WO2020170142A1 - Procédé et appareil de surveillance de charge - Google Patents

Procédé et appareil de surveillance de charge Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020170142A1
WO2020170142A1 PCT/IB2020/051364 IB2020051364W WO2020170142A1 WO 2020170142 A1 WO2020170142 A1 WO 2020170142A1 IB 2020051364 W IB2020051364 W IB 2020051364W WO 2020170142 A1 WO2020170142 A1 WO 2020170142A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electrical
load
electrical parameters
parameters
current
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2020/051364
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ka Wai Eric Cheng
Hin Hung NG
Man Yau LAW
Kwok Shing Wong
Original Assignee
Vicwood Prosperity Technology Limited
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 Vicwood Prosperity Technology Limited filed Critical Vicwood Prosperity Technology Limited
Priority to EP20759621.4A priority Critical patent/EP3928106A4/fr
Priority to CN202080015589.6A priority patent/CN113454470A/zh
Publication of WO2020170142A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020170142A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R21/00—Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor
    • G01R21/133—Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor by using digital technique
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D2204/00—Indexing scheme relating to details of tariff-metering apparatus
    • G01D2204/20—Monitoring; Controlling
    • G01D2204/24—Identification of individual loads, e.g. by analysing current/voltage waveforms
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/02—Details
    • H04L12/10—Current supply arrangements

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to method and apparatus for monitoring of power- operated devices and apparatus, and more particularly to automated monitoring of power- operated devices and apparatus by electronic circuitry.
  • the method may comprise the load monitoring apparatus capturing and processing voltage and current data of the electrical apparatus to obtain electrical parameters of the electrical apparatus, and storing the electrical parameters as measured electrical parameters, comparing the measured electrical parameters with a set of pre-stored electrical parameters, determining whether the measured electrical parameters match with the stored electrical parameters, operating a power switch to turn off power supply to the electrical parameters if the measured electrical parameters do not match with the stored electrical parameters.
  • the apparatus may comprise a controller, a power switch operable by the controller, a data acquisition device operable, voltage and current sensors configured to feed voltage and current information to the data acquisition device and a data storage device.
  • the controller may be configured to perform methods disclosed herein.
  • the controller may be configured to capture and process voltage and current data of an electrical apparatus, which may be electrically connected with a power supply, to obtain electrical parameters of the electrical apparatus, to store the electrical parameters as measured electrical parameters, to compare the measured electrical parameters with a set of pre-stored electrical parameters, to determine whether the measured electrical parameters match with the stored electrical parameters, and to operate a power switch to turn off power supply to the electrical parameters if the measured electrical parameters do not match with the stored electrical parameters.
  • the load monitoring apparatus may comprise a controller, a load current monitor and power connection circuitry operable by the controller for controlling power supply from a power source to a load.
  • the power connection circuitry may comprise a switchable power connection path between a source side and a load side, and the power connection path is switchable to operate in a first operation state or an on-state in which state impedance between the source side and the load side is very low to permit flow of operation current from the power source to the load through the power connection path, or a second operation state or an off-state in which state impedance between the source side and the load side is very high to impede flow of operation current through the power connection path.
  • the controller may operate to receive an identification number from a load and to use the identification number to retrieve a set of stored reference electrical parameters of the load from a set of databases, to measure operational electrical parameters of the load, to compare measured electrical parameters with the reference electrical parameters, and to determine whether the load is fit for power supply with reference to outcome of comparison between the measured electrical parameters and the reference electrical parameters.
  • the controller may operate to detect or receive an identification number from a load upon detection of signals representing the load making a request for power supply.
  • the set of stored reference electrical parameters of the load may comprise operational electrical parameters of a reference load in a plurality of operation states
  • the controller may operate the load current monitor to measure operational electrical parameters of the load during the plurality of operational states, and may compare measured operational electrical parameters with the stored operational electrical parameters of a reference load of the plurality of operational states, and may generate a signal to indicate whether the load is fit for power supply according to outcome of comparison.
  • the plurality of operation states may comprise a power-up state and a steady state.
  • the operational electrical parameters of the load to be measured during the power-up state may include peak current amplitude at the first and subsequent cycles of the power supply.
  • the plurality of operation states may comprise a switching state, the switching state comprising a plurality of switchable states.
  • the reference operational electrical parameters of a first switchable state may comprise operational electrical parameters of the first switchable state and operational electrical parameters of a second switchable state.
