GB2385948A

GB2385948A - Switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system

Info

Publication number: GB2385948A
Application number: GB0302251A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joerg Kreiling; Sven Lauroesch; Ralf Dahmer; Marc Hartel
Original assignee: Rittal GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Rittal GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2002-02-01
Filing date: 2003-01-31
Publication date: 2003-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-31
Also published as: FR2835625A1; GB0302251D0; DE10204004A1; ITMI20030162A1; GB2385948B; FR2835625B1

Abstract

A switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system for monitoring and/or controlling and/or regulating switchgear cabinet-specific functions, having one base appliance (2) which has a network connection unit (2.1) and at least one satellite connection (2.2) and at least one satellite appliance (3) which is connected or is connectable to said base appliance and also at least one sensor (5) and/or actuator (6) which can be coupled or is coupled to said satellite appliance via at least one coupling unit (3.2) provided thereon. Furthermore at least one sensor coupling unit (4) is provided with a plurality of sensor connection points (4.1) for the connection of a plurality of identical or different sensors (5) and/or actuators (6), and that the sensors are connected or is connectable via the coupling unit (3.2) to the satellite appliance (3).

Description

Switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system The present invention

relates to a switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system for monitoring and/or controlling and/or regulating switchgear cabinetspecific functions, having one base appliance which has a network connection unit and at least one satellite connection and at least one satellite appliance, which is connected or is connectable to said base appliance, and also at least one sensor and/or actuator which can be coupled or is coupled to said satellite appliance via at least one coupling unit provided thereon.

A switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system of this type is indicated in DE 199 11 824 Al. In the case of this known switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system, a base monitoring device for monitoring, controlling and/or regulating switchgear cabinet functions, on the one hand, is connectable by a network connection unit to a superordinate network, for example a public network and, on the other hand, is connected or is connectable via a field bus to further

monitoring devices for monitoring, controlling and/or regulating switchgear cabinet functions. The further monitoring devices form one type of satellite appliance and are able to be disposed for example in other switchgear cabinets as the base monitoring device. The satellite appliances can be connected in this manner via the base monitoring device to the superordinate network. Evaluation and data processing, which is superordinate to the satellite appliances, can also be implemented in the base monitoring device so that the satellite appliances can be configured relatively simply. Equally, the satellite appliances,

similarly to the base monitoring device, are provided with connections for sensors and/or actuators, to which, if necessary, a relatively large number of sensors or actuators is connected in order to be able to implement the desired monitoring and control measures independently of the situation of use of a switchgear cabinet.

It is shown in WO 97/34345, which monitoring and control measures are made available with such a switchgear cabinet monitoring and control device for enabling flexible use of a switchgear cabinet. A correspondingly complex arrangement is also associated with such diverse monitoring and control possibilities, in order to pick up the signals of the various sensors and to undertake the control of the different built- in and supplementary components of the switchgear cabinet. For example, there are to be connected moisture sensors, door sensors or access sensors, temperature sensors, vibration sensors, smoke sensors, current transducers, voltage transducers, and if needed, also additional customer temperature sensors and various air-conditioning components such as heat exchangers, fans, cooling appliances, heating and/or customer fans. In addition, it may be necessary to monitor a supply voltage or operational values and possibly to maintain emergency operation. Furthermore, the various data must be presented to a user, and also input possibilities should be provided for adjusting the desired prescribed values or operational parameters.

It is shown in DE 199 11 318 Al how a switchgear cabinet monitoring device with at least one base appliance can be coupled to a network and can issue information via said network and, for example, can receive said information for

configuration. The base appliance is equipped with a plurality of functional card slots for various functional cards and at least with one network card slot. By means of these measures, further adaptation possibilities and a simplified operating possibility are offered.

Similarly, DE 100 07 271 Al also shows a switchgear cabinet monitoring and control unit with a plurality of switchgear cabinet monitoring and control devices connected to a network, measures for simple operation being adopted.

