EP2315229A1

EP2315229A1 - Status detection for a low voltage distribution board

Info

Publication number: EP2315229A1
Application number: EP09173539A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Adelbert Schalk; Harm de Roo; Marek Budyn; Miroslaw Bistron; Tomasz Nowak
Original assignee: ABB Research Ltd Switzerland; ABB Research Ltd Sweden
Current assignee: ABB Research Ltd Switzerland; ABB Research Ltd Sweden
Priority date: 2009-10-20
Filing date: 2009-10-20
Publication date: 2011-04-27

Abstract

The invention relates to an Installation device for a low voltage distribution board, comprising a switching device (1) and a detector (2) for optical or ultrasonic waves (4, 6), wherein the switching device (1) comprises a toggle element (3) adapted for switching the switching device (1) and for reflecting optical or ultrasonic waves (4, 6), respectively, and the detector (2) is adapted for detecting the reflected optical or ultrasonic waves (6), respectively, indicating the switching status of the switching device (1). Thus, the invention allows for monitoring the switching status of the switching device (1).

Description

Technical Field

The invention relates to an installation device for a low voltage distribution board, comprising a switching device and a detector for optical or ultrasonic waves.

Background Art

In low voltage distribution boards, the current, which is mostly supplied from a low voltage power supply system, is distributed with the aid of switches to components such as cables, motors, apparatuses or installations. Since the switches are in the form of switching devices, the current-carrying components and installations are protected quickly and reliable against the consequences of overload and short-circuit currents. The switching devices, such as miniature current breakers, residual current circuit breakers or residual current devices, mostly have a toggle lever for indicating the switching status of the switching device and for manually operating the switching device.
Large low voltage installations at, e.g., hospitals, airports, factory units or public buildings, comprising such switching devices require monitoring systems for their electrical applications. Monitoring is especially requested for installations that can disconnect parts of the electrical installation automatically, like miniature current breakers or residual current circuit breakers, but can only be connected again manually. Such monitoring allows not only fast identification and repair of potential problems, but also enables further system integration and ensures higher system reliability. In general, the monitoring system shall read the switching status of the switching device, e.g. indicating if the switching device is on or off, i.e. conductive or not conductive, and transfer this information to a control unit.
However, due to the wide variety and design of low voltage switching devices, there is no monitoring system available that is universally applicable to all switching devices known in the prior art. On the other hand, dedicated monitoring solutions are known from the prior art that can be mounted adjacent as a separate device and manually connected to the switching device. However, these separate devices, often called auxiliary devices, consume valuable space in the low voltage enclosure and, as these separate so called monitoring devices are mechanically connected to the switching device, the design of the detector and the switching device must be compatible. As a consequence, this limits the application of the monitoring system to the dedicated switching device model.

