energy units consumed, for example expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh). In the embodiment considered, the meters of the consumption points or at least 30 some of them, are adapted to transmit at a regular frequency, the counting data produced by the counting module for the processing system 40, via transmission by PLC. The frequency can be for example of a magnitude of once every ten minutes, up to once a day. As such in reference to a consumption point 10j, the counting data is provided by 35 the counting module 3 4 j to the PLC transmission/reception module 3 1j, under the control of the microcontroller 32 j. The PLC transmission/reception module 3 1j thus prepares this 7 data in such a way as to render it compliant with the PLC protocol, then transmits it, over the electrical power cable to which the consumption point is connected, to a processing module 40 via PLC. Recall that the principle of PLC, known, consists in superposing on the alternating 5 electric current transiting through the cable, an electrical signal of a higher frequency and of low energy comprising the data to be sent. The PLC signal is received by any PLC receiver which is on the same electrical network. In an embodiment, the processing system 40 receives the readings sent by the various meters connected to the LV distribution network departing from the distribution 10 table T 1 , stores them for example in the memory 44, then where applicable, carries out one or several operations of concatenation, average, etc., before transmitting in turn, where applicable, resulting information to a higher level of the network. The counting data in quasi-real time for each of the meters is therefore available in the MV/LV station 2. The PLC Messages comprise a field indicating an identifier of the sender of the 15 message and a field indicating an identifier of the addressee of the message. These identifiers are for example PLC addresses. The PLC Messages, of the type transmitting the readings or other, sent by the meters, are located on the distribution table T 1 , and subsequently on all of the cables connected to the distribution table T 1 of the MV/LV station considered, even, via 20 crosstalk, on the LV cables connected to the other MV/LV stations 2. The reception of these messages therefore does not make it possible to determine the distribution of the meters 3 0j, with j taking the values a_1, a_2, a_3, a_4, a_5, b_1, b_2, b_3, b_4, on the cables 2 0ai. 2 0 bi (with i between 1 and 3) when the latter is ignored. 25 In an embodiment of the invention, and in reference to figure 2, a measuring module, respectively 2 1 a, 2 1 b, is installed on each three-phase outlet respectively Depa, Depb, in the MV/LV transformer station 2, downstream of the distribution table T 1 . The database 45 associates an identifier of each cable with an identifier of the measuring module installed on said three-phase outlet of which said cable departs and 30 with an identifier of the phase to which the cable corresponds. The measuring module 21a comprises three PLC transmission/reception modules respectively 22 a1, 2 2 a2, 2 2 a3, a microcontroller 2 4 a, an element 2 6 a for measuring the power level of PLC Messages and a memory 2 5 a. The element 2 6 a for measuring the power level of PLC Messages is adapted to 35 measure a power level (RSSI levels), in reference to the neutral cable 2 0 aN, of a signal 8 corresponding to a PLC message received on any measuring module, respectively 2 2 a1, 2 2 a2, 2 2 a3, on the cable respectively 2 0 a1, 2 0 a2, 2 0 a33 The memory 2 5 a comprises a software application 2 5 1 a adapted to execute on the microcontroller 2 4 a. 5 Similarly, the measuring module 21b comprises three PLC transmission/reception modules respectively 22 b1, 2 2 b2, 2 2 b3, a microcontroller 24 b, an element 2 6 b for measuring the power level of PLC Messages and a memory 2 5 b. The element 2 6 b for measuring the power level of PLC Messages is adapted to measure a power level, in reference to the neutral cable 2 0 bN, of a signal corresponding 10 to a PLC message received on each measuring module respectively 2 2 b1, 2 2 b2, 2 2 b3, on the cable respectively 2 0 b1, 2 0 b2, 2 0 b3. According to the embodiments, the PLC transmission/reception modules are of an inductive or capacitive nature. In PLC communications, the processing system 40, the current modules 2 1 a, 2 1 b 15 and the meters 30a 1, 30a 2, 30a 3, 30a 4, 30a 5, 30b 1, 30b 2, 30b 3, 30b 4, are identified by identifiers, for example respective PLC addresses. In an embodiment of a method for locating consumption points in the electric current distribution system 1, the following steps are implemented, in reference to figure 4. 20 In a step 100, a meter 30i among the meters 3 0 a 1, 30a 2, 30a 3, 30a 4, 30a 5, 30b 1, 30b 2, 30b 3, 30b 4, sends a PLC message, indicating the address 30i. As explained hereinabove, in a step 101, each PLC receiver, in the measuring modules 2 1 a, 2 1 b, and in the controller 40, receives this message, independently of the identifier of its addressee indicated in the message. 25 Then, during this reception of the PLC message by the PLC receivers 22al, 22a2, 2 2 a3, respectively 2 2 b1, 2 2 b2, 2 2 b3, each measuring module 2 1 a, respectively 2 1 b, is adapted to implement the steps hereinbelow, following the execution on the microcontroller 24a, respectively 24b, of the software application 251a, respectively 2 5 1 b. As such, in a step 102, each measuring module 2 1 a, respectively 2 1 b, measures, 30 using the element 26a, respectively 26b, for measuring the power level, the power level of the message received, for example a level of the signal received of the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) type, cf. IEEE 802.11 standard), by each of the PLC receivers 2 2 a1, 2 2 a2, 2 2 a3, respectively 2 2 b1, 2 2 b2, 2 2 b3. In a step 103, a data vector is then determined by each measuring module 2 1 a, 35 respectively 2 1 b and for each phase, comprising: the identifier of said measuring module, 9 the phase concerned (phase 1 for the receiver 2 2 a, and for the receiver 21 bi, phase 2 for the receiver 2 2 a2 and the receiver 21 b2, phase 3 for the receiver 2 2 a3 and the receiver 2 1b3), the identifier of the meter 30i at the origin of the PLC message, 5 the power level measured, by the measuring module, of the message received on the phase concerned. In a step 104, each vector determined as such by the measuring module 2 1 a, respectively 21 b is then sent via PLC from said measuring module to the concentrator 40. In a step 105, the concentrator 40 compares the levels of power measured of the 10 various vectors received comprising the same meter address 30i and it selects from among the vectors compared as such, the one with the maximum level of power. In a step 106, the concentrator 40 populates the database 45 by associating with the meter 30i, the phase indicated in the selected vector and the identifier of the measuring module indicated in the selected vector. 15 As such this invention makes it possible to determine to which single-phase cable departure on a MV/LV station 2 a consumption point corresponds, via the correspondence in the DB 45 between the identifier of each single-phase cable on the one hand and on the other hand the identifiers of the measuring module and phase. The steps 100 to 106 are then reiterated for PLC Messages sent successively by 20 separate meters and as such makes it possible to locate the various meters provided with PLC transmitters/receivers. This invention is therefore very useful when the structure and the carriage of the portion of intermediate cable is not known beforehand, by making it possible to determine at cable departure, which cable is supplying the meter 30i. 25 In an embodiment, in a phase of locating meters, the concentrator 40 successively commands each meter to send a specific PLC message in order to implement the steps of the method for locating hereinabove. In another embodiment, these steps are carried out using messages that are not specifically dedicated to locating, for example using meter reading messages. 30 In the embodiment described in reference to figure 4, the steps 106 of comparing vectors and information of the database 45 is carried out after performing the steps 100 to 104 concerning a considered message sent by a meter, before the carrying out of steps 100 to 104 concerning another meter. In another embodiment, the steps 100 to 104 are carried out for successive meters, with the steps 105 and 106 not being carried out 35 between these two iterations. Then once the concentrator 40 has all of the data vectors 10 determined for all of the meters, it then iterates the steps 105 and 106 taking a different meter into account for each new iteration. In the embodiment, the data vector indicates the identifier of the outgoing cable (or of the measuring module) and the phase. In another embodiment, the data vector 5 indicates instead an identifier of the single-phase cable itself. In another embodiment, a consumption point does not have a meter, but comprises a PLC transmitter/receiver for the implementation of a method according to the invention. In the embodiment described, the measuring modules 2 1 a, 2 1 b communicate the 10 vectors to the concentrator 40 via PLC. In another embodiment, these vectors are communicated by other means of communication, for example a radio telecommunications link, etc. In an embodiment, the concentrator 40 is furthermore adapted to sort in decreasing order of power level of signals received the meters assigned to a given cable 15 and to deduce from this a classification of the meters according to their proximity in relation to the MV/LV transformation station (with the maximum level of power corresponding to the greatest proximity). In an embodiment, in order to increase the difference between the various levels of power measured for a message sent by the same meter, a filtering system F is added 20 between the departure of cables Depa, respectively Depb, and the measuring module 2 1 a, respectively 21 b, located downstream of the departure, as shown in figure 2. In an embodiment shown in figure 5, the filtering is capacitive. A capacitor C of class X2 for example is arranged between the neutral and each of the phases of the same departure (for example the capacitor takes a value in the range of 100 nF to a few 25 micro F, which corresponds to an attenuation objective in the power level of a value of approximately 2 dB). In this embodiment, it is suitable for the inductive and capacitive couplers of the PLC transmitter/receivers in the measuring modules 2 1 a, 2 1 b, be separated as much as possible from the capacitors of the filter F, for the following two reasons. 30 First of all, the linear induction of the power cable is beneficial to the filtering; and the more distance there is between the coupler and the capacitor, the higher the inductance will be. Moreover, if the three capacitors are placed close to the couplers, there will be a uniformisation of the signal levels between phases, which will reduce the effectiveness of the method according to the invention. Typically, the distance over the 35 same phase between the capacitor of the filter and the coupler is included within the range [0,1; 2] expressed in metres.

