WO2006064209A1 - Dispositif de detection d'une defaillance d'alimentation electrique - Google Patents
Dispositif de detection d'une defaillance d'alimentation electrique Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2006064209A1 WO2006064209A1 PCT/GB2005/004789 GB2005004789W WO2006064209A1 WO 2006064209 A1 WO2006064209 A1 WO 2006064209A1 GB 2005004789 W GB2005004789 W GB 2005004789W WO 2006064209 A1 WO2006064209 A1 WO 2006064209A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- voltage
- current
- power supply
- magnitude
- electrical
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R19/00—Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof
- G01R19/165—Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values
- G01R19/16533—Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values characterised by the application
- G01R19/16538—Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values characterised by the application in AC or DC supplies
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
- G01R31/40—Testing power supplies
- G01R31/42—AC power supplies
Definitions
- This invention relates to a device for detecting an electrical power supply failure, and in particular relates to a device for providing emergency lighting in the event of a power supply failure.
- emergency lights are present which are installed with their own fixed wiring at strategic positions in the building, for example in a stairwell or in doorways.
- Such light devices can be emergency only lighting devices, or dual function devices that can operate as a normal lighting device when the mains is healthy and as a low-wattage emergency light when the mains supply fails.
- These dual function devices have a disadvantage in that they require two separate power supplies, one switched supply to allow the light to function as a normal light, and another supply that provides a constant supply of current in order to maintain the charge of an internal battery which upon failure of the power supply activates the emergency light. Having two supplies of power is a disadvantage in that it increases costs of wiring and ultimately building costs.
- emergency lights which are of a low wattage and which are themselves plugged into conventional domestic power sockets. This allows an internal battery to be charged but has a distinct disadvantage in that they will activate if they are unplugged or if the socket is switched off. By having a device that is constantly plugged into a socket, this also has a disadvantage that fewer power sockets are available to be used.
- the present invention seeks to overcome the problems associated with the prior art by providing a self-contained device that discriminates between a true failure in a power supply and an electrical load (e.g. a lamp) merely being switched off (e.g. switched off at a wall socket or a wall-mounted switch).
- an electrical load e.g. a lamp
- switched off e.g. switched off at a wall socket or a wall-mounted switch
- a device for detecting an electrical power supply failure comprising a plurality of electrical connectors for connecting the device between an electrical power supply and an electrical load, and a threshold monitor for detecting an electrical current and/or voltage from the power supply, wherein the threshold monitor is arranged to distinguish between: (a) a current and/or voltage having a magnitude greater than a predetermined magnitude, thereby indicating the presence of a current and/or voltage powering the load, or indicating the presence of a residual current and/or voltage from the supply when the load is not in use; and (b) a lack of a current and/or voltage having a magnitude greater than the predetermined magnitude, thereby indicating a failure in the power supply.
- the invention has the advantage that because the device is able to determine whether a residual current and/or voltage from the supply is present or absent, then it is able to distinguish (discriminate) between a true failure in the power supply (on the one hand) and an electrical load merely being "switched off” by means of a switch situated in the electric circuit supplying the load (on the other hand). This is because the inventors of the present invention have determined that when an electrical power supply is functioning correctly but an electrical load connected to the supply is switched off by means of a switch (e.g. a wall-mounted switch) remote from the load, then a small residual current (or a "leakage" current) is detectable at the load.
- a switch e.g. a wall-mounted switch
- the invention monitors whether this residual current is present in order to distinguish between a failure in the power supply and the electrical load merely being switched off.
- This monitoring for the residual current may be a direct monitoring of electric current and/or it may be an indirect monitoring of electric voltage produced (for example across the electrical load) by the residual current.
- the residual electric current referred to above is normally due to an inherent capacitance between electrical conductors (wires or cables) providing power to the switch and/or due to an inherent capacitance between the switch contacts when the power supply is functioning.
- the ability of the device according to the invention to determine whether a residual current is present provides the great benefit that the device can function while being remote from a switch (e.g. a wall-mounted switch) that connects an electrical load to the electrical power supply.
- a switch e.g. a wall-mounted switch
- the device can be situated adjacent to the lamp in the electric circuit powering the lamp, and remote from a wall-mounted switch connecting the lamp to the power supply.
- the invention consequently avoids the need for the device to be attached to the switch, or to be part of a replacement switch component, in order to monitor the current (or voltage) on the supply side of the switch (which is the case with some prior art devices).
- the threshold monitor comprises a comparator.