Summary of invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a monitoring solution for a switching device for a low voltage distribution board.
This object is achieved by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are detailed in the dependent claims.
In particular, the present invention provides an installation device for a low voltage distribution board, comprising a switching device and a detector for optical or ultrasonic waves, wherein the switching device comprises a toggle element adapted for switching the switching device and for reflecting optical or ultrasonic waves, respectively, and the detector is adapted for detecting the reflected optical or ultrasonic waves, respectively, indicating the switching status of the switching device.
Accordingly, it is an essential idea of the invention to contactless monitor the switching status of the switching device with a detector for optical or ultrasonic waves, e.g. to monitor if the switching device is on or off respectively off or on. Such solution according to the invention is especially advantageous for large installations of switching devices for detecting the switching status of each single switching device installed. According to the invention, the detector detects if optical or ultrasonic waves, which are preferably emitted by the detector as well, are reflected by the toggle element back onto or away from the detector, depending on the position of the toggle element, such indicating the position of the toggle element respectively of the switching status of the switching device.
Thus, it is especially preferred, e.g. in case of large installations of switching devices, that each switching device is monitored by a dedicated detector. It is furthermore preferred that a single detector is adapted for contactless monitoring the switching status of a plurality of switching devices, e.g. of a multipole switching device or of a multipole circuit breaker. In another embodiment it is preferred that the detector is adapted for contactless and unambiguously monitoring the switching status of the switching device, i.e. the switching status of a specific switching device is specifically monitored by the detector.
Unexpectedly, it has been found that the solution according to the invention, i.e. the detector, can be used with any kind of switching device known in the prior art. It is furthermore possible to add the detector according to the invention to a switching device already installed in an installation device, e.g. to a switching device already installed in a low voltage distribution board. As the detector monitors the switching status of the switching device contactless, the solution according to the invention has no impact and/or no mechanical connection with the switching system of the switching device, i.e. the detector does not interfere with the normal operation of the switching device.
It is a further advantage of the invention that the installation device does not require any valuable additional space other than for the switching device itself, as the detector can be attached directly onto the switching device, preferably onto the "top" of the switching device. In other words, it is further preferred that the detector is not attached sidewise to the switching device, thus not consuming additional space within a row of switching devices respectively installation devices in a low voltage distribution board. In this way, and also thanks to the ease of installation of the installation device and/or of the detector, the invention results in cost savings as, compared to prior art, no additional, e.g. mechanical, contacts or other means are required for monitoring the switching status of the switching device.
The switching device can be any switching device known from the prior art, for example a circuit breaker, a miniature circuit breaker, a residual current circuit breaker, a residual current device, an overvoltage protection device, a motor protection device, or any other switching device known to the man skilled in the art, e.g. a switching device with a toggle element, such as a lever or a toggle, that indicates at least the on or off switching status of the switching device. Accordingly, the switching status of the switching device preferably comprises an on/off status, i.e. the switching device being conductive or not conductive, respectively, or the switching device preferably comprises an off/on status, i.e. the switching device being not conductive or conductive, respectively. The detector can be any optical known from the prior art, such as, for example, for detecting optical waves, IR waves, laser waves and/or ultrasonic waves. It is especially preferred that the switching device comprises an enclosure and the detector is arranged outside of the enclosure.
It is furthermore preferred that the toggle element is adapted for reflecting optical, IR, laser and/or ultrasonic waves. Preferably, the toggle element comprises a two-state or a three-state switching lever, i.e. comprises two or three positions, respectively.
In another preferred embodiment, the toggle element comprises a reflective foil and/or a reflective colour for improving the reflexion of the waves. Preferably, the signal/noise ratio of the reflective foil and/or a reflective colour is better for the reflection of optical, IR, laser and/or ultrasonic waves than for other waves. Such embodiments allow monitoring the switching status of the switching device without physical contact with the switching device, for example by using optical reflection of IR waves. The reflection of IR flux, for example being reflected by the reflective foil attached to the toggle lever, is detected by the detector, thus providing information if the toggle lever is an upper or lower position, i.e. the switching device is on or off respectively off or on. In case the detector comprises a camera, the camera is adapted for detecting the switching position of the toggle element.
Generally, the detector can be any detector known to the skilled person that is suitable for contactless monitoring the switching status of the switching device. In a further embodiment of the invention, the detector comprises an IR detector, a laser detector and/or an ultrasonic detector, e.g. for detecting IR, laser and/or ultrasonic, respectively. In another embodiment, the detector comprises a camera. In a further embodiment, the sensitivity of the detector is adjustable. It is further preferred that the detector comprises different signal modulation methods in order to prevent cross-talk between a plurality of detectors. According to another embodiment, the detector comprises an optical transmitter for sending out optical waves, such as IR, laser waves and/or ultrasonic waves.
Thus, such detector according to the preferred embodiment of the invention allows for a very simple and cheap detection of the switching status of the switching device by determining if optical waves are reflected by the toggle element back onto or away from the detector. Furthermore, as such detectors known from the prior art often do not consume much space, the detector can be added "on top" onto an already installed switching device in a low voltage distribution board, thus forming the installation device according to the invention. Preferably, the detector is not arranged in a separate housing having a comparable form factor than the switching device, e.g. the detector is not mounted adjacent to the switching device as a separate device, as known from the prior art. More preferably, the detector is not arranged between switching devices respectively is not arranged between installation devices. Thus, the solution of the invention does not require valuable and additional space in the low voltage distribution board.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the toggle element is adapted for moving between at least two positions, each position indicating a switching status of the switching device and the detector is arranged in a direction, preferably substantially, longitudinal to the directional movement of the toggle element, i.e. the detector is preferably not arranged perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the directional movement of the toggle element. In such manner, the detector is spaced away from the switching device preferably by a maximum of 7 cm, more preferably by a maximum of 5 cm and most preferably by a maximum of 3 cm.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the toggle element is closer to the detector in a first position of the toggle element than in a second position of the toggle element. For example, the toggle element can be closer to the detector in an off-position than an on-position, thus allowing the detector to detect if the installation device is in off-position or in on-position.
