DE102014111711A1 - Control of power consumption of outdoor electrical consumers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a circuit arrangement for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers in the outdoor area. The method for controlling the power consumption of external electrical consumers provides that - the consumers are designed to be operated on a common supply line, - the supply line has at least one supply terminal which is connected to a feed, - the supply line a voltage supply the connected consumer can provide, so that a voltage may be applied to the consumers connected to the supply line, - the supply line further comprises at least one power switching unit for switching the voltage, - a control unit for generating control commands for controlling the power consumption of the consumer is provided , - the transmission of the control command from the control unit to the consumer is effected by at least a brief reduction in the voltage, - a control command comprises a signal which contains information about the power contains the consumer, and - the signal comprises at least one time interval with lowered voltage.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a circuit arrangement for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers in the outdoor area, in particular of lamps for the illumination of streets, squares or industrial sites.

Reducing the consumption of electrical energy is the subject of many endeavors in the global effort to reduce the consumption of resources and also the emission of CO2. Thus, electric power is currently being used i.a. used for outdoor lighting equipment, in particular for the illumination of streets, parking lots, sports fields or industrial sites.

However, especially in the field of street lighting, lighting devices in Germany are often older, sometimes more than 30 years old. The street lighting in Germany alone consumes electrical energy in a range of several terawatt hours per year, for example, about four terawatt hours in 2009. A reduction of the resulting from such lighting devices power consumption is therefore the subject of numerous efforts.

For the affected cities and municipalities, however, this poses a major challenge, especially with regard to the investment costs, but also with regard to follow-up costs, which are influenced, for example, by the susceptibility to failure and the associated maintenance costs.

To reduce the power consumption, for example, the switch-on and switch-off times of the street lighting are adapted to the current brightness or there is a night shutdown of the street lighting. Thus, it is known to use a three-phase network or a three-phase network to reduce the power consumption in street lights, which are operated with single-phase AC. As a result, for example, every third street lamp along a road can be switched off at night. The disadvantage, however, is the partial shadowing.

To reduce power consumption and existing lamps, such as gas discharge lamps such as high-pressure mercury vapor lamps, which are often used for street lamps, exchanged for modern lamps with light-emitting diodes (LED) as bulbs, which have a lower power consumption.

That's how it describes DE 10 2009 058 310 A1 For example, an LED luminaire insert with a light-guiding element for subsequent installation in luminaires, for example in outdoor lights.

Also from the DE 10 2007 061 160 A1 is a lighting device for outdoor use, which is equipped with a plurality of light emitting diodes as lighting means and means for controlling the light distribution. Here, the luminaire is over-populated with LEDs compared to the normal situation. There are always only as many light emitting diodes turned on, as is required in the particular lighting situation. To control the individual LEDs, a timer is also known, which is programmed so that the LEDs are turned on in succession. A disadvantage of this design of the LED lights is the oversizing, which lead to larger dimensions of the lights and higher costs.

It is unfavorable that other options that could further reduce the consumption of electricity are often not used. This concerns, for example, an intensity control of the street lighting, ie an adaptation of the brightness of the lamps to the current situation.

So it is indeed known, via a so-called powerline control, which has a central control unit to control the belonging to a common supply line light sources individually with respect to their light intensity. As a disadvantage of this solution but the high investment cost estimate, since the existing infrastructure must be adapted consuming. In addition, this type of control is relatively susceptible to interference due to the transmission and the complexity.

Furthermore, it is known to provide a ballast with an integrated radio module for each light source and to transmit information about the intensity of the light source by means of a central control. The transmission via radio can be carried out on conventional radio transmission paths, for example by means of GSM, UMTS or LTE or else by other means. Again, a high capital investment is required, as also larger adjustments to the existing infrastructure is required. In addition to a likewise greater susceptibility to interference, additional follow-up costs due to the transmission fees are also added here, so that this procedure is also unfavorable from a cost perspective.

Another way of controlling the intensity of lighting systems is in the document DE 10 2008 034 989 B4 disclosed. By a kind of electronic transformer can at Gas discharge lamps with conventional ballast the lighting intensity and thus the energy consumption can be controlled. In electronic pilot control devices, as used for LED lamps, however, a modification of the pilot unit is required, which is also associated with high costs.

Finally, it is still known to provide a separate electronics on each individual lamp, which controls the intensity of the lighting according to a fixed dimming profile. Another disadvantage is that the installation of a special ballast for each light source is required and changes, such as dimming profile or adjusting the clock, have to be done individually to each light source. In addition to an equally higher susceptibility to failure, the consequential costs are therefore quite high even with such a solution.

