EP1128411A1 - Device and method for monitoring an electrical apparatus and electrical switchboard having such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The electrical circuit breaker monitoring apparatus has circuit breakers (1-4). There is luminous radiation (14,22) which passes to a receiver unit (18,23) passing across the maneuver unit. A control unit is connected to the transmission and reception mechanisms to determine the state of the circuit breaker.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for monitoring a switching device. electric comprising means for supplying a state of at least one breaking device, as well as an electrical panel comprising an electrical equipment support, at least one electric cut-off device provided with an operating member, and such a device.

Known monitoring devices are generally in the form of auxiliary modules intended to be fixed on electrical cut-off devices such as circuit breakers, switches, contactors or relays. These devices are linked with the mechanisms of said devices and provide outputs in the form of contacts representative of open, closed or triggered states depending on the type of device.

The fixing of known monitoring devices requires intervention on each device for performing mechanical coupling and electrical connections. In addition, each monitoring device must be individually connected to the monitoring device visualization or status report.

There are devices which include magnetic sensors to detect the state of a circuit breaker. Such devices are described in patent applications DE 197 07 729 and WO 98/38666. These sensors avoid mechanical associations between the monitoring and breaking devices but they require electrical connections between magnetic sensors internal to the devices and external control devices.

In document US5493278, an alarm system for a plurality of circuit breakers has a light beam to detect the state of the circuit breakers. However such system does not allow to determine the causes of opening of a device.

The object of the invention is a device and a method for monitoring an electrical appliance. avoiding mechanical associations and electrical connections with devices electric and to signal the causes of opening of said devices, as well as a electrical panel comprising such a device.

• des moyens d'émission d'au moins un rayonnement lumineux destinés à être dirigés vers un organe de manoeuvre d'au moins un appareil de coupure électrique pour détecter l'état et des commandes dudit appareil,
• des moyens de réception d'au moins un rayonnement lumineux destinés à être dirigés vers ledit organe de manoeuvre, et
• des moyens de contrôle connectés aux moyens d'émission et aux moyens de réception pour déterminer l'état et pour différencier des commandes internes et des commandes externes dudit au moins un appareil de coupure électrique.

A device according to the invention comprises

• means for emitting at least one light radiation intended to be directed towards an operating member of at least one electrical cut-off device to detect the state and commands of said device,
• means for receiving at least one light radiation intended to be directed towards said operating member, and
• control means connected to the transmission means and to the reception means for determining the state and for differentiating internal commands and external commands from said at least one electrical cut-off device.

In a preferred embodiment, the transmission means comprise first emission means for emitting a first light beam intended to detect a position of the operating member representative of an open position of said electrical cutoff, and the receiving means comprise first means of reception intended to receive said first light beam.

Preferably, the first light beam is modulated by a first signal having a first carrier frequency.

In a preferred embodiment, the transmission means include second emission means for emitting a second light beam intended to detect a change of position of the operating member representative of an opening following a control of said electrical appliance, and the reception means comprise second reception means intended to receive said second light beam.

Preferably, the second light beam is modulated by a second signal having a second carrier frequency.

In a particular embodiment, the control means connected to the second reception means include detection means for detecting a time of passage of the operating member in front of the second beam to differentiate a internal control of the operating member of an external control of the control member maneuver, an internal command being detected if a passage time is less than one predetermined time.

Advantageously, the transmission means comprise third transmission means for emitting a third light beam intended to detect an external command from a operating member of said electrical appliance, and the reception means include third receiving means for receiving said third light beam.

Preferably, the third light beam is modulated by the first signal having a first carrier frequency, the control means controlling the transmission in alternation of the first and third light beams according to a signal having a third predetermined frequency and duty cycle.

According to a first variant, the transmission means and the reception means comprise at least one polarization filter.

According to a second variant, the monitoring device includes reflection means of light beams arranged opposite the transmission means and reception means.

According to a third variant, the monitoring device includes means for of absorption of light beams arranged opposite the emission means and the means reception, and at least one operating member of said electrical appliance comprises a reflecting face for reflecting at least one light beam.

