DE102022104691A1 - Technique for detecting a power circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

According to one aspect, an energy source (100) for determining a power connection (302) between potential connection participants (100; 200) comprises a power supply interface (102), a data interface (104) and a control unit (106). In an alternative, the control unit (106) can send its own identification information via the data interface (104) to potential wiring participants (100; 200), the own identification information including an identifier for the energy source (100) and an identification mode for the energy source (100). During the detection mode of the energy source (100), a modulation signal is output at the power supply interface (102), with which each potential circuit participant (100; 200) is able to determine whether the energy source (100 ) is a connection participant of the power circuitry of the respective potential connection participant (100; 200).

Description

The invention relates to a technique for determining a power connection between potential connection participants. Without being limited to this, the invention relates in particular to potential circuit participants such as electrical energy sources, energy sinks and coupling modules that are able to determine a power circuit.

More than one power supply unit is often installed in a control cabinet. Multiple power supplies can redundantly power critical loads, some power supplies are buffered with downstream uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), or some power supplies feed a bank of fuses. Many of these switching participants (such as power supplies, UPS and fuses) are now designed with data interfaces, for example to communicate their data to higher-level or higher-level controls such as industrial PCs. There is also direct communication in pairs between switched-mode power supplies and UPSs or switched-mode power supplies and intelligent security systems, which adjust their mode of operation using the communicated data from the other connection participant.

However, the communication between the devices is insufficient for automatic configuration. The communication does not allow the devices to determine how they are power-wired. In order to configure the power-side interconnection, it is conventionally necessary to manually assign the devices to one another and to program the respective mode of operation in each device.

The document describes for a data center WO 2010/005429 A1 the evaluation of a temporal correlation between electrical power consumption and processor utilization in order to determine a power-side connection. This requires uneven power consumption and complex analysis of the consumer.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a technique for being able to flexibly connect the circuit participants in electrical systems, but without the configuration of the circuit participants becoming more time-consuming due to the wide range of installation options. Rather, it is desirable for such systems to be easy to install and for the installer to be able to use the circuit participants flexibly and without configuration.

The object is solved with the features of the independent claims. Expedient refinements and advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention, which can be optionally combined with one another, are disclosed below with partial reference to the figures.

A first aspect relates to an electrical energy source for determining a power connection between potential connection participants. The electrical energy source includes a power supply interface, a data interface and a control unit. The control unit is designed to send its own identification information to potential connection participants via the data interface, with its own identification information including an identifier for the energy source and specifying an identification mode for the energy source. The control unit is also designed to emit a modulation signal at the power supply interface during the detection mode of the energy source, with which each potential circuit participant is able to determine whether the energy source is a circuit participant of the power circuit of the respective potential circuit participant, depending on whether the modulation signal of the energy source is received. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit is designed to receive external identification information via the data interface from potential connection participants, the external identification information including an identifier of the respective potential connection participant and specifying an identification mode of the respective potential connection participant. The control unit is also designed to monitor a modulation signal at the power supply interface during the detection mode of the respective potential wiring device, the energy source depending on whether the modulation signal of the respective potential wiring device is received determines whether the respective potential wiring device is a wiring device of the power wiring of the energy source is.

Since the energy source sends all potential circuit participants its identifier in the identification information and outputs the modulation signal at its power supply interface (i.e. on the power side), each potential circuit participant can determine whether it is a circuit participant of the power circuit of the energy source (i.e. whether it is connected to the energy source on the power side) or not, and optionally this can be in an information exchange via the data interface (ie via a data network) sent to the energy source or received by the energy source.

Alternatively or in addition, the energy source can determine whether the potential connection participant specified by the identifier is a connection participant of the power connection of the energy source if it receives the identification of another potential connection participant in the external identification information and monitors the modulation signal at its power supply interface (i.e. on the power side) ( i.e. whether this is connected to the energy source on the power side) or not, and optionally this can be sent in an information exchange via the data network to the potential connection subscriber specified by the identifier.

The power supply interface can be a (e.g. output-side) power supply connection.

The identification information can be sent to all users of a data network connected to the data interface (technically also referred to as "broadcast" to distinguish it from a "unicast"). This means that the potential circuit participants can be the participants in the data network (for example if they even have a power connection such as a power supply interface).

The data interface preferably uses a different communication medium than the power supply interface for power wiring. This means that the exchange of information via the data interface or the data network (e.g. on the physical level) does not use lines of the power circuit (which would be possible, for example, by modulation or demodulation of a data signal via the power supply interface), since the different propagation via the data interface (e.g. at all potential circuit participants) and via the power supply interface (e.g. only to all circuit participants of the respective power circuit) enables the power circuit to be determined.

The identifier can include a designation and/or address (for example an address in the data network) which is unique (preferably among all potential connection participants). The latter information can also be referred to as identifying data of the respective potential circuit participant (for example the energy source). Alternatively or in addition, the identifier can include classifying data of the respective potential wiring device (for example the energy source), for example the maximum current provided for an energy source or the maximum current drawn (or absorbed) from an energy sink.

It is a considerable simplification for the installer if the circuit participants trained for data communication, such as communicative power supply units, UPSs and intelligent security systems, can not only automatically determine with which other circuit participants in the network they can communicate, but if they can also determine which energy source supplies them or who they supply.

Outputting and/or receiving the modulation signal at the power supply interface can include modulation or demodulation of the voltage at the power supply interface. The modulation signal at the power supply interface may include a temporal modulation, e.g., a periodic (e.g., harmonic or anharmonic) change, of the voltage.

The modulation signal can be a square-wave signal.

An amplitude of the modulation (or a range of change in voltage) may be 0.5% to 5%, for example 1% or 2%, of the nominal voltage. As a result, a power supply can also be maintained by the energy source in the detection mode. For example, the amplitude may be 0.33V or 0.5V or 1.0V at a nominal voltage of 12V or 24V or 48V.

A frequency of the modulation can be 1 Hz to 100 Hz, for example 10 Hz. Since the frequency of the modulation differs from a frequency of the nominal voltage (0 Hz for direct voltage or, for example, 50 Hz or 60 Hz for alternating voltage), the modulation signal can be detected by a frequency filter (for example a high-pass filter or a low-pass filter).

Monitoring the modulation signal at the power supply interface may include measuring a current drawn at the power supply interface. Optionally, a voltage at the power supply interface is a decreasing function of the current drawn.

Monitoring the modulation signal may include monitoring a periodic (e.g., harmonic or anharmonic) change in current draw at the power supply interface. This allows the energy source to determine that it is running in parallel with another energy source (which is currently in detection mode is) is switched. That is, the power source can determine that the power source has received the foreign identification indication from another power source that is connected in parallel to the power source.

