AU2021200105A1 - Anomalous neutral electrical protection apparatus - Google Patents
Anomalous neutral electrical protection apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2021200105A1 AU2021200105A1 AU2021200105A AU2021200105A AU2021200105A1 AU 2021200105 A1 AU2021200105 A1 AU 2021200105A1 AU 2021200105 A AU2021200105 A AU 2021200105A AU 2021200105 A AU2021200105 A AU 2021200105A AU 2021200105 A1 AU2021200105 A1 AU 2021200105A1
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- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- neutral
- microprocessor
- electrical
- anomaly
- induced
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
- G01R31/08—Locating faults in cables, transmission lines, or networks
- G01R31/11—Locating faults in cables, transmission lines, or networks using pulse reflection methods
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
- G01R31/50—Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections
- G01R31/52—Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
- H02H3/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection
- H02H3/26—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents
- H02H3/32—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents involving comparison of the voltage or current values at corresponding points in different conductors of a single system, e.g. of currents in go and return conductors
- H02H3/33—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents involving comparison of the voltage or current values at corresponding points in different conductors of a single system, e.g. of currents in go and return conductors using summation current transformers
- H02H3/331—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents involving comparison of the voltage or current values at corresponding points in different conductors of a single system, e.g. of currents in go and return conductors using summation current transformers responsive to earthing of the neutral conductor
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
- H01H71/002—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00 with provision for switching the neutral conductor
- H01H2071/004—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00 with provision for switching the neutral conductor with a tripping or current sensing device in the neutral wire, e.g. for third harmonics in a three fase system
Abstract
Provided is an anomalous neutral electrical protection breaker
10 comprising a DIN-mountable housing 30 for mounting as part
of an electrical distribution board of an electrical
installation 8, a neutral connector 14 for interconnecting to
a neutral connection 12 of the electrical installation 8, and
a live connector 18 for interconnecting to a live mains
electrical supply 16 of the electrical installation 8. Breaker
10 also includes an actuator 20 configured to selectively
interrupt the live connector 18 interconnect to interrupt the
mains electrical supply 22, and microprocessor 24 configured
to induce a time-domain reflectometry signal onto the neutral
connection 12, to monitor the neutral connection for
reflections of the induced signal, to correlate the induced
and reflected signals to determine if such correlation
satisfies a predetermined criterion indicative of a neutral
anomaly, and if the criterion is indicative of an anomaly, to
activate the actuator 20 to interrupt the mains electricity
supply 22.
3/3
40
SSTDR Injection
4 2
Supply Neutral Monitoring
4 44
Supply Neutral Test Value
46 Analysis - Microprocessor
50
5 2 YES is Anomaly Present? NO
Inductive Mechanical Coil 5 4
4 8
Mechanical Contactor Set56
Open Circuited
Supply Feed to Installation 5 8
Broken
Figure 3 .
Description
3/3
SSTDR Injection 42
Supply Neutral Monitoring
4 4 Supply Neutral Test Value
46 Analysis - Microprocessor
50
52 YES is Anomaly Present? NO
Inductive Mechanical Coil 54 48
Mechanical Contactor Set56 Open Circuited
Supply Feed to Installation 58 Broken
Figure 3 .
[0001] This invention relates broadly to the field of
electrical supply and safety, and more specifically to
anomalous neutral electrical protection apparatus and an
associated method of anomalous neutral electrical protection.
[0002] The following discussion of the background art is
intended to facilitate an understanding of the present
invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or
admission that any of the material referred to is or was part
of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the
application.
[0003] In electricity supply, a 'broken neutral' is a
relatively common but potentially life-threatening electrical
fault. Electrical power flows in and out of an installation,
such as residential or commercial premises, from an electricity
network, generally entering via the active conductor and
leaving via the neutral conductor. Most electrical
installations also have an earth connection. If there's a break
in the neutral return path, electricity can still exit the
premises via the earth connection.
[0004] For example, in MEN (Multiple Earthed Neutral)
systems of earthing, which are common in countries like
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, a network neutral
conductor is used as the conductive path for installation earth
fault currents. In an electrical fault where the active conductor is disconnected from the neutral conductor and connected to any exposed metal part of the installation, the current flows through the earth conductor to the switchboard, which allows the protective device (such as fuses or circuit breakers) to open circuit. In this manner, current can travel from one neutral-earth connection, through the ground and into another neutral-earth connection, then back into the network's neutral. In this way, the MEN system increases the safety of the circuit in this fault scenario.