It is further preferred, according to another embodiment of the invention, that the detector is adapted for detecting the distance between the detector and the toggle element. For example, the detector may comprise a proximity sensor of similar means known from the prior art for detecting the distance between the detector and the toggle element.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention a single detector is adapted for contactless monitoring the switching status of a switching device, preferably of a single switching device. In other words, it is preferred that the switching status of each one switching device is monitored by a corresponding single detector. Thus, the invention allows for monitoring the switching status of a single switching device, i.e. the invention allows for monitoring if a single switching device is on or off. It is further preferred that a single detector is adapted for contactless and unambiguously monitoring the switching status of a single switching device.
Generally, the detector can be attached in any way possible to the installation device. However, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the detector is removably fixed to the switching device, to the distribution board and/or to a cover of the distribution board. It is further preferred that the detector is removably fixed onto an enclosure of the switching device. It is furthermore preferred that the switching device is at least partly covered by a cover, e.g. by a cover plate, wherein the detector is removably fixed to the cover. The cover preferably relates to the distribution board, e.g. for covering the switching device, terminals and/or wiring.
While the man skilled in the art may fix the detector by using any means known in the prior art, it is especially preferred that the detector is fixed by an adhesive and/or by a hook or loop fastener. Furthermore, the man skilled in the art may consider screws, bolts or other fastener means for fixing the detector to the switching device, to the cover and/or to the distribution board. Such embodiments allow for a very simple and quick installation of the detector. Furthermore, when attaching the detector to the distribution board and/or to a plate at least partly covering the switching device, maintenance work can be carried out very simple as the detector can be easily removed from the switching device by removing the cover.
Generally, the detector can be arranged in any position relative towards the switching device. However, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the distribution board comprises a rail for mounting the installation device and the detector is spaced away from the toggle element in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the rail. In other words, it is preferred that the detector is spaced away from the toggle element not in a direction lateral or mostly lateral to the extension of the rail.
In a preferred embodiment the detector is connected to a central unit for collecting switching status information, i.e. of the switching device. It is furthermore preferred, that a plurality of detectors is connected to the central unit. The central unit may collect the switching status information from the switching device, process the switching status information, transfer the switching status information and/or display the switching status information on a PC, running, for example, an analysis software for displaying the status of the monitored switching device on a computer screen or on any other display. In another embodiment each detector of a plurality of detectors may have a unique identifier.
The switching status information can be provided from the detector to the central unit by using a bus-like architecture, as known from the prior art, thus avoiding dedicated cabling from the central unit to every detector and resulting in low installation cost. It is furthermore preferred, that the switching device and the detector are galvanically isolated. Most preferably, the power system connected to the switching device is galvanically isolated from the power system connected to the detector.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of detectors is arranged in a common constructural unit, for example in a box and/or in an enclosure. Such common constructural unit can be easily added to a plurality of switching devices already installed in a low voltage distribution board. It is furthermore preferred, that the constructural unit is removably fixed to the switching device or to the distribution board. In this way, the constructural unit can be easily attached and/or removed from the switching device or from the distribution board. Preferably, the constructural unit is arranged parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to the rail and/or the constructural unit is arranged perpendicular, or at least substantially perpendicular, to the directional movement of the toggle element.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises a installation device arrangement, with a plurality of installation device for installation in the low voltage distribution board, the installation devices preferably according to any of the installation devices as detailed before, wherein at least two of these installation devices each comprise a switching device and a detector, and the detector is adapted for contactless monitoring the switching status of the respective switching device. Accordingly, the installation device arrangement according to the invention provides a very simple solution for contactless detecting the switching status of each switching device, without having any impact on the switching mechanism of the switching device.
As will be apparent to the skilled person, preferred embodiments and advantages of the installation device arrangement according to the present invention are derivable from the explanations detailed above regarding the inventive installation device.
The object of the invention is further addressed by use of a detector for optical or ultrasonic waves for monitoring the switching status of a switching device for a low voltage distribution board, wherein the switching device comprises a toggle element adapted for switching the switching device and for reflecting optical or ultrasonic waves, respectively, and the detector is adapted for detecting the reflected optical or ultrasonic waves, respectively, indicating the switching status of the switching device.
Unexpectedly, it was found that the switching status of a switching device can be monitored in a very reliable, simple and cheap way by using a detector for optical or ultrasonic waves, which can be attached, for example, to an already installed switching device.
As will be apparent to the skilled person, preferred embodiments and advantages of such use of a detector according to the present invention are derivable from the explanations detailed above regarding the inventive installation device.
The object of the invention is furthermore addressed by a method for detecting the switching status of a switching device for a low voltage distribution board, wherein the switching device comprises a toggle element adapted for switching the switching device and for reflecting optical or ultrasonic waves, respectively, comprising the step of: Detecting optical or ultrasonic waves, respectively, reflected by the toggle element for indicating the switching status of the switching device.
Within such a preferred embodiment of the invention, for example, a detector for optical or ultrasonic waves can be used for detecting optical or ultrasonic waves, respectively, indicating the switching status of the switching device, wherein the reflexion of the optical or ultrasonic waves, respectively, are occurred by the toggle element and/or from the position of the toggle element of the switching device.
As will be apparent to the skilled person, preferred embodiments and advantages of such method for detecting the switching status of a switching device according to the present invention are derivable from the explanations detailed above regarding the inventive installation device.

