WO2009144083A1

WO2009144083A1 - Method and system for detecting residual secondary current in current transformer in high tension electrical network, and for detecting arc formation in circuit breaker

Info

Publication number: WO2009144083A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/054384
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Dupraz
Original assignee: Areva T&D Sas
Priority date: 2008-04-16
Filing date: 2009-04-14
Publication date: 2009-12-03
Also published as: FR2930349B1; FR2930349A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system for detecting a residual secondary current in a current transformer in a high tension electrical network. In this method, a synchronous direction (50, 51) of this current is produced using at least one reference signal, which is a network signal (U_s) having the same repetition frequency as the current being detected, producing low-pass filtering. The invention also relates to a method and system for detecting arc formation in a circuit breaker.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING SECONDARY CURRENT

RESIDUAL IN A CURRENT TRANSFORMER IN A

HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL NETWORK, AND METHOD AND SYSTEM

DETECTING THE FORMATION OF A ARC IN A

BREAKER

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a method and a system for detecting a residual secondary current in a current transformer in a high-voltage electrical network, and a method and a system for detecting the formation of an arc in a circuit-breaker, or possibly in a switch.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

In a high-voltage electrical network, after opening a circuit-breaker, internal reboots may occur between the live contacts. These reboots can lead to the establishment of an electric arc of a few tens of amperes.

The speed of detection of such fault arcs is paramount to avoid local heating of the plasma which can lead to degradation of the internal parts of the circuit breaker and in some cases to an explosion thereof.

The time before explosion varies according to a heat balance heating power brought by the arc / thermal resistance of the breaking chamber / climatic conditions.

Such an explosion of the circuit-breaker can be avoided if the internal arc can be detected and signaled in a short enough time so that a fallback strategy can be implemented immediately by the network automatisms, for example by automatic closing of the circuit-breaker and power off by opening adjacent circuit breakers.

As described in the document referenced [1] at the end of the description, the presence of an internal arc can be detected by the conjunction of two events: • the signaling of the position

"Open circuit breaker" by auxiliary contacts,

• the presence of a secondary residual current of a current measuring transformer, or current transformer. This document describes, in fact, several methods of protection against an electric arc in a circuit breaker. It thus describes a method based on the detection of a residual current, the circuit breaker being open, using a delay to confirm the existence of an electric arc.

The detection of the existence of such a residual current of a few tens of amps is not possible with the measuring transformers of the prior art. Indeed, such a current is too weak to be detected in a current measuring transformer whose specific characteristics of the circuit Magnetic lead to high distortion of the secondary current and unwanted noise.

The devices of the known art thus have an operating problem related to the measurement of a residual current, too low to be detected by the protective relays used for this purpose.

In addition, at very low level, the hysteresis loop of the magnetic circuit of a current transformer generates a strong distortion of the secondary current, which then takes a form of chaotic appearance. Such a phenomenon is more or less marked according to the embodiment of the current transformers.

The object of the present invention is to allow the detection of a residual current via standard current transformers, so as to be able to signal a defect arc in a circuit breaker in a sufficient time so that it is safe and does not fail. do not explode.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for detecting a secondary residual current in a current transformer in a high voltage electrical network, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a step of receiving a reference voltage originating from a voltage transformer of this network, - a shaping step delivering two reference signals, a step of converting the secondary current of the current transformer into voltage,

a synchronous detection step using these reference signals, followed by a low-pass filtering step delivering an amplitude, image of the component of the primary current of this current transformer at the frequency of the grating.

In an alternative embodiment, a double synchronous detection is carried out with two reference signals in quadrature.

Advantageously, the reference signal may be an external reference signal routed via a digital or analog type teletransmission. The reference signal may also be an internal reference signal whose phase is adjusted automatically so that the output signal of the synchronous detection is maximum.