Because the voltage at the power supply interface can be a falling function of the current drawn at the power supply interface, load sharing (for example, communication-free) between the energy sources connected in parallel can be made possible. While one of the paralleled power sources is in detection mode, for the respective (or each) other paralleled power source, the modulation signal may be received (i.e. sensed or measured) directly as a modulation of the voltage or indirectly as a modulation of the current drawn.

The power source control unit may be configured to monitor the modulation signal at the power supply interface in response to the foreign identification information. As an alternative or in addition, the own identification information can be designed to prompt every other potential connection participant to monitor the modulation signal of the energy source at its power supply interface.

The power source control unit may be configured to monitor the modulation signal at the power supply interface in response to the foreign identification information. As an alternative or in addition, the own identification information can be designed to prompt every other potential connection participant to monitor the modulation signal of the energy source at its power supply interface.

The self and/or third party identification indication may include or imply an announcement of the identification mode. Alternatively or additionally (for example according to a standardized communication protocol) the identification information can be sent at the beginning of or during the identification mode.

Sending or receiving the recognition indication may indicate (e.g. designate) a beginning of the respective recognition mode. Alternatively or additionally, each recognition mode can end after a predetermined period of time or after a period specified in the respective recognition specification.

By announcing the detection mode together with the identification of the energy source or by sending the identification of the energy source in a timely relationship with the output of the modulation signal, the circuit participants are able to assign the received modulation signal or the absence of the modulation signal to the energy source, for example for the controlling the operation of the connection participant in the operating mode and/or in order to send a corresponding connection response to the energy source in response to the sent identification indication as a connection request.

Your own or someone else's identification information can be your own or someone else's connection request. The control unit can also be designed to receive a connection response via the data interface from at least one of the potential connection participants in response to the transmission of its own connection request, the connection response comprising an identifier of the respective potential connection participant and indicating whether the respective potential connection participant receives the modulation signal received or not. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit can also be configured to send a connection response via the data interface in response to the received external connection request to at least one or all of the potential connection participants or to the connection participant of the external connection request, wherein the connection response includes an identifier for the energy source and indicates whether the energy source has received the modulation signal or not.

The identification information can be a connection request. The exchange of information may include a connection response in response to the connection request. If the circuit response received indicates that the modulation signal of the energy source was received, the relevant circuit participant is a detected circuit participant of the power circuit of the energy source and/or the energy source is a detected circuit participant of the power circuit of the relevant circuit participant. If the connection response sent indicates that the modulation signal of the relevant connection device was received, the relevant connection device is a detected connection device of the power circuit of the energy source and/or the energy source is a detected connection device of the power connection of the relevant connection device.

For example, it can be sufficient to determine the power circuits between all potential circuit participants that only the energy sources under the potential circuit devices carry out the detection mode (i.e. the transmission of the detection information and the output of the modulation signal), and all other potential connection participants via the data network their findings from the detection modes of the one or more energy sources in the exchange of information (e.g. in connection responses) of the energy source(s) or all potential connection participants communicate.

The control unit can also be designed to store and/or process the determined power connection of the energy source in order to operate the energy source.

For example, a UPS can control (limit, for example) the charging current drawn from the UPS as an energy sink if it has determined that it is a circuit participant in the power circuitry of a power pack as an energy source and a consumer (e.g. a fuse or a fuse distributor) as an energy sink a minimum current specified by the consumer in his identifier is provided by the power pack according to his identifier after deduction of the charging current.

The energy source can also include a local user interface for outputting a configuration state, the control unit being designed to output at least one configuration state on the local user interface. Examples of the configuration status can be: the energy source is in detection mode, the energy source sends its own detection information or its own wiring request, the energy source outputs the modulation signal at the power supply interface of the energy source, the energy source sends the wiring response, a potential wiring device is in detection mode, the energy source receives the foreign identification indication or the foreign wiring request, the power source monitors the modulation signal at the power supply interface of the power source, and/or the power source receives the wiring response.

The configuration status can be output optically and/or acoustically, for example on a housing of the energy source.

The power source may include a power supply or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Alternatively or additionally, the potential wiring participants can include at least one additional energy source connected in parallel with the energy source, optionally a parallel-connected power supply unit or a parallel-connected UPS. Alternatively or in addition, the potential circuit participants can include at least one energy sink, optionally a UPS downstream of the energy source, or an electrical energy store, or a coupling module for redundant coupling of the energy source to at least one other energy source, or a fuse, or a fuse distributor, or a consumer.

The energy source can supply the energy sink with electrical energy if the energy source is a circuit participant in the power circuitry of the energy sink or if the energy sink is a circuit participant in the power circuitry of the energy source.

The power packs as circuit participants can include transformer power packs, switched-mode power packs or capacitor power packs.

The power circuitry can be designed to redundantly supply critical loads. For example, several power supplies can be connected in parallel. The power supplies can have a falling voltage-current characteristic (technically also referred to as "voltage droop"). The parallel connection of power supply units with a falling voltage-current characteristic can enable communication-free load sharing.

The UPS downstream of a power pack can be connected in parallel to the power pack. Alternatively or additionally, the UPS can include two converters connected in series and be designed to provide a voltage and a frequency independently of the mains; or the UPS can comprise a bidirectional inverter and be designed to provide a voltage independent of the mains and a frequency dependent on the mains; or the UPS can include a switch on the output side and be designed to provide a voltage and frequency dependent on the mains.

The UPS can ensure a power supply for a limited time. Technically, this is also referred to as "buffered".

The fuse as a circuit participant can be a fuse distributor, which includes several outputs (also: channels) on the power side, which are each fused individually and/or are switched off in the event of an overload according to a predetermined order of priority.

The electrical energy store can include one or more electrochemical secondary cells for storing the electrical energy. The electrical energy store can be part of the UPS or be connected to the UPS on the power side via a power circuit. in the latter In this case, the UPS (besides the features of an energy source and an energy sink) can essentially comprise a charging unit.

A second aspect relates to an energy sink for determining a power connection between potential connection participants. The energy sink includes a power supply interface, a data interface and a control unit. The control unit is designed to send its own identification information to potential wiring participants via the data interface, the own identification information including an identifier for the energy sink and specifying an identification mode of the energy sink. The control unit is also designed to output a modulation signal to the power supply interface during the detection mode of the energy sink, with which each potential circuit participant is able to determine whether the energy sink is a circuit participant of the power circuit of the respective potential circuit participant, depending on whether the modulation signal of the energy sink is received. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit is designed to receive external identification information via the data interface from potential connection participants, the external identification information including an identifier of the respective potential connection participant and specifying an identification mode of the respective potential connection participant. The control unit is also designed to monitor a modulation signal at the power supply interface during the detection mode of the respective potential wiring device, the energy sink depending on whether the modulation signal of the respective potential wiring device is received determines whether the respective potential wiring device is a wiring device of the power wiring of the energy sink is.

