WO1996037025A1 - Reseau de distribution d'energie electrique pour batiments - Google Patents

Reseau de distribution d'energie electrique pour batiments Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1996037025A1
WO1996037025A1 PCT/GB1996/001201 GB9601201W WO9637025A1 WO 1996037025 A1 WO1996037025 A1 WO 1996037025A1 GB 9601201 W GB9601201 W GB 9601201W WO 9637025 A1 WO9637025 A1 WO 9637025A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
casing
power distribution
distribution unit
thermal sensor
electrical power
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1996/001201
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David Eardley Garrard
Original Assignee
David Eardley Garrard
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by David Eardley Garrard filed Critical David Eardley Garrard
Priority to EA199700400A priority Critical patent/EA199700400A1/ru
Priority to AU57719/96A priority patent/AU5771996A/en
Priority to EP96914315A priority patent/EP0834209A1/fr
Publication of WO1996037025A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996037025A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H3/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection
    • H02H3/08—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to excess current
    • H02H3/085—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to excess current making use of a thermal sensor, e.g. thermistor, heated by the excess current
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B17/00—Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
    • G08B17/06—Electric actuation of the alarm, e.g. using a thermally-operated switch

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an electric power distribution unit for buildings including a safety device.
  • a large proportion of fires in domestic premises are caused by electrical faults. Of these, a large proportion originate in the region of the distribution device such as a fuse box, circuit breaker unit or the like. Fires will, for example, be caused by a poor connection in such a unit. It is therefore good and common practice to mount a smoke alarm in the vicinity of the fuse box or circuit breaker unit to detect any smoke which results from a fire at the unit. So long as the smoke detector is and remains in sound working condition, and there is someone in the building, this then alerts them to the fact that there is a problem.
  • the fuse box or circuit breaker unit can be contained in a fire-resistant housing. This will give a degree of resistance, generally measured in a time period such as, for example, two hours.
  • United States Patent US-A-4,706, 073 describes a circuit breaker which incorporates an alarm system.
  • This alarm system includes sensors for sensing a change of light, sound, vibration, temperature, or ionisation level, which is produced by a thermo-electric or magnetic circuit breaker when sensing an overload condition. More particularly, the sensors detect noise or vibration produced by movement of the toggle switch of the circuit breaker.
  • a separate sensor is provided for each circuit breaker in the unit, and in this way is able to detect which of the individual circuit breakers has tripped and provide an alarm indication accordingly.
  • the sensors are on the door of the circuit breaker unit. Amongst other things they can be sensitive to the temperature level or ionisation level which is present during an overload condition.
  • United Kingdom Patent Application GB-A-2073974 describes an industrial circuit interrupter for automatically analysing the electrical conditions in a circuit being protected, which has a circuit breaker mechanism the contracts of which are separated under the control of a micro-computer.
  • a bimetallic switch is mounted on the internal conductors of the circuit breaker and releases the circuit breaker when the conductors overheat. The bimetallic switch is also connected to the microcomputer to activate an alarm.
  • United States Patent US-A-4208689 describes another circuit breaker which has a thermal tripping mechanism to trip the circuit breaker if the load conductors become overheated due to causes such as poor electrical connection to the load. For example the circuit breaker is tripped if the load bus bar temperature reaches 130°C.
  • the circuitry within the circuit breaker is complex and thus expensive.
  • the present inventor has recognised that the inherent safety of an electrical power distribution system for a building, particularly domestic accommodation, would be much improved by the inclusion of an ambient heat sensor in the region of the power distribution unit, such as to sense a temperature increase caused by heating within the unit such as might result from a poor electrical connection, the output of the sensor being operative automatically to disconnect electrical power from the unit or the relevant part thereof.
  • the heat sensor is preferably arranged to trigger at a temperature significantly higher than the normal likely summer ambient temperature, but below that necessary, for example to melt a fuse. The sensor can sense the presence of heat before sufficient heat is generated to cause combustion, and thus actually prevent, as opposed to merely identify or alert, a fire.
  • the unit includes a residual current device as the cut-out.
  • a residual current device as the cut-out.
  • Such devices are already incorporated in some commercially-available distribution boxes, and thus there is a minimum of additional equipment required.
  • the heat sensor can take many forms, and can be coupled to the residual current device in different ways.
  • the connection between the heat sensor and the cut-out may be one that does not require an electrical supply, and it may, in particular, be a mechanical connection.
  • the heat sensor may be constituted by a pivotally-mounted thermometer which changes position when a predetermined temperature rise causes the mercury to move and to change the centre of gravity sufficiently to cause the thermometer to pivo .
  • a piece of spring wire can be connected between the thermometer and the residual current device to operate the latter in the case of such movement.
  • connection can be electrical. If electrical power is required it can be supplied from the mains supply, which will of course be live if it is in danger of causing a fire. It is preferred not to use a battery, as this can run down, but this would be a less- desirable alternative possibility.
