CN112014690A

CN112014690A - Monitoring system, monitoring method, non-transitory recording medium, and distribution board

Info

Publication number: CN112014690A
Application number: CN202010473376.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 水野洋二; 盐川明实; 生岛刚; 松田瞳; 松田启史; 泽田知行
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-29
Filing date: 2020-05-29
Publication date: 2020-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-29
Also published as: JP2020195243A; JP7394372B2; CN112014690B

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a monitoring system, a monitoring method, a non-transitory recording medium, and a distribution board capable of detecting a wider variety of abnormalities. A monitoring system (100) is provided with a detection unit (712), an output unit (713), and a variable unit (714). A detection unit (712) detects an abnormality of a wiring (C11) in a specific circuit (C1). An output unit (713) outputs a result of detection by the detection unit (712). A variable unit (714) changes the object item related to at least one of the detection unit (712) and the output unit (713).

Description

Monitoring system, monitoring method, non-transitory recording medium, and distribution board

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to a monitoring system, a monitoring method, a non-transitory recording medium, and a distribution board. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a monitoring system, a monitoring method, a non-transitory recording medium, and a distribution board for monitoring a state of a wiring in a specific circuit.

Background

Document 1 (japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017-107833) discloses the following distribution board: a main shutter and a plurality of branch shutters are housed as internal components in the distribution board storage cabinet. The trunk switch and the branch switch each have an overcurrent protection function and/or an earth leakage protection function. When detecting an overcurrent, the main switch and the branch switch having an overcurrent protection function forcibly open the contact portion. In addition, the main switch and the branch switch having the leakage protection function forcibly open the contact portion when the leakage is detected.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the configuration described in document 1, the main switch and the branch switches detect only predetermined abnormalities such as overcurrent and leakage, and for example, when an abnormality is detected, the method of determining the abnormality and the operation when the abnormality occurs are not changed.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a monitoring system, a monitoring method, a non-transitory recording medium, and a distribution board, which can detect a wider variety of abnormalities.

Means for solving the problems

A monitoring system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a detection unit, an output unit, and a variable unit. The detection section detects an abnormality of the wiring in the specific circuit. The output unit outputs a result of detection by the detection unit. The variable section changes an object item related to at least one of the detection section and the output section.

A monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a probe process, an output process, and a variable process. The detection processing is processing of detecting an abnormality of a wiring in a specific circuit. The output processing is processing for performing output in accordance with a detection result of the detection processing. The variable processing is processing of changing an object item related to at least one of the detection processing and the output processing.

A non-transitory recording medium according to one embodiment of the present disclosure stores a program for causing one or more processors to execute the monitoring method.

A distribution board according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the monitoring system and a distribution board storage cabinet that houses the monitoring system.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present disclosure, there is an advantage that a wider variety of abnormalities can be detected.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a monitoring system according to embodiment 1 and a distribution board using the monitoring system.

Fig. 2 is an explanatory view of the distribution board in a state where the cover and the cover are removed from the distribution board as viewed from the front of the distribution board.

Fig. 3A is an explanatory diagram of the generation principle of the parallel arcs.

Fig. 3B is an explanatory diagram of the principle of occurrence of the serial arc.

Fig. 4A is a waveform diagram showing an example of a waveform of a current flowing through a wiring when a parallel arc occurs.

Fig. 4B is a waveform diagram showing an example of a waveform of a current flowing through the wiring when the serial arc occurs.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the monitoring system described above.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a switchboard; 10: a storage cabinet for a distribution board; 75: an operation receiving unit; 100: a monitoring system; 712: a detection section; 713: an output section; 714: a variable portion; c1: a specific circuit; c11: and (6) wiring.

Detailed Description

(embodiment mode 1)

(1) Summary of the invention

An outline of a monitoring system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1.

The monitoring system 100 monitors the state of the wiring C11 in the specific circuit C1. In particular, the monitoring system 100 detects an abnormality of the wiring C11 in the specific circuit C1, and outputs the result of the detection. Thus, the monitoring system 100 can notify the user of the occurrence of an abnormality when, for example, an abnormality occurs in the wiring C11. In addition, the monitoring system 100 can electrically disconnect the specific circuit C1 when an abnormality occurs in the wiring C11.

The "abnormality of the wiring" referred to in the present disclosure means an abnormality that may occur in the wiring C11 included in the specific circuit C1. The abnormality occurring in the wiring C11 includes insulation deterioration in the wiring C11 and half-disconnection of the wiring C11. The "half-broken wire" refers to, for example, a state in which some of the plurality of wires constituting the stranded wire are broken when the wiring C11 is a stranded wire. Specifically, the abnormality of the wiring C11 includes the following cases: when the wiring C11 is formed of a pair of electric wires, arc discharge (so-called parallel arc) occurs due to a short circuit between the pair of electric wires. In addition, the abnormality of the wiring C11 also includes the following cases: in the case where the wiring C11 is formed of a pair of electric wires, arc discharge (so-called serial arc) occurs due to half-disconnection of one of the pair of electric wires. Other abnormalities of the wiring C11 include, for example, a state in which an overcurrent or a short-circuit current exceeding a rated current flows through the wiring C11. The wiring C11 is in a state of leakage or the like, and is also included in the abnormality of the wiring C11. In the present embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that "abnormality of the wiring" is at least one of a parallel arc (short circuit) and a serial arc (half-open) in the wiring C11.

The monitoring system 100 according to the present embodiment is housed in a distribution board storage box 10 (see fig. 2) of the distribution board 1. That is, the monitoring system 100 is included in the switchboard 1. In other words, the distribution board 1 according to the present embodiment includes the monitoring system 100 and a distribution board storage cabinet that houses the monitoring system 100.

Here, as shown in fig. 1, the monitoring system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a detection unit 712, an output unit 713, and a variable unit 714. The detection section 712 detects an abnormality of the wiring C11 in the specific circuit C1. The output unit 713 outputs the detection result of the detection unit 712. The variable unit 714 changes the object item related to at least one of the detection unit 712 and the output unit 713.

The "target item" referred to in the present disclosure is an item such as various parameters, algorithms, and timings or contents (contents) of operations relating to at least one of the probe 712 and the output 713. For example, the target item related to the detection unit 712 is the sensitivity (including a threshold value for determination) when the detection unit 712 determines whether or not an abnormality of the wiring has occurred. Alternatively, the target item related to the detection unit 712 may include a determination algorithm or the like. The object item related to the output unit 713 includes a time when the output unit 713 outputs the object item based on the detection result of the detection unit 712. The object item related to the output unit 713 may include a content (an output mode, a message content to be output, and the like) output by the output unit 713, an output destination of the output unit 713, and the like.

Therefore, by changing such target items by the variable unit 714, it is possible to change, for example, which case the detection unit 712 determines that the wiring is abnormal and which output the output unit 713 outputs when the wiring is abnormal.

That is, the variable unit 714 can adjust the determination criterion of the detection unit 712 if the object item related to the detection unit 712 is changed. The criterion of the detection unit 712 is, for example, the presence or absence of a characteristic appearing in the current flowing through the specific circuit C1 when an abnormality occurs in the wiring C11. Therefore, even when the same characteristic occurs in the current flowing through the specific circuit C1, if the variable section 714 changes the object item relating to the detection section 712, the detection section 712 can determine that an abnormality of the wiring C11 has occurred or that an abnormality of the wiring C11 has not occurred.

Further, if the variable unit 714 changes the object item related to the output unit 713, it is possible to adjust the manner in which the output unit 713 outputs what content when it is determined that the wiring C11 is abnormal, for example. Therefore, even when an abnormality occurs in the wiring C11 in the same manner, if the variable unit 714 changes the object item related to the output unit 713, the output unit 713 can notify the abnormality immediately or after a certain time has elapsed.

In short, the monitoring system 100 according to the present embodiment can change, for example, in which case the detection unit 712 determines that the wiring C11 is abnormal and which output the output unit 713 outputs when the wiring C11 is abnormal, by changing the target item. That is, the monitoring system 100 according to the present embodiment can adjust the method of determining an abnormality and/or the method of outputting the output unit 713 at the time of occurrence of an abnormality, for example, when the detector 712 detects an abnormality of the wiring C11 such as a parallel arc or a serial arc, by changing the object item related to at least one of the detector 712 and the output unit 713 by the variable unit 714. Therefore, according to the monitoring system 100, it is possible to flexibly monitor the abnormality of the wiring C11, and as a result, it is possible to detect not only a simple overcurrent, an electric leakage, or the like, but also more various abnormalities including an abnormality such as a parallel arc, a serial arc, or the like as necessary.

(2) Structure of the product

Next, the configurations of the monitoring system 100 and the switchboard 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

(2.1) precondition

The distribution board 1 including the monitoring system 100 is installed in a facility 500 such as an individual house or a resident of a collective house for use. The facility 500 in which the switchboard 1 is disposed is not limited to individual residents of individual houses or collective houses, and may be a non-residential facility (for example, a factory, a commercial building, an office building, a hospital, a school, or the like).

In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the X-axis direction is defined as the left-right direction and the Z-axis direction is defined as the up-down direction in fig. 2. In addition, a direction orthogonal to each of the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction is defined as a front-rear direction. The positive direction in the X-axis direction is defined as the right side, and the positive direction in the Z-axis direction is defined as the upper side. However, these directions are examples, and are not intended to limit the directions of the distribution board storage cabinet 10 and the distribution board 1 in use. In the drawings, arrows indicating respective directions are merely provided for explanation and do not include entities.

The "specific circuit" referred to in the present disclosure is a circuit including the wiring C11 to be a detection target for detecting an abnormality by the detection unit 712. The specific circuit C1 can include, for example, a main breaker 3, a branch breaker 4, a shock-sensing breaker 5, and an interconnection breaker 6 provided inside the switchboard 1. In addition, the specific circuit C1 can include a socket 22 or an electrical device 24 electrically connected with the secondary side of the branch breaker 4, or an electrical device 23 directly and electrically connected with the secondary side of the branch breaker 4. Also, the specific circuit C1 can include a distributed power source 21 electrically connected to the secondary side of the interconnected circuit breakers 6. Hereinafter, devices having a function of breaking a circuit (specific circuit C1), such as the main breaker 3, the branch breaker 4, the earthquake-sensing breaker 5, and the interconnection breaker 6, are collectively referred to as "the switch 2" without particularly distinguishing the devices from one another.