Preferably, the monitoring device includes signaling means connected to the control means to signal an opening state if at least one organ maneuver is in front of the first beam and if less an operating member has passed in front of the second beam for a time greater than a predetermined time or if a element was present in front of the third beam before the change in position of said element operating device.

Preferably, the monitoring device includes signaling means connected to the control means to signal a tripping state if at least one operating device is in front of the first beam and if at least one operating device is passed in front of the second beam for a time less than a predetermined time.

Advantageously, the transmission means, the reception means, and the means of control are arranged in at least one modular switchgear module intended to be installed on a rail-shaped support.

An electrical panel according to an embodiment of the invention comprising a support of electrical equipment and at least one electrical switching device provided with a maneuver comprises at least one monitoring device as defined above.

• une première étape de détection d'un déclenchement d'un appareil électrique par une commande interne lorsqu'un organe de manoeuvre passe devant le second faisceau pendant un temps inférieur à un temps prédéterminé et si ledit organe reste devant le premier faisceau, et
• une seconde étape de signalisation d'un déclenchement lorsque la première étape est réalisée.

A method of monitoring an electrical cut-off device according to an embodiment of the invention comprises, in an operating phase, the emission of a first light beam to detect a position of an operating member of at least an electric cut-off device and the emission of a second light beam for detecting the movement of an operating member of at least one electric cut-off device, said operating phase comprising

• a first step of detecting a triggering of an electrical appliance by an internal control when an operating member passes in front of the second beam for a time less than a predetermined time and if said member remains in front of the first beam, and
• a second step of signaling a trip when the first step is performed.

Advantageously, the operating phase includes a third detection step an opening of an electrical appliance by an external command detected when actuator passes in front of the second beam for a time greater than one predetermined time and if said organ remains in front of the first beam, and a fourth step of signaling an opening when the third step is carried out.

Preferably, the operating phase includes a fifth signaling step a trigger and an opening if a third step is followed by a second step.

In a particular embodiment, the operating phase includes a sixth acknowledgment step to go from second or fifth step to fourth opening signaling stage.

• la figure 1 représente des appareils modulaires comportant des blocs auxiliaires selon l'art antérieur ;
• la figure 2 montre un dispositif de surveillance selon un premier mode réalisation de l'invention pour surveiller des appareils électriques modulaires ;
• la figure 3 représente un dispositif de surveillance selon un second mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 4 montre une vue de coté d'un appareil et d'un dispositif de surveillance selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 5, 6, et 7 montrent trois états de fonctionnement d'un dispositif selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 8 représente un schéma bloc électronique d'un dispositif de surveillance selon la figure 3 ;
• les figures 9A à 9C représentent des signaux représentatifs de signaux lumineux utilisés dans un dispositif de surveillance selon l'invention ;
• les figures 10A à 10C représentent des signaux selon les figures 9A à 9C pendant un déclenchement et une ouverture d'un appareil ;
• la figure 11 représente un organigramme de fonctionnement d'un dispositif de surveillance selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 12 montre un schéma représentant des signaux polarisés pour un dispositif selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 13 montre un schéma représentant des signaux réfléchis pour un dispositif selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention;
• la figure 14 montre un schéma représentant des signaux absorbés et réfléchis pour un dispositif selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention.

Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the description which follows, of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of nonlimiting examples, and represented in the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 represents modular devices comprising auxiliary blocks according to the prior art;
• FIG. 2 shows a monitoring device according to a first embodiment of the invention for monitoring modular electrical devices;
• FIG. 3 represents a monitoring device according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 4 shows a side view of an apparatus and a monitoring device according to an embodiment of the invention;
• Figures 5, 6, and 7 show three operating states of a device according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 8 represents an electronic block diagram of a monitoring device according to FIG. 3;
• FIGS. 9A to 9C represent signals representative of light signals used in a monitoring device according to the invention;
• FIGS. 10A to 10C represent signals according to FIGS. 9A to 9C during a trip and an opening of an apparatus;
• FIG. 11 represents a flowchart of operation of a monitoring device according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 12 shows a diagram representing polarized signals for a device according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 13 shows a diagram representing reflected signals for a device according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 14 shows a diagram representing absorbed and reflected signals for a device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Modular electrical devices 1, 2, 3, 4 shown in Figure 1 have known monitoring devices such as auxiliary blocks 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. On this Figure, the devices and auxiliary blocks are installed on a rail 11 forming a support. In known manner, the auxiliary blocks are mechanically associated with the devices modular electrics. Generally, these auxiliary blocks include contacts electrical whose states are representative of the states of the devices, for example of the state open or closed, or the triggered state if the devices have triggering means.