The object underlying the invention is to make available as switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system of the above-

mentioned type, which offers various, simplified usage possibilities with as little complexity as possible.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. It is provided accordingly that furthermore at least one sensor coupling unit is provided with a plurality of sensor connection points for the connection of a plurality of-

identical or different sensors and/or actuators, and that the sensor coupling unit is connected or is connectable via the coupling unit to the satellite appliance.

This construction of the switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system makes it possible not only to dispose satellite appliances in various switchgear cabinets but also to dispose sensor coupling units at a distance from the satellite appliance into the relevant or for example even into an adjacent switchgear cabinet at the desired position and to connect groups of sensors thereto. As a result, a user can himself assemble a monitoring system according to

requirements, the integration into the switchgear cabinet being simple, with no complex cable laying processes involved.

A flexible configuration and simple adaptability to various requirements are favoured as a result of the fact that the satellite appliance has a network coupling unit for direct connection to a network or to a bus.

The construction is thereby simplified in that the network coupling unit and the satellite connection are coordinated to each other so that a direct connection to the network or a direct connection to the base appliance can be produced optionally via the network coupling unit.

An advantageous embodiment for the functioning of the system which meets different requirements for the data transmission and data processing requirements of the various components of the system resides in the fact that, in order to connect a plurality of satellite appliances, an ATM (=Asynchronous Transfer Mode) relay device is provided and the network coupling unit is configured to produce and receive bit streams of the asynchronous transfer mode.

A different assembly of the system is furthermore favoured in that, for different groups of monitoring and/or control and/or regulation functions, differently configured satellite appliances are provided which have identically constructed network coupling units.

An advantageous embodiment resides hereby in that the different functional groups comprise at least two from the functional groups, door control, switchgear cabinet air

conditioning, recooling plant, electronic components, energy distribution, general monitoring and socket monitoring devices. The connection of the various components of the system is simplified furthermore in that a plurality of satellite appliances is connected to a base appliance via one or more star couplings (hubs).

The arrangement of the system for a user is further simplified in that the sensor coupling units have the same sensor connection points as each other, which are provided respectively with detection devices for different sensors and/or actuators. Since all the sensor connection points of the sensor coupling units are the same, the sensors and/or actuators can be connected arbitrarily to the sensor coupling units. A further favourable possibility for adaptation to different application cases is produced in that at least one sensor coupling unit is/are provided with analogue inputs, at least one sensor coupling unit with digital input/outputs, at least one sensor coupling unit with access control connections, at least one sensor coupling unit with connections for a voltage measurement and a fan regulation and/or at least one sensor coupling unit with connections for input/output modules.

A simple arrangement of the system by the user is assisted furthermore in that the electrical energy supply of the sensor coupling units is effected from the satellite appliance.

The energy supply can thereby be achieved for example in the data transmission cable with corresponding connections.

A further possible embodiment resides in the fact that the base appliance also has at least one coupling unit for connection of at least one sensor coupling unit.

The invention is explained subsequently in more detail by means of the embodiments, given by way of example, with reference to the drawings which show: Fig. 1 a schematic illustration for the connection of a switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system to an existing network, Fig. 2 an arrangement possibility of the switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system illustrated in Fig. 1 connected to a multiplicity of switchgear cabinets, Fig. 3 a connection possibility between a base appliance of the switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system having a plurality of satellite appliances, Fig. 4 an embodiment of the switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system having a base appliance and various satellite appliances connected thereto and also sensor coupling units and, Fig. 5 a connection of a plurality of satellite appliances via an ATM relay.