All of the features of the energy source mentioned herein can be implemented in the same way or correspondingly for the energy sink. For example, any effect disclosed in the context of the energy source or the first aspect (e.g. advantages) or design (e.g. features and/or functions) of the energy source, the energy sink, the identification information, the wiring request, the wiring response, the modulation signal, the power supply interface, the data interface , the data network, and/or the control unit apply equally or correspondingly to the energy sink.

For example, the power supply interface of the energy sink can be a (e.g. upstream) power supply connection.

The monitoring of the modulation signal at the power supply interface can include a measurement of a modulation of the voltage at the power supply interface and/or a demodulation (for example a Fourier transformation of the measured time profile of the voltage).

The potential circuit participants can include at least one energy source of the energy sink, for example a power pack or a UPS. Alternatively or additionally, the potential wiring devices can include at least one additional energy sink connected in parallel with the energy sink, for example a parallel-connected fuse or a parallel-connected consumer. Alternatively or additionally, the energy sink can include a UPS, or an electrical energy store, or a coupling module for redundant coupling of at least two energy sources, or a fuse, or a fuse distributor, or a consumer.

The energy sink can include an input side of the UPS, or an input side of the electrical energy store, or an input side of the coupling module, or an input side of the fuse or the fuse distributor. Alternatively or in addition, an output side of the UPS, or the electrical energy store, or the coupling module, or the fuse, or the fuse distributor can be an exemplary embodiment of the energy source. That is, one or each of these devices may combine (e.g., merge) features of the energy source and energy sink, optionally wherein the energy sink power supply interface is a power input of the device and the energy source power supply interface is a power output of the device. Alternatively or additionally, the function of the control unit of the energy source and the function of the control unit of the energy sink can be implemented in a control unit of the device.

The electrical energy store can include one or more electrochemical secondary cells for storing the electrical energy. The electrical energy store can be part of the UPS. Alternatively or additionally, the energy store can be communicatively connected to the UPS via a power circuit on the power side and/or via a data interface to the UPS.

The energy sink may further include any feature of the first aspect or a corresponding feature.

In each embodiment, in each aspect (ie, the energy source and/or the energy sink), the controller can determine the duration that Control or specify the voltage and/or the frequency of the modulation signal.

Alternatively or in addition, the data interface can be connected (i.e. communicatively connected) to other data interfaces via a wired connection and/or a wireless connection, optionally for the exchange of information on the recognition specification, the wiring request, and/or the wiring response. I.e. the data network can be a wired data network or a wireless data network (e.g. a radio network).

The data network can also be referred to as a data network. The data network can be a data bus or can include individual connections in pairs between the potential circuit participants or can include a chained connection (technically known as a daisy chain). Alternatively or additionally, the data network can be an Ethernet or a local device bus (technically: "Local Device Bus" or LDB) or (for example serial) fieldbus (for example a "Controller Area Network Bus" or CAN bus).

Alternatively or additionally, the power supply interface of one or each potential circuit participant (i.e. the energy sink or the energy source) can be electrically conductively connected (in short: electrically connected or connected) to at least one power supply interface of another potential circuit participant (i.e. another energy sink or energy source), whereby these potential wiring participants to wiring participants of the same power wiring. For example, the power supply interface of an energy source can be connected to the power supply interface of an energy sink. Optionally, the power supply interface of an energy source can be connected in parallel with the power supply interface of a further energy source.

A third aspect relates to a coupling module for decoupling at least two electrical energy sources for the redundant power supply of an electrical energy sink. The coupling module comprises at least two power supply interfaces on the input side for connecting the at least two electrical energy sources, for example according to the first aspect. The coupling module also includes an output-side power supply interface for connecting the electrical energy sink according to the second aspect. The coupling module also includes a data interface for receiving the identification information of a potential connection participant, optionally from one of the electrical energy sources. The coupling module also includes a control unit which is designed to deactivate the decoupling for the duration of the detection mode in response to the received detection information in order to forward the modulation signal.

The power supply interfaces of the coupling module can be designed for short-circuit proof decoupling. Alternatively or additionally, each of the input-side power supply interfaces can be electrically conductively connected to the output-side power supply interface via a decoupling diode or a current controller (e.g. by means of a field effect transistor), for example in such a way that in the event of a short circuit at one of the input-side power supply interfaces, the at least one other input-side power supply interface and the output-side power supply interface are not short-circuited.

Disabling the decoupling may include bypassing the decoupling diode or current regulation, or paralleling the power supply interfaces.

The coupling module can also be referred to as a redundancy module or module for the power-side OR link (technically “ORing”).

A fourth aspect relates to a system of potential circuit participants. The system includes one or more energy sources according to the first aspect as part of the potential circuit participants. The system also includes one or more energy sinks according to the second aspect as part of the potential circuit participants. The system also includes at least one power circuit between the power supply interface of at least one of the energy sources and the power supply interface of at least one of the energy sinks. The system also includes a data network between the data interfaces of all potential connection participants.

The system can optionally include at least one coupling module, which is connected between the at least two energy sources and the energy sink (associated with the power wiring).

The system can be configured to switch between the detection mode or a sequence of detection modes and an operating mode. Alternatively or in addition, the energy sources can switch to the detection mode in a sequence of detection modes (i.e. sequentially).

The system may (e.g., at power-up) begin with the detection mode or sequence of detection modes and switch to operational mode after the detection mode or sequence of detection modes. Alternatively or in addition, the detection mode or the sequence of detection modes for maintenance or testing of the system can be carried out manually or after a predetermined maintenance interval.

Switching to the detection mode can mean that your own detection information is sent and/or the modulation signal is output at your own power supply interface.

The system may further include a local system user interface for reporting a system status. The control units of the energy sources (or a system controller of the system) can be designed to output at least one system status to the local system user interface. Examples of system status include: at least one of the power sources is in detect mode, which of the power sources is in detect mode, and all power sources or all potential participants are in run mode.

The power source controllers can control the output at the system user interface via the data network.

The power sources can switch to the detection mode sequentially according to a predetermined order. The order can be, for example, a predetermined priority, a spatial arrangement (for example along a mounting rail), and/or according to an order of the identifiers of the energy sources.

Each control unit of the energy sources can be designed to switch to the detection mode after a random time, for sending its own identification information and for outputting the modulation signal at the power supply interface, if no external identification information was received or after the duration of the identification mode of another potential circuit participant has expired.