  • the load may be classified into a plurality of load types, the load types comprising an AC load, a DC load and a complex load.
  • the controller may operate to measure and determine the operational electrical parameters of the load according to the load type of the load.
  • the identification number may comprise information on the load type of the load.
  • the controller may operate to measure the operational electrical parameters of the load according to the load type contained in the identification number.
  • the identification number may comprise a serial number of an appliance and each appliance may have a unique pre-assigned serial number.
  • the reference operational electrical parameters may include one or more of peak current, peak currents, peak current range, first cycle peak current at start-up, power factor, power factor variation, power factor range, switching time, real power, apparent power.
  • the databases may contain a list of black listed identification numbers and a load having a black-listed identification number is prohibited from receiving power supply.
  • the databases may contain a list of white listed identification numbers and a load having a black-listed identification number is to receive power supply from the power source after a request for power supply has been acknowledged by the controller.
  • the controller may monitor the operational electrical parameters of the load after power supply to the load has begun.
  • the controller may operate the load current monitor to measure operational electrical parameters of the load during a plurality of operational states, and may compare measured operational electrical parameters with the stored operational electrical parameters.
  • the operational electrical parameters to be measured at different operational states may be different.
  • the controller may operate the load current monitor to measure operational electrical parameters of the load.
  • the measure operational electrical parameters of the load may include peak currents and their trend of change.
  • the controller may operate to measure operational electrical parameters of the load when the controller fails to receive an identification number from the load and or when the received identification number is an unregistered identification number which fails to return a set of stored reference electrical parameters from the databases.
  • the controller may compare measured electrical parameters with a set of pre-stored reference electrical parameters, may determine whether the load is fit for power supply with reference to outcome of comparison between the measured electrical parameters and the reference electrical parameters, and may operate the power connection circuitry to supply operation power to the load upon detection of a successful outcome of comparison.
  • the load may have an unregistered identification number controller and the controller is to save the unregistered identification number to become a registered identification number and to save the measured electrical parameters as reference electrical parameters associated with the registered identification number.
  • the load monitoring apparatus comprises a load current monitor and power connection circuitry operable by the controller.
  • the power connection circuitry may comprise a switchable power connection path between a source side and a load side.
  • the power connection path may be switchable to operate in a first operation state or an on-state in which state impedance between the source side and the load side is very low to permit flow of operation current from the power source to the load through the power connection path, or a second operation state or an off-state in which state impedance between the source side and the load side is very high to impede flow of operation current through the power connection path.
  • the method may comprise the controller executing stored instructions to receive an identification number from a load, to use the identification number to retrieve a set of stored reference electrical parameters of the load from a set of databases, to measure operational electrical parameters of the load, to compare measured electrical parameters with the reference electrical parameters, and to determine whether the load is fit for power supply with reference to outcome of comparison between the measured electrical parameters and the reference electrical parameters.
  • the controller may operate to detect or receive an identification number from a load upon detection of signals representing the load making a request for power supply.
  • the set of stored reference electrical parameters of the load may comprise operational electrical parameters of a reference load in a plurality of operation states, and wherein the controller is to operate the load current monitor to measure operational electrical parameters of the load during the plurality of operational states, and to compare measured operational electrical parameters with the stored operational electrical parameters of a reference load of the plurality of operational states, and to generate a signal to indicate whether the load is fit for power supply according to outcome of comparison.
  • the plurality of operation states may comprise a power-up state and a steady state.
  • the controller may measure different operational electrical parameters of the load at the power-up state and at the steady state.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of an example electrical system comprising a power supply control device of the present disclosure
  • Figure 1 A is a block diagram of an example a power supply control device of the present disclosure
  • Figure 1 B is a block diagram of an example control device of the power supply control device of Figure 1 A
  • Figure 1 C is a flow diagram depicting an example flow of operations of the example the power supply control device of Figure 1 A
  • Figure 2A is a block diagram of an example a power supply control device of the present disclosure
  • Figure 2A1 is an example hybrid block and circuit diagram of an example implementation of the power supply control device of Figure 2A,
  • Figure 2B is a block diagram of an example control device of the power supply control device of Figure 2A,
  • Figures 2B1 and 2B2 are schematic diagrams depicting example signal collection devices of Figure 2A1 .
