DE202016107400U1 - System for constructing, checking and maintaining equipotential bonding systems - Google Patents

Abstract

System for constructing, checking and maintaining equipotential bonding systems for lightning protection systems and grounding devices for potentially explosive atmospheres in accordance with DIN EN 60079, comprising a plurality of equipotential bonding connections and explosion-proof spark gaps or the like which at least partially have non-positive connection means, such as screw connections or screw connections, characterized that the force-locking connection means have integrated, manipulation-protected RFID tags, wherein in the context of the establishment and commissioning of the respective lightning protection installations commissioning data are stored protected in the memory of the respective RFID tags, control data are stored in the course of a regular review of the respective connecting means and by recording from applied torques to system interventions, renewed maintenance need or a necessary replacement of the respective connecting means is closed.

Description

The invention relates to a system for the construction, testing and maintenance of equipotential bonding systems in lightning protection systems and grounding devices for hazardous areas according to DIN EN 60079 , comprising a plurality of plant-side equipotential bonding and explosion-proof spark gaps or the like means which at least partially have non-positive connection means such as screw connections or screw connections, according to the preamble of claim 1.

In industrial plants, in many cases, hazardous areas are created during the manufacture, processing, storage and transport of combustible materials. Any kind of sources of ignition should be avoided in these explosive areas. Protection regulations indicate that such systems are also endangered by atmospheric discharges. In order to achieve the necessary plant safety and the availability of the equipment, care must be taken to protect the electrical or electronic equipment in the equipment from causing lightning currents and overvoltages to cause damage.

For all potentially explosive areas, potential equalization must continue to be ensured so that potential differences between the various conductive parts are avoided. In this case, all construction parts but also building elements, pipelines, containers or the like are included in the equipotential bonding so that is not to be expected with a voltage difference. The connections of the equipotential bonding conductors must be secured against loosening. Details of equipotential bonding are in the DIN EN 60079-14 explained. The equipotential bonding is according to Parts 410 and 540 of DIN VDE 0100 execute, install and test. Complementary is the standard series DIN EN 62305 to be observed. Here is especially the DIN EN 62305-3 for potentially explosive areas. In particular, the local section from D.6 with regard to maintenance and testing in the context of lightning protection for potentially explosive areas is essential.

Persons involved in construction, testing and maintenance must be able to assess the necessary lightning protection systems, in particular for lightning protection in potentially explosive atmospheres, in order to initiate, take or initiate suitable measures for maintenance or troubleshooting in good time.

In addition, for the design and construction of lightning protection systems, drawings of the system to be protected with appropriate identification of the areas or the hazard zones must be prepared.

In particular, the respective potential equalization must also satisfy the requirements of the DIN EN mentioned.

For example, connections to pipe connections in the EX area must be made in such a way that no sparks occur during lightning current passage. Suitable ways of forming connections to pipes are for example welded bolts or tapped holes in flanges for receiving screws.

The standard further requires that all lightning protection systems on potentially explosive atmosphere be carefully inspected and maintained. After completing the installation of lightning protection systems, maintenance guidelines must be drawn up or existing plans supplemented. In addition, a maintenance and inspection plan must be submitted. This plan includes, among other things, the need for periodic inspections, monitoring by professionals and testing of equipment after each repair or modification.

For example, from the DE 199 17 222 A1 a screw is described as a force-locking connection means, which is provided with a device for transmitting information to an external evaluation device and, moreover, the screw has an information memory in the form of an RFID tag.

The local information store is designed so that an overwriting of existing data can be prevented. Furthermore, the information storage is to receive information about the production of the screw, the type of material, heat treatment, batch of raw material or time of manufacture.

In addition, there is the possibility that the information store contains information about the handling of the screw, such as a required wrench size or prescribed torques. It is also possible to store information in the information memory as to how the screw was assembled.

From the above, it is an object of the invention to provide a further developed system for the construction, testing and maintenance of equipotential bonding systems in lightning protection systems and grounding devices for hazardous areas according to DIN EN 60079 indicate which in is able to record in a largely automated manner erection, inspection and test data, so that a high level of security in the standard maintenance of such facilities can be achieved. In addition, it is important to rule out erroneous recording of maintenance and control data due to faulty control lists or control books. The system created should additionally reduce the time required for maintenance and inspection work, so that it is possible to reduce the costs and expenses required for maintenance and testing.

The object of the invention is achieved by a system for the construction, testing and maintenance of equipotential bonding systems in lightning protection systems and grounding devices for hazardous areas according to the combination of features according to claim 1, wherein the dependent claims comprise at least expedient refinements and developments.