By having each control unit wait a random time after no detection mode is active in the data network, a collision of the detection modes of different energy sources (e.g. a collision of the detection indication and/or the modulation signals) can be avoided unless two energy sources draw the same random time.

Each energy source can use the same modulation signal (e.g. due to the sequential detection modes). Alternatively or in addition, several or all energy sources can be used simultaneously in the modulation mode, with the modulation signals from different energy sources being different, for example comprising orthogonal sequences (e.g. Walsh codes).

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred embodiments which can be optionally combined with one another.

• 1 eine schematische Blockdarstellung einer Energiequelle zum Feststellen einer Leistungsbeschaltung zwischen potentiellen Beschaltungsteilnehmern gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform eines ersten Aspekts;
• 2 eine schematische Blockdarstellung einer Energiesenke zum Feststellen einer Leistungsbeschaltung zwischen potentiellen Beschaltungsteilnehmern gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform eines zweiten Aspekts;
• 3 eine schematische Blockdarstellung eines Systems potentieller Beschaltungsteilnehmer gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform eines dritten Aspekts;
• 4 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild des Systems mit zwei parallelgeschalteten Energiequellen und einer Energiesenke gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;
• 5 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild des Systems mit einer Energiequelle, einer nachgeschalteten USV nebst Energiespeicher, und einer Energiesenke gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform;
• 6 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild des Systems mit einer Energiequelle, einer als Energiequelle und Energiesenke fungierende USV nebst Energiespeicher, und einer Energiesenke gemäß einer ersten Variante der dritten Ausführungsform;
• 7 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild des Systems mit zwei Energiequellen, einem im Erkennungsmodus deaktivierten Kopplungsmodul, und einer Energiesenke gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform;
• 8 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild des Systems mit zwei Energiequellen, einem als Energiequelle und Energiesenke fungierenden Kopplungsmodul, und einer Energiesenke gemäß einer Variante der vierten Ausführungsform;
• 9 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild des Systems mit einem Netzteil als Energiequelle, einem als Energiequelle und Energiesenke fungierenden Energiespeicher, einer Sicherung als Energiesenke, und einer USV, welche Energiesenke des Netzteils, Energiequelle und -senke des Energiespeichers und Energiequelle des Verbrauchers ist, gemäß einer zweiten Variante der dritten Ausführungsform;
• 10 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild des Systems mit einem Netzteil als Energiequelle, einem als Energiequelle und Energiesenke fungierenden Energiespeicher, einer Sicherung als Energiesenke, und einer USV, welche Energiesenke des Netzteils, Energiequelle und -senke des Energiespeichers und Energiequelle des Verbrauchers ist, gemäß einer dritten Variante der dritten Ausführungsform; und
• 11 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild des Systems mit Energiequellen und Energiesenken als Beschaltungsteilnehmer einer ersten und einer zweiten Leistungsbeschaltung einer fünften Ausführungsform.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic block diagram of an energy source for determining a power circuit between potential circuit participants according to a first embodiment of a first aspect;
• 2 a schematic block diagram of an energy sink for determining a power circuit between potential circuit participants according to a first embodiment of a second aspect;
• 3 a schematic block diagram of a system of potential circuit participants according to a first embodiment of a third aspect;
• 4 a schematic block diagram of the system with two parallel-connected energy sources and an energy sink according to a second embodiment;
• 5 a schematic block diagram of the system with an energy source, a downstream UPS together with energy storage, and an energy sink according to a third embodiment;
• 6 a schematic block diagram of the system with an energy source, a UPS acting as an energy source and energy sink together with energy storage, and an energy sink according to a first variant of the third embodiment;
• 7 a schematic block diagram of the system with two energy sources, a deactivated in the detection mode coupling module, and an energy sink according to a fourth embodiment;
• 8th a schematic block diagram of the system with two energy sources, acting as an energy source and energy sink coupling module, and an energy sink according to a variant of the fourth embodiment;
• 9 a schematic block diagram of the system with a power supply unit as the energy source, an energy store acting as an energy source and energy sink, a fuse as an energy sink, and a UPS, which is the energy sink of the power supply unit, energy source and sink of the energy store and energy source of the consumer, according to a second variant of third embodiment;
• 10 a schematic block diagram of the system with a power pack as an energy source, an energy store acting as an energy source and energy sink, a fuse as an energy sink, and a UPS, which is the energy sink of the power pack, energy source and sink of the energy store and energy source of the consumer, according to a third variant of third embodiment; and
• 11 a schematic block diagram of the system with energy sources and energy sinks as circuit participants of a first and a second power circuit of a fifth embodiment.

Herein, exemplary embodiments of the aspects and individual features are partially denoted by extended reference symbols to which a letter or an apostrophe is added in order to represent and describe functional groups in a coherent or clearer manner. An extended reference character of the form XYZa (e.g., 302a) or XYZ' (e.g., 302') is an example of a feature generally designated by reference character XYZ (e.g., 302). Furthermore, features shown or described in various embodiments are interchangeable with the same or extended reference numbers.

Electrical devices that can communicate with each other via data interfaces and/or are electrically connected or can be connected on the power side are referred to as potential circuit participants. Examples of data interfaces are below 1 or. 2 shown and described by reference numerals 104, 204 and 254. Examples of such a data network are provided below 3 shown and described by reference numeral 304.

Electrical devices which are electrically conductively connected on the power side by a power circuit are referred to as circuit participants of the respective power circuit. Examples of the power circuit or multiple power circuits are given below 3 shown and described by reference numeral 302.

The 1 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an electrical energy source (abbreviated: energy source) designated generally by reference numeral 100 for determining a power connection (for example among a plurality of power connections) between potential connection participants according to a first embodiment of the first aspect. The energy source 100 is an example or part of a potential circuit participant.

The energy source 100 includes a power supply interface 102, for example for the electrically conductive connection of the energy source 100 to the power circuitry 302 (for example a local power grid). Energy source 100 also includes a data interface 104 for exchanging information between potential wiring participants, for example for data connection of energy source 100 to a data network 304. Optionally, energy source 100 includes a local user interface 108 that displays a configuration status of energy source 100 on site and/or with reference to the respective Energy source 100 indicates.

Furthermore, the energy source 100 comprises a control unit 106. The control unit 106 can control the power supply interface 102, the data interface 104, and optionally a local user interface 108. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 106 can control or include a modulator or demodulator, which is connected to the power supply interface 102, for outputting and/or monitoring the modulation signal. The control unit 106 is connected to the data interface 104 for communication.