The invention also relates to a system for detecting a secondary residual current in a current transformer in a high voltage electrical network, characterized in that it comprises:

at least one electromagnetic interference protection module which receives a reference voltage from a voltage transformer of this network, a shaping module delivering two reference signals, a module for transforming the secondary current of the transformer current in a voltage followed by: at least one synchronous detector using these reference signals, followed by at least one low-step type filter delivering an image of the component of the primary current of this current transformer at the frequency of the network.

In an alternative embodiment, the system comprises two synchronous detectors using two quadrature reference signals.

The invention further relates to a method of detecting arc formation in a circuit breaker in a high voltage electrical network, which comprises the following steps:

a step of signaling the opening of this circuit-breaker by auxiliary contacts; a step of detecting the presence of a secondary residual current in a current transformer by implementing the method defined previously.

Advantageously, the signaling can be effected by means of dry contacts. It can also be performed via a digital link according to a standard or proprietary protocol, via one or more coaxial type electrical conductors or twisted pair type. It can finally be performed via a digital link according to a standard or proprietary protocol, via one or more optical fibers.

Finally, the invention relates to a system for detecting the formation of an arc in a circuit breaker in a high-voltage electrical network, comprising: means for signaling the opening of the circuit-breaker by auxiliary contacts,

means for detecting the presence of a secondary residual current in a current transformer by implementing the system described above.

Advantageously, the power supply can be taken from the reference voltage. It can also come from one or more auxiliary voltages. The reference signal can be routed by means of a fiber optic link.

Advantageously, the system of the invention comprises: an isolating current transformer receiving the secondary current of the current transformer,

first EMC filtering means,

first clipping means, an isolation voltage transformer receiving a reference voltage,

second filtering means GEM,

second clipping means,

signal shaping means, synchronous detection means, a control module of an output relay.

In an advantageous embodiment, this system comprises: a first module for protection against electromagnetic disturbances conducted, which receives a reference voltage Us,

an isolating voltage transformer; a second residual electromagnetic interference protection module having passed through the isolation voltage transformer;

an isolating current transformer ensuring the conversion of the secondary current i _s into an exploitable voltage,

a third module for protection against residual electromagnetic disturbances having passed through the isolation current transformer,

a module for clipping the signal delivered by the third protection module,

a first low pass filter,

a power supply module from the voltage delivered by the second protection module,

a module for shaping the signals delivered by the second protection module delivering rectangular type signals of the same frequency, out of phase by 90 degrees, a first synchronous detection module; the signal delivered by the shaping module modulating the gain with which this first detection module amplifies the signal delivered by the first low-pass filter, - a second synchronous detection module, the signal delivered by the setting module. form coming modulating the gain with which this second detection module amplifies the signal delivered by the first low-pass filter,

a second low pass filter, a third low pass filter,

an analog multiplexer whose input selection is controlled by a microprocessor module,

an analog-digital converter, the conversion of which is controlled by the microprocessor module,

- the microprocessor module,

a module for managing the inputs / outputs of the microprocessor module; a module for parameterizing the system via serial type communication;

- a contact module of the output relay of the system, galvanically isolated.

The invention reliably detects residual currents of less than 10 A effective with standard current transformers. The advantage of the solution of the invention is to provide a short response time, of the order of 50 to 80 ms, which allows a quick safe setting of a faulty circuit breaker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a system comprising a phase of a circuit breaker, a current measuring transformer and a voltage measuring transformer. FIG. 2 illustrates the functional electrical diagram of the high voltage part of the system illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 illustrates the block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the system of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the two reference signals of the synchronous detection, in a variant of the system of the invention. Figure 5 illustrates a feature of the system of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a variant of the system of the invention, making it possible to overcome failures of auxiliary contacts.

DETAILED PRESENTATION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

In the method of the invention, the residual current present at the secondary of a current transformer is detected in a high voltage network by performing a synchronous detection.

It should be remembered that synchronous detection is a technique conventionally used in electronics for the detection of a very low signal embedded in noise, for example in the field of telecommunication with satellites and space probes, when this signal contains a frequency characteristic sufficiently stable over time.