It would therefore be desirable to have an easy-to-implement and cost-effective method and a circuit arrangement for controlling the power consumption of consumers, in particular for controlling the brightness of external lamps for illuminating streets, parking spaces, sports areas or industrial sites. Here, information about the brightness of each belonging to the lighting device lamps should be provided. It should also consumers who are located at a greater distance from the control unit, can be achieved safely.

By means of the method as well as the circuit arrangement, savings potentials should be exploitable, which can result from a reduction in light, depending on the weather, twilight times and / or traffic situation.

In this case, an over-dimensioning of lamps or complex adjustments of the existing infrastructure should be avoided in order to minimize the investment costs. In particular, existing lighting devices should be able to be used as much as possible.

Furthermore, the potential consequential costs are to be reduced by the lowest possible susceptibility to interference, low wear and ease of use.

Surprisingly, this object is achieved by a method for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers in the outdoor area and a corresponding circuit arrangement according to one of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention and preferred embodiments can be found in the respective subclaims.

The invention accordingly relates to a method for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers in the outer area, wherein the consumers are designed to be operated on a common supply line. The common supply line can comprise an AC voltage network, but also a DC voltage network. In this case, the supply line has at least one supply connection, which is connected to an infeed in order to ensure the voltage supply of the supply line. Thus, a voltage applied to the consumers connected to the supply line. The feed can form the grid reference point.

Furthermore, the supply line comprises at least one power switching unit for switching the feed. The power switching unit is designed to be controllable such that between its respective terminals, with which it is connected to the supply line and the feed, may optionally assume a conductive or a blocking switching state. The power switching unit may comprise a power contactor, a power relay or even a semiconductor relay.

The supply line holds a supply voltage generated by the feed in a conductive switching state of the power switching unit for operating the electrical consumers connected to it. In a blocking switching state of the power switching unit no voltage is applied to the connected loads.

Furthermore, a control unit is provided for generating control commands for controlling the power consumption of the consumers connected to the supply line. The transmission of a control command from the control unit to the consumer can be carried out in the sense of the invention by at least a brief lowering of a voltage which is applied to the consumers. The control command advantageously includes a signal which contains information about a default value for the power consumption of the consumer. The signal further comprises at least a time interval in which the voltage is lowered.

Lowering the voltage is to be understood in the sense of the present invention that for a signal transmission the magnitude of the magnitude of the voltage is reduced for a short time or, preferably, this is temporarily switched off completely. This can be done by means of the power switching unit. By deliberately lowering the voltage in certain periods, information about the default value of the power consumption can be transmitted. The default value for power consumption contains the information about the magnitude of the power consumption of the consumer, which should apply from the moment of the transfer of the control command into the future.

Advantageously, the information for changing the power consumption is transmitted in coded form. In this case, both time intervals with lowered supply voltage and time intervals between two directly successive reductions can be used for signal transmission. In this way, a method for controlling the power consumption of consumers operated on a common supply line can be provided in a particularly simple manner with a minimum of device-related outlay.

The method is also distinguished by a low susceptibility to interference and is correspondingly robust in order to be able to be used even in outdoor consumers. In addition, it can also be used to transmit, in addition to the information about the power consumption, further information from a control unit to the consumers.

The length of the time interval with a lowering of the voltage is to be chosen so that disturbances in the signal transmission or faulty transmissions, for example due to switch-on delays of the power switching unit, safely avoided. In the case of a contactor, for example, the turn-on delay may be about 10ms. A short-term lowering of the supply voltage is therefore typically in a range of at least several milliseconds. Preferably, it is more than the switch-on delay.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the voltage is the supply voltage which is applied to the loads connected to the supply line. It is important to ensure that the short-term lowering of the supply voltage does not lead to an unwanted, prolonged reduction in power consumption of the consumer.

The magnitude of the reduction in terms of the magnitude of the applied voltage should be chosen at least so that even distant consumers are still able to detect the signal. Advantageously, the size of the reduction is selected such that the consumer furthest from the control unit can still reliably detect the signal. After lowering, the tension is returned to its original size.

In general, the method according to the invention makes it possible to generate sufficiently high voltage differences as a result of the reduction, so that even long transmission paths to consumers far away are possible.

In a favorable embodiment, the information about the default value of the power consumption of the consumer is coded over the length of each individual time interval, in which the voltage is briefly lowered transmitted. The information is determined by an evaluation of the length of this time interval .DELTA.T 1 based on a predetermined transmission protocol.