  • Figure 2C is a flow depicting an example flow of operations of the power supply control device of Figure 2A,
  • Figure 3 is a flow diagram showing partial example flow of operation of the power supply control device
  • Figure 3A is a schematic diagram depicting living body contact on the load side
  • Figure 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of an example load current monitor circuit
  • Figures 5A, 5B and 5C are example load current waveforms of example AC loads
  • Figure 6A shows example supply voltage and load current relationships of an example DC load
  • Figures 6B and 6C show example supply voltage and load current relationships of example DC loads
  • Figure 7 shows example supply voltage and load current relationships of an example complex load
  • Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an example power connection interface
  • Figures 9 and 10 are flows chart showing example operation flows of a controller of an example load monitoring apparatus.
  • Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of example network connection comprising a load monitor apparatus according to the disclosure.
  • An example power supply control device 100 includes a first device side (or a source side S) which is for connection to a power source and a second device side (or a load side L) which is for connection to an electrical load, as depicted in Figure 1.
  • the power supply control device 100 comprises a switching circuitry 110, a control device 140, a power connection circuitry and a power circuit 160, as depicted in Figure 1 A.
  • the power connection circuitry includes a first current conduction portion P1 which is connected to the first device side S, a second current conduction portion P2 which is connected to the second device side L, and a power switching device SW1 which is intermediate or which interconnects the first P1 and the second P2 current conduction portions.
  • the power switching device SW1 is switchable between a first operation state of very low impedance and a second operation state of very high impedance. When the power switching device SW1 is in the very low impedance first operation state (or ON state”), a very low impedance current conduction path is established between the first device side S and the second device side L.
  • This current conduction path is to facilitate flow of operation current or operation power between the first device side S and the second device side L and forms a power connection path.
  • the first device side S and the second device side L are operationally connected for load operation, and operational current or operational power will flow through the power supply control device 100.
  • the power switching device SW1 is in the very high impedance second operation state (or OFF state”), there is very high impedance between the first device side S and the second device side L.
  • the first device side S and the second device side L are operationally disconnected, flow of operational current between the first device side S and the second device side L will be impeded.
  • An operational load current herein means a current of a magnitude which is intended or designated for a specific or designated load.
  • the operational load current may be the rated current or rated operation current of the load.
  • ON state is interchangeably used with the terms “ON-state”, “on state”, “on-state”, “closed state” and the term “OFF state” is interchangeably used with the terms“OFF-state”,“off state”,“off-state” or“open state” herein.
  • the control device 140 comprises a controller 142 and a memory device 144, as depicted in Figure 1 B.
  • the controller 142 is to operate to control switching operations of the power switching device SW1 and the memory device 144 is for storing data and instructions for use by the controller 142.
  • the controller 142 may be a processor, a microprocessor or a microcontroller which is to execute stored instructions to operate to switch the path interconnecting the source side S and the load side L from a very high impedance off-state to a very low impedance on-state and vice versa.
  • the controller 142 comprises a plurality of control ports, data output ports and data output ports.
  • the power supply control device 100 is operable in a 'standby mode' or a 'power supply mode'.
  • the power switching device SW1 When in the standby mode, the power switching device SW1 is in the off-state and the first current conduction portion P1 and the second current conduction portion P2 form a non-conductive path in so far as operation current is concerned.
  • the power switching device SW1 When in the power supply mode, the power switching device SW1 is in the on- state and the first current conduction portion P1 and the second current conduction portion P2 form a conductive path in so far as operation current is concerned.
  • the power supply control device 100 Referring to Figure 1 C, the power supply control device 100 is set in the standby mode when at an initial state 1100.
  • the controller 142 operates to monitor conditions on the load side L and determine whether a request for power supply condition has occurred. If a request for power supply condition has occurred and is detected by the controller 142, the controller 142 will at 1120 make enquiries to the load side to investigate whether the load on the load side is an admissible or acceptable load. To make the enquiries, the controller 142 will send one or more enquiry signals to the load side and await response signals from the load side L. At 1130, the controller will upon receipt of response signals of the load side determine whether the load connected to the load side is an admissible or acceptable load.
  • the controller 142 will refuse power supply to the load and return to the initial state and the power switching device SW1 is maintained in the off-state 1100. Alternatively, if the load is found to be admissible or acceptable, the controller 142 will at 1140 operate to switch on the power switching device SW1 to supply power to the load side L. When a power use cycle has ended at 1150, the controller will reset the power supply control device 100 to the initial state 1100 and await the next request for power supply. As an option, the controller 142 may operate to generate an alarm to alert users that the load is not-admissible or not-acceptable.