  • the residual current device used in the unit is a known type of device which detects an imbalance in the current through the live and neutral conductors, indicating leakage to earth (ground) , and when such leakage exceeds a predetermined value, operates as a cut ⁇ out to disconnect the supply.
  • the heat sensor can be connected to the residual current device, so that in the presence of excess . heat the residual current device is caused to trigger and disconnect the supply, even though the current through it may otherwise be balanced as between the live and neutral conductors, and even though there is no overload such as would trigger the normal overload protection.
  • Fi ⁇ ure 1 is a front view of an electric power distribution unit for use in a domestic installation, with the front cover removed;
  • Figure 2 is a side section through the unit of
  • Figures 3A and 3B show in schematic form two possible types of heat sensor and their connection to a cut-out; and Figure 4 is an electrical circuit diagram for the unit of Figure 1.
  • FIG. 1 a circuit breaker unit 10 which has a generally rectangular casing 12, the front cover of which is removed and is thus not shown in Figure 1.
  • the casing forms a substantially closed housing when mounted on the wall of a building.
  • the unit contains an ON/OFF switch 14 to which the supply is connected, a residual current device (RCD) 16 which receives the live and neutral output of the switch 14, and a bank 18 of miniature circuit breakers connected to receive the live output of the RCD 16. Residual current devices are well- known and readily available. Individual circuits are then connected to the respective circuit breakers.
  • RCD residual current device
  • the respective circuit breaker triggers, and a button 20 on the circuit breaker is automatically pushed outwardly at the same time as the circuit is broken. After the fault has been corrected the circuit breaker can be re-set by manual depression of the button. In the event of an earth (ground) fault, the RCD will detect a current imbalance and will trigger, cutting off the supply to all the circuits. After the earth fault has been corrected the RCD can be re-set.
  • the unit further includes within the housing 10, and preferably placed immediately above the bank of circuit breakers 18, a thermal sensor 22, illustrated purely diagrammatically in Figures 1 and 2 which is connected to the RCD 16.
  • the thermal sensor 22 is located so that it is in the path of convection of any heat generated in the bank of circuit breakers. In the event of one of the circuit breakers overheating, the thermal sensor will trigger, and cause the RCD 16 to trigger and disconnect the supply. In this way, any danger of fire is averted.
  • FIG 2 illustrates the location of the sensor above the circuit breakers 18.
  • the manner in which the heat sensor 22 is connected to the RCD 16 is not shown in Figures 1 and 2, as it can take many forms.
  • One possibility is shown in Figure 3A.
  • a mercury thermometer 30 is mounted on a pivot 32, so that when cold, with the mercury fully within the bulb 34 of the thermometer, the thermometer tends to pivot clockwise as seen in Figure 3A, with its top end resting against a stop 36. When it heats up the mercury moves up the thermometer and its centre of gravity also moves to the left. When a dangerous temperature rise is sensed, the mercury will have moved for enough to cause the thermometer to pivot anti-clockwise.
  • This movement is conveyed to the RCD 16 by a light wire 38 coupling the thermometer and the RCD. The movement mechanically moves the trigger element in the RCD.
  • connection is an electrical connection.
  • a bimetallic strip 40 is used as the heat sensor. This is connected at one end to the RCD 16 by an electrical conductor 42. The other end of the bimetallic strip closes against a contact 44 when the temperature rises to a preset value.
  • This contact 44 is connected to the RCD by a conductor 46.
  • the connection 40,44 is such as to draw a small current, e.g. through a resistor, from the live conductor to earth (ground) . Current flowing through contact 44 thus causes an imbalance in the live and neutral currents through the RCD, thereby causing it to trigger and disconnect the supply.
  • Figure 4 shows the electrical connections, which are omitted from Figure 1 in the interests of clarity.
  • the mains supply illustrated at 24, is applied to the switch 14 and then to the RCD 16.
  • the live output of the RCD is applied to a live bus 26 which distributes it to the circuit breaker bank 18.
  • the neutral output of the RCD 16 is applied to a bus or distribution point 27.
  • Individual circuits are then connected to the output of one of the circuit breakers, and to the neutral bus or distribution point 27.
  • the heat sensor 22 located adjacent to the circuit breaker bank 18 causes the RCD to trigger, in the same way that it would if the current in the live conductor and the current in the neutral conductor were not equal due to a circuit fault.
  • the heat sensor could be located within the bank of circuit breakers 18.
  • a separate heat sensor could be located in or adjacent to each of the individual miniature circuit breakers, each causing the RCD 16 to trigger.
  • the sensor is set to trigger at a temperature above normal summer ambient temperatures, but below that at which combustion can occur. In this way any build up of heat preliminary to an actual fire occurring will be detected and trigger the unit before a dangerous situation arises. While the precise temperature at which the thermal sensor would need to operate will be a matter of empirical determination, it is believed that a temperature in the range 50°C to 80°C is likely to be appropriate.
  • the principles of the embodiment described can be incorporated in other electrical power distribution units, such as a conventional fuse box, rather than a circuit breaker.
  • the sort of heat that will cause a fuse to fail is usually less than that which would cause a significant danger of fire, and appropriate adjustment of the thermal sensor should ensure that it will not normally operate in the event of a fuse blowing.
  • the principles disclosed can be used in a larger installation, such as with a three-phase supply.