- the comparator comprises a voltage comparator, e.g. arranged to distinguish between: (a) a voltage having a magnitude greater than the predetermined magnitude; and (b) a lack of a voltage having a magnitude greater than the predetermined magnitude.
- the predetermined magnitude of current and/or voltage preferably is a reference value stored in the device.
- the device may advantageously include an amplifier arranged to amplify the current and/or voltage from the supply, the device being arranged such that the current and/or voltage that the threshold monitor detects is the current and/or voltage that has been amplified by the amplifier.
- the amplifier is arranged to amplify a residual current and/or voltage from the supply when the load is not in use, such that the residual current and/or voltage is amplified to a magnitude that is greater than the predetermined magnitude and consequently is detected as such by the threshold monitor.
- a current and/or voltage powering the load in use will normally be amplified such that the amplifier is driven substantially to saturation, and consequently the current and/or voltage detected by the threshold monitor has a magnitude that is greater than the predetermined magnitude.
- the device includes an amplifier protector that is arranged to protect the amplifier by attenuating the current and/or voltage from the supply before it is amplified by the amplifier if the current and/or voltage from the supply has a magnitude greater than a particular magnitude, which particular magnitude is greater than the predetermined magnitude. In this way, the amplifier may be protected when the power supply is functioning normally.
- the device includes a power source arranged to provide electrical power in the event of a power supply failure being detected by the device.
- the power source preferably comprises one or more batteries, for example Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) batteries or any batteries of a similar power-to-weight performance.
- the battery or batteries (or other power source) is/are arranged to be charged by the electrical power supply.
- the device may beneficially include a power supply failure indicator, arranged to signal the existence of a power supply failure in the event that the threshold monitor fails to detect a current and/or voltage having a magnitude greater than the predetermined magnitude, which power supply failure indicator is itself powered by the power source.
- the power supply failure indicator may comprises one or more lights and/or a device arranged to emit an audible alarm signal in the event that the threshold monitor fails to detect a current and/or voltage having a magnitude greater than the predetermined magnitude.
- the device is an emergency light device, arranged to provide emergency lighting powered by the power source, in the event that the device detects a failure in the power supply.
- the emergency lighting may be provided by at least one light of the device arranged to illuminate in the event that the threshold monitor fails to detect a current and/or voltage having a magnitude greater than the predetermined magnitude.
- the (or each) light may for example comprise a light-emitting diode (LED).
- the electrical load comprises a lamp
- the lamp may be powered by the power source in the event that the device detects a failure in the power supply, thereby providing the emergency lighting by means of the existing lamp.
- a second aspect of the invention provides an electrical apparatus including a device according to the first aspect of the invention.
- the electrical load preferably comprises a part of the electrical apparatus, and/or it may comprise an external electrical load that is electrically connected to the apparatus.
- the electrical apparatus may generally comprise any electrical appliance, but preferably the apparatus comprises a light fitting, in which case the electrical load preferably comprises at least one lamp (e.g. at least one light bulb) of the light fitting.
- the invention provides a light fitting incorporating a device according to the first aspect of the invention.
- the present invention may comprise an electrical component suitable for incorporation into an existing electrical apparatus (e.g. for incorporation into an existing light fitting), or the invention may comprise a self-contained unit suitable for connection to an existing electrical apparatus (e.g. for connection to an existing light fitting), or the invention may comprise an electrical apparatus (e.g. a light fitting) which includes a device according to the first aspect of the invention.
- an electrical apparatus e.g. a light fitting which includes a device according to the first aspect of the invention.
- the device may include a delay circuit and a switch component, which switch component preferably connects and disconnects the power source of the device, e.g. to emergency lighting of the device.
- the delay circuit preferably is arranged to maintain the switch component in an "off" condition while the threshold monitor detects a current and/or voltage having a magnitude greater than the predetermined magnitude, and is arranged to cause or allow the switch component to adopt an "on" condition if the threshold monitor fails to detect a current and/or voltage having a magnitude greater than the predetermined magnitude.
- the emergency lighting of the device may be switched on in the event of a power failure being detected.
- the switch component may comprise a transistor, e.g. a field-effect transistor (FET), especially a MOSFET.
- FET field-effect transistor
- the electrical connectors of the device may generally comprise any electrical connectors.
- the electrical connectors of the device preferably comprise lamp fitting connectors, e.g. bayonet or screw-thread connectors.
- the device may generally be used in conjunction with any form of lamp, e.g. filament lamps, fluorescent lamps, low-energy lamps, light-emitting diodes (LED's), etc.
