GB2626766A - Switch arrangement and method for operating a switch arrangement - Google Patents
Switch arrangement and method for operating a switch arrangement Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2626766A GB2626766A GB2301479.8A GB202301479A GB2626766A GB 2626766 A GB2626766 A GB 2626766A GB 202301479 A GB202301479 A GB 202301479A GB 2626766 A GB2626766 A GB 2626766A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- switch
- arrangement
- phase
- control unit
- state
- 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.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 28
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims description 22
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000007858 starting material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002159 abnormal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001143 conditioned effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000018109 developmental process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000010363 phase shift Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02P—CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS
- H02P1/00—Arrangements for starting electric motors or dynamo-electric converters
- H02P1/16—Arrangements for starting electric motors or dynamo-electric converters for starting dynamo-electric motors or dynamo-electric converters
- H02P1/26—Arrangements for starting electric motors or dynamo-electric converters for starting dynamo-electric motors or dynamo-electric converters for starting an individual polyphase induction motor
- H02P1/40—Arrangements for starting electric motors or dynamo-electric converters for starting dynamo-electric motors or dynamo-electric converters for starting an individual polyphase induction motor in either direction of rotation
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J9/00—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting
- H02J9/04—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting in which the distribution system is disconnected from the normal source and connected to a standby source
- H02J9/06—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting in which the distribution system is disconnected from the normal source and connected to a standby source with automatic change-over, e.g. UPS systems
- H02J9/068—Electronic means for switching from one power supply to another power supply, e.g. to avoid parallel connection
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02P—CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS
- H02P1/00—Arrangements for starting electric motors or dynamo-electric converters
- H02P1/16—Arrangements for starting electric motors or dynamo-electric converters for starting dynamo-electric motors or dynamo-electric converters
- H02P1/26—Arrangements for starting electric motors or dynamo-electric converters for starting dynamo-electric motors or dynamo-electric converters for starting an individual polyphase induction motor
- H02P1/32—Arrangements for starting electric motors or dynamo-electric converters for starting dynamo-electric motors or dynamo-electric converters for starting an individual polyphase induction motor by star/delta switching
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Emergency Management (AREA)
- Control Of Ac Motors In General (AREA)
Abstract
A switch arrangement 1 has at least a first switch 11 and a second switch 12 and a control unit 2 configured for operating each switch 11, 12. The control unit 2 determines the state of each switch 11, 12 by measuring an electric current flowing through the switch arrangement 1 during operation using current sensors 21, 22, 23, and then operates the switches 11, 12 in an interlocked manner so that both switches are never closed at once. The switches may be used to reverse the direction of a three-phase ac motor, or to switch the circuit between delta and star configuration. An error message is generated if a non-zero current is sensed when the corresponding switch is set to an open state.
Description
SWITCH ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A SWITCH
ARRANGEMENT
A switch arrangement and a method for operating a switch arrangement are specified herein.
A switch arrangement may be used to change the configuration of an electric circuit. For example, the electric circuit can be used to electrically connect an electric device, such as an electric motor, to an electric power source. By changing the configuration of the electric circuit using the switch arrangement, a mode of operation of the electric device can be changed. As an example, the switch arrangement may be used to change a rotation direction of the electric motor. In particular, the switch arrangement may comprise at least two switches that are not operated independently, such that the state of one switch is dependent on a state of the other switch and vice versa, thereby forming an interlock. For example, in some circumstances it may be possible that closing two switches simultaneously would lead to a short circuit. This can be avoided by operating the switches in an interlocked manner. In particular, certain standardization rules may require that the switch arrangement forms an interlock.
For example, a hard wired interlock may be formed between two switches, such as contactors. In particular, each switch may comprise separate auxiliary or control contacts that are physically linked to a main contact and switched in parallel. For example, the auxiliary contacts of a first switch may be hard wired to a control circuit of a second switch and vice versa, in order to ensure that both switches cannot be closed at the same time. However, the additional wiring for -2 -interlocking the switches may increase a complexity and/or a space requirement for the switch arrangement, for example.
At least one object of certain embodiments is to specify a switch arrangement that can be electronically interlocked. This object is achieved by the subject matter of independent claim 1.