The invention therefore proposes to use, in a very original way, such a technique in a completely different field: that is that of high voltage electrical networks. Indeed, even when the residual current present at the secondary of a current transformer is very strongly distorted at a very low level to the point of taking the shape of a pseudo-random noise, it does not contain less a spectral component at the fundamental frequency of the network.

If we consider the following definitions: f the frequency of the network (f = 60 Hz),

CO the pulsation of the network (CO = 2.π.f), i _s (t) the instantaneous value of the secondary current of the current transformer,

I ₃ the amplitude of the component of i _s (t) at the frequency of the grating, φ the phase shift of this component of is (t) with respect to a reference phase, v _re f (t) the instantaneous value an image of the voltage of the network (busbar voltage for example),

V _re f the amplitude of the component of v _re f (t) at the frequency of the grating, δ the phase shift of this component of v _re f (t) with respect to a reference phase, we can write: is (t ) = L ^• cos (ω ^• t + φ) + resi (t) resi (t) ("resi" for "residue" of the current signal i) representing the set of components of i _s (t) other than those of frequency f, harmonics and noise included. In the same way we have: vrefit) = Vref.cos (ω ^• t + δ) + resv (t) resv (t) ("resv" for "residue" of the signal voltage "v") representing all the components of v _re f (t) other than those of frequency f, harmonics and noise included.

If one produces the product of these two signals is (t) and v _re f (t), one obtains the signal p (t) given by the following relation:

pif) = (L ^• cos (ω ^• t + φ) + res (t)) ^• (Vre /. cos (ω ^• t + δ) + resvif)) p (t) = L ^• cos (ω ^• t + φ) ^• Vref. cos (ω ^• t + δ) + residual) residue (t) representing all components other than those at the network frequency, including harmonics and noise.

We thus have: p (t) = V _ref .I _s - - - (cos (φ - δ) + cos (2 - ω - t + φ - δ)) + residual (t)

Let p (t) = V _ref .I _s • - • cos (φ - δ) + V _ref .I _s . - ^ .cos (2 - ω • t + φ - δ) + residual (t)

The first term of the second member of the equation is a continuous component. The other two terms are components at frequencies greater than or equal to the network frequency, and can therefore be eliminated by low-pass filtering. The output signal of such a filter is thus given by the relation: prit) = Vre _f . L • - cos (φ - δ) This signal Pf (t) is therefore a measure of the component I ₃ sought, image of the component of the primary current at the frequency of the network.

The phase shifts φ and δ are in principle arbitrary. But, if they are out of phase with each other degrees, the output signal is zero even if the primary current is not. Realization variant

To overcome the disadvantage given above, in one variant of the invention, the operation described above is performed twice, independently, with two 90-degree phase-shifted reference signals.

Such signals can be generated in quadrature using a given reference voltage as follows:

a first signal obtained using a reference voltage v _re f of phase δ ₀ :

p / o (t) = Vref.L - cos (φ -δo) - a second signal obtained using a reference voltage v _re f of phase δ ₀ + π / 2:

Pf90

Pf9θ (t) = VrefJs SUl (ψ - δ o)

If we sum the squares of the two signals thus obtained, we can extract the following composite signal:

pquad (t) = - ^• Vref.IS

The signal thus obtained is therefore independent of the relative phase shift between the secondary current of the current transformer and the reference voltage used to perform the synchronous detection. All the operations described above can be carried out simply by using a microprocessor, for example of the "DSP"("Digital Signal Processor") type, with signals being digitized. Other variant

In another variant, a reference signal _vre f (t) is used which is a rectangular signal of unit amplitude. The analog multiplication between the signals is (t) and v _re f (t) then reduces to a synchronous rectification of the signal is (t), using for example an AD630 modulator / demodulator from the company Analog Devices, as described in the document referenced [2]. The output signals, after a low-pass analog filtering, can then be digitized by an analog-to-digital converter of a microcontroller on the market.