Landscapes

  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Distribution Board (AREA)
  • Emergency Protection Circuit Devices (AREA)
  • Remote Monitoring And Control Of Power-Distribution Networks (AREA)

Abstract

Un ensemble (10) formant coupe-circuit électrique comporte un interrupteur-séparateur (14), un interrupteur de protection contre les courants de court-circuit (16) pour détecter un déséquilibre de courant, et des coupe-circuits (18) pour détecter une surcharge de courant. Un capteur thermique (22) est fixé dans le boîtier (12) de l'ensemble. Ce capteur déclenche l'interrupteur de protection contre les court-circuits (16) pour déconnecter automatiquement l'alimentation lorsque la température dans cet ensemble augmente de manière significative et excède la température ambiante, comme cela peut se produire en cas de surchauffe due à une mauvaise connexion dans le coupe-circuit.
PCT/GB1996/001201 1995-05-19 1996-05-20 Reseau de distribution d'energie electrique pour batiments WO1996037025A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EA199700400A EA199700400A1 (ru) 1995-05-19 1996-05-20 Блок распределения электрической энергии для зданий
AU57719/96A AU5771996A (en) 1995-05-19 1996-05-20 Electric power distribution unit for buildings
EP96914315A EP0834209A1 (fr) 1995-05-19 1996-05-20 Reseau de distribution d'energie electrique pour batiments

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9510173.9A GB9510173D0 (en) 1995-05-19 1995-05-19 Safety device for electric power distribution systems for buildings
GB9510173.9 1995-05-19

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996037025A1 true WO1996037025A1 (fr) 1996-11-21

Family

ID=10774735

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1996/001201 WO1996037025A1 (fr) 1995-05-19 1996-05-20 Reseau de distribution d'energie electrique pour batiments

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0834209A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU5771996A (fr)
CA (1) CA2225753A1 (fr)
EA (1) EA199700400A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB9510173D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1996037025A1 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006125996A1 (fr) * 2005-05-25 2006-11-30 Callsmart Uk Limited Protection thermique pour installations et raccords electriques
US8103387B2 (en) 2008-04-28 2012-01-24 Lockheed Martin Corporation Adaptive power system
US8344724B2 (en) 2009-11-06 2013-01-01 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Non-intrusive monitoring of power and other parameters
WO2014006356A3 (fr) * 2012-07-02 2014-02-27 Indumission Limited Protection d'équipement de distribution d'électricité contre la surchauffe
US9058949B2 (en) 2009-07-15 2015-06-16 Vishay Resistors Belgium Bvba Thermal switch
CN107644504A (zh) * 2017-09-13 2018-01-30 河南省三禾电气有限公司 电气事故监控系统及方法
NL2018374B1 (nl) * 2017-02-14 2018-09-04 Abb Schweiz Ag Groepenkast met bewakingsinrichting

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4208689A (en) * 1978-03-15 1980-06-17 Square D Company Circuit breaker having an electronic fault sensing and trip initiating unit
US4706073A (en) * 1984-09-25 1987-11-10 Oscar Vila Masot Circuit breaker panels with alarm system
US5079542A (en) * 1990-03-08 1992-01-07 Nec Corporation Abnormal temperature detector for electronic apparatus

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4208689A (en) * 1978-03-15 1980-06-17 Square D Company Circuit breaker having an electronic fault sensing and trip initiating unit
US4706073A (en) * 1984-09-25 1987-11-10 Oscar Vila Masot Circuit breaker panels with alarm system
US5079542A (en) * 1990-03-08 1992-01-07 Nec Corporation Abnormal temperature detector for electronic apparatus

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006125996A1 (fr) * 2005-05-25 2006-11-30 Callsmart Uk Limited Protection thermique pour installations et raccords electriques
US8103387B2 (en) 2008-04-28 2012-01-24 Lockheed Martin Corporation Adaptive power system
US9058949B2 (en) 2009-07-15 2015-06-16 Vishay Resistors Belgium Bvba Thermal switch
US8344724B2 (en) 2009-11-06 2013-01-01 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Non-intrusive monitoring of power and other parameters
US8907664B2 (en) 2009-11-06 2014-12-09 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Non-intrusive monitoring of power and other parameters
WO2014006356A3 (fr) * 2012-07-02 2014-02-27 Indumission Limited Protection d'équipement de distribution d'électricité contre la surchauffe
NL2018374B1 (nl) * 2017-02-14 2018-09-04 Abb Schweiz Ag Groepenkast met bewakingsinrichting
CN107644504A (zh) * 2017-09-13 2018-01-30 河南省三禾电气有限公司 电气事故监控系统及方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0834209A1 (fr) 1998-04-08
CA2225753A1 (fr) 1996-11-21
AU5771996A (en) 1996-11-29
EA199700400A1 (ru) 1998-08-27
GB9510173D0 (en) 1995-07-12

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