The energy source 100 can be an output-side functional part of a (potential) circuit participant. The energy source or the (potential) circuit participant can be a power pack, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), an electrical energy store, or a coupling module.

The control unit 106 of the energy source 100 can switch between a detection mode (which can also be referred to as a modulation mode) and an operating mode of the energy source 100 . In the operating mode, the energy source outputs a predetermined operating voltage at the power supply interface 102 . In the modulation mode, the energy source 100 outputs a modulation signal via the power supply interface 102 by modulating the modulation signal onto the operating voltage. In this case, an amplitude of the modulation signal is small (e.g wise less than 5%) compared to an amplitude or a DC voltage of the operating voltage.

For example, in detection mode, the power source 100 changes its output voltage (e.g., by +/- 0.5 V at e.g., 1 Hz) for a specified time (e.g., 10, 20, or 30 seconds or longer) in a small but reliably measurable range. Before or during the output of the modulation signal, the energy source 100 identifies itself via the data interface 104 by sending identification information. The identification information is an identification signal with an identification (technically: “Identity” or “Identifier”, abbreviated: ID) of the energy source 100. Furthermore, the identification information (for example explicitly or implicitly) indicates the identification mode of the energy source 100.

Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 106 of the energy source 100 monitors the presence of a modulation signal at the power supply interface 102 (i.e. at the output in the case of the energy source 100 or correspondingly at the input in the case of an energy sink) when another potential circuit participant (e.g. another energy source 100) through its detection indication indicates that it is in detection mode. If the modulation signal of the other wiring participant is received (i.e. the modulation signal is recognized), the energy source 100 establishes that the other potential wiring participant is a wiring participant of the power wiring of the energy source 100. The energy source 100 then optionally responds to the other connection participants, e.g. the other energy sources 100. This connection response indicates the identification of the energy source 100 and reports the receipt (or non-reception) of the modulation signal.

Devices (such as a UPS) that combine the function of an energy source and an energy sink can use a control unit and a data interface for both functions. Alternatively or additionally, the identification of these functions is also uniform in the same device.

The control unit 106 processes received modulation signals and identifiers. The control unit 106 can store the received and processed information, in particular with regard to the power wiring, and/or control its own operation as a function thereof.

The control unit 106 is able to control the local interface module 108 to indicate the configuration state (e.g. the operating mode or the detection mode) and/or the result of the detection mode based on the processed information after the completion of the modulation mode (e.g. by LED lights or a screen). Upon termination of the detection mode, the control unit 106 places the energy source 100 in the normal operating mode.

The control unit 106 can repeat the detection mode after switching on and/or at predetermined time intervals or on special events. Examples of such events are e.g. B. a failure of another connection participant (i.e. another network component, e.g. another energy source) or the addition of another connection participant (i.e. a new network component). The failure can be received by the affected potential circuit participant via an error message via the data network. When adding, an external identifier of the added potential connection subscriber can be received at the data interface 104 .

According to the second aspect 2 a first embodiment of an energy sink, generally denoted by reference numeral 200, for determining a power connection between potential connection participants.

The energy sink 200 comprises a power supply interface 202, a data interface 204 and a control unit 206. Optionally, the energy sink 200 further comprises a local user interface 208. These features can be configured the same as or corresponding to the description of the energy source 100. While the power supply interface 102 of the energy source 100 emits electrical power via the power wiring 302 , the energy sink 200 absorbs electrical power at the power supply interface 202 . For example, controller 206 may control power interface 202, data interface 204, and local user interface 208.

Alternatively or additionally, the energy sink 200 has a power supply interface 202 for the electrically conductive connection of the energy sink 200 to the power circuitry 302 (for example a local power grid). Furthermore, the energy sink 200 includes a data interface 204 for the communicative connection of the energy sink 200 to a data network 304. Furthermore, the energy sink 200 includes a control unit 206, which is connected to the power supply interface 202 and the data interface 204.

The energy sink 200 can be part of a circuit participant (ie a network component) on the input side, for example one coupling module, a UPS, a fuse or a fuse distributor.

The control unit 206 can monitor the power supply interface 202 with regard to the modulation signal in the detection mode of another potential connection participant (for example an energy source 100). If the energy sink 200 receives a modulation signal via the power supply interface 202, it assigns this to the external identification information received via the data interface 204. The energy sink 200 thus establishes that the other potential circuit subscriber is a circuit subscriber of its power circuit.

The control unit 206 processes received modulation signals and associated identification information. The control unit 206 can store the received and processed information and/or use it for its own operation.

The 3 shows a schematic block diagram of a system of potential circuit participants 100, 200 according to a first embodiment of the third aspect. The system is indicated generally by the reference numeral 300 . Since the connection subscribers 100, 200 are connected for communication via their respective data interfaces 104, 204, the system 300 can also be referred to as a communicative system.

The system 300 comprises one or more energy sources 100 according to the first aspect and one or more energy sinks according to the second aspect. Furthermore, the system comprises at least one power circuit (i.e. a coherent electrical circuit) between the power supply interface 102 of at least one of the energy sources 100 and the power supply interface 202 of at least one of the energy sinks 200.

The system 300 also includes a data network 304 between the data interfaces 104, 204 of all potential connection participants 100, 200.

Herein, a black line of a power circuit 304 (e.g. each of the following power circuits 304a, 304b, 304c) means an electrically conductive connection between power supply interfaces 102 and 202 (e.g. power supply interfaces 102a, 102b, 102c, 202a, 202b, 202c). In each exemplary embodiment, in the case of a direct current supply, the positive pole and negative pole of the power supply interfaces 102 and 202 of all circuit participants 100 and 200 of the respective power circuit can be connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner. In the case of an AC power supply or three-phase power supply, each phase and the neutral conductor of the power supply interfaces 102 and 202 of all circuit participants 100 and 200 of the respective power circuit can be electrically conductively connected to one another.

Optionally, the system 300 can include at least one coupling module, generally designated by reference numeral 250, for the redundant coupling of two or more energy sources 100 to one or more energy sinks 200. 7 shows an embodiment of the coupling module 250.

After the power-side wiring (i.e. the power circuit(s) 302) and the communicative wiring (i.e. the data network 304) of the potential circuit participants 100, 200, 250 among themselves for data communication (e.g. in a control cabinet) and the switching on of a power supply of the system 300 (e.g. the Switching on the cabinet supply), the circuit participants identify themselves as logical units (e.g. as network nodes or bus participants) via the data network 304.

The data network 304 can be implemented by a data bus, for example a so-called daisy chain or a CAN bus. Alternatively or additionally, the data network 304 (i.e. the communication link) between the connection participants 100, 200, 250 can be a communication among equals, which can also be referred to as a peer-to-peer communication link or horizontal communication link in technical terms.