At least one further object of certain embodiments is to specify a method for operating a switch arrangement such that it can be electronically interlocked. This object is achieved by the subject matter of independent claim 8.
Further embodiments and further advantageous developments are specified in the dependent claims.
According to an embodiment, the switch arrangement comprises at least a first switch and a second switch. The features of one switch described in the following may apply to at least one switch, or to all of the switches. The switch may be configured to connect and/or to disconnect one conducting path or a plurality of conducting paths in an electric circuit. For example, the switch has a "closed" state, wherein an electric current can flow between at least two terminals of the switch, and an "open" state, wherein no electric current can flow between said two terminals. It is also possible that a negligibly small electric current may flow between the two terminals in the open state. For example, the electric current between the two terminals in the closed state is larger than the electric current in the open state by at least a factor of one thousand, preferably by at least a factor of one million. -3 -
For example, the switch is an electromechanical switch comprising at least one movable contact. The movable contact may be actuated mechanically or electromagnetically, for example by applying an electric control current to a coil that generates a magnetic field for actuating the movable contact. The switch may also be an electronic switch comprising a semiconductor component, such as a transistor or a triac, for example. The electronic switch may be actuated by applying a suitable electric voltage or an electric current between two corresponding terminals of the semiconductor component.
For example, the switch may be a "normally open", or a "normally closed" switch. The normally open switch is in the open state by default, unless actuated in order to switch to the closed state. The normally closed switch is in the closed state by default, unless actuated in order to switch to the open state.
According to a further embodiment, the switch arrangement comprises a control unit configured for operating each switch and for determining a state of each switch by measuring an electric current flowing through the switch arrangement during operation. For example, the control unit comprises an electronic circuit and/or a processing unit for processing input data and/or for generating at least one control signal.
The input data may comprise the measured electric current flowing through the switch arrangement. For example, the measured electric current is a load current flowing from a power source to a load via the switch arrangement. For example, the control unit comprises at least one current sensor for measuring the electric current. The current sensor -4 -may be an indirect current sensor, such as a Hall sensor, a magneto-resistive sensor, or a fluxgate sensor, for example. Alternatively or in addition, the current sensor may be a direct current sensor, such as a resistor that generates a voltage drop proportional to the current to be measured.
The control unit may comprise one current sensor for measuring the electric current carried by each electric line or electric current path that is switched by the switch arrangement, for example. Alternatively or in addition, the control unit may comprise one current sensor for each electric line or electric current path that enters and/or exits the switch arrangement, for example.
For example, the control unit is configured for monitoring the electric current flowing through the switch arrangement during operation. In particular, the control unit can measure one or more electric currents continuously as a function of time, or at a series of discrete time steps. Moreover, the control unit may generate a separate control signal for actuating each of the switches, thereby operating each switch.
By comparing the control signal for one switch with the measured electric currents, the control unit can determine the state of the switch, for example. For example, if the control signal generated by the control unit sets the state of a switch to "open" and the current sensor measures a finite electric current flowing through said switch, the switch is potentially damaged and the control unit may generate an error signal. Accordingly, the control unit may be configured to protect the switch arrangement and/or a load connected to the switch arrangement from damage. -5 -
According to a further embodiment of the switch arrangement, the control unit is further configured to operate the switches in an interlocked manner. Here and in the following, an "interlock" or an "interlocked operation" refers to at least two switches, where the operation of the first switch is conditioned on the state of the second switch and/or vice versa. For example, the first switch may be switched to the closed state if and only if the second switch is in the open state, and/or vice versa. In particular, the control unit forms an electronic interlock, where no hard wiring of auxiliary contacts is required, for example. Moreover, by determining the states of the switches via the electric current measurement during operation, the interlocked operation can be monitored and thus ensured and/or guaranteed.
According to a preferred embodiment, the switch arrangement comprises: - at least a first switch and a second switch, -a control unit configured for operating each switch and for determining a state of each switch by measuring an electric current flowing through the switch arrangement during operation, wherein - the control unit is further configured to operate the switches in an interlocked manner.
