GB2312518A - Mains warning flashing unit - Google Patents

Mains warning flashing unit Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2312518A
GB2312518A GB9608675A GB9608675A GB2312518A GB 2312518 A GB2312518 A GB 2312518A GB 9608675 A GB9608675 A GB 9608675A GB 9608675 A GB9608675 A GB 9608675A GB 2312518 A GB2312518 A GB 2312518A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
gas
signalling
seconds
phase
operate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9608675A
Other versions
GB2312518B (en
GB9608675D0 (en
Inventor
Glynne Malcolm Taylor
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB9608675A priority Critical patent/GB2312518B/en
Publication of GB9608675D0 publication Critical patent/GB9608675D0/en
Publication of GB2312518A publication Critical patent/GB2312518A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2312518B publication Critical patent/GB2312518B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R19/00Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof
    • G01R19/145Indicating the presence of current or voltage
    • G01R19/155Indicating the presence of voltage

Abstract

To indicate that voltage supply is present from single phase and neutral, 2 phase, 3 phase, 3 phase and neutral, 220V.D.C. or 460V.D.C., circuitry detects supply voltage on inputs L1-L3, N. The Xenon tubes are fired through asynchrous circuitry comprising of Zener diodes, Deac, Thyristors and step up transformer. The flash rate is approximately one per second. Neon indicators N1-N3 are provided at each live input so that in the event of a Xenon tube failure, an indication of supply voltage is still provided.

Description

The invention relates to a mains warning device for medium voltage A.C. and D.C.
The warning device is designed to operate from A.C. single phase, Live Neutral or 3 phases or 2 phases Live Live or 220volt D.C. using Live Neutral or 440volt D.C. using Live Live.
whenever any of these voltages are present the device flashes at a determinated rate. It also duplicates as a phase failure device.
The advantage of this one unit is that it can be used on a multiple range of voltages and has a second signalling element such as a neon as backup for the first signalling element which are preferably Xenon tube. Because of the intense flash people are alerted that voltage is present and warns them of the danger.
The device can be fed directly from the mains isolator or via a limit switch.
If the mains isolatibr is switched on the unit flashes at a determinated rate warning personnel of the danger. If one phase of the three phase is missing the flash rate changes thereby indicating phase failure which is also shown by the respective phase neon not being illuminated.
Two independent Xenon tube flashing circuits are fed from a supply of either (a) Single Phase and Neutral (b) Two Phase (c) Three Phases (d) Three Phases and Neutral (e) 220V.D.C. or 460V.D.C.
via firing circuitry with one side flashing at a slightly different frequency than the other. The Xenon tubes are backed up by neons on each phase and illuminate if the phase is present.
The circuits are'a'synchronous and each flash is of 0.14 Joules energy and is repeated approximately every 1.5 seconds. Since the circuits are asynchronous the flashes appear to be random.
To allow the unit to be used on a multiple of input voltages the circuitry at the front end has been designed to produce a steady D:C. voltage on C7.
The dual firing circuits are then independent of input voltage and both sides function independently thereby increasing the safety aspect as it is unlikely that both circuits will fail simultaneously.
Input Voltage is fed to the rectifier bridge D3-D8 via fuseable resistors R4 R5 R6.
With Voltage L-N Half Wave rectification, current flows from one of L. Terminals via one resistor (R4-R6) through one Diode (D4,D6 or D8) to charge C7. It also then feeds firing circuits via R7 and R8. The return path via D2 to N. The respective phase neon also illuminates.
With Voltage 3 Phase L.L.L.
Voltage fed via R4, R5, R6 on to 3 phase rectifier bridge D3-D8 producing approximately 580 V.D.C. This is applied via 220v Zener diode D1 to C7 giving approximately 360 V.D.C. on C7 which then feeds R7 and R8 etc.
Current flows (e.g. for 1/16th of cycle) L1-R4 D4 - (C7 R7 R8) - D1-D5-R5-L2.
The respective phase neons are illuminated.
With Voltage L.L.
Same as above L.L.L. but with only 2 phases producing approximately 370V on C7 which feeds R7 R8 etc.
Current flow (e.g. for 1/2 cycle).
ll-R4-D4-(C7 R7 R8) - D1-D5 R5 L2 Respective phase neons illuminated.
With Voltage L.L.L.N.
Same as L.L.L. but since the voltage on the anode of D1 will be more negative D2 blocks any neutral current.
Similarly for L-L-N operation Respective phase neons illuminated.
With 220V.D.C.
Use terminals L-N which feeds through resistor and diode bridge as per previously described.
With 460V.D.C.
Use terminals L1 L2 which feeds through resistor to diode bridge as previously described.
Firing Circuitry After R7 and R8 the voltage is fed to the two independent firing circuits Zener chain D9-D13 (D10-Dl4) charges capacitors C5 and C3 (C6 C4) Voltage fed to diac Q3 (Q4) is approximately 186 volts which drop to 30V which feeds the gate of thyristor Q1 (Q2) R13 is just a limiting resistor.
Commutation is ensured using a reverse biased gate. The current through R9 (R10) can be higher than the holding current of Q1 (Q2) under some circumstances causing Q1 (Q2) to latch on. A lower holding current is achieved by D15 (D16) ensuring that reverse bias is applied to the gate via R11 (R12) whenever there is current flowing in Q1 (Q2).
When thyristor is fired C3 (C4) is discharged via tr9ansformer T1 (T2) producing ignition for Xenon tube.