For example, when the main breaker 3 and the branch breakers 4 are included in the distribution board storage cabinet 10 (see fig. 2) of the distribution board 1, power is distributed to each of the branch circuits from a main line connected to the secondary-side terminal of the main breaker 3. The "branch circuit" referred to in the present disclosure is each of circuits which are electrically connected to a main line and branch from the main line into a plurality of circuits in the distribution board 1. Such branch circuits include the branch breakers 4, the wiring C11, wiring appliances (switchgear or outlets, etc.), and the electrical devices 23, 24. The specific circuit C1 may be a main line connected to the secondary-side terminal of the main breaker 3, or may be each of a plurality of branch circuits. In the present embodiment, a case where each of the plurality of branch circuits is the specific circuit C1 will be described as an example. The circuit including the distributed power supply 21 (see fig. 1) is also described as being included in the specific circuit C1. The specific circuit C1 includes the interconnection breaker 6, the wiring C11, and the distributed power supply 21.

The "output" in the present disclosure includes various types of outputs, and for example, the output unit 713 may notify a user or may control the shutter 2 or the electric devices 23 and 24 according to a detection result of the detection unit 712. When the notification is given to the user, the output unit 713 may output various types of information, such as transmission to the information terminal 400 (see fig. 1), display (including light emission), audio (including voice) output, recording (writing) to a non-transitory recording medium, and printing (printout).

(2.2) integral Structure

Next, the configurations of the monitoring system 100 and the switchboard 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 2.

As described above, the distribution board 1 according to the present embodiment includes the monitoring system 100 and the distribution board storage 10. In the present embodiment, the monitoring system 100 is mainly configured by the monitoring unit 7 housed in the distribution board storage cabinet 10.

As shown in fig. 2, the distribution board storage cabinet 10 houses a plurality of switches 2, a monitoring unit 7, a current measuring device 8, and a backup power supply 9. Here, the plurality of switchers 2 includes a main breaker 3, a plurality of branch breakers 4, a shock-sensitive breaker 5, and an interconnection breaker 6. The distribution board storage 10 may not contain the monitoring unit 7, the current measuring device 8, and the backup power supply 9. At least a part of the monitoring unit 7, the current measuring device 8, and the backup power supply 9 may be outside the distribution board storage box 10.

The switchboard storage 10 includes a box-shaped main body 11 (see fig. 2) having an open front surface, and a cover for closing the opening of the main body 11. In fig. 2, the cover is not shown. The distribution board storage cabinet 10 is attached to a member constituting a building, for example, a wall 110 (see fig. 2) of the building. The distribution board storage cabinet 10 may be mounted in a mounting hole provided in the wall 110 in a state in which a part or the whole of the distribution board storage cabinet 10 is embedded. The distribution board storage box 10 is installed at a height position where children of average height can not reach the distribution board storage box and an adult of average height can operate the distribution board storage box.

The distribution board storage cabinet 10 further includes a cover body that covers a front surface of the cover in a state where the distribution board storage cabinet 10 is mounted on the wall 110. The lid is attached to the cover so as to be movable between a closed position and an open position. The closed position is a position covering the front surface of the cover. The open position is a position that does not cover at least a portion of the front surface of the cover. The cover may cover a part of the front surface of the cover when the cover is viewed from a certain direction. In the present embodiment, when the cover is viewed from the front of the cover, the cover in the closed position covers substantially the entire front surface of the cover.

As shown in fig. 2, a main breaker 3, a plurality of branch breakers 4, a vibration-sensitive breaker 5, an interconnection breaker 6, a monitoring unit 7, and a current measuring device 8 are housed in a distribution board storage cabinet 10. The main breaker 3, the plurality of branch breakers 4, the earthquake-sensitive breaker 5, the interconnection breaker 6, the monitoring unit 7, and the current measuring device 8 are mounted to the main body 11 directly or via a mounting member or the like. Fig. 2 shows the arrangement of the main breaker 3, the plurality of branch breakers 4, the earthquake-sensitive breaker 5, the interconnection breaker 6, the monitoring unit 7, and the current measuring device 8 in the distribution board storage cabinet 10. However, the arrangement of the main breaker 3, the plurality of branch breakers 4, the earthquake-sensitive breakers 5, the interconnection breaker 6, the monitoring unit 7, and the current measuring device 8 shown in fig. 2 is an example, and can be changed as appropriate. Although the illustration of the backup power supply 9 is omitted in fig. 2, the backup power supply 9 may be disposed at an appropriate position inside the distribution board storage cabinet 10.

The main breaker 3 is disposed inside the distribution board storage cabinet 10 at a position slightly to the left of the center in the left-right direction. The position of the main breaker 3 inside the distribution board storage box 10 may be other positions such as a position on the right side of the center. The main breaker 3 includes a contact 31 (see fig. 1) electrically connected between the primary-side terminal and the secondary-side terminal. The main breaker 3 includes an operating lever on a front surface thereof for turning on and off the contact 31. The main breaker 3 further includes a detection unit 32 (see fig. 1), and the detection unit 32 detects an abnormal state in which a leakage current flows, for example, at the contact 31. When the detection unit 32 detects an abnormal state in which a leakage current flows through the contact 31, the main breaker 3 opens the contact 31. Thereby, the main breaker 3 interrupts the supply of electric power to the secondary side circuit of the main breaker 3 to protect the circuit. When the detection unit 32 detects an overcurrent such as a short-circuit current or an overload current, the main breaker 3 opens the contact 31. The detection unit 32 of the main breaker 3 has a function of detecting a phase-missing state of the neutral line in the single-phase three-wire wiring. When the detection unit 32 detects a phase loss state of the neutral line, the main breaker 3 opens the contact 31. The main breaker 3 may also have a limiter function. The limiter function is a function of opening the contact 31 when a current exceeding a predetermined limit value flows.

The secondary-side terminal of the main breaker 3 is electrically connected to the conductive rod of the first voltage pole (L1 phase), the conductive rod of the second voltage pole (L2 phase), and the conductive rod of the neutral pole (N phase) in the single-phase three-wire wiring. Each of the conductive bars is formed into a long plate shape elongated in the left-right direction by a conductive member, and is disposed at the center in the vertical direction in the inside of the distribution board storage cabinet 10 and at the right side of the main breaker 3.

The plurality of branch breakers 4 are arranged so as to be separated from each other on the upper and lower sides of each conductive rod and arranged in a plurality on each side in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 2, 12 branch breakers 4 are arranged above the conductive bars so as to be aligned in the left-right direction. Further, 11 branch breakers 4 are arranged below the conductive bars in the left-right direction.

Each branch breaker 4 includes a pair of primary side terminals and a pair of secondary side terminals. Each branch breaker 4 has a contact electrically connected between the primary-side terminal and the secondary-side terminal. An operation lever is provided on the front surface of each branch breaker 4. By operating the operating lever, the contacts built in the branch breakers 4 are turned on and off.

The plurality of branch breakers 4 include a branch breaker 4 for 100V and a branch breaker 4 for 200V. The pair of primary-side terminals of the 100V branch breaker 4 are electrically connected to one of the first voltage pole contact bar, the second voltage pole contact bar, and the neutral pole contact bar, respectively. The pair of primary-side terminals of the 200V branch breaker 4 are electrically connected to the conductive rod of the first voltage pole and the conductive rod of the second voltage pole, one primary-side terminal being connected to each other. Further, the secondary-side terminals of the plurality of branch breakers 4 are electrically connected to the wirings C11 corresponding one-to-one to the branch breakers 4. The wiring C11 connected to the secondary-side terminal of each branch breaker 4 is electrically connected to one or more loads. The load includes, for example, a lighting fixture, an electrical device 23 such as a hot water supply device, a socket 22 (see fig. 1), a wall switch, and other wiring fixtures. Therefore, the distribution board 1 supplies power to the electric device 23 connected to the secondary-side terminal of the branch breaker 4 via the wiring C11, the electric device 24 connected to the outlet 22 (for example, an air conditioner, a television receiver, or the like), or the like.

The branch breaker 4 further includes a detection unit 41 (see fig. 1), and the detection unit 41 detects an abnormal state in which an overcurrent such as a short-circuit current or an overload current flows through a contact point included in the branch breaker 4. When the detection unit 41 detects an abnormal state in which an overcurrent flows through the contact, the branch breaker 4 opens the contact. Thereby, the branch breaker 4 interrupts the supply of electric power to the secondary side circuit of the branch breaker 4 to protect the circuit. The detection unit 41 has a function of detecting a leakage state of the wire C11 connected to the branch breaker 4. When the detection unit 41 detects the occurrence of the electric leakage, the branch breaker 4 opens the contact.

The vibration-sensitive breaker 5 is disposed below the conductive rod so as to be parallel to the branch breaker 4 in the left-right direction. The vibration-sensitive breaker 5 includes a vibration-sensitive sensor 51 for detecting vibration applied to the distribution board storage cabinet 10. When the vibration sensor 51 detects vibration having a magnitude exceeding a predetermined reference value (for example, seismic motion having an intensity of "5"), the vibration-sensitive breaker 5 performs a breaking operation for breaking the circuit. The earthquake-sensitive circuit breaker 5 causes a pseudo-leakage state by, for example, electrically connecting the first voltage pole or the second voltage pole and the neutral pole via an impedance element having a relatively low resistance. When the earthquake-sensing circuit breaker 5 causes a pseudo-leakage state, the detection portion 32 of the main circuit breaker 3 detects the pseudo-leakage state caused by the earthquake-sensing circuit breaker 5. The main breaker 3 opens the contact 31 when the detection unit 32 detects the pseudo leakage state. Thus, when vibration having a magnitude exceeding the reference value is applied to the switchboard storage box 10 due to an earthquake or the like, the main breaker 3 interrupts the supply of electric power to the circuit connected to the secondary side of the main breaker 3.

The interconnection breaker 6 is electrically connected to a distributed power supply 21 provided in the facility 500. The interconnection breaker 6 is electrically connected between the conductive rod electrically connected to the secondary side terminal of the main breaker 3 and the distributed power source 21. When the contact of the interconnection breaker 6 is closed, the distributed power source 21 can be interconnected with the system power source 20 to supply power to the load. On the other hand, when the contact of the interconnection breaker 6 is opened, the distributed power source 21 is disconnected from the system power source 20. The interconnection breaker 6 has a detection function of detecting occurrence of electric leakage, for example. When the occurrence of an electric leakage is detected by the detection function, the interconnection breaker 6 performs a breaking operation to disconnect the distributed power source 21 from the system power source 20. The interconnection breaker 6 may have a function of detecting an overcurrent such as a short-circuit current, and in this case, may be configured such that: when the interconnection breaker 6 detects an overcurrent, the interconnection breaker 6 performs a breaking operation.