To avoid in particular electrical connections between devices and their auxiliary units, an electrical cut-off device monitoring device according to one embodiment of the invention comprises means for emitting light radiation intended to be directed to an operating member of at least one electrical cut-off device, means for receiving a light radiation intended to be directed towards said member maneuver, and control means connected to the transmission means and to the means reception to determine the state of said at least one electrical cut-off device.

A monitoring device according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the monitoring device comprises a first module 12 comprising a first transmission device 13 of a first light beam 14 directed towards an open position 15 of at least one member of operation of an electric cut-off device. Thus, the first light beam 14 is intended to detect a position of the operating member representative of a position open of said electrical cut-off device. In this figure, the monitoring device comprises a second module 17 comprising a first receiving device 18 intended for receiving said first light beam 14.

In FIG. 2, the devices 1 to 4 and the modules 12 and 17 are arranged on a rail 11 and aligned. If all the devices are closed, the operating devices of said devices are in a closed position 19 representative of closed devices and the beams 14 and 22 do not are not interrupted. In this case, the first receiving device 18 receives the first bundle 14 and module 17 control means can supply terminals 20 with a signal representative of closed electrical devices. If at least one device is open, a operating member passes into the open position 15, the first beam 14 is interrupted and the first receiving device 18 detects the interruption of the beam light and module 17 control means provide a signal representative of a device open.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, the first module 12 includes a second device 21 for emitting a second light beam 22 intended to detect a change of position of an operating member representative of an opening following a control of said electrical appliance, and the second module 17 comprises a second device reception 23. Control means of the second module connected to the second device 23 of reception detect a time of passage of the operating member in front of the second beam to differentiate an internal control of the operating member of a external control of the operating member, an internal control being detected if a passage time is less than a predetermined time. So if the passage time of the operating member 16 in front of the second beam 22 is less than a time predetermined, the control means can signal a triggering state of a apparatus. If the passage time is not less than a predetermined time, the means of control signal an opening of the device, in particular a manual opening. The predetermined time to differentiate internal commands from external commands is preferably between 4 and 20 ms.

In FIG. 2, the devices and the monitoring device are arranged on a support in form of rail 11 and integrated into an electrical panel 24.

Advantageously, to avoid interference between the first and the second beams light, the first light beam is modulated by a first signal having a first carrier frequency, and the second light beam is modulated by a second signal having a second carrier frequency.

A monitoring device according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the monitoring device includes a first module 12 comprising the first transmission device 13 of the first beam light 14 and the second device 23 for receiving the second light beam 22, and a second module 17 comprising the second transmission device 21 of the second beam light 22 and the first device 18 for receiving the first light beam 14.

To strengthen the distinction between an external control of the actuator and a internal control of the device, the module 12 includes a third transmission device for emitting a third light beam 25 intended to detect an external command of an operating member of said electrical appliance and the module 17 includes a third receiving device for receiving said third light beam. The third beam passes through a gripping zone 26 of an operating member 16. Thus, when a finger or a tool 27 actuates the operating member, the third beam 25 is interrupted the module control means can interpret the opening action of the device as an external command or a manual opening command.