Claims (14)

1) A warning device to indicate that an item of electrical.equipment is live by means of at least one first signalling (warning) element, wherein each first signalling element comprises a gasfilled tube and electrical circuitry for the firing of the gas filled tube. It is also characterised in that a respective second signalling element is associated with each phase of the electrical supply, the device to be used as a backup in case of failure of the first element.
2) A device according to claim 1 with dual asynchronous flashing.
3) A device according to claim 1-2 where commutation is ensured using a reversed bias gate.
4) A device according to claims 1-3 wherein the gas-filled tube is ignited by means of a step-up transformer.
5) A device according to claims 1-4 wherein the gas-filled tube is operated by circuitry comprising a Zener diodes and a thyristor.
6) A device according to any of claims 1-5 wherein the gas-filled tube is a Xenon tube.
7) A device according to any of claims 1-6 wherein each second signalling element is a neon indicator.
8) A device according to any of claims 1-7 wherein the unit is adapted to work on multi mode A.C.-D.C. converter operation.
9) A device according to any of claims 1-8 which is adapted to operate on single phase - Live - Neutral with flash rate of one every 1.5 seconds.
10) A device according to any of claims 1-9 which is adapted to operate on 3 Phase and Neutral with a flash rate of one every 1.5 seconds.
11) A device according to any of claims 1-10 which is adapted to operate on 220v - 460v D.C. with a flash rate of one every 1.5 seconds.
12) A device according to any of the claims 1-11 which is adapted to operate from a wide range of voltages with a flash rate of one every 1.5 seconds.
13) A device according to claims 1-12 wherein the electrical energy circuitry comprises of RC network.
14) A warning device as herein described and is shown in the drawing.
14) A device according to any of the claims 1-13 wherein the frequency of flashing is determined by RC network.
15) A warning device as herein described and is shown in the drawing.
Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows c:LAiS 1) A warning device to indicate that an item or electrical equipment is live by means or at least one first signalling warning element, wherein each tirst signalling element comprises a gas filled tube and electrical circuitry tor the tiring or the gas-rilled tube when connected to an AC or DC supply, it is also characterised in that a respective second signalling element is associated with each phase or the electrical supply to be used as a back up in case or failure or the first element.
2) A device according to claim 1 where two first signalling elements are provided with dual asynchronous flashing.
3) A device according to claims 1-2 where commutation of the two first signalling elements is ensured by using a respective reverse bias gate to switch each element, each gate being in series with a diode such that on conduction a voltage is produced across the diode to apply a reverse bias to the gate thereby reducing the holding current of the gate.
4) A device according to claims 1-3 wherein the gas-filled tube is ignited by means or a step-up transformer.
5) A device according to claims 14 wherein the gas-filled tube is operated by circuitry comprising a Zener diodes and a thyristor.
6) A device according to any of claims 1-5 wherein the gas-filled tube is a Xenon tube.
7) A device according to any of claims 1-6 wherein each second signalling element is a neon indicator.
8) A device according to any of claims 1-7 which is adapted to operate on single phase - Live Neutral with flash rate of one every 1.5 seconds.
9) A device according to any of claims 1-8 which is adapted to operate on 3 Phase and Neutral with a flash rate of one every 1.5 seconds.
10) A device according to any of claims 1-9 which is adapted to operate on 220v - 460v D.C. with a flash rate of one every 1.5 seconds.
11) A device according to any of the claims 1-10 which is adapted to operate from a wide range of voltages with a flash rate of one every 1.5 seconds.
12) A device according to claims 111 wherein the electrical energy circuitry comprises of RC network. 13) A device according to any of the claims 1-12 wherein the frequency of flashing is determined by RC network.
GB9608675A 1996-04-26 1996-04-26 Warning device for live electricity Expired - Fee Related GB2312518B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9608675A GB2312518B (en) 1996-04-26 1996-04-26 Warning device for live electricity