Brief description of drawings

In the drawings:
Fig. 1 shows a cross-section through a installation device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,
Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a installation device arrangement according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, and
Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a installation device arrangement according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.

Description of embodiments

Fig. 1 represents a schematic cross-section of an installation device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising a switching device 1 and a detector 2 for optical or ultrasonic waves. The installation device comprising the switching device 1 and the detector 2 is suitable for a low voltage distribution board.
The term "optical waves" is not limited to "visible waves". In particular, the term "optical waves" comprises waves of the visible spectrum as well as waves of the infrared and ultraviolet spectrum.
As can be seen from Fig. 1, the switching device 1 is provided as a miniature current breaker. In further embodiments of the invention, not shown, the switching device 1 may also be provided as a residual current circuit breaker, as a residual current device, or as any other switching device known from the prior art. The switching device 1 comprises a toggle element 3, which is provided as a toggle lever. Such toggle element 3, such as a switching lever, as known from the prior art, indicates the switching status of the switching device 1, i.e. indicates if the switching device 1 is on or off.
Furthermore, such toggle element 3 allows for manually switching the switching device 1. In other words, the toggle element 3 is adapted for moving between at least two positions, each position indicating a switching status of the switching device 1.
The detector 2 is adapted for contactless detecting the position of the toggle element 3, wherein the detector 2 is arranged in a direction substantially longitudinal to the directional movement of the toggle element 3. I.e. the detector 2 is arranged "on top" of the switching device 1 such that the detector 2 "sees" the movement of the toggle element 3.
The detector 2, which may comprise an optical detector, an ultrasonic detector and/or a laser detector, comprises an IR transmitter sending out IR waves 4 onto the toggle element 3. The toggle element 3 comprises a reflective foil 5 for reflecting the IR waves 4. Using a reflective foil 5, or alternatively a reflective colour, improves the reliability of the detector 2.
As can be seen from Fig. 1, the IR waves 4 are reflected by the reflective foil 5 respectively by the toggle element 3 away from the detector 2, i.e. not backwards into the direction of the detector 2, as indicated by arrow 6. Thus, the detector 2 cannot detect the reflected IR waves 4. Therefore, as per Fig. 1, the detector 2 detects the switching device 1 being in a switching status that is off, i.e. not conductive.
The so received switching status information, i.e. the switching device 1 being in an off-position, can be transferred by a bus-like architecture, as known from the prior art, to a central unit for collecting the switching status information. The collected switching status information, also from other switching devices 1 within a large installation of a plurality of installation devices, can be displayed on a PC running analysis software for displaying the switching status information of the plurality of switching devices 1 on a computer screen or on any other display.
As can be seen further form Fig. 1, the switching device 1 is arranged on a rail 7, such as a DIN rail as known from the prior art, which is provided in a low voltage distribution board, not shown. The detector 2 is arranged away from the toggle element 3 in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the rail 7, i.e. in a direction not longitudinal to the rail 7.
The detector 2 is removably fixed to the switching device 1 by a hook and loop fastener or any other fastener means known in the prior art, thus, allowing a very simple fastening and removing of the detector 2 to the switching device 1.
Fig. 2 shows an installation device arrangement, with a plurality of installation devices for installation the low voltage distribution board, wherein at least two of these installation devices each comprise a switching device 1 and a detector 2, and the detector 2 is adapted for contactless monitoring the switching status of the respective switching device 1.
As can be seen further from Fig. 2, the plurality of detectors 2 is arranged in a common constructural unit 8. Fig. 2 also shows a toggle element 3 in a conductive switching position, thus, reflecting back, as indicated by arrow 9, the IR waves 4 to the detector 2. In such case, the detector 2 therefore detects that the respective switching device 1 is an on-position, i.e. conductive.
Fig. 3 shows a further installation device arrangement, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the common constructural unit 8 comprising the plurality of detectors 2 is fixed to a cover 10, i.e. a cover plate, partly covering the switching devices 1. The cover 10 is removably attached to the distribution board, not shown.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive, the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.
Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Reference signs list

