GB2559726A

GB2559726A - Monitoring the electrical operation of columns and like structures

Info

Publication number: GB2559726A
Application number: GB1700391.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Williams Craig
Original assignee: Aluminium Lighting Co Ltd
Current assignee: Aluminium Lighting Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-01-10
Filing date: 2017-01-10
Publication date: 2018-08-22
Also published as: GB201700391D0

Abstract

Monitoring the electrical operation of a column, such as a street light, which forms on of a stock of such columns, connected to receive power from a mains source, comprises: locating on an upper surface of the column a micro-controller 10 operable to measure the electrical voltage and current parameters of said column and to transmit data relevant to said measured parameters to a column mounted wireless transmitter 18, said transmitter being operable to transmit the measured data to a central data hub 22 including an internet connection and from there to a remote serve 24 for analysis using bespoke software. The wireless transmitter may use a Wi-Fi (RTM) or RF transmitter, and may comprise a 3G or 4G component. The wireless transmitter may also be connected to receive GPS data from the column via a GPS component 12. The microcontroller may also include a micro-electro mechanical (MEMS) device, an electrical surge protector and photo cell. A real time clock may also be provided on the column.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Monitoring the electrical operation of columns and like structures Abstract Title: Detecting electrical faults in a lamp post within a group of lamp posts (57) Monitoring the electrical operation of a column, such as a street light, which forms on of a stock of such columns, connected to receive power from a mains source, comprises: locating on an upper surface of the column a microcontroller 10 operable to measure the electrical voltage and current parameters of said column and to transmit data relevant to said measured parameters to a column mounted wireless transmitter 18, said transmitter being operable to transmit the measured data to a central data hub 22 including an internet connection and from there to a remote serve 24 for analysis using bespoke software. The wireless transmitter may use a Wi-Fi (RTM) or RF transmitter, and may comprise a 3G or 4G component. The wireless transmitter may also be connected to receive GPS data from the column via a GPS component 12. The microcontroller may also include a micro-electro mechanical (MEMS) device, an electrical surge protector and photo cell. A real time clock may also be provided on the column.

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MONITORING THE ELECTRICAL OPERATION OF COLUMNS AND LIKE

STRUCTURES

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring the operation of electrical equipment of a stock of columns, masts, pylons and support structures and/or columns, masts, pylons and support structures within that stock.

For ease of reference, the term « columns « as used herein refers collectively to columns, masts, pylons and support structures .

Additionally, the term lighting columns as used herein includes lighting poles and other similar structure such as lighting units attached to walls, wooden poles, illuminated traffic signs and luminaires.

By stock is meant a plurality of columns located in a specific geographical location or area and subject to the same or similar climatic conditions. This definition includes a plurality of columns such as lighting columns within an administrative area. It also includes telecom masts, railway signals, power distribution masts, pylons, support structures for rail electrification equipment and the like.

Background to the invention

Local authorities and highways agencies routinely test lighting and other columns to ensure that the voltage and electrical power to the columns meets specified health and safety requirements.

Apart from being safe to the public, and those charged with maintenance and repair of the columns and the supported structures, there is a requirement that the columns operate correctly by providing electric light to public spaces including roads and highways. From time to time equipment fails which may require repairing and/or replacement of one or more columns and/or structures supported by that or those columns.

It is also the case that maintenance of columns may be carried out incorrectly resulting in unsafe columns and/or supported structures.

As a general	rule, electrical tests	are carried	out	to
ensure that	the electrical supply	to column	mounted
structures is	safe to the public.
Whereas these	and other currently available methods	may	be

able to provide accurate data and forecasted serviceable lifespans, there are, however, several major disadvantages to these and other known methods.

One such disadvantage is that in all existing systems known to the Applicant there is required a decision to be made concerning the number of columns within a stock which are to be tested and to what frequency that testing should be undertaken. Testing programs that are set up employing such systems are inevitably not able to take into account electrical component failures.

Although column manufacturers are required to provide a minimum design life of twenty five years there are numerous cases where a column's serviceable life is far less, due to column design and/or localised conditions that are more aggressive than otherwise anticipated.

It can also be the case that the actual installed age of a column is not documented which means that a column could at any given time be past its projected design life.

Due to years of underfunding in infrastructure, stocks of lighting columns have frequently been found to include significant numbers of columns that are past their design life and therefore need to be tested to ensure that they are electrically safe. Unfortunately there have been cases of catastrophic failure, some of which have caused injury and even death.

A further disadvantage of known testing methods is that these generally require an operative to visit the installation and verify the electrical operation of a column. This can be a costly exercise in terms of testing administration and road traffic management. There is also an increase in risk to operatives while testing is carried out. This is particularly the case where the testing site in a hazardous location such as, for example, on central reservations of motorways.