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9608675A GB2312518B (en) 1996-04-26 1996-04-26 Warning device for live electricity

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9608675D0 GB9608675D0 (en) 1996-07-03
GB2312518A true GB2312518A (en) 1997-10-29
GB2312518B GB2312518B (en) 1998-03-25

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9608675A Expired - Fee Related GB2312518B (en) 1996-04-26 1996-04-26 Warning device for live electricity

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2312518B (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6662089B2 (en) 2002-04-12 2003-12-09 Honeywell International Inc. Method and apparatus for improving fault classifications
US6725137B2 (en) 2002-04-03 2004-04-20 Honeywell International Inc. Method and apparatus using historical data to associate deferral procedures and fault models
US6748304B2 (en) 2002-08-16 2004-06-08 Honeywell International Inc. Method and apparatus for improving fault isolation
US6829527B2 (en) 2002-08-26 2004-12-07 Honeywell International Inc. Relational database for maintenance information for complex systems
DE102006005670A1 (en) * 2006-02-01 2007-08-16 Haug Gmbh & Co. Kg. Air Ionization device, has signaling device coupled with high voltage supply line, and has electrical pulse circuit and signal generator with proper high voltage at high voltage supply line
US7260505B2 (en) 2002-06-26 2007-08-21 Honeywell International, Inc. Method and apparatus for developing fault codes for complex systems based on historical data

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2066484A (en) * 1978-11-15 1981-07-08 Ipa Anstalt Single Pole Voltage Detector
GB2257797A (en) * 1991-07-06 1993-01-20 Peter J Bennison Testing electricity supplies
GB2292224A (en) * 1994-08-10 1996-02-14 Glynne Malcolm Taylor Mains warning flashing unit

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2066484A (en) * 1978-11-15 1981-07-08 Ipa Anstalt Single Pole Voltage Detector
GB2257797A (en) * 1991-07-06 1993-01-20 Peter J Bennison Testing electricity supplies
GB2292224A (en) * 1994-08-10 1996-02-14 Glynne Malcolm Taylor Mains warning flashing unit

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6725137B2 (en) 2002-04-03 2004-04-20 Honeywell International Inc. Method and apparatus using historical data to associate deferral procedures and fault models
US6662089B2 (en) 2002-04-12 2003-12-09 Honeywell International Inc. Method and apparatus for improving fault classifications
US7260505B2 (en) 2002-06-26 2007-08-21 Honeywell International, Inc. Method and apparatus for developing fault codes for complex systems based on historical data
US6748304B2 (en) 2002-08-16 2004-06-08 Honeywell International Inc. Method and apparatus for improving fault isolation
US6829527B2 (en) 2002-08-26 2004-12-07 Honeywell International Inc. Relational database for maintenance information for complex systems
DE102006005670A1 (en) * 2006-02-01 2007-08-16 Haug Gmbh & Co. Kg. Air Ionization device, has signaling device coupled with high voltage supply line, and has electrical pulse circuit and signal generator with proper high voltage at high voltage supply line

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2312518B (en) 1998-03-25
GB9608675D0 (en) 1996-07-03

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20050426