The time interval .DELTA.T 1 can be particularly favorably selected such that it is directly proportional to the size of the power consumption of the consumer. In this case, an offset can additionally be provided in order to avoid incorrect transmission. The length of the time interval ΔT 1 then corresponds in each case to a predetermined, absolute value for the power consumption. In the case of lamps, such as street lamps, as a consumer, the size of the power consumption, the brightness of the lamp can be controlled. This comparatively simple form of coding is relatively easy to implement, but quite prone to failure; In addition, a plausibility check is not possible.

In a further preferred embodiment, both the time interval of a first decrease ΔT 1 and the time interval of a second depression ΔT 3 following the first decrease are used for signal transmission. Accordingly, two consecutive short-term reductions of the voltage are required for signal transmission. In addition, the time interval between the two decreases ΔT 2 can be used for signal transmission. The additional time interval .DELTA.T 2 therefore corresponds to the application of the voltage. This form of coding the control command is less susceptible to interference than the aforementioned form of coding. A plausibility check is also not possible.

In yet another particularly preferred embodiment, both the time interval of a first decrease .DELTA.T.sub.1 and the time interval of a second decrease .DELTA.T.sub.3 following the first decrease and the time interval of a third decrease .DELTA.T following the second decrease are used for signal transmission 5, used. In addition, in addition to the time interval .DELTA.T 2 a time interval .DELTA.T 4 are used for signal transmission, which corresponds to the time interval between the second and the third reduction. In this transmission, the signal can be transmitted redundantly, so that a plausibility check is possible. This form of coding is therefore less susceptible to interference.

In the aforementioned embodiments, the information for controlling the power consumption is transmitted by the evaluation of the corresponding time intervals, wherein the length of the time intervals of a previously stored size for the power consumption, which is generally stored in a transmission protocol corresponds. This can be used, for example, to control the current brightness of outdoor lamps.

It is also possible in a further development of the invention to code the duration of the time intervals in a binary manner, so that the length of a reduction corresponds to a binary value (0 or 1). In order to transmit information about the power consumption in this way, however, a higher number of short-term voltage drops is required. In general, however, if the voltage is the supply voltage, this is rather unfavorable, since an increased lowering of the supply voltage can lead to increased wear of the power switching unit.

It may also be provided transmission protocols with more than three short-term subsidence, for example, to transmit more information.

The control unit for controlling the power consumption of the consumers comprises at least one data input and one data output. It is designed to generate the control commands. Via the data input, a connection to a central control electronics can be established. The control unit may have further inputs, such as an Ethernet interface for remote data transmission. It can also include an internal clock and a connector for a DCF / UTC module to synchronize this clock. The control unit can generate the control commands, which can be transmitted via the power switching unit to the consumers connected to the supply line due to their parameterization, their data entry and possibly due to their clock. The control unit can be used both autonomously in a supply network, such as for controlling the illumination intensity of lamps in a parking lot or on an industrial site, but also integrated for the control of (complex) lighting systems, such as supply lines of street lamps. Such a lighting network can be cascaded or not cascaded.

There may be provided a ballast for each powered on the supply line consumers, which in addition to the usual components for a conventional ballast additionally comprises an electronic component for the evaluation of the control commands according to the invention to evaluate the signals accordingly. For the evaluation of the transmitted control commands, the voltage and its reduction or return to the original value is measured. By means of the electronic component, the transmitted, desired power consumption can be determined and passed on to the (conventional) ballast.

In addition, a bridging capacitor can be provided, which can serve as an energy store for those times in which the supply voltage is lowered. Flickering during signal transmission can be effectively avoided in this way.

Also, an inrush current limit can be provided to avoid overload and to minimize premature wear of the power switching unit, in particular premature wear of the contacts of a power contactor, which can be caused by the increased switching frequency in the signal transmission.

In a development of the invention, the method according to the invention is used for supply lines with more than three lines (L, N, PE). Particularly favorable can be used here for the signal transmission, the additional fourth line.

In the case of lamps as electrical consumers, the supply line can be combined with other supply lines to form a lighting network.

The inventive method is particularly well suited for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers in the outdoor area. These can be lamps for streets or streets, parking lots, sports fields or industrial sites.

The invention further relates to a circuit arrangement for controlling the power consumption of external electrical consumers, which are designed to be operated on a common supply line, and wherein the circuit arrangement at least one common supply line, connected to the supply line feed to a supply voltage for operating to provide the connected to the supply line consumer, and at least one power switching unit for switching the feed includes.