This invention seeks to provide inter alia an improved method and apparatus for monitoring the electrical operation of a stock of lighting or like columns which overcomes or at least alleviates these and other problems and disadvantages.

Summary of the invention

In one aspect the invention provides a method for monitoring the electrical operation of a column which forms one of a stock of such columns connected to receive power from a mains source or otherwise, the method comprising the steps of locating on an upper surface of the column (or each column of the stock of columns) a micro-controller operable to measure the electrical voltage and current parameters of said column and to transmit data relevant to said measured parameters to a column mounted wireless transmitter, said transmitter being operable to transmit the measured data to a central data hub including an internet connection and from there to a remote server for analysis using bespoke software.

In another aspect, the invention provides apparatus for monitoring the electrical operation of a column which forms one of a stock of said columns connected to receive power from a mains source or otherwise, said apparatus comprising a micro-controller located on an upper surface of said column and connected to measure the electrical voltage and current parameters of said column and to transmit data relevant to said measured parameters to a column mounted wireless transmitter, said transmitter being connected to transmit the measured data to a central data hub including an internet connection and from there to a remote server for analysis using bespoke software.

The wireless transmitter is preferably a WI-FI/RF transmitter or a 3G/4G component.

The wireless transmitter is preferably also connected to receive data from a column mounted global positioning component, preferably a GPS component.

The microcontroller device may also include a Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device, an electrical surge protector and photo cell. The photo cell detects when there is day light present and will switch off the light during these periods and switch on the light during periods when there is no day light.

The apparatus may also include a column mounted global positioning component and/or a real time clock component.

The microcontroller with MEMS device may also include a gyroscope component and/or a power surge protector and photo cell.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing which illustrates one embodiment of apparatus for measuring the electrical operation of a stock of lighting columns in accordance with the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The monitoring apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawing comprises a microcontroller device 10 located on an upper surface of each or selected columns of a stock of lighting columns whose electrical operation is to be monitored.

The microcontroller device 10 is powered by the electrical supply to the lighting column on which the device is located and, as explained in our co-pending patent application GB1603561.0 comprises accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer functions each able to make measurements in the X, Y and Z axes thereby defining a nine degree of freedom.

In an alternative embodiment, the power supply to the microcontroller is a supply other than that which powers the lighting column.

The microcontroller device 10 is connected to transmit the measured data together with data received from a global geographical position and elevation module 12 including a real time clock and a micro controller 14 to an electronic chip/board 16 and from thence to a micro-controller transmitter module 18. The electronic chip/board 16 also receives data from a structure geographical position and elevation device 20, this device operating to provide a date and time for data received.

Data retrieved from the elevation module 12 and the micro controller 14 is sent by the transmitter 18 to a central hub 22 which includes an internet connection and from thence to a remote server 24 in which the received data is analysed together with further data as described below.

All of the components shown in Box A in the accompanying drawing are located on some or all of the columns to be inspected.

The transmitter 18 preferably comprises a WI-FI/RF transmitter component or a 3G/4G communication module operable to transmit data received from the microcontroller device 10 to the central hub 22 which in turn sends the received data to a remote server for analysis to provide a measure of the electrical operation derived from the measured voltages and currents.

In this way the electrical operation of the stock of columns can be continuously or periodically assessed and remedial action can then be taken should one or more of the electrical components of the column stock be found from the collected data to be in need of repair or replacement.

Baseline data relating to the specific structure and columns employed is entered into the remote server 24 for comparison with the measured performance values.

The electrical performances of the monitored columns are set to comply to any applicable national standards such as for example the BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations (formerly known as the IEE Wiring Regulations).

Assessment of the electrical immediately without the need for its current condition or age.

operation any prior can begin knowledge of

It is to be understood that the electronic chip or board 16 may be manufactured using several different product platforms. Thus an electronic board may be attached to the lighting CMS (Central Management System) module or to a device to monitor the structural health of a column or may be formed as a separate module attached to the electronic board of the lamp or lantern of the lighting column.

In each case the platforms are constructed to fit inside or closely adjacent to the lamp or lantern of the columns and utilise the lamp or lantern power source. Alternatively the platform may be constructed to fit within the base compartment door opening and may utilise the power source at this location.

Further component options include a separate module fitted on the upper surface of the lamp or lantern, again utilising the lamp or lantern power source, or a separate module fitted on the upper surface of the structure.

Data collected by the remote server 24 includes, for example, the date and time of the data capture, the geographical position of the column and/or column stock from which the collected data originated, the elevation above sea level of the lighting column stock from which the data was collected, data relating to individual column identification, and the electrical voltage and current.

