ES2683162T3 - Measurement module for fuse holder base - Google Patents

Abstract

Measurement module (100, 100 ', 101, 101', 100 ") to be connected to three output contacts (5, 5 ') of a tripolar fuse holder base (1), in which said module (100, 100' , 101, 101 ', 100 ") of measurement can be connected to the output contacts (5, 5') of the fuse holder base (1), on which at least one current transformer is mounted to provide at least one analog current measurement signal; The module further comprises an analog-to-digital converter (40) with at least one analog input (41) configured to receive said at least one analog current measurement signal, and with at least one digital connection port comprising, at less, a digital output (110); the module can be connected to the output contacts (5, 5 ') of the fuse holder base (1) by means of conductive elements (20, 20'); characterized in that the module comprises at least one voltage connection established by means of an auxiliary conductor element that comes into contact with an element selected from the conductive elements (20, 20 '), the output contacts (5, 5') or a connecting element of said conductive elements (20, 20 ') and said output contacts (5, 5') to a point (30, 30 ', 30' ') of electrical connection.

Description

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

DESCRIPTION

Measurement module for fuse holder Field of the Invention

The invention falls within the technical field of electrical installations, and more specifically in installations related to electrical distribution panels.

Background of the Invention

At present there is a growing tendency to know the values of users' electrical consumption remotely. For this, it is necessary to know the values of the voltages and intensities consumed, for which purpose measuring devices must be placed in the low voltage distribution boards of the corresponding electrical installation. It is also necessary to know these voltage and intensity values for each output of the low voltage distribution panels, which are normally established by three-pole fuse holders.

European module application EP-2259284-A2 discloses a module or measurement kit for connection in a three-pole fuse holder base. This module, in a single piece, includes three plates connected to each of the fuse holder contacts, at least one current transformer. This measurement module provides current data consumed by a device or device that is connected to it.

The information obtained from this module or measurement kit, which are current values, which is certainly limited because it does not allow voltage values with a single measurement module, which has to have additional means to determine the voltage, over time and the resources that this entails.

On the other hand, the information obtained by this measurement module must be sent in any case to a measurement receiving device, which can be analog, digital, or simply a receiving device that collects the information and forwards it to another device that is further away . If it is the case, for example, that this measurement receiving device sends the information to a central control room.

The connection between the module or measuring kit and said measuring receiver device is made by cables. These cables carry the current values in the form of an analog signal. A cable is then necessary for each parameter to be transported, and although in some cases some parameters can be grouped, in any case, it implies an important amount of cables that must be carried from the terminals of the fuse holder base to the measurement receiving device .

If this is multiplied by the number of fuse bases that the distribution board has, the arrangement of the cables, referred to as design, can become a problem due to the large number of cables necessary to dispose, with the cost that this entails, in addition of repair difficulties in case of problems in one of the cables or connections and the large space necessary for the design of all cables.

Combining voltage and current parameters to know the energy values consumed by the devices connected to each output of the fuse holder base is currently known. The most widespread solution to obtain the voltage value is to connect a connection to the general bus bar of the distribution board. However, this solution presents difficulties of assembly because additional connections must be provided in other areas of the distribution board, in addition to other drawbacks, for example, said design only allows to obtain upstream voltage values. Another example of a measurement module is disclosed in DE-U-29705224.

Description of the invention

The invention relates to a measurement module for a fuse holder according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the measurement module are defined in the dependent claims.

The present invention solves the problems mentioned in the previous section, and is much more versatile, useful and optimal than current measurement modules, requiring much less space for cables.

For this, according to the invention, the module comprises at least one analog to digital converter with at least one digital connection port comprising at least one digital output. A single cable for a receiving device that, therefore, leaves the corresponding fuse holder base to which the measurement module is connected.