  • the controller 142 may continuously monitor the load side L and determine whether a change in electrical property representing a request for power supply condition has occurred on the load side L. For example, a sudden drop in load side impedance, indicating a switching on of a load on the load side, or connection of a switched-on load to the load side, may be taken as a request for power supply condition.
  • a request for power supply may be made by way of a protocol communication between the controller 142 and a counterpart controller of the load. For example, protocol data of the protocol communication may be sent through the second current conduction portion P2 or by wireless transmission.
  • the controller will send one or more enquiry signals to the load side L and then determine whether the corresponding response signals received by the controller 142 contain information indicating eligibility of the load to receive power supply from the power source.
  • the controller 142 may send enquiry signals with an aim to determining whether the load is a target load, an acceptable load, a non-excluded load, an unacceptable load, or an excluded or prohibited load.
  • the controller 142 may operate to switch on the power switching device SW1. Alternatively, if the load is an unacceptable load or an excluded or prohibited load, the power switching device SW1 will stay in the off-state and return to the initial state or standby state until a next request for power supply condition is detected. The controller may generate an alarm if a condition of non admissibility or non-acceptability of load is detected, so that the load may be removed for repair or disposal, or security alerted. [0036] To determine whether a load is eligible (that is, admissible or acceptable) for power supply, one or more eligibility criteria may be used.
  • An example criterion of eligibility is by way of identification enquiry.
  • the controller 142 will obtain identification data of the load and check whether the identity of the load corresponds to the identity of a target load or an acceptable load.
  • the controller 142 may send a ‘request for identification’ by way of communication protocol to the load side and await load side response.
  • a counterpart controller on the load connected to the load side will then send its identity data to the controller 142 and the controller will then verify acceptability.
  • the counterpart controller on the load may be set to transmit identification data to the source side S upon connection or upon making a power supply request.
  • the identification data may be sent to controller 142 the through the second current conduction portion P2 or by wireless transmission.
  • the controller 142 will determine eligibility of the target load with reference to the received identification information, for example, by determining whether the received identification information matches with identification information of a pre-stored eligible or target load.
  • the power supply control device 100 is a built-in part of a general purpose power outlet, for example a general purpose power socket or wall outlet, the power supply control device 100 may operate to supply power to one or more eligible loads, for example, loads having identification data corresponding to particular or pre-determined electrical specifications or electrical characteristics such as power factor, current rating, voltage rating, temperature rating, safety rating, ingress protection ("IP") rating, or the like; or loads having pre-determined status, such as approval status, security status, safety status, class status, performance status, or the like.
  • IP ingress protection
  • the identification criterion by way of identity matching would provide useful protection against misuse, unsafe or unauthorized use of tools, apparatus or equipment.
  • the identification information of an admissible load or admissible loads may be pre-stored for subsequent verification at production, or may be subsequently downloaded by way of update from time to time after installation.
  • the control device 140 may include a first communication interface COM 1 for data communication between the controller 142 and a data source via the first current conduction portion P1 .
  • the control device 140 may include a second communication interface COM 2 for data communication between the load side counterpart controller and the controller 142 via the second current conduction portion P2.
  • the first communication interface COM 1 may comprise a power line communication (“PLC”) modem to enable data communication through the first current conduction portion P1 which operate as a power supply line, or as an alternative or an additional option, by means of a wireless frontend such as a WiFi frontend, as depicted in Figure 2B.
  • PLC power line communication
  • the second communication interface COM 2 may comprise a simple switch to facilitate direct data communication between the controller 142 and the counterpart controller on the load side L via the second current conduction portion P2, or may comprise a power line communication (“PLC”) modem to enable data communication between the controller 142 and the counterpart controller on the load side L via the second current conduction portion P2, or as an alternative or an additional option, by means of a wireless frontend such as a WiFi frontend, as depicted in Figure 2B. Where the controller 142 is required to perform pre-supply check via the second communication interface COM 2, the simple switch would suffice.
  • PLC power line communication
  • the controller 142 is required to perform update checks via the second communication interface COM 2, for example, when power is being supplied to the load, the option of a PLC modem or a wireless frontend would be preferred for data communication since power isolation.
  • the PLC modem may perform data communication with data modulated at say 10kHz for transmission to the source side and at say 100Hz or 250Flz for transmission to the load side.
  • An example criterion of eligibility is by way of electrical characteristics enquiry.
  • the controller 142 will obtain reference data of one or more electrical characteristics of the load and check whether the one or more electrical characteristics of the load on the load side correspond to the reference data.