11 In an embodiment, this filtering can be improved by adding a ferrite element 29 which can be snapped onto each of the cables associated with the respective phases, for example corresponding to an inductance of 20 nanohenrys, which makes it possible to locally increase the inductance value of the cable. The filtering carried out as such on 5 each phase combining the capacitor and the inductance becomes much more effective than a single capacitor when the current in the cable is less than 10 amperes. Therefore, in order to have effective filtering, a delay is required until the current circulating in the cable is less than 10 amperes before implementing the method of locating according to the invention. This arrangement has the advantage of not requiring for filtering the 10 installation of inductances able to support the nominal current (typically having an intensity of 400 to 630 amperes). In an embodiment, for example in the case where the filter F would excessively reduce the PLC signal intended for the concentrator 40, the implementation of the filters F is controlled by the concentrator 40, for example by the control of a switch arranged 15 between each capacitor and the phase cable 1, 2 or 3 to which it is connected. In the current position, the switch is open, the filter passes through, the concentrator 40 receives the information from the meters. In "meter locating" position the switch is closed, the filter is active. In an embodiment, the functions of the concentrator 40 are carried out by one or 20 several measuring modules 2 1 a, 2 1 b. As such this invention makes it possible to locate meters provided with means of PLC communication installed on the distribution network, and this even if all of the meters in the network are not provided with such means of communication. The invention does not require the installation of current sensors on low voltage 25 departures. It can be implemented even when the consumption points do not consume energy, with the communicating meter associated with said consumption point then being said to be a dormant meter. Furthermore, this invention does not require access to the meter data such as load curves, which in certain cases, are deemed as confidential and which most often are 30 not considered as the property of the distributor.