[0005] In earthed electrical installations, if there are
problems with the neutral path, electricity can travel by a
different path, such as via water or gas pipes, stoves and
metal taps or any other conductor of electricity. As a result,
any electrically earthed exposed metal can become live. This
can be very dangerous and there is risk of serious electrical
shock. Such anomalous neutral paths have resulted in serious
injury and fatalities in the past. Anomalies on the neutral
conductor may include a broken or damaged line, or any
occurrence that severely alters the inductance, capacitance
and/or impedance of the neutral conductor. Due to the high
impedance of the general mass of earth relative to a typical
electrical supply neutral conductor, a significant voltage
potential can exist between this earth connection and the
general mass of earth.
[0006] For general electrical protection, a variety of
circuit breakers exist, such as DIN circuit protection
breakers, e.g. residual current devices or RCDs. A DIN rail is
a metal rail of a standard type widely used for mounting
circuit breakers and industrial control equipment inside
equipment racks. The term derives from the original
specifications published by Deutsches Institut fjr Normung
(DIN) in Germany, which have since been adopted as European
(EN) and international (IEC) standards. DIN rails are widely
used to mount circuit breakers, relays, programmable logic
controllers, motor controllers, and other electrical
equipment.
[0007] Conventional circuit breakers, such as DIN mount RCD
breakers used in most electrical installations, cannot
adequately avoid or address broken neutral conditions on a
supply side of an electrical installation. Accordingly,
Applicant has identified a shortcoming in the art and the
current invention was conceived with this shortcoming in mind.
[0008] The skilled addressee is to appreciate that
reference herein to an 'electrical installation' comprises
reference to any electrical subsidiary circuit(s) supplied by
an electrical supply system, such as individual residential or
commercial premises supply from a mains electricity supply, as
is known in the art of electrical reticulation.
[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention there
is provided anomalous neutral electrical protection apparatus
comprising:
a neutral connector for interconnecting to a neutral
connection of an electrical installation;
a live connector for interconnecting to a live mains
electrical supply of an electrical installation;
an actuator configured to selectively interrupt the live
connector interconnect to interrupt the mains electrical
supply; and
a microprocessor configured to: i) induce a time-domain reflectometry signal onto the neutral connection; ii) monitor the neutral connection for reflections of the induced signal; iii) correlate the induced and reflected signals to determine if such correlation satisfies a predetermined criterion indicative of a neutral anomaly; and iv) if the criterion is indicative of an anomaly, activate the actuator to interrupt the mains electricity supply.
[0010] Typically, the microprocessor is configured to
perform an algorithm to correlate the induced and reflected
signals according to the criterion.
[0011] Typically, the algorithm enables the microprocessor
to perform spectral time-domain reflectometry (STDR) and/or
spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (S/SSTDR) on the
signals.
[0012] Typically, the apparatus comprises a DIN-mountable
housing configured to be mounted in the electrical
installation's electrical distribution board, panelboard,
breaker panel, or electric panel, the connectors and
microprocessor housed within said housing.
[0013] Typically, the microprocessor is configured to
induce a coded high frequency signal onto the neutral
connection, a time delay between the induced and reflected
signals indicative of a distance to the anomaly.
[0014] Typically, the microprocessor is configured to
report such a distance to the anomaly via a suitable reporting
means.
[0015] Typically, the microprocessor is configured to
detect variations between the induced and reflected signals,
such variations corresponding to resistance (R), inductance
(L), capacitance (C), and impedance (Z) of the neutral
connection and any of which may comprise the predetermined
criterion indicative of an anomaly.
[0016] Typically, the microprocessor is configured to
report such detected variations via a suitable reporting means.
[0017] Typically, the actuator comprises an
electromechanical circuit breaker, such as a solenoid switch,
or the like.
[0018] Typically, the actuator is configured to be reset by
means of bespoke tool to prevent unauthorised resetting. In
another embodiment, the actuator is configured to be user
resettable, remote resettable, or the like.