In the arrangement described, all of the captured data is sent to and held within the remote server 24 where relevant data or extracts of the data can be viewed by authorised personnel by means of bespoke software through a web portal 2 8.

The electrical operation of the monitored columns can be assessed to determine if they are safe to the public and to anyone charged with their maintenance. Lighting columns that have electrical defects can be analysed to assess whether the lighting column presents any danger to the people working on or coming in contact with the lighting column and also to prove that on the day of any inspection or work to be carried out on the lighting column the installation is in a safe condition. By continuously monitoring the lighting column will also verify that the health and safety of persons, animals and property is not endangered.

An alert function 30 is provided more columns of a stock is/are This function may be predictive more columns of a stock is/are within a predicted period of time.

to indicate that one or in an unsafe condition.

to indicate that one or likely to become unsafe

Wind speed and direction may be monitored via one or several anemometers 26 to enable correlation between deflection measurements and specific geographical wind conditions .

Part of the analysis of the lighting columns electrical system is to determine the power factor to ensure that the power factor is maintained at 0.85 lagging or above. If the power factor is below 0.85 then components within the electronic circuitary will need to be replaced.

The bespoke software is designed so that at any point in time, a column's and electrical operation can be interrogated, as well as routinely capturing data on a frequency determined by authorised personnel. Certain electrical parameters are included so that authorised personnel are able to receive warnings if the structure operating outside the required operating range.

This can be used to indicate if, for example, a column is involved in a road traffic accident or suffers an electrical or mechanical defect which has resulted in the lighting column becoming unsafe. Additional safety benefits are provided to enable the relevant authorities to respond quickly to a possible obstruction in the road through a warning alert transmitted by the monitoring apparatus, as opposed to waiting to receive a report from a passer by.

The software may also be Asset Register thereby regarding the electrical method and apparatus of this linked to a Local Authority's to provide historical data outputs from the monitoring invention.

The electronic circuit equipment within the lighting column can be severely affected by lightning or electrical switching events. These increases in voltages (surges or transient over voltages) could possibly cause irreparable damage to electronic circuit equipment. A Surge Protective Device (SPD) is specifically designed to protect equipment from such events by redirecting the harmful voltage away from the equipment.

If the light within a structure is on when it should be off then an alert can be sent to inform the asset owner. Likewise if a light is off when it should be on then an alert can also be sent to inform the asset owner.

LED lights have multiple lighting panels that through continuously monitoring their electrical voltage and current levels, panel defects and faults can be detected.

Lighting columns have an access door where the break out switch is located. By continuously monitoring the base compartment door a breach can be detected and an alert sent to the asset owner.

If the microcontroller device is reinstalled onto a different structure type, the firmware can be reconfigured remotely using the over the air communication. Data collection sample rates, voltage and current measurement ranges can all be reconfigured to accommodate the new structure .

In summary, using the described system on cantilevered structures provides the following advantages:

• Small in size so that surface area and mass elements are negligible in terms of additional load on the structure .

• Low in cost to enable mass deployment on low value high risk assets.

• Design for a NEMA socket to allow connection of the node to the outside of the lantern while maintaining the connection for CMS or photocell.

It is to be appreciated that the foregoing is merely indicative of methods and apparatus in accordance with the invention for monitoring electrical operation of columns and stocks of columns and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as described. Thus, whereas the invention has been described with particular reference to lighting columns and stocks of such columns, the invention has equal relevance to other species of columns and column stocks including telecom masts, railway signals, power distribution masts, pylons, support structures for rail electrification equipment, and the like.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the electrical operation of a column which forms one of a stock of such columns connected to receive power from a mains source or otherwise, the method comprising the steps of locating on an upper surface of the column (or each column of the stock of columns) a micro-controller operable to measure the electrical voltage and current parameters of said column and to transmit data relevant to said measured parameters to a column mounted wireless transmitter, said transmitter being operable to transmit the measured data to a central data hub including an internet connection and from there to a remote server for analysis using bespoke software .

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wireless transmitter comprises a WI-FI/RF transmitter.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wireless transmitter comprises a 3G/4G component.

4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the wireless transmitter is also connected to receive data from a column mounted global positioning component, preferably a GPS component.

5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the microcontroller device also includes a micro-electro mechanical (MEMS) device, an electrical surge protector and photo cell.

6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including a column mounted global positioning component and/or a real time clock component.

7. Apparatus for monitoring the electrical operation of a column which forms one of a stock of said columns connected to receive power from a mains source or otherwise, said apparatus comprising a microcontroller located on an upper surface of said column and connected to measure the electrical voltage and current parameters of said column and to transmit data relevant to said measured parameters to a column mounted wireless transmitter, said transmitter being connected to transmit the measured data to a central data hub including an internet connection and from there to a remote server for analysis using bespoke software .

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB 1700391.4