If a plurality of energy sources 100 (for example power packs or other electrical energy sources with adjustable output voltages) are present in the system 300, these circuit participants successively enter a detection mode (which can also be referred to as identification mode). In this case, one switching participant after the other changes its output voltage in a relatively small but easily measurable range for a predetermined (for example configured or specified by a technical standard) time. This change in the output voltage is referred to as modulation and represents a realization of the modulation signal. The range of change in the output voltage can also be referred to as the amplitude of the modulation signal.

In each embodiment, the output voltage can be used to output the modulation signal of the power supply interface 102 can be changed by an amplitude of, for example, +/-0.5 V at a rate of, for example, 1 Hz over a duration of the detection mode of, for example, 30 seconds. Alternatively or additionally, the modulation signal can be a sine wave, a triangular wave, a sawtooth wave or a square wave of a voltage (ie square wave voltage, etc.) which is superimposed on a regular supply voltage. The regular supply voltage can correspond to the output voltage that is present at the power supply interface of the energy source outside of the detection mode.

Since the amplitude of the modulation signal is small compared to the regular supply voltage, the energy source can also fulfill the function of the power supply in the detection mode.

The regular supply voltage in the operating mode can be a DC voltage, for example 24 V or 48 V. Alternatively, the supply voltage can correspond to an AC voltage of a low-voltage network (for example with an effective value of 230 V and a frequency of 50 Hz).

4 shows schematically a second embodiment of the system 300 with two parallel-connected energy sources 100 and 100 'and an energy sink 200. Here, power supply units are shown as energy sources 100 with white areas and fuses or fuse distributors as energy sinks 200 are shown with diagonally hatched areas.

The energy sources 100 and 100' are connected in parallel on the output side (e.g. on the secondary side). When one of the power sources 100 or 100' is in the detection mode, the output current of the power source which is not itself in the detection mode fluctuates in the same rhythm as the modulation signal due to the load sharing (i.e. load balancing). That is, the current fluctuation is an example of receiving the modulation signal in the case of a parallel connection.

Optionally (e.g. as an alternative to connecting two energy sources 100 in parallel), a coupling module (with its own data interface 254) generally designated by reference numeral 250 can interconnect redundant energy sources 100, e.g. to enable redundancy in the event of a short circuit in one of the energy sources.

Via the data interface 104, 204, 254 and optionally via a user interface 108, 208 (for example signal lights with LEDs on the respective circuit participant 100, 200, 250), the corresponding circuit participant 100, 200, 250 signals the detection mode and/or a communication downstream of the detection mode ( for example sending the wiring response) of the results of one or more detection modes.

5 shows schematically a third embodiment of the system 300 with an energy source 100a and a downstream UPS 200a as an energy sink from the perspective of the energy source 100a, and a fuse distributor as an energy sink 200b. Here, the power supply is shown as power sources 100a with white areas, the UPS 200a is shown with checked area, and the fuse box 200b as power sinks 200 is shown with diagonally hatched areas.

An energy storage device 201 can be connected externally to the UPS without a data interface, as in 5 and 6 shown, or be designed as a circuit participant with data interface and control unit.

The UPS 200a as a passive UPS in regular operation (ie if the energy source 100a has not failed) can pass through the power circuitry 302a and thus the modulation signal output by the energy source to the energy sink 200b.

6 shows schematically a variant of the third embodiment, in which the UPS combines the function of an energy sink 200a (regarding the power connection with the energy source 100a) and the function of an energy source 100b (regarding the power connection with the energy sink 200b). This can be advantageous for a UPS with a double converter, ie in which the power path does not have to be switched over if the energy source 100a fails, because the power also flows through the converter of the energy store in normal operation. However, this can prevent the modulation signal from being forwarded from the power circuitry 302a to the output-side power supply interface 102b. Instead, the UPS, as a circuit node with the double function 100b and 200a, sends its own identification information and outputs a modulation signal in the UPS's identification mode at the output-side power supply interface 102b.

7 12 shows a fourth embodiment of the system 300 with an active coupling module 250 (which can also be referred to as a redundancy module) that may be present (for example on the secondary side of one or more power supply units as energy sources 100 and 100′). A control function of the coupling module 250, ie decoupling the input-side power supply interfaces 252, is deactivated as long as a circuit participant (for example power supply units 100 or 100') in the data network 304 is still in detection mode. For example, the controller 256 of the coupling module 250 bridges decoupling diodes or connects the input-side power supply interfaces 252 directly to the output-side power supply interfaces 253, as in 7 is shown schematically. As a result, the modulation signal can be forwarded from one of the energy sources 100 or 100' to the energy sink 200.

The decoupling modules 250 can be so-called "OR-ing" modules, i.e. decoupling modules that enable a power-side OR linking of two or more power supply units, so that there is a redundant power supply even in the event of a short circuit in the power supply interface 102 of one of the linked power supply units 100 or 100 '.

8th 1 schematically shows the system 300 with two energy sources 100a and 100b, a coupling module acting as an energy source 100c and energy sinks 200a and 200b, and an energy sink 200c according to a variant of the fourth embodiment. That is, the coupling module 250 of 7 is in the variant of 8th formed with the functions of a power sink 200a/200b and a power source 100c. Accordingly, the coupling module 100c/200a/200b monitors the modulation signals of the energy sources 100a and 100b, and outputs a modulation signal itself in its own detection mode. The variant has the advantage that a more finely granulated power circuit can be detected and that the energy sources 100a and 100b are decoupled even during the detection modes.

In each embodiment, each potential connection participant connected to the data network 304 optionally provides the findings from the detection mode, ie the information from which energy source 100 it is fed or with which energy source it is connected in parallel, via the data network 304 .

Alternatively or additionally, in any embodiment, the data network 304 (i.e., data connection) may be a data bus, e.g.

Alternatively or additionally, the recognition of the power wiring 302 (i.e. the recognized connections on the power side) resulting from one recognition mode or a plurality of recognition modes can be output to a higher-level (ie higher-level, for example software-based) system controller.

The 9 and 10 each show an embodiment of such a system controller. In the embodiment of 9 the system control is implemented in a distributed computer network (technically also referred to as cloud). Alternatively or additionally, the distributed computer network is in data connection with a campus radio network 304, ie one or more base stations for a radio network 304 (technically also referred to as a radio access network or RAN) for wireless communication with the data interfaces 104, 204, 254 of all or one Part of the circuit participants 100, 200, 250 of the system 300.

In the embodiment of 10 the higher-level system control is a local computer system (e.g. in the same building as the control cabinet) on site.