The switch arrangement specified herein is based on the idea to provide an electronic interlock. In particular, the interlock can be ensured by determining the state of each switch in the switch arrangement via measuring the electric current flowing through the switch arrangement before switching one or more of the switches in the switch -6 -arrangement. By contrast, if the switches are actuated by the control unit without monitoring the state of the switches via the current measurement, for example, then the interlocked operation cannot be ensured, as a switch may be damaged or faulty. Monitoring the state of the switches via the current measurement thus allows to provide a safe electronic interlock in accordance with standardization rules, for example. Moreover, by forming the electronic interlock as described above, no hard wiring of the switches is needed to form the interlock, thereby reducing the needed wiring.
According to a further embodiment of the switch arrangement, at least one of the switches is a contactor or a solid state relay. The contactor comprises an electromagnetically actuated, movable contact to switch an electric power circuit, for example. The solid state relay is an electronic switch that does not comprise movable contacts. Rather, the solid state relay comprises semiconductor components, such as transistors or thyristors, for switching the electric power circuit, for example.
According to a further embodiment of the switch arrangement, each switch is configured to simultaneously switch a first, a second and a third phase conductor of a three-phase ac system. For example, each switch is a three-phase contactor comprising a separate movable contact for switching each of the three phase conductors. Here and in the following, a three-phase ac system refers to a system, where an electric voltage and/or an electric current has a phase shift of 120° or approximately 120° between each pair of the three phase conductors. -7 -
According to a further embodiment of the switch arrangement, the control unit comprises three current sensors for measuring electric currents flowing through each of the first, second and third phase conductors. For example, the three current sensors are configured for measuring the overall current flowing into or out of the switch arrangement via the three phase conductors. Alternatively or in addition, the control unit may comprise three current sensors for some or each of the three-phase switches in the switch arrangement, such that each electric current flowing through each switch can be measured separately, for example. In particular, the number of current sensors may be chosen such that the state of each switch in the switch arrangement can be determined unambiguously.
According to a further embodiment of the switch arrangement, the first switch and the second switch are configured to reverse a rotation direction of an electric three-phase ac motor. For example, the first switch and the second switch are configured to interchange a connection of two of the three phase conductors with the three-phase ac motor. In this case the electronic interlock formed by the first switch, the second switch and the control unit including the current sensors needs to ensure that both, the first switch and the second switch are never in a closed state at the same time.
According to a further embodiment, the switch arrangement further comprises a third switch and a fourth switch. For example, the third switch and the fourth switch are three-phase contactors.
According to a further embodiment of the switch arrangement, the third switch and the fourth switch are configured to -8 -switch the three-phase ac motor from a star circuit to a delta circuit or vice versa. For example, in the star circuit each of the three coils of the three-phase ac motor is electrically connected to one of the three phase conductors and to a neutral conductor. For example, in the delta circuit each of the three coils of the three-phase ac motor is electrically connected to a different pair of the three phase conductors. In particular, the third and the fourth switch form a star delta starter for the three phase ac motor. In this case the electronic interlock formed by the third switch, the fourth switch and the control unit including the current sensors needs to ensure that both, the third switch and the fourth switch are never in a closed state at the same time.
According to a further embodiment of the switch arrangement, the control unit interlocks a switching of the first to fourth switch. For example, the switch arrangement forms a star delta forward reverse starter for the three phase ac motor. For example, the switch arrangement forms an electronic interlock, where no hard wiring of auxiliary contacts of the four three-phase contactors is necessary to form the interlock.
According to a further embodiment, the switch arrangement further comprises a hard wired interlock, wherein at least two of the switches comprise auxiliary contacts and the auxiliary contacts are electrically connected such that the electrically connected switches operate in an interlocked manner. In particular, the hard wired interlock operates in parallel to the electronic interlock formed by the control unit comprising the current sensors. Accordingly, the switch -9 -arrangement may have two redundant interlocks for increasing an operational safety.
Further, a method for operating a switch arrangement is specified herein. In particular, the method may be used for operating a switch arrangement as specified above. All features of the switch arrangement are also disclosed for the method for operating a switch arrangement and vice versa.
According to an embodiment, the method for operating a switch arrangement comprises a step of determining a state of each of at least a first switch and a second switch by measuring an electric current flowing through the switch arrangement during operation. For example, the current measurement allows to determine unambiguously, if each of the switches is in the open state, in the closed state, or damaged. The current measurement is performed by the control unit comprising the current sensors, for example.