The advantage of such a variant is that it is not requested frequency performance to this converter, since the acquired signals are of continuous type. In addition, the analog frequency rejection filters also provide the anti-aliasing function. The signal processing to be performed in the microcontroller is then extremely simple: it consists of a calculation of the sum of the squares, and comparison with a reference threshold.

Case where the circuit breaker is equipped with a parallel capacitor

The presence of this capacitor across the circuit breaker generates a capacitive current that flows through the current transformer. The following definitions are then considered:

C the value of the capacity wired in parallel on the circuit-breaker (between terminals), Up _n the nominal effective voltage of the earth phase of the network,

I _cn the capacitive current passing through the capacitor in nominal regime.

It is considered that the circuit-breaker is rated at one of its terminals if it is open, and that its other terminal is connected to a line without load, without alternative solicitation.

The capacitive current flowing through the capacitor C is then given by the following relation:

If we consider: f = 60 Hz

C = 10,000 pF (value voluntarily taken exceptionally high)

We then obtain:

I _c = 0, 5 A eff

It thus appears that even with a capacity of such a high value, the current diverted by the parallel capacitor is negligible compared with the internal arc current to be detected.

FIG. 1 illustrates a circuit breaker 10, subject to explosion in the presence of an internal arc persistent, a current transformer 11, and a voltage transformer 12.

For each of these three elements 10, 11 and 12, FIG. 1 illustrates more specifically: the terminal box 15 of the current transformer, an insulator 16, and a metal support 17,

the local cabinet 20 of the circuit-breaker, a metal support 21, and an insulator 22,

the terminal box 25 of the voltage transformer, an insulator 26, a metal support 27 and a line on a high-voltage busbar 28.

Since the operation is a three-phase operation, each of these elements 10, 11 and 12 exists for each of the three phases. However, when the voltage measurement is carried out at the busbar 28 as in FIG. 1, it is possible to use a single voltage transformer 12, for example on phase A (in the case of a designation A, B and C phases). The knowledge of a voltage makes it possible, in fact, to know the other two voltages, which are, in the first order, identical to a respective phase shift of 120 ° and 240 °. A reference voltage can thus be taken from a single voltage transformer, or from separate voltage transformers. The local cabinet 20 of the circuit breaker contains electrical terminals accessible to the user, these terminals for the control of switching coils. The auxiliary contact 52a illustrated in FIG. 5A is, in a standardized designation, in the same state (open or closed) as the main contacts (on the high voltage) of the circuit breaker. On the other hand, the contact auxiliary 52b is in the opposite state, that is to say closed if the circuit breaker is open, open if the circuit breaker is closed. These auxiliary contacts are reproduced in several copies to allow the user various uses, such as inter locks for securing maneuvers of other high-voltage devices, or a use like that of the invention. For a voltage level of 245 kV, for example, the top of the circuit breaker 10 is about 6m50 from the ground, and the foot of its insulator 22 about 2m30.

The information necessary for the operation of the invention is accessible at the terminal boxes 15 and 25 of the current and voltage transformers as well as at the local cabinet 20 of the circuit breaker.

FIG. 2 gives a functional view of the main elements of FIG. 1. In addition to the elements already referenced in FIG. 1, this FIG. 2 illustrates:

the secondary terminals 30 of the current transformer 11, a secondary connection cable 31 of this current transformer and the secondary load 32 of this current transformer, the auxiliary contacts 35 of the disconnector,

the secondary terminals 37 of the voltage transformer 12,

the limit 39 between high voltage equipment and secondary equipment. Exemplary embodiment of the detection system of the invention

1) System inputs

The inputs of the system receive: "The secondary current of the current transformer, via an input isolation current transformer, EMC filtering and clipping. Simple diode clipping makes the system robust to steady current in normal operation, as well as to the overvoltages that it is agreed to support in the state of the art of Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC).