Furthermore, the circuit arrangement comprises a control unit for generating control commands for controlling the power consumption of the consumers, wherein the control of the power consumption the consumer takes place by means of a method as mentioned above.

By means of this circuit arrangement, for example, the brightness of lighting devices, preferably the brightness of street lamps and particularly preferably the brightness of street lamps, which comprise light-emitting diodes as lighting means, are controlled.

The circuit arrangement according to the invention can be installed in existing systems for controlling the street lighting. It can also be operated in combination with twilight switches and / or with time switches.

An up-to-date and timely control of the brightness of the lamps or a reduction in the intensity of the illumination can be carried out particularly easily depending on factors such as the traffic volume, the current weather situation, the twilight state or the lamp aging.

Further embodiments and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the illustrated embodiments in the figures.

The drawings show:

1 schematically an exemplary structure of a conventional controller for a street lighting,

2 schematically an exemplary construction of a lighting control for roads by means of Powerline,

3 schematically an exemplary structure of a lighting control for roads by radio technology,

4 1 schematically shows an exemplary circuit arrangement for a lighting control for roads by means of the method according to the invention;

5 schematically shows an exemplary profile of the supply voltage at alternating current during a signal transmission,

6 1 schematically shows the structure of a control unit for controlling the power consumption of consumers on a common supply line;

7 1 shows schematically the structure of a ballast for evaluating signals for transmitting information for controlling the power consumption of consumers at a common supply line;

8th 2 schematically shows a further exemplary construction of a lighting control for roads by means of the method according to the invention for controlling the power consumption of consumers at a common supply line,

9 FIG. 2 shows schematically another exemplary profile of the supply voltage at alternating current during a signal transmission, FIG.

10 schematically an exemplary profile of the supply voltage at DC during a signal transmission, and

11 schematically the structure of a ballast for the evaluation of signals for the transmission of information for controlling the power consumption of LED lamps.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

In the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, for the sake of clarity, like reference numerals designate substantially similar parts in or on these embodiments.

The circuit arrangements shown in the figures are merely exemplary in nature and do not claim to be exhaustive.

1 schematically shows an exemplary structure of a conventional controller for a street lighting. In such a circuit arrangement, a plurality of street lamps are often connected to a common supply line and designed in such a way that they can be operated via the supply line with electrical power from an infeed. A central control unit transmits control signals to a power switching unit.

In 1 is an example of a circuit arrangement 1 with a total of four supply lines 13a . 13b . 13c and 13d shown. With every supply line 13a . 13b . 13c and 13d are connected several electrical consumers, which in this case street lamps 14 are. The number of consumers per supply line can vary and generally depends on the corresponding use of the lighting device. Every supply line 13a . 13b . 13c and 13d in the example is with an infeed 12a . 12b . 12c and 12d connected to a power supply in the supply lines 13a . 13b . 13c and 13d provide.

In addition, each is a power switching unit 11a . 11b . 11c and 11d provided, which is designed for switching on and off and assumes a blocking switching state in the illustrated state, in which no supply voltage at the consumers connected to the supply line 14 is applied.

A central control unit 10 is intended to generate control commands. The control unit 10 may receive information about the respective operating state via a timer or from other sources (not shown), such as a broadcast control unit, via Ethernet, via a radio link or via a data line from a higher-level control unit.

The structure of a lighting network the same or similar to that shown is favorable for larger lighting devices, which may include, for example, a variety of streets. Here it is common with a control unit 10 several supply lines 13a . 13b . 13c and 13d to switch with consumers. The cascading is often realized in such a way that at the end of a first supply strand 13a the power switching unit 11b for the next supply line 13b connected. Will now be the first power switching unit 11a When switched, the following power switching unit also switches 11b corresponding. By continuing such a chain, many individual supply strands can be combined to form a large area, for which only one control unit 10 is required. The advantage is a galvanic isolation of the individual feed points 12a . 12b . 12c and 12d and the avoidance of very long lines, which have a significant voltage drop and very high inrush currents.

2 shows schematically a structure of a lighting control for roads on the example of a supply line 13a with street lamps 14 , In the circuit arrangement 2 becomes a supply strand 13a associated control unit 22 via a central control unit 10 via radio, Ethernet or special data lines with control commands to control the power consumption of the lamps 14 provided. These are the lamps 14 each with a ballast 21 fitted. The power switching unit 12a is shown in the example in a closed state. In this type of lighting control, which is also referred to as powerline control, the communication is carried out by a Aufmodulation of the signal to be transmitted to the supply voltage.