According to a further embodiment, the method for operating a switch arrangement comprises a step of operating the switches in an interlocked manner depending on their determined state. For example, after the state of the first switch and the second switch is determined by the current measurement, the first switch is switched to the closed state if and only if the second switch is in the open state, or vice versa. The switches are operated by the control unit, for example. In particular, control signals generated by the control unit may be used to actuate the switches.
According to a preferred embodiment, the method for operating a switch arrangement comprises the steps of: -10 - -determining a state of each of at least a first switch and a second switch by measuring an electric current flowing through the switch arrangement during operation, -operating the switches in an interlocked manner depending on their determined state.
For example, the steps of the method are performed repeatedly in the order given above.
According to a further embodiment of the method for operating a switch arrangement, the switch arrangement is configured for switching a three-phase ac system. In particular, each switch is configured to simultaneously switch three phase conductors of the three-phase ac system.
According to a further embodiment of the method for operating a switch arrangement, the state of each switch is determined by measuring the electric current of each of the three phases flowing from a power source via the switch arrangement to a load. In other words, the switch arrangement comprises three electric current sensors for measuring the load current carried by each of the three phase conductors. For example, a magnitude of the electric load current is different depending on which switch is in an open or closed state. Accordingly, it may be possible to unambiguously determine the state of at least two switches by solely measuring the load current, rather than measuring the electric current flowing through each switch separately.
According to a further embodiment of the method for operating a switch arrangement, an error message is generated if a nonzero electric current is measured flowing through a switch that is set to an open state. Similarly, an error message may be generated if no electric current is measured flowing through a switch that is set to a closed state. In particular, an error message may be generated if an abnormal electric current is measured. The error message is generated by the control unit, for example.
According to a further embodiment of the method for operating a switch arrangement, the first switch and the second switch are configured for reversing a rotation direction of an electric three-phase ac motor.
According to a further embodiment of the method for operating a switch arrangement, the first switch and the second switch are operated such that they are never in a closed state at the same time during the interlocked operation.
According to a further embodiment of the method for operating a switch arrangement, a third switch and a fourth switch are configured for switching the three-phase ac motor from a star circuit to a delta circuit or vice versa.
According to a further embodiment of the method for operating a switch arrangement, the third switch and the fourth switch are operated such that they are never in a closed state at the same time during the interlocked operation.
Further advantageous embodiments and further embodiments of the switch arrangement and the method for operating a switch arrangement become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments described in connection with the figures.
Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a switch arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment.
-12 -Figure 2 shows a step of a method for operating a switch arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment.
Figure 3 shows steps of a method for operating a switch arrangement according to a further exemplary embodiment.
Elements that are identical, similar, or have the same effect, are denoted by the same reference signs in the figures. The figures and the proportions of the elements shown in the figures are not to be regarded as true to scale. Rather, individual elements may be shown exaggeratedly large for better representability and/or better understanding.
The switch arrangement 1 according to the exemplary embodiment in Figure 1 comprises a first switch 11, a second switch 12, a third switch 13, and a fourth switch 14, as well as a control unit 2. The switch arrangement 1 is configured as a star delta forward reverse starter for an electric three-phase ac motor 3. Each of the four switches 11, 12, 13, 14 is a three-phase contactor. The control unit 2 comprises a processing unit 20 and three current sensors 21, 22, 23 for measuring the load current flowing through each of the three phase conductors Li, L2, L3. The control unit 2 is configured to switch the four switches 11, 12, 13, 14 in an interlocked manner, depending on electric currents measured by the current sensors 21, 22, 23.
The first switch 11 and the second switch 12 are configured to reverse a rotation direction of the three-phase ac motor 3 by interchanging a connection of two of the three phase conductors Li, L2, L3 with the three-phase ac motor 3. The control unit 2 determines the state of the first switch 11 -13 -and the second switch 12 by measuring the electric load currents. Moreover, the control unit 2 ensures that the first switch 11 and the second switch 12 are never closed simultaneously, thereby forming an interlock.