The current measuring device 8 measures currents flowing to loads (electrical devices 23, 24, and the like) electrically connected to the plurality of branch breakers 4, respectively. The current measuring device 8 has, for example, a substrate and a plurality of coils. The substrate is in the form of a plate that is long in the left-right direction. A plurality of holes are formed on the substrate. Terminals extending from the conductive bars and connected to the primary-side terminals of the branch breakers 4 are inserted into the plurality of holes, respectively. The coil is, for example, a rogowski coil, and is formed around the hole of the substrate. In the present embodiment, the current measuring device 8 measures the current flowing to each of the plurality of branch breakers 4 and the interconnection breaker 6. Here, the current measuring device 8 (current sensor) is shared with a sensor used in an energy management system that manages energy used in the facility 500 in which the distribution board 1 is installed.

The backup power supply 9 includes a secondary battery 91 and a charging circuit that charges the secondary battery 91. The battery 91 is a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium ion battery. The charging circuit of the backup power supply 9 receives power supply from the primary side of the main breaker 3, for example, and charges the battery 91. For example, when the system power supply 20 fails, the backup power supply 9 supplies power to the monitoring unit 7 and the like using the battery 91 as a power supply. Therefore, even when the system power supply 20 fails, the monitoring unit 7 can operate by receiving the supply of electric power from the backup power supply 9. When the system power supply 20 is normal, the monitoring unit 7 receives power supply from the primary side of the main breaker 3, that is, from the system power supply 20, and operates.

Here, the shutter 2 further includes a communication unit 201. The communication unit 201 can communicate with a communication unit 72 (described later) of the monitoring unit 7. The term "capable of communication" as used in the present disclosure means that a signal can be transmitted directly or indirectly via a network, a relay, or the like by an appropriate communication method such as wired communication or wireless communication. That is, the shutter 2 (communication unit 201) and the monitoring unit 7 (communication unit 72) can transmit signals to each other. Here, unique addresses are set for each of the plurality of shutters 2. That is, the communication unit 201 communicates with the monitoring unit 7 using an address (an address stored in a memory or the like) set for the shutter 2.

In the present embodiment, the communication unit 201 and the monitoring unit 7 can perform bidirectional communication with each other. The communication unit 201 can transmit a signal to the monitoring unit 7. The communication unit 201 can receive a signal transmitted from the monitoring unit 7.

In the present embodiment, the communication unit 201 uses the substrate of the current measuring device 8 as at least a part of the communication path with the monitoring unit 7. In other words, the conductive layer of the substrate of the current measuring device 8 includes a part of the communication path between the communication section 201 and the monitoring unit 7. The communication method between the communication unit 201 and the substrate can be, for example, wired communication conforming to a communication standard such as RS-485 or a wired LAN (Local Area Network).

In addition, the monitoring unit 7 has a measurement function of measuring at least one of the current and the power of the plurality of branch circuits. The monitoring unit 7 has a communication function of communicating with a controller 25 disposed outside the distribution board storage cabinet 10.

The monitoring unit 7 is a main structure of the monitoring system 100, and therefore details of the structure associated with the monitoring system 100 in the monitoring unit 7 are described in the column of "(2.3) structure of monitoring system".

The controller 25 controls or monitors a device (hereinafter referred to as an HEMS-supporting device) that supports HEMS (Home Energy Management System). Here, the HEMS supporting apparatus includes, for example, a Smart meter (Smart meter), a solar power generation device, an electric storage device, a fuel cell, an electric vehicle, an air conditioner, a lighting fixture, a hot water supply device, a refrigerator, an electric window curtain, an electric louver, a television receiver, or the like. The HEMS support apparatus is not limited to these apparatuses. In the present embodiment, the electric devices 23 and 24 are both HEMS support devices and can communicate with the controller 25.

The monitoring unit 7 can also communicate with the management server 300 outside the facility 500. The monitoring unit 7 is connected to a network 200 such as the internet directly or indirectly via a router or the like, and communicates with the management server 300 via the network 200. Thus, the monitoring unit 7 can communicate not only with the management server 300 but also with the information terminal 400 and the like connected to the network 200. The information terminal 400 is a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal owned by a resident (user) of the facility 500, for example.

The management server 300 or the information terminal 400 may communicate with the monitoring unit 7 via the controller 25, for example. That is, by connecting the controller 25 to the network 200, the monitoring unit 7 can communicate with the management server 300 or the information terminal 400 connected to the network 200 via the controller 25.

In the distribution board 1 according to the present embodiment, the monitoring unit 7 receives, from the current measuring device 8, the current value flowing to each of the plurality of branch circuits (the specific circuit C1) measured by the current measuring device 8. Also, the monitoring unit 7 receives the current value measured by the main current measuring device from the main current measuring device. The monitoring unit 7 converts the current values measured by the current measuring device 8 and the main current measuring device into power values (instantaneous power values), respectively. The monitoring unit 7 has a function of calculating data of the amount of electric power obtained by integrating data of the collected instantaneous power value for a predetermined time. Thus, the controller 25 can control or monitor the HEMS support apparatus based on the instantaneous power, amount of power, of each of the plurality of branch circuits.

The monitoring unit 7 has a function (communication function) of communicating with at least one power conversion device among the solar power generation device, the power storage device, and the power conversion device electrically connected to the electric vehicle. The power conversion device may have the following configuration: in addition to power conversion for unidirectional charging from the distribution board 1 to the electric vehicle, power conversion is performed bidirectionally, and the power conversion device is used for both charging and discharging of a battery of the electric vehicle.

The monitoring unit 7 has a communication function of communicating with at least one of the gas meter and the tap water meter. The communication method between the monitoring unit 7 and the solar power generation device, the power storage device, and the power conversion device is, for example, wired communication conforming to a communication standard such as RS-485. The communication method between the monitoring unit 7 and the gas meter or the water meter is not limited to wired communication, and may be wireless communication. The monitoring unit 7 may be capable of communicating with a hot water storage type hot water supply device or the like, for example.

(2.3) Structure of monitoring System

Next, the structure of the monitoring system 100 will be described with reference to fig. 1.

As described above, the monitoring system 100 according to the present embodiment mainly includes the monitoring unit 7 housed in the distribution board storage 10. Therefore, the monitoring unit 7 will be described below together with the monitoring system 100.

First, the configuration of the monitoring unit 7 will be described. The monitoring unit 7 is disposed, for example, at a position on the left side of the main breaker 3 in the distribution board storage 10 (see fig. 2). Since the monitoring unit 7 operates by receiving power supply from the primary side of the main breaker 3, the monitoring unit 7 can operate even when the main breaker 3 performs a breaking operation. When the system power supply 20 fails, the monitoring unit 7 operates by receiving power supply from the backup power supply 9. That is, the monitoring unit 7 can operate even when the system power supply 20 fails.

The monitoring unit 7 is electrically connected to the current measuring device 8. The monitoring unit 7 is electrically connected to a main current measuring device for measuring a current flowing to the main breaker 3. The monitoring unit 7 has a function (measurement function) of calculating a power value based on the values of the currents measured by the current measuring device 8 and the main current measuring device. The current measuring device 8 measures the current flowing to each of the plurality of branch circuits. The monitoring unit 7 measures at least one of the current and the power of each branch circuit based on the current value measured by the current measuring device 8.

In addition, as described above, the monitoring unit 7 has a function (communication function) of communicating with the controller 25 for controlling or monitoring the HEMS supporting apparatus. In the present embodiment, as described above, both the electric devices 23 and 24 can communicate with the controller 25 as the HEMS supporting device. That is, the electric devices 23, 24 are both objects to be controlled or monitored by the controller 25.

The communication method between the monitoring unit 7 and the controller 25 is wireless communication using electric waves as a medium. The radio communication via radio waves is, for example, radio communication conforming to a communication standard such as a specific low-power radio base station (a radio base station not requiring a license) in a 920MHz frequency band, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. The communication method between the monitoring unit 7 and the controller 25 may be wired communication conforming to a communication standard such as a wired LAN. The communication protocol for communication between the monitoring unit 7 and the controller 25 is, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark), ECHONET Lite (registered trademark), or the like. As for the communication method between the controller 25 and the HEMS supporting device (including the electric devices 23, 24), an appropriate communication method can be employed as in the communication method between the monitoring unit 7 and the controller 25. According to the above, the monitoring unit 7 is also capable of indirectly communicating with the HEMS supporting apparatus (the electric apparatuses 23, 24) by passing through the controller 25.

Here, in the present embodiment, the monitoring unit 7 and the controller 25 can perform bidirectional communication. The monitoring unit 7 can perform bidirectional communication with the management server 300 or the information terminal 400. Thus, for example, the monitoring unit 7 can transmit a signal to the HEMS supporting apparatus via the controller 25. In turn, the HEMS supporting apparatus can transmit a signal to the monitoring unit 7 via the controller 25.

As described above, the monitoring unit 7 can also communicate with the management server 300 or the information terminal 400 via the network 200. The monitoring unit 7 can perform bidirectional communication with the management server 300 or the information terminal 400.

More specifically, as shown in fig. 1, the monitoring unit 7 includes an information processing unit 71, a communication unit 72, a notification unit 73, a storage unit 74, and an operation reception unit 75.

The information processing unit 71 includes, for example, a computer system. The computer system mainly includes one or more processors and one or more memories as hardware. The function as the information processing unit 71 is realized by one or more processors executing a program recorded in one or more memories of the computer system. The program may be recorded in advance in a memory of the computer system, may be provided through an electric communication line, or may be provided by being recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disc, or a hard disk drive readable by the computer system.

The information processing unit 71 includes a measurement unit 711, a detection unit 712, an output unit 713, and a variable unit 714.