1: switching device
2: detector
3: toggle element
4: waves
5: foil
6: arrow
7: rail
8: constructural unit
9: arrow
10: cover

Claims

Installation device for a low voltage distribution board, comprising a switching device (1) and a detector (2) for optical or ultrasonic waves (4, 6), wherein the switching device (1) comprises a toggle element (3) adapted for switching the switching device (1) and for reflecting optical or ultrasonic waves (4, 6), respectively, and the detector (2) is adapted for detecting the reflected optical or ultrasonic waves (6), respectively, indicating the switching status of the switching device (1).
Installation device according to claim 1, wherein the toggle element (3) comprises a reflective foil (5) and/or a reflective colour.
Installation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the toggle element (3) is adapted for moving between at least two positions, each position indicating a switching status of the switching device (1) and the detector (2) is arranged in a direction longitudinal to the directional movement of the toggle element (3).
Installation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the toggle element (3) is closer to the detector (2) in a first position of the toggle element (3) than in a second position of the toggle element (3).
Installation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detector (2) is adapted for detecting the distance between the detector (2) and the toggle element (3).
Installation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a single detector (2) is adapted for contactless monitoring the switching status of a single switching device (1).
Installation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detector (2) is removably fixed to the switching device (1), to the distribution board and/or to a cover of the distribution board.
Installation device according to claim 7, wherein the detector (2) is fixed by an adhesive and/or by a hook and loop fastener.
Installation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the distribution board comprises a rail (7) for mounting the installation device and the detector (2) is spaced away from the toggle element (3) in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the rail (7).
Installation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detector (2) is connected to a central unit for collecting switching status information.
Installation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of detectors (2) is arranged in a common constructural unit (8).
Installation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the switching device (1) and the detector (2) are galvanically isolated.
Use of a detector (2) for optical or ultrasonic waves for monitoring the switching status of a switching device (1) for a low voltage distribution board, wherein the switching device (1) comprises a toggle element (3) adapted for switching the switching device (1) and for reflecting optical or ultrasonic waves (4, 6), respectively, and the detector (2) is adapted for detecting the reflected optical or ultrasonic waves (6), respectively, indicating the switching status of the switching device (1).
Method for detecting the switching status of a switching device (1) for a low voltage distribution board, wherein the switching device (1) comprises a toggle element (3) adapted for switching the switching device (1) and for reflecting optical or ultrasonic waves (4, 6), respectively, comprising the step of: Detecting optical or ultrasonic waves (6), respectively, reflected by the toggle element (3) for indicating the switching status of the switching device (1).