According to Fig. 1, a switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system 1 having a base appliance 2 is connected to a superordinate network 10 which is represented by for example a local network (LAN) or a public network. Each base appliance 2 has in addition a network connection unit 2.1, via which data with the corresponding formats can be issued to the public network and can be received from the latter. In addition, the base appliance 2 is equipped with at least one satellite connection 2.2 for connection of satellite appliances 3. Further, the base appliance 2 has electronic circuit units for processing and reprocessing the received data and the data to be transmitted. In particular, -a processing unit is provided in the base appliance 2, with which processing unit data received from the satellite appliances 3 can be evaluated in the manner of a superordinate authority (master function) in order to implement possibly required control tasks dependent upon sensor signals received via the satellite appliances 3 relating to the relevant or other satellite appliances 3 and also actuators 6 connected thereto (cf. Fig. 4) . The processing of the sensor signals and the control, or even regulation, is effected thereby furthermore dependent upon prescribed values stored in the base appliance 2 and/or received via the network 10 and the network connection unit 2.1. Stored prescribed values can thereby be altered from a control point via the network 10, or directly at the base appliance 2, or on a personal computer connected thereto, and with a visual display unit. Programs and program changes for the data processing can also be recorded in this manner in the base appliance 2, for the purpose of which the base appliance 2 is equipped with a microcomputer.

The satellite appliance 3 has for the data exchange with the base appliance 2 a network coupling unit 3.1 which serves simultaneously also as interface for direct access to a network, for example to the network 10, if the satellite appliance 3 is not connected to a base appliance 2. In a less complex switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system 1, the satellite appliance 3, which likewise has a processing unit with microcomputer, can hence detect also autonomously monitoring and control tasks or regulations tasks. Via the network coupling unit 3.1, the possibility is thereby offered of suitably configuring the satellite appliance 3 and recording programs or undertaking program changes. The electronics in the satellite appliance 3 are configured such that the connection to the base appliance 2 proceeds with corresponding protocols as in the case of the connection to the network, merely different identifications being contained in the protocol data.

In order to connect sensors 5, inter alla door sensors 7 or access sensors and/or actuators 6, the satellite appliance 3 or 3a, as is evident in Figs. 2 and 4, has a plurality of input connections 3.2, to which sensor coupling units 4 are connectable. The sensor coupling units 4 for their part have sensor connection points 4.1 which are configured identically to each other so that a user can connect a sensor 5 or respectively 7 or actuator 6 at will to a respective sensor coupling unit 4, without an error occurring. The electronics of the sensor coupling unit 4 are designed such that various sensors 5, 7 or actuators 6 are detected automatically and the data evaluation is undertaken dependent upon the respective sensor 5. In the case of an arrangement of the switchgear cabinet monitoring or control system 1 according to Fig. 2, a

plurality of satellite appliances 3 is connected to a base appliance 2 and said satellite appliances are connected via corresponding sensor coupling units 4 to door actuation units of respective switchgear cabinets 8, which have door sensors 7 or respectively access sensors. The thus configured sensor coupling units 4 not only have the advantage of an error-free connection of sensors 5, 7 or respectively actuators 6 but also of a similar connection and data transmission between the sensor coupling units 4 and the satellite appliance 3 independently of the connected sensors 5, 7 or respectively actuators 6, the data adaptation for the transmission likewise being effected in the electronics of the sensor coupling units 4. As Fig. 4 shows, different types of satellite appliances 3 can be provided in accordance with different functional groups, for example satellite appliances 3c for air-conditioning appliances present in the switchgear cabinet, such as fans, cooling appliances or heating appliances or the like,..a satellite appliance 3d for monitoring and controlling or respectively regulating a retooling plant, a satellite appliance Be for monitoring electronic units installed in the switchgear cabinet 8 and/or for voltage monitoring and possibly maintaining emergency operation, a satellite appliance 3f for energy distribution, a satellite appliance 3a with universal function for connection of various sensors, 5, 7 or actuators 6 via respective sensor coupling units 4, a satellite appliance 3g, to which sensors 5, 7 and/or actuators 6 are directly connectable and which also has certain display and input functions, and also a satellite appliance 3h which has a socket strip, connectable to a superordinate network, with a monitoring unit for the voltage supply. A satellite

appliance 3b can be connected via its input connections 3.2 to a multiplicity of door sensors 7 and/or actuators 6 for the door actuation, a corresponding access control also being able to be provided via detection units (transponders, authorization card and the like), which are known per se.