The measurement unit 711 measures power passing through at least one of the main breaker 3 and the branch breaker 4 in the distribution board 1. The monitoring unit 7 of the present embodiment is electrically connected to a main current measuring device and a current measuring device 8 that measure a current flowing through the main breaker 3. The main current measuring device includes a current sensor formed of a current transformer (current trans), for example. The measurement unit 711 receives the current value measured by the current measurement device 8 and flowing to each of the plurality of branch breakers 4 and the interconnection breaker 6 from the current measurement device 8. Also, the measurement section 711 receives the current value measured by the main current measurement device (that is, the current value flowing to the main line) from the main current measurement device. The measurement unit 711 converts the current values measured by the current measurement device 8 and the main current measurement device into power values (instantaneous power values), respectively. The measurement unit 711 has a function of calculating data of the amount of electric power obtained by integrating the data of the collected instantaneous power values for a predetermined time.

The detection unit 712 detects an abnormality of the wiring C11 included in the specific circuit C1. In the present embodiment, as described above, each of the plurality of branch circuits is the specific circuit C1. The specific circuit C1 also includes a circuit including the interconnection breaker 6, the wiring C11, and the distributed power source 21. Therefore, there are a plurality of specific circuits C1 to be detected by the detecting unit 712 as abnormality of the wiring C11.

In the present embodiment, the detection unit 712 detects an abnormality of the wiring C11 for each specific circuit C1. The detection section 712 detects an abnormality of the wiring C11 in each specific circuit C1 based on the current flowing through each specific circuit C1. In the present embodiment, the detector 712 is provided in the monitoring unit 7. Then, the monitoring unit 7 acquires the current value measured by the current measuring device 8 as described above. Therefore, the detection section 712 can detect an abnormality of the wiring C11 included in each of the plurality of specific circuits C1 based on the current flowing to each of the specific circuits C1 of the specific circuits C1. That is, the monitoring unit 7 uses a current value used in a measurement function (a function of measuring at least one of the current and the power of the plurality of branch circuits) for the detection of the abnormality of the wiring C11 by the detection unit 712.

In the present embodiment, the detection result of the detection unit 712 is transmitted from the output unit 713 to the information terminal 400, for example. Then, the detection result of the detection unit 712 is written in the storage unit 74 via the output unit 713.

Here, in the present embodiment, the detector 712 detects at least occurrence of an arc as an abnormality of the wiring C11. Specifically, the detection unit 712 determines whether or not an Arc is generated in the wiring C11 by the same technique as an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI). That is, the arc short-circuit protection breaker can detect the arc generated in the wiring C11 by recognizing the current characteristic and the voltage characteristic unique to the arc generated in the wiring C11 using an electronic circuit. Based on the same principle, the detector 712 determines whether or not an arc is generated in the wiring C11 of the specific circuit C1.

Here, as already described, there are two types of arcs that may occur in the wiring C11, namely, a parallel arc and a serial arc. Next, a parallel arc and a serial arc will be briefly described with reference to fig. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B. Fig. 4A and 4B show an example of a waveform of a current flowing through the wiring C11 when a parallel arc and a serial arc are generated, respectively, with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing current.

Regarding the parallel arc, for example, as shown in fig. 3A, a short circuit may occur due to contact of conductors of a pair of wires C10 constituting the wiring C11, or the like, and the parallel arc may occur. The arrow I1 of the broken line in fig. 3A schematically represents the path of the current flowing through the wiring C11 when the parallel arc occurs. The magnitude of the current flowing through the wiring C11 when the parallel arc occurs is, for example, several tens of amperes a to several hundreds of amperes a. For example, the cover C12 may be damaged by the edge of the wire C11 caught by an instrument (furniture, for example) in the facility 500, or the wire C11 may be pinched by a metal member such as a staple, thereby causing a parallel arc. In addition, for example, the coating C12 may melt due to an overcurrent flowing through the wiring C11, or the coating C12 may be damaged due to biting of an animal into the wiring C11, thereby causing a parallel arc. In addition, parallel arcing may occur when the wiring C11 is exposed to ultraviolet light for a long period of time and the insulation of the coating layer C12 deteriorates.

Fig. 4A shows an example of a waveform of a current flowing through the wiring C11 when a parallel arc occurs. As shown in fig. 4A, when the parallel arc occurs, the pulse current is interrupted from flowing through the wiring C11. That is, when the parallel arc occurs, the waveform of the current flowing through the wiring C11 includes a unique pattern that appears along with the occurrence of the parallel arc. Therefore, the detector 712 can determine whether or not the parallel arc is generated in the wiring C11 by comparing the waveform of the current flowing through the wiring C11 measured by the current measuring device 8 with the above-described pattern, for example (can detect an abnormality of the wiring C11).

Regarding the serial arc, for example, as shown in fig. 3B, the serial arc may occur due to a half-break of one of the pair of electric wires C10 constituting the wiring C11. A dashed arrow I2 in fig. 3B schematically represents a path of a current flowing through the wiring C11 when a serial arc occurs. The magnitude of the current flowing through the wiring C11 when a serial arc occurs is several amperes a to ten and several amperes a. Therefore, the magnitude of the current flowing through the wiring C11 when the serial arc occurs may be smaller than the magnitude of the current flowing through the load (for example, the electric devices 23 and 24) connected to the wiring C11 in a normal state where no abnormality occurs. For example, a serial arc may be generated due to the wire C11 being repeatedly bent or the wire C11 being pulled with excessive force.

Fig. 4B shows an example of a waveform of a current flowing through the wiring C11 when a serial arc occurs. As shown in fig. 4B, when the series arc occurs, a current obtained by superimposing a high-frequency component unique to the series arc on a current supplied to the load (for example, the electric devices 23 and 24) flows through the wiring C11. That is, the current flowing through the wiring C11 when the serial arc occurs may contain high frequency components unique to the serial arc as illustrated in fig. 4B. Therefore, the detection unit 712 can determine whether or not the series arc has occurred in the wiring C11 (can detect an abnormality of the wiring C11) based on, for example, a high-frequency component of the current flowing through the wiring C11 measured by the current measuring device 8.

Here, the detection unit 712 detects an abnormality based on a monitoring target constituted by one or more physical quantities related to the specific circuit C1. That is, in the present embodiment, as described above, the detection unit 712 detects an abnormality of the wiring C11 in the specific circuit C1 based on the current flowing through the specific circuit C1. Since the current flowing through the specific circuit C1 is a physical quantity related to the specific circuit C1, in the present embodiment, at least the current flowing through the specific circuit C1 is included in the monitoring target. The detector 712 may detect an abnormality of the wiring C11 based on the monitoring target by using one or more physical quantities related to the specific circuit C1 as the monitoring target, in addition to the current flowing through the specific circuit C1 as the monitoring target.

As the physical quantity that can be monitored, in addition to the current flowing through the specific circuit C1, there are, for example, voltage, temperature, color, sound, smell, deformation, and the like. That is, there are cases where: when an abnormality such as the arc (parallel arc or serial arc) described above occurs in the wiring C11 of the specific circuit C1, some features appear in physical quantities other than the current related to the specific circuit C1. For example, in the specific circuit C1 in which the abnormality of the wiring C11 occurs, a unique pattern that appears as a result of the occurrence of the abnormality may be included in the waveform of the voltage applied to the wiring C11. In the specific circuit C1 in which such an abnormality of the wiring C11 occurs, for example, the wiring C11 may include a characteristic such as a temperature change, a color change (discoloration), a sound (vibration sound, etc.), a smell, or a deformation in accordance with heat generation of the wiring C11. The "smell" is characterized by a characteristic smell generated by melting the coating layer C12 of the wiring C11 by heat generated by overcurrent, for example. The "deformation" is characterized by, for example, deformation of the clad layer C12 of the wiring C11 due to softening by heat caused by an overcurrent.

Therefore, the detection unit 712 may detect an abnormality based on a monitoring target made of a physical quantity other than the current, instead of or in addition to the current, using the output of a temperature sensor, an image sensor, an odor sensor, or another physical quantity sensor, for example. As described above, the physical quantity to be monitored used in the detection unit 712 is not only a current, but may include physical quantities other than a current, such as a voltage, a temperature, a color, a sound, an odor, and a deformation.

In the present embodiment, the detection unit 712 determines that an abnormality in the wiring C11 has occurred only when the state in which an abnormality is present in the monitoring target continues for a certain detection time as described above. That is, when the state in which the monitoring target, such as the current flowing through the specific circuit C1, shows an abnormality is canceled before the detection time is reached, the detection unit 712 does not determine that the abnormality of the wiring C11 has occurred. Thus, when a state in which the monitoring target is abnormal occurs instantaneously due to the influence of noise or the like, for example, the detection unit 712 is unlikely to erroneously determine that the wiring C11 is abnormal, and the accuracy of detecting the abnormality of the wiring C11 is improved.

The output unit 713 outputs the detection result of the detection unit 712. The output unit 713 executes at least one of notification of the detection result of the detection unit 712 and control of the specific circuit C1 as output processing. In the present embodiment, the output section 713 can perform both of notifying the user of the detection result of the detection section 712 and the control of the specific circuit C1. By this output processing, the output unit 713 outputs the detection result of the detection unit 712.

Specifically, when the detection result of the detection section 712 is notified, the output section 713 presents the detection result from the information terminal 400 to the user by transmitting the detection result of the detection section 712 to the information terminal 400. However, the manner of notification is not limited thereto.

For example, the output unit 713 may visually present the detection result to the user by displaying a character string and/or an image on a display device (e.g., a liquid crystal display or the like) provided in the monitoring unit 7 or a display device connected to the monitoring unit 7. The output unit 713 may visually present the detection result to the user by, for example, lighting a Light source including a solid-state Light Emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) provided in the monitoring unit 7. The output unit 713 may also audibly present the detection result to the user by outputting sound (including voice, alarm sound, and the like) from, for example, a speaker provided in the monitoring unit 7 or a speaker connected to the monitoring unit 7. In addition, the output unit 713 may perform output processing according to the detection result of the detection unit 712 by, for example, performing recording (writing) and printing (printout) to the storage unit 74.

In the present embodiment, the output unit 713 executes processing for including and presenting detail information indicating details of an abnormality in the detection result at least when the abnormality occurs in the wiring C11. The detail information may include, for example, type information indicating the type of abnormality of the wiring C11 and location information about the occurrence location of the abnormality of the wiring C11. The type information referred to herein includes at least two types of parallel arcs and serial arcs. The location information here includes, for example, information for identifying the specific circuit C1 in which an abnormality has occurred among the plurality of specific circuits C1.