- the device includes a visual indicator to show that the device (preferably the power source) is receiving electrical charge, in use.
- the device includes a visual and/or an audible indicator to alert that the power source is below a predetermined level of electrical charge.
- Such an indicator can therefore provide a warning that the electrical load must be switched on in order to charge the power source of the device and/or that the power source must be replaced, for example.
- the device may include a test switch to simulate a failure of input power supply, thereby allowing the device to be tested.
- the device includes a light detector whereby the device is deactivated when light levels are above a given illumination threshold.
- a light detector whereby the device is deactivated when light levels are above a given illumination threshold.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device in accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of electrical circuitry associated with the use of the device illustrated in Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuitry of the device itself.
- the device comprises a main body 1 comprising a housing which contains electrical circuitry.
- a series of lights 4 are arranged around the periphery of the housing.
- a plug-type electrical connector 2 which is shown as a bayonet plug (although, as mentioned, a screw type plug could be used) for fitting into a light bulb socket.
- a plug-type electrical connector 2 which is shown as a bayonet plug (although, as mentioned, a screw type plug could be used) for fitting into a light bulb socket.
- an electrical connector 3 so that the device can be attached to an electrical load, which in this case is a lamp such as a light bulb 5.
- the device also includes an attachment 12 between the housing 1 and the connector 3.
- An indicator light 6 is incorporated in the housing to provide a visual indication that power is being supplied to the device from the mains supply to charge a rechargeable battery contained in the housing 1.
- the power failure detecting device A is plugged into a ceiling lamp fitting (not shown) connected to the "mains" power supply. In the event of a power failure, there will no longer be current supplied to the light bulb 5.
- the device detects the power failure and illuminates (by means of the rechargeable battery) the lights 4 spaced around the upper surface of the housing, thereby providing emergency illumination. Positioning the emergency lights around the upper surface of the housing provides the advantage that the emergency lighting will be reflected from the ceiling, thereby spreading the illumination over a wide area.
- a reflector or lens may be positioned above the emergency lights 4. It will be appreciated that the emergency lights 4 may be positioned on other faces of the device to increase the spread of illumination. (For example, the lights 4 may be positioned so that there is both upward and downward illumination.)
- FIG. 2 the relationship between the device A and a typical domestic lighting installation circuit is shown.
- the incoming main AC power supply 7 (comprising live (“L”), neutral (“N”) and earth (“E”) conductors) is connected to a "loop-in” ceiling rose 8, which connects a pendant lamp holder 9 to a wall-mounted light switch 10 which is in series with the live feed to the lamp holder via cable 13.
- the power failure detecting device A is fitted between the lamp holder 9 and the light bulb 5.
- the device A includes a PCB (printed circuit board) containing circuitry to allow for monitoring of the in-coming mains power supply, as explained above.
- Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an example of the electrical circuitry of the device A.
- the AC supply is connected to a charger circuit 52 which produces a DC charge current suitable for continuous "trickle” charging of rechargeable batteries 59 and 60 (which are typically 2.4V Nickel-Cadmium batteries).
- a re-settable thermal fuse 61 protects the batteries from abnormally high charge and discharge faults.
- the battery voltage (VBAT) is applied to a low voltage regulator 62 which supplies a stable voltage (VA) for amplifier and detector circuits 54, 55, 56.
- VA stable voltage
- the AC supply is also connected to amplifier overload protections circuits 50, 51, 53.
- the amplifier 54 amplifies the AC voltage, which is prior reduced by resistor 51 and diode network 53, and is driven to saturation by the AC voltage.
- a voltage comparator 55 detects that this large AC voltage is greater than a fixed reference voltage (the “predetermined magnitude") and holds-off a delay circuit 56 which keeps a Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) 57 in an "off" state.
- MOSFET Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor
- the wall light switch 10 When the wall light switch 10 is in its "off" state, the inherent capacitance due to its construction Cx and the parallel wire capacitance Cy (shown in Figure 2) will pass a small residual AC current which will flow through the filament of the lamp 13 producing a microvolt- 1 eve I AC voltage. This residual voltage is too small to be attenuated by the effects of the protection circuits 50, 51 and 53. However, the high voltage gain amplifier 54 is arranged to amplify the residual voltage to ensure that it is detected by the comparator 55 as greater than the fixed reference voltage, which again keeps the MOSFET 57 in an "off" state.