[0019] According to a second aspect of the invention there
is provided an anomalous neutral electrical protection breaker
comprising:
a DIN-mountable housing for mounting as part of an
electrical distribution board of an electrical installation;
a neutral connector for interconnecting to a neutral
connection of the electrical installation;
a live connector for interconnecting to a live mains
electrical supply of the electrical installation; an actuator configured to selectively interrupt the live connector interconnect to interrupt the mains electrical supply; and a microprocessor configured to: i) induce a time-domain reflectometry signal onto the neutral connection; ii) monitor the neutral connection for reflections of the induced signal; iii) correlate the induced and reflected signals to determine if such correlation satisfies a predetermined criterion indicative of a neutral anomaly; and iv) if the criterion is indicative of an anomaly, activate the actuator to interrupt the mains electricity supply.
[0020] Typically, the microprocessor is configured to
perform an algorithm to correlate the induced and reflected
signals according to the criterion.
[0021] Typically, the algorithm enables the microprocessor
to perform spectral time-domain reflectometry (STDR) and/or
spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (S/SSTDR) on the
signals.
[0022] Typically, the microprocessor is configured to
induce a coded high frequency signal onto the neutral
connection, a time delay between the induced and reflected
signals indicative of a distance to the anomaly.
[0023] Typically, the microprocessor is configured to
report such a distance to the anomaly via a suitable reporting
means.
[0024] Typically, the microprocessor is configured to
detect variations between the induced and reflected signals,
such variations corresponding to resistance (R), inductance
(L), capacitance (C), and impedance (Z) of the neutral
connection and any of which may comprise the predetermined
criterion indicative of an anomaly.
[0025] Typically, the microprocessor is configured to
report such detected variations via a suitable reporting means.
[0026] Typically, the actuator comprises an
electromechanical circuit breaker, such as a solenoid switch,
or the like.
[0027] Typically, the actuator is configured to be reset by
means of bespoke tool to prevent unauthorised resetting. In
another embodiment, the actuator is configured to be user
resettable, remote resettable, or the like.
[0028] According to a third aspect of the invention there
is provided a method of anomalous neutral electrical
protection, said method comprising the steps of:
inducing a time-domain reflectometry signal onto a
neutral connection of an electrical installation;
monitoring the neutral connection for reflections of the
induced signal;
correlating the induced and reflected signals to
determine if such correlation satisfies a predetermined
criterion indicative of a neutral anomaly; and
if the criterion is indicative of an anomaly, activating
an actuator to interrupt the live mains electrical supply of
the electrical installation; wherein said method is automatically performed by a DIN mountable breaker comprising a neutral connector for interconnecting to the neutral connection, a live connector for interconnecting to the mains electrical supply, a microprocessor for signal induction and analyses and the actuator configured to selectively interrupt the live connector.
[0029] According to further aspects of the present
invention there is provided anomalous neutral electrical
protection apparatus, an anomalous neutral electrical
protection breaker and a method of anomalous neutral electrical
protection, substantially as herein described and/or
illustrated.
The description will be made with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an example
of anomalous neutral electrical protection apparatus, in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
Figures 2A to 2D show diagrammatic perspective-view
representations of one example of an anomalous neutral
electrical protection apparatus embodied as a DIN breaker; and
Figure 3 is diagrammatic representation of method steps
for a method of anomalous neutral electrical protection, in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
[0030] Further features of the present invention are more
fully described in the following description of several non
limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included
solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention
to the skilled addressee. It should not be understood as a
restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of
the invention as set out above.
[0031] In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features
of the example embodiment or embodiments, like reference
numerals are used to identify like parts throughout.
Additionally, features, mechanisms and aspects well-known and
understood in the art will not be described in detail, as such
features, mechanisms and aspects will be within the
understanding of the skilled addressee.
[0032] Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a broad
embodiment of anomalous neutral electrical protection
apparatus 10. Apparatus 10 finds particular application in
protecting an electrical installation 8 having neutral 12 and
live 16 electrical connections (single-phase or three-phase)
against anomalous neutral situations, e.g. a broken neutral on
a supply side 22. Apparatus 10 is typically embodied as a DIN
mountable breaker which can be installed as part of a
distribution board of the electrical installation 8.