The third switch 13 and the fourth switch 14 are configured to change the electric circuit from a star circuit to a delta circuit and vice versa in order to reduce the load when starting the three-phase ac motor 3. The electric circuit is in the delta configuration, if the third switch 13 is closed and the fourth switch 14 is open, whereas the electric circuit is in the star configuration, if the third switch 13 is open and the fourth switch 14 is closed. The control unit 2 determines the state of the third switch 13 and the fourth switch 14 by measuring the electric load currents. The control unit 2 also ensures that the third switch 13 and the fourth switch 14 are never closed simultaneously, thereby forming an interlock. Moreover, the control unit 2 ensures that the electric circuit is in a star configuration when the motor 3 is started, or before the rotation direction is changed via the first and second switches 11, 12.
Accordingly, all four switches 11, 12, 13, 14 are interlocked by the control unit 2 during operation.
Figure 2 shows a step of determining the state of a three-phase switch 11 according to an exemplary embodiment of the method for operating a switch arrangement 1. In particular, Figure 2 shows how three different states of a three-phase switch 11 can be determined via measuring the electric currents flowing through each of the three phase conductors Ll, L2, L3.
-14 -In the left panel the switch 11 is set to the open state and no electric current is measured flowing through the switch 11. Accordingly, the switch 11 is in the open state.
In the middle panel the switch 11 is set to the closed state and electric currents are measured flowing through each of the three phase conductors Li, L2, L3. Accordingly, the switch 11 is in the closed state.
In the right panel the switch 11 is set to the open state and electric currents are measured flowing through two of the three phase conductors Li, L2, L3. Accordingly, the actual state of the switch 11 deviates from the set state, as two of the three contacts are damaged or faulty.
Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of a method for operating a switch arrangement 1 according to an exemplary embodiment. In particular, the steps described in Figure 3 describe how the star delta forward reversing starter for a three-phase ac motor 3 described in connection with Figure 1 is operated in an electronically interlocked manner by measuring electric load currents flowing through each of the three phase conductors Li, L2, L3.
In a first step 101, the switch arrangement 1 is initialized. The first switch 11, second switch 12, third switch 13 and fourth switch 14 are set to the open state by the control unit 2. Subsequently, the control unit 2 checks if indeed no electric load current is flowing, otherwise the control unit 2 generates an error signal. Afterwards, the first switch 11 is set to the closed state and the control unit 2 checks that still no electric load current is flowing.
-15 -Alternatively, the second switch 12 may be set to the closed state instead of the first switch 11, if a different initial rotation direction of the motor 3 is desired. In this case, the first switch 11 and the second switch 12 must be interchanged in the following description.
In a second step 102 the motor 3 is started by setting the fourth switch 14 to the closed state, thereby setting the electric circuit in the star configuration. The control unit 2 checks if the electric load current is flowing and measures the magnitude of the electric load current. Otherwise, the control unit 2 generates an error signal. After the control unit 2 has determined that the electric inrush current has receded or levelled off, the fourth switch 14 is set to the open state and the control unit 2 checks if no electric load current is flowing. Otherwise, the control unit 2 generates an error signal. If indeed no electric load current is flowing, the third switch 13 is set to the closed state after a predetermined time period, thereby setting the electric circuit in the delta configuration. The control unit 2 checks if the electric load current is flowing, otherwise an error signal is generated. The predetermined time period ensures that the third switch 13 and the fourth switch 14 are not in a closed state at the same time.
In a third step 103 the motor is switched off. The control unit 2 sets the third switch 13 to the open state and checks if no electric load current is flowing, otherwise an error signal is generated.
In a fourth step 104 a reversal of the rotation direction is initiated by setting the first switch 11 to the open state, the fourth switch 14 to the closed state and checking that no -16 -electric load current is flowing, otherwise an error signal is generated. If indeed no electric load current is flowing, the control unit 2 sets the second switch 12 to the closed state after a predetermined time period and checks if the electric load current is flowing again, otherwise an error signal is generated. The predetermined time period ensures that the first switch 11 and the second switch 12 are not in a closed state at the same time. After the control unit 2 has determined that the electric inrush current has receded or levelled off, the fourth switch 14 is set to the open state and the control unit 2 checks if no electric load current is flowing. Otherwise, the control unit 2 generates an error signal. If indeed no electric load current is flowing, the third switch 13 is set to the closed state after a predetermined time period, thereby setting the electric circuit in the delta configuration. The control unit 2 checks if the electric load current is flowing, otherwise an error signal is generated. The predetermined time period ensures that the third switch 13 and the fourth switch 14 are not in a closed state at the same time.