- the device A fails to detect a voltage higher than the reference voltage, because there is now no residual voltage being amplified. Thus, either no voltage is now presented to the comparator 55, or any voltage that might still be presented to the comparator is now below the fixed reference magnitude. Consequently, the delay circuit 56 no longer maintains the MOSFET 57 in the "off state”, but causes or allows the MOSFET 57 to adopt an "on state", which in turn causes the emergency LED lights 4 to be illuminated.
- the arrangement of the present invention has the advantage that where the mains supply to the device has an external series on/off switch which may be in the off position, the device is uniquely able to distinguish this condition from a true supply failure.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Emergency Management (AREA)
- Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
Abstract
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP05818480A EP1842276A1 (fr) | 2004-12-16 | 2005-12-12 | Dispositif de detection d'une defaillance d'alimentation electrique |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0427505.3 | 2004-12-16 | ||
GB0427505A GB0427505D0 (en) | 2004-12-16 | 2004-12-16 | Power failure detecting unit |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2006064209A1 true WO2006064209A1 (fr) | 2006-06-22 |
Family
ID=34090108
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB2005/004789 WO2006064209A1 (fr) | 2004-12-16 | 2005-12-12 | Dispositif de detection d'une defaillance d'alimentation electrique |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1842276A1 (fr) |
GB (1) | GB0427505D0 (fr) |
WO (1) | WO2006064209A1 (fr) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2501770A (en) * | 2012-05-04 | 2013-11-06 | Litonics Ltd | Apparatus and method for lighting control |
US9078308B2 (en) | 2011-03-31 | 2015-07-07 | Litonics Limited | Lighting device |
US9357609B2 (en) | 2011-03-31 | 2016-05-31 | Litonics Limited | Lighting device |
EP3084920A2 (fr) * | 2013-12-20 | 2016-10-26 | Beghelli S.p.A. | Dispositif adaptateur d'ampoule |
US10270286B2 (en) | 2015-10-27 | 2019-04-23 | Zhejiang Shenghui Lighting Co., Ltd | LED smart control circuit and LED lighting device containing the same |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN110853031B (zh) * | 2019-11-20 | 2023-04-11 | 航天科技控股集团股份有限公司 | 汽车组合仪表指示灯点亮的排他检测方法 |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2278428A (en) * | 1993-05-27 | 1994-11-30 | Albert Henry Wilbourne | Lighting system having primary and auxiliary light sources and power supplies |
US20030141819A1 (en) * | 2002-01-28 | 2003-07-31 | Mose Cojocary | Illumination unit for normal and emergency operation |
US20040051466A1 (en) * | 2002-09-12 | 2004-03-18 | Chang-Ming Liu | Lighting apparatus capable of providing auxiliary and emergency illumination |
-
2004
- 2004-12-16 GB GB0427505A patent/GB0427505D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2005
- 2005-12-12 WO PCT/GB2005/004789 patent/WO2006064209A1/fr active Application Filing
- 2005-12-12 EP EP05818480A patent/EP1842276A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2278428A (en) * | 1993-05-27 | 1994-11-30 | Albert Henry Wilbourne | Lighting system having primary and auxiliary light sources and power supplies |
US20030141819A1 (en) * | 2002-01-28 | 2003-07-31 | Mose Cojocary | Illumination unit for normal and emergency operation |
US20040051466A1 (en) * | 2002-09-12 | 2004-03-18 | Chang-Ming Liu | Lighting apparatus capable of providing auxiliary and emergency illumination |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9078308B2 (en) | 2011-03-31 | 2015-07-07 | Litonics Limited | Lighting device |
US9307599B2 (en) | 2011-03-31 | 2016-04-05 | Litonics Limited | Lighting device |
US9357609B2 (en) | 2011-03-31 | 2016-05-31 | Litonics Limited | Lighting device |
GB2501770A (en) * | 2012-05-04 | 2013-11-06 | Litonics Ltd | Apparatus and method for lighting control |
GB2501770B (en) * | 2012-05-04 | 2016-03-16 | Litonics Ltd | Lighting device |
US9363871B2 (en) | 2012-05-04 | 2016-06-07 | Litonics Limited | Lighting device |
EP3084920A2 (fr) * | 2013-12-20 | 2016-10-26 | Beghelli S.p.A. | Dispositif adaptateur d'ampoule |
US10270286B2 (en) | 2015-10-27 | 2019-04-23 | Zhejiang Shenghui Lighting Co., Ltd | LED smart control circuit and LED lighting device containing the same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB0427505D0 (en) | 2005-01-19 |
EP1842276A1 (fr) | 2007-10-10 |
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