FIG. 4 shows an apparatus 2 with an operating member 16, a module 12 and the arrangement of the three light beams with respect to said operating member.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 show the passage of an actuator 16 from a position 19 representative of a closed device at a position representative of an open device. On the FIG. 5, an operating member 16 begins to be actuated by a finger or a tool 27 which passes in front of the third light beam 25. Then, in FIG. 6, the maneuver 16 passes in front of the second beam 22, and reaches the representative position 15 of an open device shown in Figure 7. In this position the first beam is interrupted by the operating member 16. Since in this case the operating member 16 is moved manually, the passage time in front of the second beam is greater than one predetermined passage time and the control means detect an open position by an external operation.

FIG. 8 represents an electronic block diagram of a monitoring device according to the embodiment of FIG. 3. In this diagram, the first module 12 comprises the first transmitting device 13, the second receiving device 23, and a third emitting device 28 for emitting the third light beam 25. The second module 17 comprises the second transmission device 21, the first reception device 18, and a third receiving device 29 for receiving said third light beam 25.

In the first module 12, the control means comprise a circuit 30 generating a first signal 31 having a first carrier frequency. This signal 31 is applied to the first transmission device 13 through a first control circuit 32, and at third transmission device 28 through a third control circuit 33. In the second module 17, the control means comprise a circuit 34 generating a second signal 35 having a second carrier frequency. This signal 35 is applied to the second transmission device 21 through a second control circuit 36.

For example, the first carrier frequency is approximately 40 kHz and the second carrier frequency is approximately 30 kHz.

To prevent the third beam 25 from acting on the first receiving device 18 or the first beam 14 acts on the third receiving device 29, the first module 12 includes a third circuit 37 generating a third signal 38 having a modulation frequency. A control circuit 39 receives the modulation signal 38 and controls the control circuits 32 and 33 to emit the first and third beam alternately. So when the first transmitting device 13 transmits, the third device 28 is off, and when the third transmitting device 28 transmits the first device 13 is off. For example, the modulation frequency is of the order of 5 kHz. he it is also possible to predetermine the duty cycle of the third signal 38.

When receiving the first and third light beams 14 and 25, the reception 18 and 29 connected to a control circuit 40 of the second module 17 provide signals representative of light signals received. To ensure operation alternative of the transmission and reception of the beams 14 and 25, the control circuits 39 and 40 include synchronization means. So when the transmitting device 13 emits the beam 14, the signals supplied by the reception device 18 are taken into account by circuit 40 and the signals received by device 29 are ignored. Alternating next to the modulation signal 38, the transmission device 28 transmits the beam 25 signals supplied by the reception device 29 are taken into account by the circuit 40 and the signals received by the device 18 are ignored. Synchronization can be achieved by a link between the two control circuits 39 and 40.

The module 17 includes a first signaling device 41 connected to the control 40 to signal an opening state of a device. Signaling occurs if at least one operating member is in front of the first beam 14 and if at least one member maneuver passed in front of the second beam 22 for a time greater than one predetermined time or if an element was present before the third beam before the change of position of said operating member.

A second signaling device 42 is connected to the control circuit 40 to signal a tripping state if at least one operating member is in front of the first beam and if at least one operating member has passed in front of the second beam during a time less than a predetermined time.

A second signaling circuit 43 connected to the control circuit 40 makes it possible to signal that the monitoring device is in working order and functioning properly. For retrieve the information concerning the second beam 22, the reception device 23 is connected to circuit 39 and said circuit 39 can be connected to control circuit 40.

FIGS. 9A to 9C represent signals representative of beam signals luminous used in a monitoring device according to the invention. In Figure 9A the signal 14 is modulated at a modulation frequency identical to that of signal 25 of the Figure 9C. However, the modulation of said signals is alternative and complementary. Through example, the frequency of the modulation signal is approximately 1 kHz and the ratio cyclic is about one third for signal 14 and two thirds for signal 25. In this mode the signal 22 of FIG. 9B is continuous.

In FIGS. 10A to 10C, signals represent the light beams respectively 14, 22 and 25 during a trip and an opening of a device. At an instant t1 the beam 22 is interrupted for a time TC less than a predetermined time. Then, at an instant t2 the beam 14 is interrupted and the signaling device 42 is operated to indicate internal opening or tripping. At an instant t3, the device is closed, the signaling is acknowledged and the monitoring device returns in are initial state.