The first step 101, second step 102 and third step 103 may be repeated in that order, with the fourth step 104 being optional.
The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments by the description on the basis of said exemplary embodiments. Rather, the invention encompasses any new feature and also any combination of features, which in particular comprises any combination of features in the patent claims and any combination of features in the exemplary embodiments, even if this feature or this -17 -combination itself is not explicitly specified in the patent claims or exemplary embodiments.
-18 -Reference Signs 1 switch arrangement 11 first switch 12 second switch 13 third switch 14 fourth switch 2 control unit processing unit 21 first current sensor 22 second current sensor 23 third current sensor 3 electric three-phase ac motor 101 first step 102 second step 103 third step 104 fourth step Li first phase conductor L2 second phase conductor L3 third phase conductor
Claims (12)
- -19 -Claims: 1. A switch arrangement (1) comprising, -at least a first switch (11) and a second switch (12), -a control unit (2) configured for operating each switch (11, 12) and for determining a state of each switch (11, 12) by measuring an electric current flowing through the switch arrangement (1) during operation, wherein -the control unit (2) is further configured to operate the switches (11, 12) in an interlocked manner.
- 2. The switch arrangement (1) according to the previous claim, wherein at least one of the switches (11, 12) is a contactor or a solid state relay.
- 3. The switch arrangement (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein each switch (11, 12) is configured to simultaneously switch a first, a second and a third phase conductor (L1, L2, L3) of a three-phase ac system.
- 4. The switch arrangement (1) according to claim 3, wherein the control unit (2) comprises three current sensors (21, 22, 23) for measuring electric currents flowing through each of the first, second and third phase conductors (L1, L2, L3).
- 5. The switch arrangement (1) according to claims 3 or 4, wherein the first switch (11) and the second switch (12) are configured to reverse a rotation direction of an electric three-phase ac motor (3).
- -20 - 6. The switch arrangement (1) according to claim 5, further comprising -a third switch (13) and a fourth switch (14), wherein -the third switch (13) and the fourth switch (14) are configured to switch the three-phase ac motor (3) from a star circuit to a delta circuit or vice versa, and -the control unit (2) interlocks a switching of the first to fourth switch (11, 12, 13, 14).
- 7. The switch arrangement (1) according to any of the previous claims, further comprising -a hard-wired interlock, wherein - at least two of the switches (11, 12, 13, 14) comprise auxiliary contacts, and -the auxiliary contacts are electrically connected such that the electrically connected switches (11, 12, 13, 14) operate in an interlocked manner.
- 8. A method for operating a switch arrangement (1) comprising the steps: -determining a state of each of at least a first switch (11) and a second switch (12) by measuring an electric current flowing through the switch arrangement (1) during operation, and - operating the switches (11, 12) in an interlocked manner depending on their determined state.
- 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein - the switch arrangement (1) is configured for switching a three-phase ac system, and -the state of each switch (11, 12) is determined by measuring the electric current of each of the three phases -21 -flowing from a power source via the switch arrangement (1) to a load (3).
- 10. The method according to any of claims 8 and 9, wherein an error message is generated if a non-zero electric current is measured flowing through a switch (11, 12) that is set to an open state.
- 11. The method according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein - the first switch (11) and the second switch (12) are configured for reversing a rotation direction of an electric three-phase ac motor (3), and - the first switch (11) and the second switch (12) are operated such that they are never in a closed state at the same time during the interlocked operation.