Fig. 3 shows a coupling between a base appliance 2 and a plurality of satellite appliances 3 via so-called hubs (star couplers), by means of which the connection within a switchgear cabinet or a switchgear cabinet arrangement can be simplified since only one connection line is required from the hubs to the base appliance 2.

According to Fig. 5, various satellite appliances 3 can be connected to each other via an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) relay. The asynchronous transfer mode offers in conjunction with the switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system 1, in particular between the satellite appliances 3, the advantage that a flexible reaction can hence be provided to various functions and data accumulation.

The individual satellite appliances 3, as for instance the universal satellite appliance 3a, 3b, the satellite appliance 3g for general monitoring functions and the satellite appliance 3h of the socket strip, can be accommodated in respective separate housings or can be configured, for example as plug-in cards or individual units in a micro-controller in the respective components to be monitored, or respectively to be controlled or to be regulated within the switchgear cabinet or cabinets 8. The base appliance 2 can also be configured in this manner in its own housing or as a unit which can be incorporated in such a component. The sensor coupling units 4

are likewise configured as independent modules, preferably with separate housings.

Individual sensor coupling units 4 for different functions can be provided, namely a sensor coupling unit with analogue inputs, for example for temperature sensors, for sensors with a current between 4 and 20 mA or for frequency sensors, the various sensors, as described above, being able to be detected automatically. Another sensor coupling unit 4 can be configured for digital inputs and outputs. A further sensor coupling unit 4 can be configured specially for access control, whilst yet a further sensor coupling unit 4 can be;-

designed for voltage measurement and fan regulation. All the sensor coupling units 4 are provided with voltage via the satellite appliance 3, for example by means of a voltage supply integrated into the data line, so that the arrangement of the switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system 1 is consequently readily possible also for a user.

Claims

1. Switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system for monitoring and/or controlling and/or regulating switchgear cabinet-specific functions, having one base appliance, which has a network connection unit, at least one satellite connection and at least one satellite appliance, which is connected, or is connectable, to said base appliance, and also at least one sensor and/or actuator, which can be coupled, or is coupled, to said satellite appliance via at least one coupling unit provided thereon, wherein at least one sensor coupling unit is provided with a plurality of sensor connection points for the connection of a plurality of identical or different sensors and/or actuators, and in that the sensor coupling unit is connected, or is connectable, via the coupling unit to the satellite appliance.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the satellite appliance has a network coupling unit for direct connection to a network or a bus.

3. System according to claim 2, wherein the network coupling unit and the satellite connection are coordinated to each other so that a direct connection to the network or a direct connection to the base appliance can be produced optionally via the network coupling unit.

4. System according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, in order to connect a plurality of satellite appliances, an

asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) relay device is provided and the network coupling unit is configured to produce and receive bit streams of the asynchronous transfer mode.

5. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, for different groups of monitoring and/or control and/or regulation functions, differently configured satellite appliances are provided which have identically constructed network coupling units.

6. System according to claim 5, wherein the various functional groups include at least two from the functional groups, door control, switchgear cabinet air-

conditioning, recooling plant, electronic compensation, energy distribution, general monitoring and socket monitoring device.

7. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of satellite appliances is connected to a base appliance via one or more star couplers.

8. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor coupling units have the same sensor connection points as each other, which are provided respectively with detection devices for different sensors and/or actuators.

9. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one sensor coupling unit islare provided with analogue input, at least one sensor coupling unit with digital inputs/outputs, at least one sensor coupling unit

with access control connections, at least one sensor coupling unit with connections for a voltage measurement and a fan regulation and/or at least one sensor coupling unit with connections for input/output modules.

10. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical energy supply of the sensor coupling units is effected from the satellite appliance.

11. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base appliance also has at least one coupling unit for connection of at least one sensor coupling unit.

12 Switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.