In each exemplary embodiment, the system controller is optionally designed to visualize the power-side connections (i.e. the one or more power circuits 302) detected by the circuit participants 100, 200, 250 and/or to check (e.g. carry out a plausibility check) according to predetermined (e.g. configured rules). ). Alternatively or additionally, the higher-level system controller can output topological wiring diagrams based on the recognized power-side connections and/or carry out comparisons with stored (i.e. stored and/or retrievable) wiring diagrams (i.e. electrical plans).

11 shows a system 300 with two power circuits 302a and 302b. Together with the other data provided on a digital rating plate (e.g. in the identification information) and/or the monitoring of the modulation signal (e.g. the measurement of the input voltage), the UPSs 100a'/200a' and 100b'/200b ' or the fuse distributors 200a and 200b (shown with diagonally hatched areas) designed for data communication determine which power supply unit 100a or 100b (shown with white areas) is used as the energy source (e.g. switched-mode power supply unit) and set their system functions automatically to this electric power source 100a or 100b.

Likewise, energy sources 100a (switched-mode power supplies, for example) connected in parallel on the secondary side are due to the load distribution that fluctuates in the detection mode in the same cycle as the modulation signal (ie a fluctuation in the off gangsstroms) able to assign the energetic connection (ie the power circuitry 302a) of the secondary sides and to adjust to parallel operation. Ie the current fluctuation is an example for receiving the modulation signal in the case of a parallel connection.

11 FIG. 200b' (ie each with the functions of an energy sink for charging and an energy source when discharging an associated energy store), and two (communicating via their data interfaces 204a and 204b) fuse distributors 200a and 200b, all of which are connected via the data network 304 (e.g. a horizontal communication link ) are interconnected. Corresponding to the two power circuits 302a and 302b, these potential circuit participants 100, 200 form two supply systems. These potential connection participants 100, 200 of these two subsystems of the system 300 communicate via the uniform data network 304.

In the first supply system, 2 switching power supplies 100a are connected in parallel and supply the first UPS as an energy sink 200a' and the fuse distributor 200a.

In the second supply system, the switched-mode power supply 100b feeds the UPS 200b′ as an energy sink and the fuse distributor 200b.

After the mains voltage has been switched on, all potential circuit participants 100, 200 in the bus identify themselves as data network 304 and are addressed. The feeding potential circuit participants (i.e. the energy sources 100) determine that there are several potential circuit participants 100, 200 (e.g. several energy sources 100) which are designed for the detection mode, i.e. can adjust the output voltage for example to output the modulation signal.

The first potential connection participant (e.g. the first energy source 100a) now goes into the detection mode (i.e. the identification mode) in a specific sequence. The potential circuit participant adjusts the output voltage for 30 seconds in a 1 Hz cycle by +/-0.5 V as a modulation signal and signals the detection mode via an LED on site as a local user interface and by means of the detection information via the data network 304 (e.g. a local device bus or technically "Local Device Bus", LDB for short).

In the detection mode of the first energy source 100a, the UPS 200a' detects this voltage fluctuation at its input 202a' and stores that it is being supplied by the switched-mode power supply 100a (assigned via its identifier in the detection information in the LDB).

The further switched-mode power supply 100a connected in parallel detects a fluctuation in the output current in the same cycle of the modulation signal and stores that it is connected in parallel with the first switched-mode power supply 100a.

The fuse distributor 200a also detects the fluctuation of the voltage as a modulation signal and stores that it is supplied by the switched-mode power supply 100a.

After 30 seconds, the detection mode (i.e., the identification mode) of the first power source 100a ends.

The next energy source, e.g. the further energy source 100a, then begins its detection mode, i.e. the output of the modulation signal by fluctuation in the output voltage at the power supply interface 102b, optionally signaling by LED at the local user interface, and sending the detection information via the data interface 104a on the LDB. The associated circuit participants (first energy source 100a, UPS 100a′ and fuse distributor 200a) determine accordingly that they belong to the line circuitry 302a of the additional energy source 100a connected in parallel. This continues until each energy source 100 has gone through the detection mode once. Each potential wiring participant 100, 200 now knows from which energy source 100 it is fed, or with which energy source 100 it is connected in parallel. Optionally, each connection participant 100, 200 provides this topology information via the data network 304 (i.e. the data connection, e.g. an LDB), so that an overall picture results.

Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention. Consequently, the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, son dern includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Reference List

100

Electrical energy source as a potential circuit participant

102

Power supply interface of the energy source

104

Data interface of the energy source

106

Power source control unit

108

Local user interface of the energy source

200

Electrical energy sink as a potential circuit participant

202

Power supply interface of the energy sink

204

Data interface of the energy sink

206

Control unit of the energy sink

208

Local user interface of the energy sink

250

coupling module

252

Input-side power supply interfaces of the coupling module

253

Output-side power supply interface of the coupling module

254

Data interface of the coupling module

256

Control unit of the coupling module

300

System of potential circuit participants

302

power circuit

304

data network

306

system user interface

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• WO 2010/005429 A1 [0004]

Claims (17)