In addition, the detail information can contain device information about devices included in the specific circuit C1 and time information about the time of abnormality of the wiring C11. The device information here includes information such as the type and number of devices (for example, the electric devices 23 and 24) included in the specific circuit C1 in which the abnormality has occurred. The time information here includes information indicating the occurrence time (timing) of the abnormality of the wiring C11 and the duration from the occurrence of the abnormality of the wiring C11 to the end thereof.

The detail information may include history information on the operation history of at least one of the probe 712 and the output 713 and current information on the waveform of the current flowing through the specific circuit C1. The history information here includes information of the timing at which the detector 712 operates (detects an abnormality) and/or the timing at which the output unit 713 operates (outputs a detection result). The current information here includes information on the waveform of the current flowing through the specific circuit C1 when abnormality occurs in the wiring C11.

When the specific circuit C1 is controlled, the output unit 713 outputs a control signal for controlling the specific circuit C1 to the specific circuit C1. That is, the output unit 713 can control each of the plurality of specific circuits C1. The "control of the specific circuit C1" referred to in the present disclosure can include cutting off and resuming supply of power to the specific circuit C1, limiting a current flowing through the specific circuit C1, and controlling the electric devices 23, 24 and the like included in the specific circuit C1. For example, the output unit 713 can turn off the contact incorporated in the switch 2 by outputting a control signal to the switch 2 included in any one of the specific circuits C1, thereby cutting off the power supply to the specific circuit C1. The output unit 713 can control the electric devices 23 and 24 included in any one of the specific circuits C1 by outputting a control signal to the electric devices 23 and 24 directly or via the controller 25.

In the present embodiment, for example, when an abnormality of the wiring C11 is detected by the detector 712, the output unit 713 outputs a control signal for cutting off the supply of electric power to the specific circuit C1 to the switch 2 of the specific circuit C1 including the wiring C11 for which the abnormality is detected. Here, when an arc is generated in the wiring C11, there is a possibility that an electrical fire or the like may occur due to the generation of the arc. Therefore, the monitoring system 100 according to the present embodiment can prevent the occurrence of an electrical fire in advance by cutting off the power supply to the specific circuit C1 when the detector 712 detects an abnormality in the wire C11.

The variable unit 714 changes the object item related to at least one of the detection unit 712 and the output unit 713. As described above, the "target item" is an item such as various parameters, algorithms, and timings or contents of operations relating to at least one of the probe 712 and the output 713.

In the present embodiment, the variable unit 714 changes at least the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting an abnormality as a target item. That is, the object items that can be changed by the variable unit 714 include at least the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting an abnormality. Therefore, if the variable part 714 changes the detection sensitivity of the detection part 712 to detect an abnormality, the determination criterion of the detection part 712 can be adjusted. The criterion of the detection unit 712 is, for example, the presence or absence of a characteristic appearing in the current flowing through the specific circuit C1 when an abnormality occurs in the wiring C11. Therefore, even when the same characteristic occurs in the current flowing through the specific circuit C1, if the variable section 714 changes the object item relating to the detection section 712, the detection section 712 can determine that an abnormality of the wiring C11 has occurred or that an abnormality of the wiring C11 has not occurred. As a result, the detection unit 712 can increase the detection sensitivity to reduce "false alarm" that is erroneously determined to be normal in the case of abnormality, or decrease the detection sensitivity to reduce "false alarm" that is erroneously determined to be abnormal in the case of normality.

More specifically, the detection sensitivity of the target item that can be changed by the variable unit 714 includes a parameter related to the magnitude of at least one of the current and the voltage in the specific circuit C1. The parameter relating to the magnitude of at least one of the current and the voltage is, for example, a threshold value set for the magnitude of the current and/or the voltage in order for the detection unit 712 to determine an abnormality of the wiring C11, and further, an amplitude in a waveform of the current and/or the voltage. In the present embodiment, as described above, the detection section 712 detects an abnormality of the wiring C11 in the specific circuit C1 based on the current flowing through the specific circuit C1. Therefore, for example, by changing a parameter (threshold value, amplitude, or the like) related to the magnitude of the current flowing through the specific circuit C1 by the variable portion 714, the detection sensitivity of the detection portion 712 for detecting an abnormality changes. For example, the smaller the threshold value of the current for detecting the parallel arc, the easier it is to detect the parallel arc, and therefore the higher the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting an abnormality. Conversely, the larger the threshold value of the current for detecting the parallel arc, the less likely the parallel arc is to be detected, and therefore the lower the detection sensitivity of the detection section 712 for detecting an abnormality.

The detection sensitivity of the target item that can be changed by the variable unit 714 also includes a parameter related to the time required for the detection unit 712 to detect an abnormality. The parameter relating to the time required for detecting an abnormality here is, for example, the detection time required for the detection unit 712 to determine an abnormality of the wiring C11, and further, the time period during which an abnormality of the wiring C11 is detected. In the present embodiment, as described above, the detection unit 712 determines that the wiring C11 is abnormal only when the state in which the abnormality is present in the monitoring target continues for a certain detection time. Therefore, for example, by changing the length of the detection time required for the determination of the abnormality by the variable portion 714, the detection sensitivity of the detection portion 712 for detecting the abnormality changes. For example, the shorter the detection time, the more easily the detection unit 712 detects an abnormality of the wiring C11, and therefore the higher the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting an abnormality. Conversely, the longer the detection time, the less likely the detection unit 712 detects an abnormality of the wiring C11, and therefore the lower the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 to detect an abnormality. For example, in the case where the detection time can be selected from a plurality of levels of time such as 0 (zero) second, 10 seconds, 1 minute, and 5 minutes, when the detection time is 0 second, the detection sensitivity for detecting an abnormality in the detection unit 712 is the highest, and the detection sensitivity for detecting an abnormality is lowered in the order of 10 seconds, 1 minute, and 5 minutes. When the detection time is 0 second, the detection unit 712 determines that an abnormality has occurred immediately when an abnormality occurs in the monitored object such as the current flowing through the specific circuit C1.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the detection unit 712 detects an abnormality based on the monitoring target including one or more physical quantities related to the specific circuit C1. Therefore, the detection sensitivity of the target item that can be changed by the changing unit 714 may include a parameter related to the type of the monitoring target. That is, as described above, the physical quantity that can be the object to be monitored includes, for example, voltage, temperature, color, sound, smell, and distortion in addition to the current flowing through the specific circuit C1. Therefore, as the detection sensitivity of the target item, the variable unit 714 changes the type of physical quantity used as the monitoring target for detecting an abnormality, among the plurality of types of physical quantities such as the current, voltage, temperature, color, sound, smell, and deformation. For example, the variable unit 714 changes a parameter related to the type of the monitoring target, and thereby switches the physical quantity to be monitored used in the detection unit 712 between a state in which the physical quantity is only current and a state in which the physical quantity includes temperature and the like in addition to the current.

In the present embodiment, the variable unit 714 changes at least the output mode of the output unit 713 as the target item. That is, the object items that can be changed by the variable unit 714 include at least the output mode of the output unit 713. Therefore, if the variable unit 714 changes the output mode of the output unit 713, it is possible to adjust what kind of content is output in what mode when it is determined that the wiring C11 is abnormal, for example. Therefore, even when an abnormality occurs in the wiring C11 in the same manner, if the object item related to the output unit 713 is changed, the output unit 713 can notify the abnormality immediately or after a certain time has elapsed.

More specifically, the output mode of the target item that can be changed by the variable unit 714 includes the content of the output process performed by the output unit 713. The content of the output processing performed by the output unit 713 includes, for example, notification of the detection result of the detection unit 712 and control of the specific circuit C1. The content of the output process performed by the output unit 713 includes content such as a character string and an image displayed to convey the detection result. In the present embodiment, as described above, the output unit 713 can execute both notification of the detection result by the detection unit 712 and control of the specific circuit C1 as output processing. Therefore, for example, by enabling the variable portion 714 to change the content of the output processing, the output portion 713 changes which of the notification of the detection result by the detection portion 712 and the control of the specific circuit C1 is executed as the output processing. For example, if the notification of the detection result by the detection unit 712 is selected as the content of the output process, the output unit 713 notifies an abnormality when an abnormality occurs in the wiring C11. On the other hand, if the control of the specific circuit C1 is selected as the content of the output processing, the output section 713 performs the control of the specific circuit C1 when an abnormality occurs in the wiring C11.

The output mode of the target item that can be changed by the variable unit 714 also includes the timing of the output process performed by the output unit 713. The timing of the output processing here refers to, for example, a timing of performing output processing such as notification of the detection result of the detection unit 712 and/or control of the specific circuit C1 with reference to the detection timing at which the detection unit 712 detects the abnormality. In the present embodiment, as described above, the output unit 713 can execute both notification of the detection result by the detection unit 712 and control of the specific circuit C1 as output processing. Therefore, for example, by changing the timing of the output process by the variable unit 714, the timing at which the output unit 713 performs notification of the detection result of the detection unit 712 and/or control of the specific circuit C1 is changed. For example, if the timing of the output processing is advanced, the time from the time point when the detector 712 detects an abnormality of the wiring C11 until the output 713 executes notification of the abnormality and/or control of the specific circuit C1 becomes short. Conversely, if the timing of the output processing is delayed, the time from the point in time when the detection unit 712 detects an abnormality of the wiring C11 until the output unit 713 executes notification of the abnormality and/or control of the specific circuit C1 becomes long.

The variable unit 714 changes the target item in accordance with the input information input to the variable unit 714. That is, when input information is input to the variable unit 714, the variable unit 714 changes the target item in accordance with the input information. The "input information" referred to in the present disclosure may include information for determining how to change the target item in the variable unit 714, for example, information described below. The input information may or may not include all of the information listed below. That is, the input information may include one or more of a plurality of pieces of information listed below.

The input information may include information related to an operation signal received by the operation receiving unit 75 described later. The "operation signal" referred to in the present disclosure is a signal according to the operation of the user received by the operation receiving unit 75. That is, the input information for determining how to change the target item may include information on an operation signal corresponding to an operation by the user. When the input information includes information related to the operation signal (hereinafter also referred to as "operation information"), the variable unit 714 can manually change the object item in accordance with the operation of the user. For example, when the user performs a specific operation, the variable unit 714 changes the detection sensitivity of the target item so that the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting an abnormality is increased.