The possibility that the measurement module comprises at least one voltage connection is also contemplated. The means necessary to measure the current and voltage, therefore, are provided in a single measurement module, which facilitates such measurement. For this, at least one conductive element is provided for the voltage connection, in addition to those current connections. In this case, the digital connection port of the analog-to-digital converter comprises at least two digital inputs.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

55

Placing the voltage connection near the fuse base output terminals has the following advantages: it facilitates the assembly of the measurement module because the connections are integrated in the real module, thus preventing having to make additional connections in other areas of the panel of low voltage distribution to obtain these voltage measurements. Additionally, the information that can be obtained by simultaneously having voltage values upstream of the fuse, for example, in the main bus bar, and downstream of the fuse, can be used in a useful way, for example, to measure and quantify energy lost in the fuses, or to monitor the state of the fuse, for example, to detect the moment at which the fuse blows.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a measurement module for connection to a fuse holder base, said fuse holder base having at least three output contacts. The measuring module can be connected to three output contacts of a three-pole fuse holder base by means of at least three conductive elements that can be connected to the three output contacts of the fuse holder base and on which, at least one current transformer or current is mounted, preferably one for each conductive element, to provide at least two analog measurement signals, one of them being a voltage measurement signal and another being a current measurement signal.

Each conductive element can consist of a conductive plate or a cable, being easily replaceable with each other, such that said conductive elements allow the measurement module to be connected with different types of output contact that the fuse bases may have. The measurement module also includes:

- at least one analog to digital converter with at least one analog input configured to receive said at least one analog current measurement signal provided by said at least one current transformer, and with at least one digital output, preferably a single digital output .

Therefore, said at least one analog to digital converter collects the measurement signals of the measuring device and converts them into a digital signal. This digital signal is transmitted through a single cable. Said cable is connected to a receiving device, which can be installed in the electrical distribution panel itself, and this receiving device can send the data to a central control system.

The number of cables within the distribution box, therefore, is reduced.

The possibility that the module comprises a housing containing at least one current transformer, and on which, said at least three conductive elements are mounted, is contemplated, thus allowing the measurement module to be connected to the three output contacts located in one end, usually the lower end, of a tripolar fuse holder base.

According to a preferred embodiment, the converter can incorporate at least one digital input in addition to said at least one digital output, such that several analog to digital converters of the different fuse bases can be interconnected. Said digital input is contemplated to be used to transmit data in the form of a data bus, etc. In this preferred embodiment, each analog to digital converter comprises a digital input and a digital output, forming a loop, allowing the information to go from one converter to another with information from all interconnected bases such as a single cable for the receiving device can Exit the last converter.

According to a possible embodiment, the converter is an integral part of the measurement module. Once the measuring module is connected to the fuse holder base, said fuse holder base is installed in the distribution board and it is only necessary to connect the converter output cable.

According to another possible embodiment, the measurement module comprises at least one electrical connection point, such as an terminal block, to which said at least two analog inputs of the analog to digital converter are connected. This allows, for example, the measurement modules to be used with or without an analog to digital converter, or to incorporate the converter afterwards.

In any case, in addition to the advantages described above, the device comprises the following additional advantages:

The embodiment that includes the housing allows the module to be operated as a kit or set consisting of a single part that includes the transformers, the conductive elements and connection points, to facilitate assembly, as well as the converter.

It can be easily mounted on new bases and on bases previously installed in a low voltage distribution board without having to disassemble the fuse holder base. For the second case, it is only necessary to connect the output terminals, connect the measurement module to the base and reconnect the same terminals to the module of the invention.

In addition to the current measurement through the current transformers, it also includes a voltage measurement, so that, therefore, it allows to calculate the energy consumption, as well as other parameters necessary for

Better manage the network.

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

The plates are fixed in such a way that some movement of them is allowed in order to adapt to the range of measures that the base connections may have, for example, due to the deformations caused by the previous assembly. This is done by fixing the plates to a flexible area of the housing.

The kit allows to continue using the thermal protective cover of the standard base, also known as connection cover. The same cover is fixed to the housing of the measurement kit, so that the output terminals are still protected.