- 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein -a third switch (13) and a fourth switch (14) are configured for switching the three-phase ac motor (3) from a star circuit to a delta circuit or vice versa, and -the third switch (13) and the fourth switch (14) are operated such that they are never in a closed state at the same time during the interlocked operation.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2301479.8A GB2626766A (en) | 2023-02-01 | 2023-02-01 | Switch arrangement and method for operating a switch arrangement |
| PCT/EP2024/025026 WO2024160461A1 (en) | 2023-02-01 | 2024-01-15 | Switch arrangement and method for operating a switch arrangement |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2301479.8A GB2626766A (en) | 2023-02-01 | 2023-02-01 | Switch arrangement and method for operating a switch arrangement |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB202301479D0 GB202301479D0 (en) | 2023-03-15 |
| GB2626766A true GB2626766A (en) | 2024-08-07 |
Family
ID=85476486
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2301479.8A Pending GB2626766A (en) | 2023-02-01 | 2023-02-01 | Switch arrangement and method for operating a switch arrangement |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2626766A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2024160461A1 (en) |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5138184A (en) * | 1990-01-22 | 1992-08-11 | Powertrol, Inc. | Solid state static power transfer mechanism |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE10147531B4 (en) * | 2001-09-26 | 2006-01-12 | Moeller Gmbh | Control device for a motor starter |
| DE102016101553A1 (en) * | 2016-01-28 | 2017-08-03 | Eaton Electrical Ip Gmbh & Co. Kg | Electronic motor starter with protection and monitoring function |
| DE102016203755A1 (en) * | 2016-03-08 | 2017-09-14 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Motor starters and diagnostic procedures |
| CN106100456B (en) * | 2016-08-23 | 2019-08-20 | 东南大学 | A kind of the control node device and operation method of three-phase motor comprehensively control |
| CN110912465A (en) * | 2019-12-12 | 2020-03-24 | 山东弘德机械工业有限公司 | Circuit and method for controlling motor star-delta starting by utilizing PLC |
-
2023
- 2023-02-01 GB GB2301479.8A patent/GB2626766A/en active Pending
-
2024
- 2024-01-15 WO PCT/EP2024/025026 patent/WO2024160461A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5138184A (en) * | 1990-01-22 | 1992-08-11 | Powertrol, Inc. | Solid state static power transfer mechanism |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2024160461A1 (en) | 2024-08-08 |
| GB202301479D0 (en) | 2023-03-15 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| EP2256777A2 (en) | Movable contact failure detecting device | |
| US7705492B2 (en) | Arrangement for failsafe evaluation of a position encoder | |
| US6563683B1 (en) | Electrical switchgear | |
| US6359440B2 (en) | Method of establishing the residual useful life of contacts in switchgear and associated arrangement | |
| US20070046274A1 (en) | Failure detecting device for a load driving system | |
| KR20040071241A (en) | Method for determining wear of a switchgear contacts | |
| US20170254852A1 (en) | Apparatus and methods for monitoring auxiliary contact status | |
| KR20100021458A (en) | Mems based motor starter with motor failure detection | |
| US6459557B1 (en) | Configurable single/multi-phase overload relay | |
| DE102008033320B3 (en) | Switch monitor, at the electronic switch circuit for a multi-phase heating system, has an emergency direct input on a control defect | |
| KR20080080299A (en) | Status monitoring device for switch | |
| JPH05280658A (en) | Electronic control apparatus for switching multiple loads | |
| US4061963A (en) | Load tap changer system | |
| GB2626766A (en) | Switch arrangement and method for operating a switch arrangement | |
| JP2023523184A (en) | Equipment for limiting short-circuit current in on-load tap-changers and on-load tap-changers having such equipment | |
| US6038114A (en) | Motor controller having delta motor wiring error detection capability | |
| US7397222B2 (en) | On-line testable solid state reversing DC motor starter | |
| WO1999046843A1 (en) | Bit-weighted regulator | |
| US20120038310A1 (en) | Inrush current control for a motor starter system | |
| KR100928935B1 (en) | Automatic Load Switching Actuator and Control Method Thereof | |
| US5986353A (en) | Arrangement for the exclusive connection of electrical loads | |
| US6072674A (en) | Motor controller having automatic swapped lead wiring detection capability | |
| JP2000092690A (en) | Safety device for a plurality of electrical loads and method for suspending power feeding to a plurality of electrical loads | |
| JP7039860B2 (en) | Contact failure detector for magnetic contactors | |
| US20190237961A1 (en) | Electronic overload breaker with built-in shunt calibration (bisc) and methods of operating same |