At an instant t4, an operating member is actuated manually and the beam 25 is interrupted. Then, at an instant t5, the beam 22 is interrupted for a time TL greater than a predetermined time. Then, at an instant t6 the beam 14 is interrupted and the signaling device 41 is actuated to indicate an opening by a external or manual control.

The signaling devices 41, 42 and 43 can be local on the modules and / or reported remotely, in particular by electrical links or communication buses.

FIG. 11 represents a flowchart of operation of a monitoring device according to one embodiment of the invention. The flowchart represents a process for switchgear monitoring to provide a status of at least one switching device break. The method comprises, in an operating phase, the emission of a first light beam for detecting a position of an actuator of at least one electrical cut-off device, and the emission of a second light beam to detect the movement of an operating member of at least one electric cut-off device.

When the system is put into operation, there is a step 44 of setting standby. Then, a monitoring loop makes it possible to detect the various events. In this loop, a step 45 makes it possible to detect a manual opening. If the opening manual is detected, a step 46 checks whether the triggered state is already detected for signal a device triggered at a signaling step 47, or to signal a device open to a signaling step 48 if the triggered state is not verified. In step 45, a detection of an opening of an electrical device by an external control is detected when an operating member passes in front of the second beam for a longer time at a predetermined time and if said member remains in front of the first beam.

In the loop, a step 49 makes it possible to detect an internal trigger. If a trigger is detected, a step 50 checks whether the open state is already detected for signal an open device and a device triggered at a signaling step 51, or to signal a device triggered at signaling step 47 if the open state is not detected. In step 49, a detection of a triggering of an electrical appliance by a internal control is detected when an operating member passes in front of the second beam for a time less than a predetermined time and if said organ remains in front the first beam. Thus, if a triggering step 49 carried out follows a step 45 of manual opening performed, a step 51 signals the two opening events and trigger.

A step 52 makes it possible to detect a fault acknowledgment command for tripping, in this case the open device signaling is commanded (step 48) if a previous signal indicated a device tripped (step 47 or 51).

A step 53 makes it possible to detect a manual closure, in particular when the first beam is no longer interrupted. If the closure is detected, a step 54 of putting on standby cancels previous signals.

In a first particular embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the beams lights are polarized to avoid interference. For example, the first beam has a first polarization and the third beam has a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. The polarization of the second beam can be identical to the polarization of the first beam. Advantageously, the treatment of polarization of the light beams can be achieved by polarizing filters arranged in front of the light beam emission and reception devices.

In a second particular embodiment shown in Figure 13 the first light beam 14 may be the second light beam reflected by a reflector 58. The light beam reflector is preferably placed opposite the devices transmitting and receiving devices located, for example, in the same module.

In a third particular embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the beams luminous are absorbed by an absorption device 59 arranged opposite the devices transmitting and receiving devices located, for example, in the same module. In this embodiment, the operating members have a reflective face for reflect the light beams towards reception devices.

The transmitting devices and the receiving devices are preferably arranged in two modules arranged on a rail-shaped support. The modules are preferably located on each side of an electrical appliance or a group of several appliances aligned. It is also possible to arrange the transmitting and reception in a single module placed on one side of a device or group of devices.

When the monitoring device is placed in an electrical panel comprising several supports, modules of the monitoring device can be arranged on each support to monitor different groups of devices. In other modes of As an embodiment, modules can also monitor devices on several supports. In a table signaling device states can be done by device, by group devices and / or for all devices in the switchboard.

Signaling can be done locally on monitoring modules in the form of LEDs, relay contact outputs and / or in a form reported by means of communication with a central viewing or reporting facility.