Here, the information that can be input by the user through an operation preferably includes information about the building of the facility 500. That is, the probability of occurrence of an abnormality of the wiring C11 such as an arc may vary depending on the number of years of construction of the building of the facility 500, the structure (e.g., wood structure or reinforced concrete), or the specification (e.g., individual house, collective house, two-story building, or three-story building), and the like. Therefore, by changing the target item by the variable unit 714 in accordance with the number of years of construction, the structure, the specification, or the like of the building of the facility 500, the detection accuracy of the detection unit 712 for detecting the abnormality of the wiring C11 can be improved. For example, when the number of years of construction of the building of the facility 500 exceeds a reference number of years (for example, 5 years), the variable unit 714 changes the detection sensitivity of the target item so that the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting the abnormality becomes high. In addition, in the case where the structure of the building of the facility 500 is a wooden structure, the variable portion 714 changes the detection sensitivity as the target item in such a manner that the detection sensitivity of detecting an abnormality in the detection portion 712 is higher than that in the case of reinforced concrete. As a specific method for the user to input the information on the building of the facility 500, for example, various information on the building of the facility 500 may be input (including selection) on a setting screen displayed on the information terminal 400.

In addition, the input information may include information on the detection result of a sensor other than the detection unit 712. The "sensor" referred to in the present disclosure includes various sensors other than the detection unit 712, and includes, for example, a vibration sensor 51, a human body sensor, a luminance sensor, and the like in the vibration-sensitive breaker 5. That is, information on the detection results of these sensors can be included in the input information for deciding how to change the target item. When the input information includes information on the detection result of the sensor (hereinafter also referred to as "sensor information"), the variable unit 714 can automatically change the target item according to various situations that can be detected by the sensor. For example, when the illuminance detected by the luminance sensor is lower than a predetermined reference value (for example, illuminance at evening), the detection sensitivity of the target item can be changed in the variable unit 714 so that the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting an abnormality is increased.

In particular, the input information preferably contains information relating to the detection result of the vibration sensor 51. That is, an abnormality of the wiring C11 such as an arc may occur due to an earthquake. Therefore, the accuracy of detecting the abnormality of the wiring C11 by the detecting unit 712 can be improved by changing the target item by the changing unit 714 in conjunction with the detection result of the vibration sensor 51 that detects the occurrence of an earthquake. For example, when the vibration sensor 51 detects vibration having a magnitude exceeding a predetermined reference value (for example, seismic motion having an intensity of "5"), the variable unit 714 changes the detection sensitivity of the target item so that the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting an abnormality is increased. The variable unit 714 may change the detection sensitivity of the target item so that the detection sensitivity of the detector 712 for detecting the abnormality is increased only within a certain period (for example, one week) from the occurrence of the earthquake. The variable unit 714 may change the target item in accordance with damage caused by an earthquake accumulated in the building of the facility 500. For example, it is preferable that the energy of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 51 is accumulated, and the variable unit 714 changes the detection sensitivity of the target item so that the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting the abnormality is higher as the accumulated value is larger.

In addition, the input information can contain information about the devices included in the specific circuit C1. The "device" referred to in the present disclosure includes various devices included in the specific circuit C1, and includes, for example, the electric devices 23 and 24, a wiring tool (a switch device, a socket (outlet), or the like), and the like. The information on the device is, for example, various information such as the type of the device, rated power, rated current, rated voltage, the number of devices, and the number of years of use. The type of equipment includes not only the specific type of equipment (air conditioning equipment, television receiver, product number, or the like) but also a general type of equipment such as whether or not the equipment is a heat source. The "heat source" in the present disclosure includes not only a device whose temperature becomes high as in an electric heater but also a device for heating an object as in an IH induction cooker. That is, by including information on these devices (hereinafter also referred to as "device information") in the input information for deciding how to change the object item, the variable part 714 can automatically change the object item according to the devices included in the specific circuit C1. For example, when the device included in the specific circuit C1 is a heat source, the variable unit 714 can change the detection sensitivity of the target item so that the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting an abnormality becomes high.

The input information may include information related to an operation history of at least one of the probe 712 and the output 713. The "operation history" referred to in the present disclosure includes information on the timing at which the detector 712 operates (detects an abnormality) and/or the timing at which the output unit 713 operates (outputs a detection result). That is, the input information for determining how to change the target item can include information on these operation histories. By including information on the operation history (hereinafter also referred to as "history information") in the input information, the variable unit 714 can automatically change the target item according to the operation history of the detection unit 712 and/or the output unit 713. For example, when the detection unit 712 operates (detects an abnormality) more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period (for example, a previous one month period), the variable unit 714 can change the detection sensitivity of the target item so that the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting an abnormality is lowered. The history information may include information on whether or not the probe is an erroneous probe. In this case, for example, when the detection unit 712 performs erroneous detection more than a predetermined number of times, the variable unit 714 preferably changes the detection sensitivity of the target item so that the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting an abnormality is lowered.

In the present embodiment, the variable unit 714 changes the object item for each specific circuit C1. That is, in the present embodiment, there are a plurality of specific circuits C1 including the wiring C11 to be a detection target for detecting an abnormality by the detection unit 712. Also, with respect to these plurality of specific circuits C1, the detecting section 712 detects an abnormality in the wiring C11 for each specific circuit C1. Therefore, the object item is also changed for each specific circuit C1 in the variable unit 714, similarly to the detection unit 712. Therefore, for example, the variable unit 714 can change the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 as the target item so that the detection sensitivity for detecting an abnormality becomes higher for a certain specific circuit C1. The variable unit 714 can change the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 as the target item so that the detection sensitivity for detecting the abnormality becomes lower for the other specific circuit C1.

The communication unit 72 communicates with the controller 25 and the like provided in the facility 500. As described above, the controller 25 controls or monitors the HEMS support apparatus. That is, the controller 25 can acquire instantaneous power and the amount of power of each of a plurality of loads (electric devices 23, 24, and the like) connected to a plurality of branch breakers 4 by communicating with the monitoring unit 7, and can control or monitor the HEMS support device.

The communication unit 72 is configured to be able to communicate with the current measuring device 8. As described above, the communication unit 72 communicates with the communication unit 201 of each of the switches 2 using, for example, a part of the conductive layer of the substrate of the current measuring device 8. That is, the communication unit 72 has a function of communicating with the current measuring device 8 and the switch 2 in addition to the function of communicating with the controller 25. The communication unit 72 may have, for example, a separate communication module for communication with the controller 25 and communication with the current measuring device 8 and the switch 2.

As described above, the notification unit 73 has a communication function of communicating with the management server 300 and the information terminal 400 via the network 200. The notification unit 73 transmits, for example, the detection result of the detection unit 712 output from the output unit 713 to the information terminal 400 owned by the user. Thus, the information terminal 400 that has received the detection result of the detection unit 712 can notify (inform) the user of the detection result. For example, when the detection unit 712 detects an abnormality in the wiring C11, the notification unit 73 transmits a signal including the detection result to the information terminal 400. The user can know the detection result of the detection unit 712 by operating the information terminal 400, for example, by browsing an email or by starting an application program for the monitoring system 100 installed in the information terminal 400.

The storage unit 74 includes, for example, an Electrically rewritable nonvolatile Memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or a volatile Memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 74 stores at least "target item". As described above, the target item is an item such as various parameters, algorithms, and timings or contents of operations relating to at least one of the probe 712 and the output 713. That is, in the present embodiment, the variable unit 714 changes the object item stored in the storage unit 74. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 74 has a function of storing the detection result of the detection unit 712.

The operation receiving unit 75 receives an operation signal corresponding to an operation by a user. That is, the monitoring system 100 can receive an operation by a user. For example, the operation receiving unit 75 is provided in the monitoring unit 7. The operation receiving unit 75 receives an operation signal from an input device such as a mechanical switch, a touch panel display, a keyboard, a pointing device, or an audio input connected to the monitoring unit 7. Alternatively, the operation receiving unit 75 may receive an operation signal generated by the information terminal 400, for example. As described above, the information on the operation signal received by the operation receiving unit 75 can be included in the input information input to the variable unit 714.

(3) Movement of

Next, the operation of the monitoring system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the monitoring system 100, that is, a monitoring method using the monitoring system 100.

Next, a case where the variable unit 714 changes the object items related to each of the detection unit 712 and the output unit 713 will be described. In particular, it is assumed that the object item related to the detector 712 that can be changed by the variable part 714 includes detection sensitivity for detecting an abnormality in the detector 712, and the object item related to the output part 713 that can be changed by the variable part 714 includes an output mode of the output part 713.

First, the monitoring system 100 acquires input information through the variable unit 714 (S1). As described above, the input information can contain at least one of operation information, sensor information, device information, and history information. For example, when the input information includes operation information about an operation signal, in the process S1, the variable unit 714 acquires the input information from the operation reception unit 75 that receives the operation signal according to the operation of the user.

Next, the monitoring system 100 analyzes the input information by the variable unit 714, and determines whether or not there is a change in the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting an abnormality in the detection unit 712 as the target item related to the detection unit 712 (S2). If there is a change in the detection sensitivity (S2: YES), the variable section 714 changes the detection sensitivity of the detection abnormality in the detection section 712 in accordance with the input information (S3). The variable unit 714 writes the changed detection sensitivity in the storage unit 74 (S4).

Specifically, for example, when a specific operation is performed by the user, in the processing S3, the variable unit 714 changes the detection sensitivity of the target item so that the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting an abnormality becomes high. In this case, for example, the variable unit 714 reduces the threshold of the current for detecting the parallel arc, thereby increasing the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting an abnormality. Then, in the processing S4, the variable unit 714 rewrites (updates) the detection sensitivity stored in advance in the storage unit 74 as the target item to the changed detection sensitivity.

Thereafter, the monitoring system 100 analyzes the input information by the variable unit 714, and determines whether or not the output mode of the output unit 713, which is the target item related to the output unit 713, is changed (S5). If there is a change in the output method (S5: YES), the variable unit 714 changes the output method of the output unit 713 based on the input information (S6), and writes the changed output method to the storage unit 74 (S7).

Specifically, for example, when a user performs a specific operation, in step S6, the variable unit 714 changes the output mode as the target item to change the content of the output process performed by the output unit 713. In this case, for example, the variable unit 714 switches the content of the output process from the notification of the detection result of the detection unit 712 to the control of the specific circuit C1, thereby changing the content of the output process performed by the output unit 713 to the control of the specific circuit C1. Then, in the processing S7, the variable unit 714 rewrites (updates) the output method stored in advance in the storage unit 74 as the target item to the changed output method.