The kit can be used on bases in both the upper or lower output position.

According to another possible embodiment, the converter can be placed anywhere in the measurement module. This converter incorporates a connection point connected by means of cables to the electrical output connection point of the measuring module.

A second aspect of the invention also relates to a fuse holder with a measurement module as defined above.

Brief description of the drawings

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the features of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical realization thereof, a set of drawings is accompanied as an integral part of said description, in those that, with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, have represented the following:

Figure 1 shows a conventional three-pole fuse holder base of the state of the art with the cover removed. Figure 2 is a detailed view of one end of the fuse holder base of the state of the art represented in Figure 1, in which the three output contacts are shown.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a module for measuring the state of the art.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the measurement module of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows the measurement module of Figure 4 mounted on the fuse holder base.

Figure 6 shows two measurement modules according to the first embodiment of the invention, mounted in "loop" or in series.

Figure 7 shows the measurement modules of Figure 6 mounted on two fuse holders.

Figures 8 and 9 show a perspective view of a second embodiment of the measurement module of the present invention.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a variant of the second embodiment of the measurement module shown in Figures 8 and 9, where the conductive elements consist of cables, instead of plates, said variant referring to the conductive elements that are being applying to any of the measurement modules according to the present invention.

Figure 11 shows a detailed view of a variant embodiment of the fuse holder shown in Figure 2, where the output contacts are V-shaped, contemplated to be connected to the conductive elements of the variant of the measurement module represented in the Figure 10

Figure 12 shows the measurement module of any of Figures 8 to 10 already mounted on a fuse holder base.

Figure 13 shows two measurement modules according to the second embodiment of the invention, mounted in "loop" or in series.

Figure 14 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the measurement module of the present invention.

Figure 15 shows the measurement module of Figure 14 mounted on the fuse holder base.

Figure 16 schematically shows two possible configurations for connecting the different fuse bases with measurement receiving devices, a "loop" or series assembly that has been represented in view a), and a parallel assembly that has been represented in the view b).

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a three-pole fuse holder base (1) of the prior art comprises, in a known manner, three pairs of contacts (2), each pair of contacts (2) being connected to a conductive plate , which has not been represented, the low voltage distribution board of the corresponding electrical installation. There are a pair of contacts (2) for each electrical phase. A fuse (3) is connected to each pair of contacts (2). The conductive plate not shown is connected to the fuse holder base at its rear portion, that is, in an area opposite to the fuses (3).

These fuses (3) are normally mounted on a hinged cover to a housing (4) of the fuse holder base (1) where the contact pairs (2) are located, so that when the cover is closed on the base (1) ) fuse holder, the fuses (3) are coupled in their respective pairs of contacts (2) that enclose the circuit

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

55

electric. When the cover is opened, the fuses (3) are disconnected from the contacts (2). The fuse holder base (1) also has the output contacts (5, 5 ') to which the corresponding electrical cables are attached. These cables reach the equipment to be fed.

There are also fuse holders (1) that may not have this hinged cover, and in which the fuses (3) are exposed.

Figure 3 shows a module (10) for measuring the state of the art comprising a housing (11) in which three conductive elements (20) are mounted, and the corresponding current transformer, not shown in Figure, It is mounted on each of them. This measuring module (10) also has an electrical connection point (30) connected to the conductive elements (20) and to the secondary of the transformers for the output of the current and / or voltage connections.

Once mounted on the fuse holder base (1), the measurement module (10) provides current measurements through the current transformers, as well as voltage measurements through the electrical connection points (30). The energy consumption, as well as other parameters necessary to better manage the network, can be calculated with these two parameters.

According to the invention, the measurement module comprises at least one voltage connection that can be established in different ways, and among such modes it is contemplated that the module comprises a conductive element, in addition to the conductive elements (20, 20 ') of the current connections, so that it is contemplated that the module comprises a metal flange that holds the end of each conductor element (20, 20 '), whether it is a bare wire (20'), as will be explained below, or a plate (20), specifically in the fixing area between each conductor element (20, 20 ') and each output contact (5, 5'). It is also contemplated that each flange has a sharp element in contact with the conductive element (20, 20 '), perforating the plastic covering in case it is a cable (20').