Claims (19)

Device for monitoring an electrical switching device comprising means for supplying a state of at least one switching device (1, 2, 3, 4),
characterized in that it comprises means for emitting (13, 21, 28) of at least one light radiation (14, 22, 25) intended to be directed towards a member (16) for operating at least one electric cut-off device (1, 2, 3, 4) to detect the status and commands of said device, means for receiving (18, 23, 29) of at least one light radiation (14, 22, 25) intended to be directed towards said operating member (16), and control means (32, 33, 39, 36, 40) connected to the transmitting means and to the receiving means for determining the state and for differentiating between internal commands and external commands of said at least one electrical cut-off device. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the transmission means have first emitting means (13) for emitting a first beam luminous (14) intended to detect a position (15) of the representative operating member of an open position of said electrical cut-off device, and the receiving means have first receiving means (18) for receiving said first light beam (14). Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the first light beam (14) is modulated by a first signal (31) having a first carrier frequency. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means transmitting means comprise second transmitting means (21) for transmitting a second light beam (22) intended to detect a change in position of the operation (16) representative of an opening following a command from said device electric, and the reception means comprise second reception means (23) intended to receive said second light beam (22). Device according to claim 4 characterized in that the second light beam (22) is modulated by a second signal (35) having a second carrier frequency. Device according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the means control (39, 40) connected to the second receiving means (23) include detection means (39, 40) for detecting a passage time of the operating member (16) in front of the second beam (22) to differentiate an internal control of the operation of an external control of the operating member, an internal control being detected if a transit time (TC) is less than a predetermined time. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the means transmitting means comprise third transmitting means (28) for transmitting a third light beam (25) intended to detect an external control of an operating member of said electrical appliance, and the reception means comprise third means of reception (29) intended to receive said third light beam. Device according to claim 7 characterized in that the third beam light (25) is modulated by the first signal (31) having a first frequency of carrier, the control means controlling the alternating emission of the first and third light beams (14, 25) according to a signal (38) having a third frequency and a predetermined duty cycle. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the means transmission and the reception means comprise at least one polarization filter (57). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises reflection means (58) of light beams arranged opposite the means transmission and reception means. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises means for absorbing (59) light beams arranged opposite the transmitting means and receiving means, and at least one operating member of said electrical appliance has a reflecting face (60) for reflecting at least one light bleam. Device according to any one of Claims 7 to 11, characterized in that it comprises signaling means (41) connected to the control means (40) for signal an open state if at least one operating member (16) is in front of the first beam and if at least one operating member has passed in front of the second beam (22) for a time (TL) greater than a predetermined time or if an element (27) has been present in front of the third beam (25) before the change in position of said maneuver. Device according to any one of Claims 3 to 12, characterized in that it comprises signaling means (42) connected to the control means for signaling a tripping state if at least one operating member (16) is in front of the first beam (14) and if at least one operating member has passed in front of the second beam (22) for a time (TS) less than a predetermined time. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the transmission means, reception means, and control means are arranged in at least one module (12, 17) of modular equipment intended to be installed on a support (11) in the form of a rail. Electrical panel comprising a support (11) for electrical equipment and at least one electrical cut-off device (1, 2, 3, 4) provided with an operating member (16)
characterized in that it comprises at least one monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 14. Method for monitoring an electrical cut-off device,
characterized in that, during an operating phase, it comprises the emission of a first light beam (14) to detect a position of an operating member (16) of at least one electric cut-off device (1, 2 , 3, 4) and the emission of a second light beam (22) for detecting the movement of an operating member (16) of at least one electric cut-off device (1, 2, 3, 4), said operating phase comprising: a first step (49) of detecting a triggering of an electrical appliance by an internal control when an operating member passes in front of the second beam for a time (TC) less than a predetermined time and if said member remains in front of the first beam, and a second step (47) of signaling a trigger when the first step is performed. Method according to claim 16 characterized in that the operating phase comprises a third step (45) of detecting an opening of an electrical appliance by an external command detected when an operating member passes in front of the second beam for a time (TL) greater than a predetermined time and if said organ remains in front of the first beam, and a fourth step (48) of signaling an opening when the third step is completed. Method according to claim 17 characterized in that the operating phase comprises a fifth step (51) of signaling a trip and an opening if a third step is followed by a second step. Method according to claim 18 characterized in that the operating phase comprises a sixth acknowledgment step (52) to pass from the second or the fifth step to the fourth step (48) of opening signaling.

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