Claims (11)

1. Method for locating consumption points in an electric current distribution system, wherein cables each including an outlet departure departing from a central node provide electric current to respective consumption points provided with a first means of telecommunications of the Power Line Communication referred to as PLC, at least one measuring module able to receive, on the departure of each cable, PLC Messages via second means of telecommunication of the PLC type and to measure a power level of said messages received, said method including the following steps, following the reception, on the departure outlets of separate cables, of the same PLC message sent by a consumption point and indicating an identifier of said consumption point: i/ measurements, by at least the measuring module, of the power level on each of said departure outlets of separate cables, of said received associated with said identified indicated; ii/ comparison of said levels of power measured; iii/ selection of the maximum level of power from among the levels of power compared; iv/ determination of the cable at the departure outlet of which was measured the power level selected as being a power cable of said consumption point.

2. Method for locating consumption points according to claim 1, with the measuring module furthermore being adapted to remotely transmit data to a collection system, said method including a step of remote transmission to the collection system by at least said measuring module, of a dataset indicating the identifier of the consumption point that has sent the message, said power level measured by said measuring point and an identifier of the cable at the departure outlet of which was measured said level, for the purpose of the determination by said collection point of the power cable referred to as consumption point.

3. Method for locating consumption points according to claim 2, wherein the remote transmission is carried out using second means for PLC communication.

4. Method of locating according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the consumption point includes an electricity meter adapted to increment according to the current consumed by said associated consumption point, said PLC message sent by the 13 consumption point including data indicating a reading of electrical consumption by said consumption point.

5. Method of locating according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a filter is arranged between the central node and a measuring module installed on a cable, for the purposes of attenuating a PLC signal passing through the filter.

6. Method for locating consumption points as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the application of the filter between the central node and a measuring module can be controlled remotely.

7. Method of locating as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein for a given cable, a classification of consumption points determined in the step iv/ is determined as supplied by said given cable, in terms of distance between each of them and the cable departure outlet, according to a classification of the levels of power selected for said consumption points.

8. Collection system of a system for distributing electrical current to consumption points, including means of telecommunications with at least one measuring module and adapted to receive at least from said measuring module, via said means of telecommunication, datasets each indicating an identifier of a consumption point, a power level measured by the measuring device on a cable of a PLC message sent by said consumption point and an identifier of the cable or of the measuring module; said collection system furthermore being adapted to compare levels of power, concerning the same message sent by a determined consumption point which were measured on separate cables and indicated in the datasets received and, to select a maximum level of power from among the levels compared and in order to determine the cable at the departure outlet of which was measured the power level selected as being a power cable of said determined consumption point.

9. System for distributing electric current including: - cables each including a departure outlet and distributing electric current to respective consumption points, - one or several measuring module(s) adapted to measure levels of power of PLC Messages at the departure outlets of several power cables, said measuring module(s) each including first means of telecommunications of the Power Line 14 Communication type referred to as PLC by the intermediary of an electrical current conductor cable and adapted to, following the reception on said cable of a PLC message indicating the identifier of a consumption point that has sent the message, measure a power level of said message received and remotely transmit to a collection system, a dataset indicating the identifier of the consumption point that has sent the message, the power level of the message measured and an identifier of the measuring module or of the conductor cable; and - a collection system according to claim 8.

10. Method for locating consumption points in an electric current distribution system, substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. Collection system of a system for distributing electrical current to consumption points, substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings. SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS WATERMARK PATENT AND TRADE MARKS ATTORNEYS P37200AU00