• One or two (in case of redundancy) reference voltages at the output of the busbar voltage transformer, or other available voltage, via an input isolation voltage transformer, EMC filtering and clipping. A shaping of the signal thus obtained transforms it into two rectangular signals in phase quadrature using, for example, a programmable logic circuit of FPGA ("Field-Programmable Gate Array") type.

2) System output

The output of the system can be realized by a dry contact signaling the detection of a current higher than a set threshold.

3) Serial Port

We can use a serial port for local use, for example infrared, for setting the detection threshold.

4) Food The only power component is the output relay. If the consumption is well controlled, one can supply the system of the invention via the reference voltage. We then gain in simplicity, reliability and size.

5) Packaging and location If the above conditions are met, the system can be completely overmolded, which allows:

• a possible external installation, for example in the terminal box of the current transformer,

• maintaining the temperature via a low-power internal heating resistor.

The system of the invention can be physically in the form of a parallelepiped-shaped block of small dimensions (for example of about 150 mm × 50 mm × 30 mm), overmoulded to withstand the climatic conditions, and housed indifferently in the terminal box 15 or 25 of the current transformer or the voltage transformer or in the local cabinet 20 of the circuit breaker, or in any other location considered more suitable by the user or the installer. The system of the invention being a single-phase system, it is necessary to install an identical system to monitor each phase of the circuit breaker, three in the general case, two in the special cases as in the electrical substations of the rail networks, of two-phase type. 6) Interconnections

For reliable use of the system, the output signal is used in conjunction with the auxiliary contacts of the circuit breaker.

FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the system of the invention which comprises: a first module 41 for protecting the system against electromagnetic disturbances conducted, which receives a reference voltage Us originating from the main voltage transformer 12, as illustrated in FIG. 2, an isolation voltage transformer

42 ensuring the adaptation of the voltage levels and the isolation of the input terminals relative to the rest of the system, and the rejection of common-mode electromagnetic disturbances. Typically, the main voltage transformer 12 delivers, between its secondary terminals, a normalized nominal voltage, for example 100 / V3 effective volts (or about 57 V). This isolating voltage transformer 42 converts this voltage into a low level voltage, for example 5 V rms,

a second module 43 for protecting the system against residual electromagnetic disturbances having passed through the isolation voltage transformer 42, an isolation current transformer

44 ensuring, via a secondary load resistor not shown, the conversion of the secondary current i _s of the current transformer Is into a voltage usable by the electronic circuits of the following modules of the system. This current transformer 44 also ensures the isolation of the input terminals relative to the rest of the system, and the rejection of the common mode electromagnetic disturbances,

a third module 45 for protecting the system against residual electromagnetic disturbances having passed through the isolation current transformer 44,

a module 46 for clipping the signal delivered by the third protection module 45 when the primary current is of high value, as is the case when the circuit breaker 10 is closed. These modules 45 and 46 may possibly be merged.

a first low-pass filter 47 intended to attenuate the components of the signal whose frequency is greater than the frequency of the network. For a network operating at 60 Hz, for example, the cutoff frequency of this filter 47 can be chosen at a value of 120 Hz, this filter 47 being first order. This filter 47 also ensures the compatibility of the voltage levels that it delivers to the necessary and acceptable levels by the synchronous detection modules 50 and 51,

a module 48 for supplying the electronic circuits of the system from the voltage delivered by the second protection module 43. This module 48 can be produced with electronic components with low consumption, the consumption of Secondary power drawn from the isolating voltage transformer 12 is then acceptable.