3 schematically shows an exemplary structure of a lighting control for roads on the example of a supply line 13a with street lamps 14 , being by the controller 10 by means of wireless technology, the control commands directly to the lamps 14 be transmitted. These therefore feature in the circuit arrangement 3 each with ballasts with integrated radio module 31 ,

In addition to high amortization costs due to the conversion of the existing infrastructure, such arrangements are very complex and therefore prone to failure. In addition, high maintenance costs are incurred because, for example, transmission costs for the radio connection are incurred.

In contrast, the inventive method for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers in the outdoor area, a control unit for generating control commands for controlling the power consumption of the consumer, wherein the information about the default value of the power consumption of the consumer by one or more momentary decreases in a voltage applied to the load voltage is transmitted. In this case, time intervals with a lowered supply voltage and / or time intervals between two successive decreases for information transmission can be used.

4 shows schematically such a circuit arrangement 4 for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers using the example of a street lighting, which is constructed in the form of a lighting network. The lighting network includes four supply lines 13a . 13b . 13c and 13d , each with an infeed 12a . 12b . 12c and 12d are equipped. The supply voltage in each supply line 13a . 13b . 13c and 13d is for each supply line via a power switching unit 11a . 11b . 11c and 11d connected. In the example shown, the switch positions are 15a . 15b . 15c and 15d each shown in an open, so blocking a current flow state.

The circuit arrangement 4 includes a central control electronics 46 as well as a central control unit 40 to control the power consumption of consumers. The control unit 40 for controlling the power consumption of the consumers, which in the example shown are street lamps 14 include at least one data input 43 and a data output 41 , About the data input 43 is the control unit 40 with the control electronics 46 connected. The control unit 40 is designed to generate the control commands that limit the power consumption of the supply lines 13a . 13b . 13c and 13d powered consumers 14 can be controlled.

The control unit 40 can optionally have additional inputs, such as an Ethernet interface 42 to Remote data transmission. It can also have an internal clock as well as another data input 44 for a DCF / UTC module to synchronize this clock. The control unit 40 Due to its parameterization or a stored transmission protocol, its communication interfaces and, if necessary, due to its internal clock, it can generate the control commands which are sent via the power switching units 11a . 11b . 11c and 11d to consumers connected to the supply line 14 can be transmitted.

The control unit 40 can be used both autonomously in a supply network, such as for controlling the illumination intensity of lamps in a parking lot or on an industrial site, but also integrated to control (complex) lighting equipment or facilities, such as lighting networks for roads. Such a lighting network can be cascaded with multiple supply lines 13a . 13b . 13c and 13d be constructed as shown, or in other forms.

The circuit arrangement 4 further includes for each consumer, in the example so for each street lamp 14 , a ballast 45 , The ballast 45 can in addition to the usual components for a conventional ballast (not shown) additionally have an electronic component for the evaluation of the control commands to evaluate the signals accordingly. For the evaluation of the transmitted control commands, the voltage and its change over time is measured. As a result, the transmitted, desired power consumption can be determined and passed on to the (conventional) ballast.

In addition, a bridging capacitor can be provided, which can serve as an energy store for those times in which the supply voltage is lowered. Flickering during signal transmission can be effectively avoided in this way.

Also, an inrush current limit may be provided to prevent overload and prevent premature wear of the power switching unit, in particular premature wear of the contacts of a power contactor, which may arise due to the increased switching frequency during signal transmission.

In a first embodiment, the lowering of the voltage relates to the lowering of the supply voltage of the consumer, which is provided by the supply line.

5 schematically shows the time course of the supply voltage at AC during a signal transmission. The time (s) is entered on the abscissa, the amount of the supply voltage (V) on the ordinate.

Lowering the supply voltage is understood to mean a short-term reduction in the supply voltage. This can also be a short-term complete shutdown of the supply voltage. For the signal transmission both the time intervals with lowered supply voltage and the time intervals between two successive decreases can be used. In the present example, an alternating voltage of +/- 300 V is applied in the supply line.

By lowering the voltage can be transmitted in different ways information about the power consumption of the consumer. For the purposes of the invention, various codings of the information for the signal transmission are possible, the specific type of coding can be stored in a transmission protocol.

The information about a power consumption of the consumer is provided by the control unit 40 to the consumers 14 transfer. The consumer can use a lamp or a street lamp 14 be. In this case, the specific power consumption of the lamp determines its brightness, which generally corresponds to the highest brightness of the maximum possible power consumption.

The change in power consumption can advantageously be carried out in stages within the meaning of the invention, whereby even a ten-stage directly proportional subdivision of the power consumption can be sufficient to achieve a rather fine-level control of the brightness. For a more finely graduated subdivision, more than ten levels can be chosen; also a subdivision with fewer steps is possible.