It is also contemplated that the voltage connection is established by means of a conductor in electrical contact with the output contacts (5, 5 '), directly on them or on the conductive elements (20, 20') are connected to said contacts ( 5, 5 ') output, or on any intermediate element used to ensure electrical contact between the output contacts (5, 5'), and the conductive elements (20, 20 ').

Said cable with the voltage connection internally located in the measurement module is taken for the electrical connection point (30, 30 ', 30 "), or for any other independent connector.

Figure 4 shows a first preferred embodiment of the measuring module (100) of the present invention. The possibility that this measurement module (100) has an analog to digital converter integrated therein, the at least two analog inputs that are connected to said at least two current and / or voltage connections of the module, is contemplated. The analog to digital converter provides at least one digital output (110), preferably a single digital output (110). The output of this measurement module (100) abroad, therefore, does not need the corresponding electrical connection point that provides the analog voltage and / or current signals measured by the measurement module (100), but has a only digital output (110) to which a single cable (111) can be connected that carries the necessary information to a measuring receiver device (60, 70), as seen in Figure 16.

Figure 5 shows this measuring module (100) already mounted on a fuse holder base (1). Then, instead of having to transport six or nine cables for each fuse holder base (1), only one cable (111) in which all the information is transported to the measurement receiver device (60) is necessary.

This first embodiment of the measurement module (100) can also have at least one digital input (120); therefore, it can collect information from other measurement modules (100).

Figure 6 shows a first measurement module (100) and a second measurement module (101) according to the first embodiment of the invention; These measuring modules (100, 101) are connected to each other via a connection cable (112). A single cable (111) that carries the information from the two fuse holders (1) in which these measurement modules (100, 101) are mounted, leave the second measurement module (101), and the modules (100, 101 can) ) of successive measurement be connected in this way.

Figure 7 shows this first and second measurement module (100, 101) already mounted on the corresponding fuse holders (1), arranged in series.

Figure 8 shows a second embodiment of the module (100 ') for measuring the invention, with an analog-to-digital converter (40) that is not incorporated. The analog-to-digital converter (40) has an electrical connection point for at least two analog inputs (41), preferably a plurality thereof, which are connected to an electrical connection point (30 ') of the module (100') of measurement that provides the analog signals of voltage and / or current measured by the module (100 ') of measurement. Once connected, the result is shown in Figure 9, in which, as in the first embodiment, the measuring module (100 ') has at least one digital output (110), preferably a single digital output (110), to which a single cable (111) carries the information

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

necessary to the corresponding device (60, 70) measurement receiver can be connected.

In this second embodiment, the measurement module (100 ') also has at least one digital input (120); It can, therefore, collect information from other modules (100, 101, 100 ', 101') of measurement. As shown in Figure 13, a first measuring module (100 ') and a second measuring module (101') according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention, therefore, are connected by means of the connection of the only digital output (110) of one module to the digital input (120) of the other module through a connection cable (112); and a single cable (111), which carries the information measured by the two measurement modules (100 ', 101') leaves the assembly.

In turn, Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a variant of the second embodiment of the measurement module shown in Figures 8 and 9. In said variant, the application of which any of the measurement modules according to the Also contemplated by the invention, the conductive elements consist of cables (20 ') instead of plates (20), as shown in the remaining Figures. Figure 11 represents, therefore, a detailed view of a variant embodiment of the fuse holder shown in Figure 2, where the output contacts are V-shaped plates (5 '), contemplated to be connected to the elements (20 ') conductors of the variant of the measurement module represented in Figure 10 by means of a clamping element consisting of a removable part not shown that allows the fixing of the stripped cable (20') in said plates (5 ') V-shaped fuse holder base.