The system for constructing, checking and maintaining equipotential bonding systems for lightning protection systems and grounding devices for potentially explosive atmospheres in accordance with DIN EN 60079 starts first with a large number of plant-side potential equalization connections and potentially necessary explosion-proof spark gaps or the like. Similar to the lightning protection concept, which was developed individually for the systems to be protected, the necessary means for external lightning protection are set up, comprising safety devices at least according to lightning protection class II, including the necessary equipotential bonding measures.

In this case, various non-positive connection means are used.

According to the invention, these non-positive connection means have integrated, manipulation-secured RFID tags.

It can be used on existing tags on the market, which are therefore available at low cost.

As part of the construction and commissioning of the respective lightning protection system or grounding device, the commissioning data are stored protected in the memory of the respective RFID tag.

In the course of a regular review of the respective non-positive connection means test and control data are stored in addition.

By detecting applied torques, it is concluded that there are system interventions, a renewed need for maintenance or a necessary replacement of the respective connection means.

In an embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a torque wrench with an interface for transmitting applied torques to the respective force-locking connection means and the RFID tag integrated there.

In a development of the system, this system comprises a device for inputting geo-position data of the respective non-positive connection means. The respective geo-position data are stored in the respective RFID tag when the system is installed. In order to determine geo-position data on site, it is possible to resort to devices known per se for acquiring data from satellite-based systems (GPS or GLONASS).

By acquiring the geo-location data of the frictional connections present in the lightning protection system, mapping documentation can be made to facilitate later review and maintenance of the facility concerned.

This mapping documentation can be supplemented and supported by photo documentation.

In the system according to the invention, a central data acquisition and storage unit is embodied, which records the startup and control data, whereby an individual maintenance plan can be created thereafter.

Maintenance instructions can then be derived from the mapping documentation and the maintenance plan. These maintenance instructions can contain, for example, time specifications and thus necessary maintenance cycles. If the lightning protection system in question is in a particularly aggressive environment, there is the possibility of individualizing the maintenance plan or the maintenance instructions, for example by considering shortened maintenance cycles. The maintenance status of the respective system can be documented for acceptance purposes in a simple manner.

In unscheduled necessary docking and Abklemmarbeiten, for example for testing purposes, the relevant data in a separate area of the memory of the respective RFID tag of the corresponding non-positive connection means are stored.

With a detected maximum number of torque effects on the respective non-positive connection means, it is possible to prevent a re-storage of control data. As a result, it becomes necessary to use a new non-positive connection means in this respect. It is possible to differentiate between the torque effects between tightening torques and release torques, so that the special problems in the treatment of expansion screws or expansion bolts are taken into account.

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 19917222 A1 [0009]

Cited non-patent literature

• DIN EN 60079 [0001]
• DIN EN 60079-14 [0003]
• DIN VDE 0100 [0003]
• DIN EN 62305 [0003]
• DIN EN 62305-3 [0003]
• DIN EN 60079 [0012]
• DIN EN 60079 [0014]

Claims (8)

System for constructing, checking and maintaining equipotential bonding systems for lightning protection systems and grounding devices for potentially explosive atmospheres in accordance with DIN EN 60079, comprising a plurality of equipotential bonding connections and explosion-proof spark gaps or the like which at least partially have non-positive connection means, such as screw connections or screw connections, characterized that the force-locking connection means have integrated, manipulation-protected RFID tags, wherein in the context of the establishment and commissioning of the respective lightning protection installations commissioning data are stored protected in the memory of the respective RFID tags, control data are stored in the course of a regular review of the respective connecting means and by recording from applied torques to system interventions, renewed maintenance need or a necessary replacement of the respective connecting means is closed. System according to claim 1, comprising a torque wrench with an interface for transmitting applied torques to the respective frictional connection means and the RFID tag integrated therein. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a device for input of geo-position data of the respective non-positive connection means is provided, wherein the respective geo-position data are stored in the installation of the system in the respective RFID tag. System according to claim 3, characterized in that on the basis of the detection of the geo-position data of existing in the respective lightning protection system frictional connection means a mapping documentation for later review and maintenance is created. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a central data acquisition and storage unit is formed, which detects the startup and control data, whereby hereafter a maintenance plan can be created. System according to claim 4 and 5, characterized in that maintenance instructions can be derived from the mapping documentation and the maintenance plan. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that unscheduled necessary arrival and Abklemmarbeiten the relevant data are stored in a separate area of the memory of the respective RFID tag. System according to claim 7, characterized in that at a detected maximum number of torque actions on the respective non-positive connection means prevents re-storage of control data and the use of a related new connection means is required.