This is typically based on a minimum value of the power consumption, which generally corresponds to the state in which no supply voltage is applied. The maximum value corresponds to the maximum power consumption. With such a ten-step subdivision, for example, the brightness of a street lamp can already be controlled in a fairly fine-grained manner.

By means of an example of a preferred embodiment, the control of the brightness of a lamp will be explained by means of the present method.

The concrete power consumption is determined in each case in steps according to the previously selected subdivision, wherein at 0% power consumption, the supply voltage is turned off. In a ten-step subdivision can therefore of a power consumption amounting to 10% of the maximum value can be assumed as the basic value. Then an increment corresponds to an increase corresponding to the selected subdivision. In the case of a ten-step subdivision, therefore, a change in power consumption by 10%. An increment can be coded over a time interval in which the supply voltage is lowered. In the present example, an increment corresponds to a time interval, designated ΔT 1, of 25 ms. In order to avoid errors in the signal transmission, an offset can advantageously also be provided. This is in the example with 40ms.

If now at the time T0, the supply voltage is lowered, in the example to 0 V, and at time T1 is returned to the previous value, the result is a time interval .DELTA.T 1, in which the supply voltage is lowered. The length of this time interval .DELTA.T 1 can be particularly easily determined to transmit information about the size of the power consumption of the consumer.

At a ΔT 1 of 40 ms, which in the example corresponds to the time interval for the offset, the information of a power consumption of 10% results, for example, which corresponds to the basic setting in the assumed example. At a ΔT 1 of 140 ms, the information results in a power consumption of 50% (40 ms offset + 4 × 25 ms = 10% + 4 × 10% = 50% power consumption); similar results for ΔT 1 = 265ms a power consumption of 100%. In this case, a lamp lights up as a consumer with the highest possible brightness. The information about the brightness of the lamp to be set from the moment of the signal transmission can be transmitted in this way over the length of the lowering of the supply voltage directly to all, connected to the supply line lamps.

In a further preferred embodiment, both the time interval of a first decrease ΔT 1 and the time interval of a second depression ΔT 3 following the first decrease are used for signal transmission. Accordingly, two consecutive short-term reductions of the voltage are required for signal transmission. In addition, the time interval between the two decreases ΔT 2 with ΔT 2 = T2 - T1 can be used for signal transmission. The additional time interval .DELTA.T 2 therefore corresponds to the application of the voltage.

This form of coding the control command is less susceptible to interference than in the aforementioned embodiment. A plausibility check is not possible. In the example, the time T1 corresponds to the time at which the lowering of the voltage is reversed and the supply voltage is returned to its original value. At time T2 there is a further reduction in the supply voltage, which is maintained until time T3.

For signal transmission, the time intervals ΔT 1, ΔT 2 and ΔT 3 are thus available. Particularly advantageously, the time interval ΔT 2 can be coded directly proportional to the power consumption. In the example, a power consumption of 10% is to be coded with a time interval of 50 ms; In addition, an offset of 100ms should be provided. A length of the time interval ΔT 2 of ΔT 2 = 100 ms therefore corresponds to a power consumption of 10%. At a value of ΔT 2 = 300ms this results in a power consumption of 50% and at ΔT 2 = 550ms this value corresponds to the maximum power consumption, ie 100%. In this embodiment, comprising two reductions in the supply voltage, this form of signal transmission is generally less susceptible to interference than in the aforementioned embodiment.

In order to additionally integrate the possibility of a plausibility check into the signal transmission, in a further, particularly preferred embodiment for signal transmission both the time interval of a first decrease ΔT 1 and the time interval of a second depression ΔT 3 following the first decrease and the time interval of a third, following the second reduction reduction .DELTA.T 5, used. In addition, in addition to the time interval .DELTA.T 2 a time interval .DELTA.T 4 with .DELTA.T 4 = T4 - T3 be used for signal transmission, which corresponds to the time interval between the second and the third reduction. In this transmission, the signal can be transmitted redundantly, so that a plausibility check is possible. This form of coding is therefore less susceptible to interference and correspondingly robust and low maintenance.

In the present example, the time interval ΔT 2 is coded in direct proportion to the magnitude of the power consumption, whereas the time interval ΔT 4 is coded inversely proportional to the power consumption in order to enable a plausibility check on the basis of the redundant information. A power consumption of 10% should again correspond to a time interval of 50 ms in the example, and an offset of 100 ms should also be provided for the time intervals ΔT 2 and ΔT 4.