[0033] Apparatus 10 typically comprises a neutral connector
14 for interconnecting to a neutral connection 12 of the
electrical installation 8 and a live connector 18 for
interconnecting to a live mains electrical supply 16 of the
electrical installation 8, as shown. Such interconnection refers to being connected in series with a conductor, in general. The exemplified embodiment shows a single-phase version having one live mains connector 18, but multi-phase operation is possible by increasing the number of live mains connectors 18 and actuators 20 appropriately.
[0034] Apparatus 10 also includes an actuator 20 configured
to selectively interrupt the live connector 18 interconnect to
interrupt the live mains electrical supply 22. Also included
is a microprocessor 24 arranged in signal communication with
the actuator 20 and which is configured to induce a time-domain
reflectometry signal onto the neutral connection 12 and to
monitor the neutral connection 12 for reflections of the
induced signal. The microprocessor 24 may monitor the neutral
connection 12 for reflected signals over a predetermined
period, i.e. a configurable sampling period, with the
microprocessor 24 configured to correlate the induced and
reflected signals to determine if such correlation satisfies
a predetermined criterion indicative of a neutral anomaly. If
the criterion is indicative of an anomaly, the microprocessor
24 is configured to activate the actuator 20 to interrupt the
mains electricity supply 16.
[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the apparatus 10 is typically
embodied within a DIN-mountable housing 30 which configured to
be mounted in the electrical installation's electrical distribution board, panel board, breaker panel, or electric
panel, the connectors 14 and 18, actuator 20 and microprocessor
24 housed within said housing 30.
[0036] The microprocessor 24 is generally configured to
perform a suitable signal-processing algorithm to correlate
the induced and reflected signals according to the criterion.
Such an algorithm typically enables the microprocessor to
perform spectral time-domain reflectometry (STDR) and/or
spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (S/SSTDR) on the
signals. Such algorithms are known in the art and will not be
described in detail herein. In one example, the microprocessor
24 is configured to detect variations between the induced and
reflected signals, such variations corresponding to resistance
(R), inductance (L), capacitance (C), and/or impedance (Z) of
the neutral connection and any of these may comprise the
predetermined criterion indicative of a neutral anomaly. As
will be appreciated by the skilled addressee, a nature of the
reflected signal may indicate what kind of anomaly is present.
For example, the reflected signal is positive for Open Circuit
(OC), and negative for short circuit (SC).
[0037] In one example, the microprocessor 24 may be
configured to report such detected variations via a suitable
reporting means 34. The skilled addressee is to appreciate
that such reporting means 34 may comprise a variety of
mechanisms whereby a user can be informed of a neutral anomaly.
Some examples include a visual notifier, such as an LED on the
breaker housing 30 or a digital display, an audible alarm,
such as a piezoelectric buzzer, a transmitter for transmitting
a suitable notifying signal to a receiver, e.g. a wi-fi,
Bluetooth or radio signal, and/or the like.
[0038] In a further example, the microprocessor 24 is
configured to induce a coded high frequency signal onto the
neutral connection 12, a time delay between the induced and
reflected signals indicative of a distance to the anomaly,
e.g. a neutral break. Accordingly, the microprocessor 24 may
be configured to report such a distance to the anomaly via a suitable reporting means 34, e.g. a radio signal, or the like, to facilitate in locating the neutral anomaly.
[0039] The actuator 20 generally comprises an
electromechanical circuit breaker, such as a solenoid switch,
or the like, as known in the art of electrical protection
circuitry. In an example, the actuator 20 is configured to be
reset by means of bespoke tool to prevent unauthorised
resetting. In another example, the actuator 20 may be reset by
a toggle switch, similar to an RCD, or the like. In yet further
example, the actuator 20 may be resettable remotely via a
signal sent to the microprocessor 24, or the like.
[0040] In this manner, a supply-side neutral wire 12 can be
induced with a continuous spread spectrum frequency signal
whereby the integrity of the supply neutral can be monitored.
The results from this sampling process are passed through the
microprocessor 24 and if there is an anomaly detected over
several samples the microprocessor 24 energises the mechanical
contactor mechanism or actuator 20 and immediately opens the
circuit breaker mechanism of the actuator to disconnect the
main supply power to the installation 8 to remove the potential
of harmful voltages at the installation 8. Apparatus 10
typically includes a DIN mounted housing or enclosure 30
containing a neutral integrity module and mechanical isolation
components which are rated for "fault make/fault break" scenarios, as described.