Electrical energy source (100) for determining a power connection (302) between potential connection participants (100; 200), comprising a power supply interface (102), a data interface (104) and a control unit (106), the control unit (106) being designed to: - to send own identification information via the data interface (104) to potential wiring subscribers (100; 200), the own identification information including an identifier of the energy source (100) and an identification mode of the energy source (100), and during the identification mode of the energy source ( 100) to output a modulation signal at the power supply interface (102), with which each potential circuit participant (100; 200) is able to determine, depending on whether the modulation signal of the energy source (100) is received, whether the energy source (100) is a circuit participant of the power circuit of the respective potential connection participant (100; 200); and or - to receive foreign identification information via the data interface (104) from potential connection participants (100; 200), the foreign identification information comprising an identifier of the respective potential connection participant (100; 200) and specifying a detection mode of the respective potential connection participant (100; 200). , and during the detection mode of the respective potential circuit participant (100; 200) to monitor a modulation signal at the power supply interface (102), wherein the energy source (100) depends on whether the modulation signal of the respective potential circuit participant (100; 200) is received Whether the respective potential circuit participant (100; 200) is a circuit participant of the power circuitry of the energy source (100). Electrical energy source (100) after claim 1 , wherein the outputting or receiving of the modulation signal at the power supply interface (102) comprises a modulation of the voltage at the power supply interface (102). Electrical energy source (100) after claim 1 or 2 , wherein monitoring the modulation signal at the power supply interface (102) comprises measuring a current drawn at the power supply interface (102), optionally wherein a voltage at the power supply interface (102) is a decreasing function of the current drawn. Electrical energy source (100) according to any one of Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the control unit (106) of the energy source (100) is designed to monitor the modulation signal at the power supply interface in response to the received external identification information, and/or wherein its own identification information is designed to cause every other potential circuit participant to To monitor modulation signal of the energy source (100) at its respective power supply interface. Energy source (100) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , wherein the own or external identification information is an own or external connection request, and the control unit (106) is also designed to: - in response to the own connection request sent, to receive a connection response via the data interface (104) from at least one of the potential connection participants ( 100; 200), the connection response comprising an identifier of the respective potential connection participant (100; 200) and indicating whether the respective potential connection participant (100; 200) has received the modulation signal or not; and/or - in response to the received external connection request, sending a connection response via the data interface (104) to at least one or all of the potential connection subscribers (100; 200) or to the connection subscriber (100; 200) of the external connection request, the connection response an identifier of the energy source (100) and indicates whether the energy source (100) has received the modulation signal or not. Electrical energy source (100) according to any one of Claims 1 until 5 , wherein the control unit (106) is further designed to: - store and/or process the detected power wiring (302) of the energy source (100) for operating the energy source (100). Electrical energy source (100) according to any one of Claims 1 until 6 , further comprising a local user interface (108) for outputting a configuration state, wherein the control unit (106) is designed to output at least one of the following configuration states at the local user interface (108): - the energy source (100) is in detection mode, - the The energy source (100) sends its own recognition information or its own wiring request, - the energy source (100) outputs the modulation signal at the power supply interface (102) of the energy source (100), - the energy source (100) sends the wiring response, - a potential wiring participant ( 100; 200) is in detection mode, - the energy source (100) receives the foreign identification information or the foreign wiring request, - the energy source (100) monitors the modulation signal at the power supply interface (102) of the energy source (100), and - the energy source (100) receives the wiring response. Electrical energy source (100) according to any one of Claims 1 until 7 , wherein the energy source (100) comprises a power pack or an uninterruptible power supply, UPS, and/or wherein the potential circuit components (100; 200) comprise at least one further energy source (100) connected in parallel to the energy source (100), optionally a parallel-connected power pack ( 100) or a parallel connected uninterruptible power supply, UPS (100); and/or wherein the potential wiring participants (100; 200) comprise at least one energy sink (200), optionally a UPS (200) connected downstream of the energy source (100), or an electrical energy store (200), or a coupling module (200) for redundant coupling the energy source (100) with at least one further energy source (100), or a fuse (200), or a fuse distributor (200), or a consumer (200). Electrical energy sink (200) for determining a power circuit (302) between potential circuit participants (100; 200), comprising a power supply interface (202), a data interface (204) and a control unit (206), the control unit (206) being designed to: - to send its own identification information via the data interface (204) to potential wiring participants (100; 200), the own identification information including an identification of the energy sink (200) and an identification mode of the energy sink (200), and during the identification mode of the energy sink ( 200) to output a modulation signal at the power supply interface (202), with which each potential circuit participant (100; 200) is able to determine, depending on whether the modulation signal of the energy sink (200) is received, whether the energy sink (200) is a circuit participant of the power circuit of the respective potential connection participant (100; 200); and or - to receive foreign identification information via the data interface (204) from potential connection participants (100; 200), the foreign identification information comprising an identifier of the respective potential connection participant (100; 200) and specifying a detection mode of the respective potential connection participant (100; 200). , and during the detection mode of the respective potential circuit participant (100; 200) to monitor a modulation signal at the power supply interface (202), the energy sink (200) depending on whether the modulation signal of the respective potential circuit participant (100; 200) is received whether the respective potential circuit participant (100; 200) is a circuit participant of the power circuitry of the energy sink (200). Electrical energy sink (200) after claim 9 , wherein monitoring the modulation signal at the power supply interface (202) comprises measuring a modulation of the voltage at the power supply interface (202). Electrical energy sink (200) after claim 9 or 10 , wherein the potential circuit components (100; 200) comprise at least one energy source (100) of the energy sink (200), optionally a power supply unit or an uninterruptible power supply, UPS, and/or wherein the potential circuit components (100; 200) have at least one energy sink ( 200) further energy sink (200) connected in parallel, optionally a fuse (200) connected in parallel or a load (200) connected in parallel; and/or wherein the energy sink (200) is a UPS (200), or an electrical energy store (200), or a coupling module (200) for the redundant coupling of at least two energy sources (100), or a fuse (200), or a fuse distributor (200), or a consumer (200). Electrical energy sink (200) according to one of claims 9 until 11 , further comprising any feature of any of Claims 1 until 8th or a corresponding feature. Coupling module (250) for decoupling at least two electrical energy sources (100) for the redundant power supply of an electrical energy sink (200), comprising: at least two input-side power supply interfaces (252) for connecting the at least two electrical energy sources (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th ; an output-side power supply interface (253) for connecting the electrical energy sink (200) according to one of claims 9 until 12 ; a data interface (254) for receiving the identification information of a potential connection participant (100; 200), optionally one of the electrical energy sources (100); and a control unit (256) configured to deactivate the decoupling for the duration of the detection mode in response to the received detection indication in order to forward the modulation signal. System (300) of potential circuit participants (100; 200), comprising: - one or more energy sources (100) according to one of Claims 1 until 8th as part of the potential circuit subscribers (100; 200); - One or more energy sinks (200) after one of claims 9 until 12 as part of the potential circuit subscribers (100; 200); - At least one power circuit (302) between the power supply interface (102) of at least one of the energy sources (100) and the power supply interface (202) of at least one of the energy sinks (200); and - a data network (304) between the data interfaces (104; 204) of all potential connection participants (100; 200). system (300) after Claim 14 , wherein the system (300) is adapted to switch between the detection mode or a sequence of detection modes and an operating mode, and/or wherein the energy sources (100) switch sequentially to the detection mode in the sequence of detection modes. system (300) after Claim 14 or 15 , further comprising a local system user interface (306) for outputting a system state, wherein the control units (106) of the energy sources (100) are designed to output at least one of the following system states on the local system user interface (306): - at least one of the energy sources (100 ) is in detection mode, - which of the energy sources (100) is in detection mode, and - all energy sources (100) or all potential circuit participants (100; 200) are in operating mode. System (300) according to one of Claims 14 until 16 , wherein the energy sources (100) switch sequentially to the recognition mode according to a predetermined order, optionally according to an order of the identifiers of the energy sources (100), or wherein each control unit (106) of the energy sources (100) is designed to do so if no external recognition information is provided was received or after the duration of the detection mode of another potential connection participant (100; 200), to switch to the detection mode after a random time in order to send its own detection information and to output the modulation signal at the power supply interface.

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