With such coding, a power consumption of 10% can be transmitted as follows: ΔT 2 = 100ms, ΔT 4 = 550ms. A power consumption of 50% can be transmitted as follows: ΔT 2 = 300ms, ΔT 4 = 300ms and maximum power consumption can be transmitted as follows are: ΔT 2 = 550ms, ΔT 4 = 100ms. In such a transmission with three drops in voltage, a very secure transmission of information can be ensured because a plausibility check is possible.

In 6 is schematically the structure of a control unit 40 to control the power consumption of consumers. The control unit 40 includes at least one data input 61 and a data output 63 to transmit the control commands to the power switching unit. It is designed to generate the control commands. This is an electronic component 62 provided for generating the commands to be transmitted.

The control unit 40 can have more inputs, such as an Ethernet interface 42 for remote data transmission. For this purpose, it can optionally be equipped with an Ethernet component 64 be equipped. It can also optionally be a component for an internal clock 65 as well as a connection 44 for a DCF / UTC module to synchronize this clock. The control unit 40 Due to its parameterization, its data sequence and possibly also due to its clock, it can generate the control commands which are transmitted via a data line 41 can be transmitted to the power switching unit.

In 7 is schematically the structure of a ballast for evaluating the control commands, so the signals for transmitting information to control the power consumption of consumers, mapped. For the purposes of the invention, the consumers can lamps, especially street lamps 14 , include. Most preferably, consumers include LED street lamps 78 , As a result, on the one hand a very good longevity of the lighting and thus a low maintenance can be achieved. On the other hand, a very valuable contribution to the reduction of power consumption in the lighting of squares, paths and other outdoor areas can be made, since LED street lamps are characterized by a low power consumption compared to other lamps. According to the invention, in order to fully exploit the power saving in LED lamps in the outdoor area, an LED ballast 70 be provided for the LED lamp.

The LED ballast 70 can be a conventional ballast 77 to control the consumer, which in the LED ballast 70 integrated, include. Furthermore, the LED ballast 70 an electronic component for the evaluation of the control commands 76 have to be able to evaluate the transmitted signals accordingly. For the evaluation of the transmitted control commands, the brief lowering of the voltage, preferably the supply voltage, can be measured. By means of the component 76 can the transmitted, desired power consumption to the (conventional) ballast 77 be passed on.

In addition, advantageously, a bypass capacitor 75 be provided, which can serve as energy storage for those times in which the supply voltage is lowered. Flickering during signal transmission can be effectively avoided in this way.

Also, an electronic device for an inrush current limit 74 be provided in order to avoid overload and prevent premature wear of the power switching unit, in particular premature wear of the contacts of a power contactor.

About the connections 71 . 72 For example, a supply voltage may be provided in the supply line. An example of a consumer in the supply line is an LED lamp 78 shown.

A development of the invention with reference to the circuit arrangement for an exemplary lighting network for a lighting control for roads by means of the method according to the invention is shown schematically 8th ,

An electronic control system 46 controls a control unit according to the invention for controlling the power consumption 40 as well as two supply lines 13a and 13b , which are each adapted to one or more electrical loads 14 to operate. Both supply strands 13a . 13b have in each case at least one additional line in the example 83a and 83b , which also each with a power switching unit 81a and 81b Is provided. The consumers 14 are therefore connected via four lines, which are generally referred to as PE, N, La, Lb. In the later explained embodiment of a ballast according to 11 are the lines N, La, Lb designated. Not shown is the connection PE. The lighting network can be powered by DC or AC.

The signal transmission takes place according to the embodiment of the invention via the fourth line 83a . 83b , In other words, the voltage of the fourth line 83a . 83b is lowered to transmit the power consumption information. A significant advantage of such an embodiment is the fact that the fourth line 83a . 83b can be used as a kind of "control line". Therefore, the control can be done with less energy. This results in the further advantage that instead of a power contactor for the power switching unit of the fourth line, a semiconductor relay 81a . 81b can be used, which has a lower susceptibility and a longer life than a power contactor.

A conventional LED ballast with a dimming input (0..10 volts or PWM) can be used. For the evaluation of the signals only a small additional device is needed.

9 shows schematically by way of example the profile of the voltage at alternating current during a signal transmission for a lighting network according to the in 8th shown embodiment of the invention with a fourth line. In the example, an AC voltage of +/- 300V is applied to the fourth line.

10 schematically shows a further exemplary course of the supply voltage at DC during a signal transmission for a lighting network according to the in 8th shown training with a fourth line. On the control line is a DC voltage signal, which is lowered for signal transmission.