[0041] The skilled addressee is to appreciate that the
present invention also includes an associated method 40, as
diagrammatically shown by the example method steps in Figure
3.
[0042] Broadly, such a method 40 of anomalous neutral
electrical protection comprises the steps of inducing 42 a
time-domain reflectometry signal onto a neutral connection of
an electrical installation and monitoring 44 the neutral
connection for reflections of the induced signal. When a
reflected signal is received 46, a step of correlating 48 the
induced and reflected signals is performed to determine if
such correlation satisfies a predetermined criterion
indicative of a neutral anomaly. If there is no anomaly present
, the previous steps repeat. However, if the criterion is
indicative of an anomaly 52, the step of activating 54 an
actuator to interrupt 56 the live mains electrical supply of
the electrical installation 58 is performed.
[0043] As described above, the method 40 is generally
automatically performed by a DIN-mountable breaker comprising
a neutral connector 14 for interconnecting to the neutral
connection 12, a live connector 18 for interconnecting to the
live mains electrical supply 16, a microprocessor 24 for signal
induction and analyses and the actuator 20 configured to
selectively interrupt the live connector 18.
[0044] Applicant believes it particularly advantageous that
the present invention provides for apparatus 10, typically as
a DIN-mountable circuit breaker, which is able monitor for
neutral anomalies on an electrical installation's 8 supply 22 and to automatically interrupt said supply 22 if an anomaly is
detected.
[0045] Optional embodiments of the present invention may
also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and
features referred to or indicated herein, individually or
collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. In the example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail, as such will be readily understood by the skilled addressee.
[0046] The use of the terms "a", "an", "said", "the", and/or
similar referents in the context of describing various
embodiments (especially in the context of the claimed subject
matter) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the
plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly
contradicted by context. The terms "comprising, " "having,
" "including, " and "containing" are to be construed as open
ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. As used herein, the term "and/or"
includes any and all combinations of one or more of the
associated listed items. No language in the specification
should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject
matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject
matter.
[0047] It is to be appreciated that reference to "one
example" or "an example" of the invention, or similar exemplary
language (e.g., "such as") herein, is not made in an exclusive
sense. Various substantially and specifically practical and
useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter are
described herein, textually and/or graphically, for carrying
out the claimed subject matter.
[0048] Accordingly, one example may exemplify certain
aspects of the invention, whilst other aspects are exemplified
in a different example. These examples are intended to assist
the skilled person in performing the invention and are not
intended to limit the overall scope of the invention in any
way unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Variations
(e.g. modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more
embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The
inventor(s) expects skilled artisans to employ such variations
as appropriate, and the inventor(s) intends for the claimed
subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically
described herein.
[0049] Any method steps, processes, and operations
described herein are not to be construed as necessarily
requiring their performance in the particular order discussed
or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of
performance. It is also to be understood that additional or
alternative steps may be employed.
Claims (20)
1. An anomalous neutral electrical protection breaker
comprising:
a DIN-mountable housing for mounting as part of an
electrical distribution board of an electrical installation;
a neutral connector for interconnecting to a neutral
connection of the electrical installation;
a live connector for interconnecting to a live mains
electrical supply of the electrical installation;
an actuator configured to selectively interrupt the live
connector interconnect to interrupt the mains electrical
supply; and
a microprocessor configured to:
i) induce a time-domain reflectometry signal onto
the neutral connection;
ii) monitor the neutral connection for reflections
of the induced signal;
iii) correlate the induced and reflected signals to
determine if such correlation satisfies a
predetermined criterion indicative of a neutral
anomaly; and
iv) if the criterion is indicative of an anomaly,
activate the actuator to interrupt the mains
electricity supply.
2. The breaker of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is
configured to perform an algorithm to correlate the induced
and reflected signals according to the criterion.
3. The breaker of claim 2, wherein the algorithm enables the
microprocessor to perform spectral time-domain reflectometry
(STDR) and/or spread spectrum time domain reflectometry
(S/SSTDR) on the signals.
4. The breaker of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the
microprocessor is configured to induce a coded high frequency
signal onto the neutral connection, a time delay between the
induced and reflected signals indicative of a distance to the
anomaly.
5. The breaker of claim 4, wherein the microprocessor is
configured to report such a distance to the anomaly via a
suitable reporting means.