a module 49 for shaping the signals delivered by the second protection module 43 delivering rectangular type signals. This module 49 delivers two signals of the same frequency phase-shifted by 90 degrees, illustrated in FIG. 4. These signals are the reference signals of the two synchronous detection modules 50 and 51. This double synchronous detection makes it possible to overcome the relative phase shifts of the voltage Us and the current Is applied to the system via the first protection module 41, and the isolation current transformer 44,

a first synchronous detection module 50, based, for example, on the integrated circuit AD630 from Analog Devices. The signal delivered by the shaping module 49 then modulates the gain with which this first detection module 50 amplifies the signal delivered by the first low-pass filter 47, this gain being constant in absolute value, but having a sign which varies according to the level of the reference signal delivered by the module 49,

a second synchronous detection module 51, based, for example, on the integrated circuit AD630 from Analog Devices. The signal delivered by the shaping module 49 modulates the gain with which this second detection module 51 amplifies the signal delivered by the first low-pass filter 47, this gain being constant in absolute value, but having a sign which varies according to the level of the reference signal delivered by the module 49. The modules 50 and 51 are thus controlled by reference voltages in quadrature phase with respect to each other.

a second low-pass filter 52 intended to eliminate the frequency components greater than a value depending on the desired response time for the system, for example a value of 60 Hz. The output signal of this second low-pass filter 52 is a continuous type signal whose amplitude is proportional to the component Is of the current, which has a phase shift φ with respect to the voltage Us, when the current is low enough so that the module 46 does not stop the signal which is is applied,

a third low-pass filter 53 intended to eliminate the frequency components greater than a value depending on the desired response time for the system, for example a value of 60 Hz. The output signal of this third low-pass filter is a continuous type signal whose amplitude is proportional to the component Is of the current, which has a phase shift φ + 90 degrees with respect to the voltage Us, when the current is low enough so that the module 46 does not stop the signal applied to it,

an analog multiplexer 54, whose selection of the inputs is controlled by a microprocessor module 56, so that the output signal of the second low-pass filter 52 or the output signal of the third low-pass filter 53 is applied to a analog-digital converter 55, the analog-digital converter 55, whose conversion is controlled by the module microprocessor 56. The signals delivered by the multiplexer 54 being of very low frequency type, this converter 55 can be made with a low power consumption component and of modest performance, for example integrated in the microprocessor of the microprocessor module 56,

the microprocessor module 56, of the low-power microcontroller type, which contains the logic circuits necessary for the operation of the system, such as, for example, clock signals. This module 56 performs the analysis of the signals that the multiplexer 54 transmits to it, and in particular the comparison of the received levels with predefined thresholds,

a module 57 for managing inputs / outputs of the microprocessor module 56. In particular, this module 57 contains at least one output relay whose contacts are represented by a module 59,

a module 58 for parameterizing the system, via a serial type communication,

a module 59 for contacting the output relay of the system, this module, galvanically isolated from the rest of the electronics, being actuated to signal (information S) to the user that an electric current flows through the circuit breaker of FIG.

The information S delivered by this module 59 is then confirmed by the open or closed state of the circuit breaker (information S '), a state indicated by the auxiliary contacts 52a and / or 52b, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. shown in Figure 6 shows the advantage over that illustrated in FIG. 5 to avoid a false alarm if the auxiliary contact 52a fails, in that it remains open continuously while the circuit breaker is closed. Indeed, the auxiliary contact 52b is then inserted in series with the reference voltage and supply system. If the circuit breaker is closed, the contact 52b is open, and the system, which is not powered, can not issue a nuisance alarm if the contact 52a is faulty. It would thus be a simultaneous failure of the contacts 52a and 52b for the system to issue a nuisance alarm when the circuit breaker is closed.

REFERENCES

[1] "Evaluation of methods for breaker-flashover protection" by Ramon Sandoval and Jean Léon Eternod, (CFE / CEL 2004, wwwselinc.com/techpprs/6183_Evaluation Methods_20041027.pdf)

[2] "Balanced Modulator / Demodulator - AD630" (Analog Devices, 2004)

Claims

1. A method for detecting a secondary residual current in a current transformer in a high-voltage electrical network, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a step of receiving a reference voltage (U ₃ ) derived from a voltage transformer (12) of this network, - a shaping step delivering two reference signals,

a step of converting the secondary current of the current transformer into voltage,

a synchronous detection step (50, 51) using these reference signals, followed by a low-pass filtering step delivering an amplitude, image of the component of the primary current of this current transformer at the frequency of the grating.