After that, the monitoring system 100 reads out the detection sensitivity from the storage section 74 by the detection section 712 (S8), and performs a detection process of detecting an abnormality of the wiring C11 in the specific circuit C1 using the detection sensitivity (S9). That is, in the case where the detection sensitivity is changed by the variable part 714, the storage part 74 stores the changed detection sensitivity, and therefore the detection part 712 can execute the detection processing using the changed detection sensitivity by reading out the detection sensitivity from the storage part 74. Thereafter, the probe 712 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the wiring C11 in the specific circuit C1 (S10). Specifically, for example, when a serial arc occurs in the wiring C11 of the specific circuit C1, the detection section 712 can detect the occurrence of an abnormality (serial arc) based on a high-frequency component of the current flowing through the wiring C11 measured by the current measuring device 8.

Then, if the probe 712 determines that there is an abnormality of the wiring C11 (S10: YES), the output 713 reads out the output mode from the storage 74 (S11). The output unit 713 executes an output process of outputting the detection result of the detection process using the output method read out from the storage unit 74 (S12). That is, when the output mode is changed by the variable unit 714, the storage unit 74 stores the changed output mode. Thus, the output unit 713 can execute the output process using the changed output mode read out from the storage unit 74.

Specifically, for example, when the control of the specific circuit C1 is set as the output method, the output unit 713 outputs a control signal for controlling the specific circuit C1 to the specific circuit C1 in step S12. For example, the output unit 713 outputs a control signal for cutting off the power supply to the specific circuit C1 to the shutter 2 of the specific circuit C1 including the wiring C11 in which the abnormality is detected. Thus, in the specific circuit C1 including the wiring C11 in which the abnormality is detected, the contact incorporated in the switch 2 is opened, and the power supply to the specific circuit C1 can be cut off.

In addition, if there is no change in the probe sensitivity in the processing S2 (S2: no), the monitoring system 100 skips the processing S3 and S4 and shifts to the processing S5. If there is no change in the output mode in the processing S5 (S5: no), the monitoring system 100 skips the processing S6 and S7 and shifts to the processing S8. If there is no abnormality in the processing S10 (S10: no), the monitoring system 100 skips the processing S11 and S12 and ends the series of processing.

The monitoring system 100 repeatedly executes the series of processing S1 to S12 described above. The flowchart of fig. 5 is merely an example of the operation of the monitoring system 100, and the process may be omitted or added as appropriate, or the order of the process may be changed as appropriate. For example, the order of the processes S2 to S4 for changing the detection sensitivity and the processes S5 to S7 for changing the output mode may be reversed.

Further, by the monitoring system 100 performing the above-described processes S1 to S12 for each specific circuit C1, the detecting unit 712 can detect an abnormality in the wiring C11 for each specific circuit C1. The variable unit 714 can change the target item for each specific circuit C1.

(4) Modification example

Embodiment 1 is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiment 1 can be variously modified according to design and the like as long as the object of the cost disclosure can be achieved. The drawings described in the present disclosure are schematic drawings, and the ratio of the size and thickness of each component in each drawing does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio. The same functions as those of the monitoring system 100 according to embodiment 1 can be realized by a monitoring method, a (computer) program, a non-transitory recording medium on which a program is recorded, or the like.

The monitoring method according to one embodiment includes a probe process (corresponding to "S9" in fig. 5), an output process (corresponding to "S12" in fig. 5), and a variable process (corresponding to "S3" and "S6" in fig. 5). The detection processing is processing of detecting an abnormality of the wiring C11 in the specific circuit C1. The output processing is processing for performing output in accordance with a detection result of the detection processing. The variable processing is processing of changing an object item related to at least one of the detection processing and the output processing. A non-transitory recording medium according to one embodiment is a non-transitory recording medium in which a program for causing one or more processors to execute the monitoring method is recorded.

Next, a modification of embodiment 1 will be described. The modifications described below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

The monitoring system 100 in the present disclosure includes a computer system in the information processing portion 71 or the like, for example. The computer system has a main structure of a processor and a memory as hardware. The functions as the monitoring system 100 in the present disclosure are realized by executing a program recorded in a memory of a computer system by a processor. The program may be recorded in advance in a memory of the computer system, may be provided through an electric communication line, or may be provided by being recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disc, or a hard disk drive readable by the computer system. A processor of a computer system is constituted by one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor Integrated Circuit (IC) or a large scale integrated circuit (LSI). The term "integrated circuit" as used herein, such as an IC or an LSI, is referred to variously depending on the degree of Integration, and includes integrated circuits called a system LSI, a VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) or an ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) that is programmed after LSI manufacturing or a logic device that can reconstruct the connection relationship inside LSI or the circuit division inside LSI can also be used as a processor. The plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip or may be dispersed over a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be integrated in one device or may be distributed among a plurality of devices. A computer system as referred to herein includes a microcontroller having more than one processor and more than one memory. Thus, the microcontroller is also constituted by one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

Further, it is not essential for the monitoring system 100 to integrate at least a part of the functions of the monitoring system 100 into one housing, and the components of the monitoring system 100 may be provided in a plurality of housings in a distributed manner. For example, the variable part 714 may be provided in a housing different from the detection part 712 and the output part 713. The function of the variable unit 714 and the like may be provided to a device such as a server or the like other than the monitoring unit 7. Further, at least a part of the functions of the monitoring system 100, for example, the functions of the variable part 714 and the like may be realized by cloud (cloud computing) and the like.

Conversely, at least a part of the functions dispersed among the plurality of devices in embodiment 1 may be integrated in one housing.

The output unit 713 may transmit the detection result of the detection unit 712 to the external system 600. The external system 600 is, for example, a cloud or the controller 25. Specifically, the output unit 713 may transmit the detection result to the controller 25 (external system 600) via the communication unit 72. In addition, the output section 713 may also transmit the probe result to the cloud via the notification section 73 and the network 200. In this embodiment, the external system 600 can contribute to the study of the tendency of the wiring C11 to have an abnormality, the measures taken against an abnormality, and the like by collecting the detection results as large data, for example.

The monitoring unit 7 may not include the notification unit 73. That is, the monitoring system 100 may not have a communication function for communicating with the management server 300 and the information terminal 400 via the network 200 such as the internet. In this method, the detection result is notified to the user through the distribution board 1.

Each shutter 2 may also function as the detection unit 712. In this embodiment, the monitoring unit 7 may have a function of collecting the detection results of the respective shutters 2 instead of the detection unit 712. That is, the monitoring unit 7 may determine whether to operate the output unit 713 based on the detection results of the detection units 712 collected from the shutters 2.

Further, the output unit 713 may output recovery information including a procedure for recovering from an abnormality of the wiring C11 when the abnormality occurs. For example, when an arc occurs in any of the wirings C11, the output unit 713 may present, as the recovery information, a contact destination to contact the electrical engineering carrier and a message to urge contact with the electrical engineering carrier. The "contact destination" referred to herein may include, for example, a telephone number, a mail address, or, in the case where a homepage is opened by an electrical engineering carrier, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the homepage.

The detection unit 712 may detect an abnormality of the wiring C11 using a classifier that has been machine-learned, for example. The classifier uses the current measured by the current measuring device 8 as input data for each specific circuit C1, and outputs the presence or absence of an abnormality in the wiring C11. The classifier may also perform learning again during use of the monitoring system 100.

The classifier may include, for example, a linear classifier such as an SVM (Support Vector Machine), a classifier using a neural network, or a classifier generated by deep learning (deep learning) using a multi-layer neural network. When the classifier is a classifier using a learned Neural Network, the learned Neural Network may include CNN (Convolutional Neural Network), BNN (Bayesian Neural Network), or the like, for example. In this case, the detection unit 712 is realized by mounting a neural network that has been learned in an Integrated Circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

The current measuring device 8 is not limited to the one having the rogowski coil, and may be one having a magnetoresistive element such as a current transformer (current transformer), a hall element, or a GMR (Giant Magnetic resistance) element, or a sensor such as a shunt resistor.

Further, although the backup power supply 9 is provided outside the monitoring unit 7 in embodiment 1, the configuration is not limited to this, and the backup power supply 9 may be incorporated in the monitoring unit 7.

(embodiment mode 2)

The monitoring system 100 according to the present embodiment differs from the monitoring system 100 according to embodiment 1 in the following points: the variable unit 714 changes only the object item related to any one of the detection unit 712 and the output unit 713. In the following, the same configurations as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by common reference numerals and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

That is, in embodiment 1, the variable unit 714 has both the object item (at least detection sensitivity) related to the detection unit 712 and the object item (at least output mode) related to the output unit 713 changed. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the variable unit 714 changes only one of the object items (at least the detection sensitivity) related to the detection unit 712 and the object items (at least the output mode) related to the output unit 713.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the variable unit 714 changes only the object item related to the probe unit 712, out of the object items related to the probe unit 712 and the object items related to the output unit 713. That is, in the present embodiment, the object item related to the output unit 713 is not changed (fixed).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the variable unit 714 can adjust the criterion for determining the abnormality of the wiring by changing the target item, for example, when the current flowing through the specific circuit C1 has any characteristic, by determining the abnormality of the wiring C11. Specifically, the variable unit 714 can increase the detection sensitivity to reduce "false alarm" or decrease the detection sensitivity to reduce "false alarm" by changing the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 712 for detecting an abnormality as a target item.

As a modification of embodiment 2, the variable unit 714 changes only the object item related to the output unit 713, from among the object items related to the detection unit 712 and the object items related to the output unit 713. That is, in the present embodiment, the target item related to the probe 712 is not changed (fixed). According to the present modification, the variable unit 714 can adjust what kind of output is performed when an abnormality occurs in the wiring C11, for example, what kind of content is output when it is determined that the wiring C11 is abnormal, by changing the target item. Specifically, the variable unit 714 can cause the output unit 713 to notify the detection result of the detection unit 712 or control the specific circuit C1 when an abnormality occurs by changing the output mode of the output unit 713 as the target item.

The various configurations (including the modifications) described in embodiment 2 can be adopted in appropriate combination with the various configurations (including the modifications) described in embodiment 1.