Finally shows 11 schematically the structure of another ballast 110 for the evaluation of control commands for controlling the power consumption of LED lamps according to the in 8th shown training. An accessory for controlling power consumption 112 , in particular for controlling the power consumption of an LED lamp, is doing to a conventional ballast 111 connected to the control of power consumption, allowing signals to power consumption of the auxiliary device 112 to the dimming input of the ballast 111 by means of an interface 113 (0 to 10 volts, PWM) can be transmitted. The attachment 112 can do this via the conventional ballast 111 be supplied with voltage. In the special, in 11 As shown, this is done via the connections labeled V (+) and V (-). A conventional ballast 111 may conveniently be selected so that it already has such an input, or such a Schnittstelle for the evaluation of the commands from the attachment 112 features.

It should be noted in addition that the sake of clarity on the presentation of three-phase three-phase networks, as they are often used in street lighting, has been omitted. In the embodiments, therefore, often only one performance is listed. Also, the contactor or the power switching unit is shown in the figures only for a better understanding of single-phase instead of three-phase.

The inventive method and a circuit arrangement according to the invention are particularly suitable for controlling the power consumption of consumers, which are operated by a common supply line.

In this case, the information is transmitted to the consumers connected to the supply line via the power switching unit of the supply line and not, as for example in a controller according to the powerline method, via a aufmoduliert in the supply to the supply voltage signal.

Due to the robustness and simplicity of use in particular outdoor uses are advantageous, such as in the operation of lighting devices for streets, squares or industrial plants. Here, several lamps can be operated on a common supply line and controlled in their power consumption. The method can also be used particularly advantageously when the lamps are LED lamps. By means of the presented method, therefore, LED lamps can be dimmed outdoors. The method can also be used for very long supply lines. The one-off investment costs and the costs for maintenance are comparatively low. A mixed operation with existing lamps is possible.

It can be easily realized a light reduction depending on the weather, twilight and / or traffic situation for lamps in a lighting network.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102009058310 A1 [0007]
• DE 102007061160 A1 [0008]
• DE 102008034989 B4 [0012]

Claims (14)

 Method for controlling the power consumption of outdoor electrical consumers, wherein The consumers are trained to operate on a common supply line, The supply line has at least one supply connection, which is connected to an infeed, The supply line can provide a voltage supply to the connected consumers, so that a voltage can be applied to the loads connected to the supply line, The supply line further comprises at least one power switching unit for switching the voltage, A control unit is provided for generating control commands for controlling the power consumption of the consumers, The transmission of the control command from the control unit to the consumer is effected by at least a momentary lowering of the voltage, - A control command comprises a signal containing information about the power consumption of the consumer, and wherein - The signal comprises at least one time interval with lowered voltage. A method for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the information about the power consumption of the consumer is encoded over the length of the time interval with lowered voltage. A method for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information about the power consumption of the consumer is encoded over the length of a time interval between a first and a subsequent second lowering of the voltage. Method for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information about the power consumption of the consumer is coded over the length of a first time interval between a first and a subsequent second lowering of the voltage, and over the length of a second Time interval between the second and a subsequent third lowering of the voltage. A method for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information about the default value of the power consumption of the consumer is binary coded over the length of at least one time interval with a brief lowering of the voltage. Method for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the voltage is the supply voltage of the electrical consumers. Method for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit for controlling the power consumption of the consumer comprises at least one input and one output and generates the control commands. Method for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a ballast for evaluating the transmitted control commands and for adjusting the power consumption of the consumer is provided for a consumer. Method for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the minimum lowering of the supply voltage is selected such that the consumer of the control unit furthest away arranged on the supply line can still recognize the lowering and evaluate. Method for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control commands can be transmitted over long distances. Method for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the consumers comprise lamps for streets, parking lots, sports fields or industrial premises. Method for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the consumers comprise LED lamps. Circuit arrangement for controlling the power consumption of external electrical consumers, which are designed to be operated on a common supply line, comprising - at least one common supply line, At least one supply connection connected to the supply line, which is connected to an infeed, and to provide a voltage supply to the connected consumers, at least one power switching unit for switching the feed, and at least one control unit for generating control commands for controlling the power consumption of the power supply Consumer, which is connected to the supply line, - wherein a voltage is applied to the consumers connected to the supply line and the control of the power consumption of the consumer by means of a method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 12 takes place. Circuit arrangement for controlling the power consumption of electrical consumers in the outdoor area according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the consumers comprise LED lamps.

Images