6. The breaker of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the
microprocessor is configured to detect variations between the
induced and reflected signals, such variations corresponding
to resistance (R), inductance (L), capacitance (C), and
impedance (Z) of the neutral connection and any of which may
comprise the predetermined criterion indicative of an anomaly.
7. The breaker of claim 6, wherein the microprocessor is
configured to report such detected variations via a suitable
reporting means.
8. The breaker of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the actuator
comprises an electromechanical circuit breaker, such as a
solenoid switch, or the like.
9. The breaker of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the actuator
is configured to be reset by means of bespoke tool to prevent
unauthorised resetting, and/or configured to be user
resettable and/or configured to be remote resettable.
10. A method of anomalous neutral electrical protection,
said method comprising the steps of:
inducing a time-domain reflectometry signal onto a
neutral connection of an electrical installation;
monitoring the neutral connection for reflections of the
induced signal;
correlating the induced and reflected signals to
determine if such correlation satisfies a predetermined
criterion indicative of a neutral anomaly; and
if the criterion is indicative of an anomaly, activating
an actuator to interrupt the live mains electrical supply of
the electrical installation;
wherein said method is automatically performed by a DIN
mountable breaker comprising a neutral connector for
interconnecting to the neutral connection, a live connector
for interconnecting to the mains electrical supply, a
microprocessor for signal induction and analyses and the
actuator configured to selectively interrupt the live
connector.
11. Anomalous neutral electrical protection apparatus
comprising:
a neutral connector for interconnecting to a neutral
connection of an electrical installation;
a live connector for interconnecting to a live mains
electrical supply of an electrical installation;
an actuator configured to selectively interrupt the live
connector interconnect to interrupt the mains electrical
supply; and
a microprocessor configured to:
i) induce a time-domain reflectometry signal onto
the neutral connection; ii) monitor the neutral connection for reflections of the induced signal; iii) correlate the induced and reflected signals to determine if such correlation satisfies a predetermined criterion indicative of a neutral anomaly; and iv) if the criterion is indicative of an anomaly, activate the actuator to interrupt the mains electricity supply.
12. Apparatus of claim 11, wherein the microprocessor is
configured to perform an algorithm to correlate the induced
and reflected signals according to the criterion.
13. Apparatus of claim 12, wherein the algorithm enables the
microprocessor to perform spectral time-domain reflectometry
(STDR) and/or spread spectrum time domain reflectometry
(S/SSTDR) on the signals.
14. Apparatus of any of claims 11 to 134, which comprises a
DIN-mountable housing configured to be mounted in the
electrical installation's electrical distribution board, panel board, breaker panel, or electric panel, the connectors and
microprocessor housed within said housing.
15. Apparatus of any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the
microprocessor is configured to induce a coded high frequency
signal onto the neutral connection, a time delay between the
induced and reflected signals indicative of a distance to the
anomaly.
16. Apparatus of claim 15, wherein the microprocessor is
configured to report such a distance to the anomaly via a
suitable reporting means.
17. Apparatus of any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the
microprocessor is configured to detect variations between the
induced and reflected signals, such variations corresponding
to resistance (R), inductance (L), capacitance (C), and
impedance (Z) of the neutral connection and any of which may
comprise the predetermined criterion indicative of an anomaly.
18. Apparatus of claim 17, wherein the microprocessor is
configured to report such detected variations via a suitable
reporting means.
19. Apparatus of any of claims 11 to 18, wherein the actuator
comprises an electromechanical circuit breaker, such as a
solenoid switch, or the like.
20. Apparatus of any of claims 11 to 19, wherein the actuator
is configured to be reset by means of bespoke tool to prevent
unauthorised resetting, and/or configured to be user
resettable and/or configured to be remote resettable.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2020900049A AU2020900049A0 (en) | 2020-01-08 | Anomalous neutral electrical protection apparatus | |
| AU2020900049 | 2020-01-08 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2021200105A1 true AU2021200105A1 (en) | 2021-07-22 |
Family
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2021200105A Pending AU2021200105A1 (en) | 2020-01-08 | 2021-01-08 | Anomalous neutral electrical protection apparatus |
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| AU (1) | AU2021200105A1 (en) |
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2021
- 2021-01-08 AU AU2021200105A patent/AU2021200105A1/en active Pending
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