The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting step comprises a dual synchronous detection with two quadrature reference signals.

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one reference signal is a voltage or a current.

The method of claim 1, wherein the reference signal is a signal of external reference routed via a digital or analog type teletransmission.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference signal is an internal reference signal whose phase is adjusted automatically so that the signal obtained at the output of the synchronous detection is maximum.

6. System for detecting a secondary residual current in a current transformer in a high-voltage electrical network, characterized in that it comprises:

at least one electromagnetic interference-controlled module (41, 43) which receives a reference voltage (U ₃ ) originating from a voltage transformer (12) of this network, a module (49) for formatting supplying two reference signals; - a module (44) for transforming the secondary current of the current transformer into a voltage followed by: at least one synchronous detector (50, 51) using these reference signals, followed by at least one filter low-step type (52, 53) providing an image of the component of the primary current of this current transformer at the frequency of the network.

7. System according to claim 6, comprising two synchronous detectors using two quadrature reference signals.

The system of claim 6, wherein the reference signal is a voltage or a current.

9. A method of detecting the formation of an arc in a circuit breaker in a high voltage electrical network, which comprises the following steps:

a step of signaling the opening of this circuit breaker by auxiliary contacts,

a step of detecting a secondary residual current in a current transformer, as claimed in claim 1.

The method of claim 9, wherein the signaling step is performed by means of dry contacts.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the signaling step is performed via a digital link according to a standard or proprietary protocol, via one or more coaxial type electrical conductors or twisted pair type.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the signaling step is performed via a digital link according to a standard or proprietary protocol, via one or more optical fibers.

A system for detecting arcing in a circuit breaker (10) in a high voltage electrical network, comprising:

means for signaling the opening of the circuit-breaker (10) by auxiliary contacts,

means for detecting a secondary residual current in a current transformer (11) as claimed in claim 6.

14. System according to claim 13, which comprises a power supply taken from a reference voltage.

15. The system of claim 13, which comprises a power supply from one or more auxiliary voltages.

The system of claim 13, wherein the reference signal is routed by means of an optical fiber link.

17. System according to claim 13, which comprises: an isolating current transformer receiving the secondary current of the current transformer,

first EMC filtering means,

first clipping means; an isolation voltage transformer receiving a reference voltage; second filtering means EMC,

second clipping means,

means for shaping the signal,

synchronous detection means; a control module of an output relay.

18. The system of claim 13, which comprises: a first module (41) for protection against electromagnetic disturbances conducted, which receives a reference voltage (Us),

an isolation voltage transformer (42); a second module (43) for protection against residual electromagnetic disturbances having passed through the isolation voltage transformer (42);

an isolating current transformer (44) providing, via a secondary load resistor, the conversion of the secondary current (i _s ) into a usable voltage,

a third module (45) for protection against residual electromagnetic disturbances having passed through the isolation current transformer (44),

a module (46) for clipping the signal delivered by the third protection module (45),

a first low-pass filter (47), a power supply module (48) from the voltage delivered by the second protection module (43),

a module (49) for shaping the signals delivered by the second protection module

(43) delivering rectangular type signals of the same frequency, out of phase by 90 degrees,

a first synchronous detection module

(50); the signal delivered by the shaping module (49) modulating the gain with which this first detection module (50) amplifies the signal delivered by the first low-pass filter (47),

a second synchronous detection module

(51); the signal delivered by the shaping module (49) modulating the gain with which this second detection module (51) amplifies the signal delivered by the first low-pass filter (47),

a second low-pass filter (52),

a third low-pass filter (53); an analog multiplexer (54) whose input selection is controlled by a microprocessor module (56);

an analog-digital converter (55) whose conversion is controlled by the microprocessor module (56),

the microprocessor module (56),

a module (57) for managing the inputs / outputs of the microprocessor module (56),

a module (58) for parameterizing the system, via a serial type communication, - a contact module (59) of the output relay of the system, galvanically isolated.