(conclusion)

As described above, the monitoring system (100) according to claim 1 includes the detection unit (712), the output unit (713), and the variable unit (714). A detection unit (712) detects an abnormality of a wiring (C11) in a specific circuit (C1). An output unit (713) outputs a result of detection by the detection unit (712). A variable unit (714) changes the object item related to at least one of the detection unit (712) and the output unit (713).

According to this aspect, by making the target item variable, it is possible to change, for example, what kind of output is determined to be an abnormality of the wiring (C11) in which case and what kind of output is performed when an abnormality occurs in the wiring (C11). That is, when an abnormality of the wiring (C11) such as an arc is detected by changing the object item relating to at least one of the detector (712) and the output unit (713), it is possible to adjust the determination method of the abnormality and/or the output method at the time of occurrence of the abnormality. Therefore, according to the monitoring system (100), it is possible to provide flexibility in monitoring for an abnormality in the wiring (C11). As a result, not only simple overcurrent, leakage, and the like can be detected, but also a wide variety of abnormalities including those of parallel arcs, serial arcs, and the like can be detected depending on the situation.

In the monitoring system (100) according to claim 2, in claim 1, the variable unit (714) changes at least the detection sensitivity of the detection unit (712) for detecting an abnormality as the target item.

According to this aspect, the detection sensitivity of the detection unit (712) for detecting an abnormality can be changed, and therefore, for example, the detection sensitivity can be increased to reduce false alarm or the detection sensitivity can be decreased to reduce false alarm.

In the monitoring system (100) according to claim 3, according to claim 2, the detection sensitivity includes a parameter relating to the magnitude of at least one of a current and a voltage in the specific circuit (C1).

According to this aspect, by adjusting a parameter relating to the magnitude of at least one of the current and the voltage in the specific circuit (C1), the detection sensitivity of the detection unit (712) for detecting an abnormality can be relatively finely adjusted.

With regard to the monitoring system (100) according to claim 4, in the 2 nd or 3 rd aspect, the detection sensitivity includes a parameter relating to a time required for the detection unit (712) to detect an abnormality.

According to this aspect, by adjusting the parameter relating to the time required to detect an abnormality, the detection sensitivity of detecting an abnormality in the detection unit (712) can be relatively finely adjusted.

In the monitoring system (100) according to claim 5, in any one of claims 2 to 4, the detection unit (712) detects an abnormality based on a monitoring target that is configured from one or more physical quantities related to the specific circuit (C1). The detection sensitivity includes a parameter related to the kind of the monitoring target.

According to this aspect, by adjusting the parameter relating to the type of the monitoring target, the detection sensitivity of the detection unit (712) for detecting an abnormality can be adjusted significantly.

In the monitoring system (100) according to claim 6, in any one of claims 1 to 5, the variable unit (714) changes at least the output mode of the output unit (713) as the target item.

According to this aspect, since the output mode of the output unit (713) can be changed, for example, when an abnormality occurs in the wiring (C11), various measures can be taken.

In the monitoring system (100) according to claim 7, according to claim 6, the output unit (713) executes at least one of notification of the detection result by the detection unit (712) and control of the specific circuit (C1) as an output process. The output mode includes the content of the output process performed by the output unit (713).

According to this aspect, when an abnormality occurs in the wiring (C11), the notification of the detection result by the detection unit (712) and the control of the specific circuit (C1) can be switched.

In the monitoring system (100) according to claim 8, according to claim 6 or 7, the output unit (713) executes at least one of notification of the detection result by the detection unit (712) and control of the specific circuit (C1) as output processing. The output mode includes the timing of output processing performed by the output unit (713).

According to this aspect, when an abnormality occurs in the wiring (C11), it is possible to adjust the timing of notifying the detection result of the detection unit (712) and/or controlling the specific circuit (C1).

In the monitoring system (100) according to claim 9, in any one of claims 1 to 8, the variable unit (714) changes the target item in accordance with input information input to the variable unit (714).

According to this mode, how to change the object item can be decided by inputting information.

The monitoring system (100) according to claim 10 further includes an operation receiving unit (75) according to claim 9. An operation receiving unit (75) receives an operation signal corresponding to an operation by a user. The input information includes information related to the operation signal received by the operation receiving unit (75).

According to this mode, how to change the object item can be decided by the user's operation.

With regard to the monitoring system (100) according to claim 11, in the 9 th or 10 th aspect, the input information includes information on a detection result of a sensor other than the detection unit (712).

According to this aspect, how to change the target item can be automatically determined based on the detection result of a sensor other than the detection unit (712).

The monitoring system (100) according to claim 12 is characterized in that, in any one of claims 9 to 11, the input information includes information on a device included in the specific circuit (C1).

According to this manner, it is possible to automatically decide how to change the object item according to the device included in the specific circuit (C1).

The monitoring system (100) according to claim 13 is characterized in that, in any one of claims 9 to 12, the input information includes information on an operation history of at least one of the probe unit (712) and the output unit (713).

According to this aspect, how to change the target item can be automatically determined based on the operation history of at least one of the detection unit (712) and the output unit (713).

The monitoring system (100) according to claim 14 is configured such that a plurality of specific circuits (C1) are present in any one of the 1 st to 13 th aspects. A variable unit (714) changes the object item for each specific circuit (C1).

According to this embodiment, by changing the target item for each specific circuit (C1), a wider variety of abnormalities can be detected.

The monitoring method according to claim 15 includes a detection process, an output process, and a variable process. The detection processing is processing of detecting an abnormality of the wiring (C11) in the specific circuit (C1). The output processing is processing for performing output in accordance with a detection result of the detection processing. The variable processing is processing of changing an object item related to at least one of the detection processing and the output processing.

According to this aspect, by making the target item variable, it is possible to change, for example, what kind of output is determined to be an abnormality of the wiring (C11) in which case and what kind of output is performed when an abnormality occurs in the wiring (C11). That is, when an abnormality of the wiring (C11) such as an arc is detected by changing the object item relating to at least one of the detector (712) and the output unit (713), it is possible to adjust the determination method of the abnormality and/or the output method at the time of occurrence of the abnormality. Therefore, according to the monitoring method, it is possible to provide flexibility in monitoring for an abnormality in the wiring (C11). As a result, not only simple overcurrent, leakage, and the like can be detected, but also a wide variety of abnormalities including those of parallel arcs, serial arcs, and the like can be detected as necessary.

The non-transitory recording medium according to claim 16 stores a program (computer program) for causing one or more processors to execute the monitoring method according to claim 15.

According to this aspect, by making the target item variable, it is possible to change, for example, what kind of output is determined to be an abnormality of the wiring (C11) in which case and what kind of output is performed when an abnormality occurs in the wiring (C11). That is, when an abnormality of the wiring (C11) such as an arc is detected by changing the object item relating to at least one of the detector (712) and the output unit (713), it is possible to adjust the determination method of the abnormality and/or the output method at the time of occurrence of the abnormality. Therefore, according to the non-transitory recording medium, it is possible to provide flexibility in monitoring for an abnormality in the wiring (C11). As a result, not only simple overcurrent, leakage, and the like can be detected, but also a wide variety of abnormalities including those of parallel arcs, serial arcs, and the like can be detected as necessary.

A distribution board (1) according to claim 17 is provided with the monitoring system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, and a distribution board storage box (10) that houses the monitoring system (100).

According to this aspect, by making the target item variable, it is possible to change, for example, what kind of output is determined to be an abnormality of the wiring (C11) in which case and what kind of output is performed when an abnormality occurs in the wiring (C11). That is, when an abnormality of the wiring (C11) such as an arc is detected by changing the object item relating to at least one of the detector (712) and the output unit (713), it is possible to adjust the determination method of the abnormality and/or the output method at the time of occurrence of the abnormality. Therefore, according to the distribution board (1), the monitoring of the abnormality of the wiring (C11) can be flexibly performed. As a result, not only simple overcurrent, leakage, and the like can be detected, but also a wide variety of abnormalities including those of parallel arcs, serial arcs, and the like can be detected as necessary.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various configurations (including modifications) of the monitoring system (100) according to

embodiments

1 and 2 can be realized by the above-described monitoring method or the non-transitory recording medium.

The configurations according to aspects 2 to 14 are not essential to the monitoring system (100) and can be omitted as appropriate.

Claims

1. A monitoring system is provided with:

a detection section that detects an abnormality of a wiring in a specific circuit;

an output unit that outputs a result of detection by the detection unit; and

a variable section that changes an object item related to at least one of the detection section and the output section.

2. The monitoring system of claim 1,

the variable unit changes at least detection sensitivity of the detection unit for detecting the abnormality as the target item.

3. The monitoring system of claim 2,

the detection sensitivity includes a parameter related to a magnitude of at least one of a current and a voltage within the particular circuit.

4. The monitoring system of claim 2 or 3,

the detection sensitivity includes a parameter relating to a time required for the detection of the abnormality by the detection section.

5. The monitoring system of claim 2 or 3,

the detecting unit detects the abnormality based on a monitoring target constituted by one or more physical quantities related to the specific circuit,

the detection sensitivity includes a parameter related to a kind of the monitoring object.

6. The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the variable unit changes at least an output mode of the output unit as the target item.

7. The monitoring system of claim 6,

the output section executes at least one of notification of a detection result of the detection section and control of the specific circuit as output processing,

the output mode includes the content of the output processing performed by the output unit.

8. The monitoring system of claim 6,

the output mode includes a timing of the output process performed by the output unit.

9. The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the variable unit changes the object item according to input information input to the variable unit.

10. The monitoring system of claim 9,

the monitoring system further includes an operation receiving unit that receives an operation signal corresponding to an operation by a user,

the input information includes information related to the operation signal received by the operation receiving unit.

11. The monitoring system of claim 9,

the input information includes information on detection results of sensors other than the detection section.

12. The monitoring system of claim 9,

the input information contains information about devices included in the specific circuit.

13. The monitoring system of claim 9,

the input information includes information on an operation history of at least one of the probe unit and the output unit.

14. The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

there is a plurality of said specific circuits present,

the variable section changes the object item for each of the specific circuits.

15. A monitoring method having:

a detection process of detecting an abnormality of a wiring in a specific circuit;

an output process of performing an output corresponding to a detection result of the detection process; and

a variable process of changing an object item related to at least one of the detection process and the output process.

16. A non-transitory recording medium storing a program for causing one or more processors to execute the monitoring method according to claim 15.

17. An electrical distribution panel comprising the monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and a storage cabinet for the electrical distribution panel for housing the monitoring system.