Figure 14 shows a third embodiment of the module (100 '') for measuring the invention, in which an analog-to-digital converter (40) is mounted in the upper portion. The analog-to-digital converter (40) has an electrical connection point for at least two analog inputs (41) that are connected to an electrical connection point (30 '') of the measuring module (100 '') that provides the signals analog voltage and / or current measured by the measuring module (100 ''). In this case, the connection is made by wiring (50). Once connected, the result is shown in the right portion of said Figure 14, in which, as in the first embodiment, the measuring module (100 ') has at least one digital output (110), preferably a single output ( 110) digital, as shown in Figure 15, to which a single cable (111) carries the necessary information to the corresponding measuring receiver device can be connected.

Although not shown specifically, this third embodiment of the measuring module (100 ") can also allow a loop or serial configuration, since it can include at least one digital input (120), preferably a digital input (120).

Figure 16 schematically shows two possible configurations for connecting the different fuse holders (1).

View a) of said Figure 16 schematically shows a distribution chart with five fuse bases (1), each with a measuring module (100, 101, 102, 103, 104), corresponding to any of the first embodiment (100,101 ), the second embodiment (100 ', 101') and / or the third embodiment (100 '') of the invention, which are looped through the connection cables (112) that connect the digital output (110) , not shown in this figure, of each measuring module (100-103) with the digital input (120), also not shown in this figure, of the adjacent measuring module (101-104). A single cable (111) with all the information to a single receiving device (60), which accumulates all the information of the different bases, can leave the last module (104) of measurement.

View b) of said Figure 16 shows a distribution chart also with five fuse bases (1), each with a measuring module (100, 101, 102, 103, 104), corresponding to any of the first embodiment (100,101 ), the second embodiment (100 ', 101') and / or the third embodiment (100 '') of the invention; In this case, the measuring modules (100-104) are not connected in a loop, but each of them sends the information corresponding to five receiving devices (70) through a single cable (111) connected to its only output (110) digital.

The right portion of Figure 16 shows a diagram of the analog-to-digital converter (40), which has a single digital output (110) and an electrical connection point for a plurality of analog inputs (41) and also an input (120) digital, to be connected to other converters (40) analog to digital.

Claims (9)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 1. Module (100, 100 ', 101, 101', 100 ") of measurement to be connected to three output contacts (5, 5 ') of a tripolar fuse holder base (1), in which said module (100, 100 ', 101, 101', 100 ") of measurement can be connected to the output contacts (5, 5 ') of the fuse holder base (1), on which at least one current transformer is mounted to provide the minus an analog signal of current measurement; The module further comprises an analog to digital converter (40) with at least one analog input (41) configured to receive said at least one analog current measurement signal, and with at least one digital connection port comprising, at less, a digital output (110); the module can be connected to the output contacts (5, 5 ') of the fuse holder base (1) by means of conductive elements (20, 20'); characterized in that the module comprises at least one voltage connection established by means of an auxiliary conductive element that comes into contact with an element selected from the conductive elements (20, 20 '), the output contacts (5, 5') or a connecting element of said conductive elements (20, 20 ') and said output contacts (5, 5') to a point (30, 30 ', 30' ') of electrical connection. 2. Module according to claim 1, wherein the conductive elements consist of conductive plates (20). 3. Module according to claim 1, wherein the measurement module can be connected to the output contacts (5, 5 ') of the fuse holder base (1) by means of conductive elements consisting of cables (20' ). 4. Module according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a housing (11) containing said at least one current transformer. 5. Module according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the analog-to-digital converter (40) is an integral part of the measurement module. 6. Module according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a terminal block (30 ') to be connected to the plurality of analog inputs (41) of the analog-to-digital converter (40). 7. Module according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the analog-to-digital converter (40) also includes at least one digital input (120). 8. Module according to any of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that, the analog-to-digital converter (40) can be fixed to the module housing (11). 9. Fuse holder base comprising a measuring module according to any of claims 1-8.