  • electrical characteristics may be pre-stored in the load and retrievable by the controller 142 through cooperation with the counterpart controller of the load, for example, through data communication via the second communication interface COM 2.
  • the controller 142 will operate to retrieve the pre-stored electrical characteristics from the load, for example, non-volatile memory of the load, for comparative evaluation.
  • electrical characteristics of the load may be pre-stored in the own memory device 144 of the control device 140 and the controller 142 is to retrieve the pre stored electrical characteristics for comparative evaluation when a request for power supply from the load side is detected and the identity of the load determined.
  • electrical characteristics of the load are stored out of the power supply control device 100 but are retrievable by the controller 142 with reference to identification information of the load, for example, through data communication with an external data source.
  • the one or more electrical characteristics of the load that may be used for comparative evaluation may include: impedance, impedance-voltage variation, impedance-current variation, impedance-frequency variation, voltage-current variation, voltage-frequency variation, current-frequency variation, voltage-time variation, current-time variation, pulse response, step signal response, phase shift, time constants, or the like.
  • the power supply control device 100 may additionally include a probing signal source 130 and a load monitor 120, as depicted in Figure 2A.
  • the controller 142 is to operate the probing signal source 130 to generate probing signals and to transmit probing signals to the load side L by closing the switch SW2, for example, when the power switching device SW1 is OFF.
  • the probing signal is a high frequency AC (alternate current) signal
  • a coupling capacitor may be connected in series with or to replace the switch SW2.
  • a probing signal may include one or more of: DC (direct current) voltage or current, of constant amplitude or variable amplitudes; AC voltage or current, of specific or variable frequencies and of constant amplitude or variable amplitudes; pulse signals or trains, of specific or variable periods and of constant amplitude or variable amplitudes; step signals, of specific or variable rise times and of constant amplitude or variable amplitudes.
  • the probing source may include a sinusoidal signal generator or a signal generator which can be set to selectively generate square, sinusoidal or saw tooth probing signals without loss of generality.
  • the load monitor 120 is to collect responsive signals on the load side which are generated in response to the probing signals and comprises responsive signal collection devices.
  • the responsive signal collection devices may include voltage and/or current sensing devices to collect voltage and/or current information on the load side.
  • the controller 142 would operate the probing signal source 130 to transmit one of more probing signals or one or more types of probing signals to the load side at 1182, to collect data coming in from the load monitor 120 and representing responsive signals at 1184, to evaluate one or more electrical characteristics of the load using the collected responsive information at 1185, and to determine whether the one or more electrical characteristics of the load as determined from the collected responsive information match with the reference data of corresponding electrical characteristics at 1186. If the comparison at 1186 confirms matching, the controller 142 will close the power switching device SW1 to facilitate power flow to the load side at 1188.
  • the controller 142 will return the power supply control device to the initial state of 1180 and maintain the power switching device SW1 in the off-state. At end of power use cycle at 1189, the controller 142 will return the power supply control device to the initial or reset state of 1180
  • the probing signal source 130 is for generating probing signals.
  • the probing signal source 130 is operable to generate probing signals and is connected to the load side L by a probing signal switch SW2.
  • the probing signal switch SW2 is switchable between a low impedance ON-state and a high impedance OFF-state. When the probing signal switch SW2 is closed, the probing signal switch SW2 is in the ON-state and probing signals generated by the probing signal source will flow to the load side L. When the probing signal switch SW2 is opened, the probing signal switch SW2 is in the OFF-state and probing signals generated by the probing signal source will not flow to the load side L.
  • the controller will perform load probing operations.
  • load probing operations the controller will operate the probing signal source to generate load probing signals to the load side and evaluate a response signal or a plurality of responsive signals received from the load side in response to the probing signal to determine one or more electrical characteristics of the load.
  • the probing signal switch SW2 is closed and the power switching device SW1 is opened, a probing signal path is established between the probing signal source 130 and the second current conduction portion P2, and probing signals generated by the probing signal source 130 flows to the load side L.
  • the probing signal switch SW2 is opened, the probing signal path between the probing signal source 130 and the second current conduction portion P2 is disconnected to isolate the probing signal source 130 from the second current conduction portion P2, and probing signals generated by the probing signal source 130 do not flow to the load side L.
  • the probing signal switch SW2 can be part of the probing signal source 130.
  • the load monitor device 120 comprises detection circuitry which is arranged to collect electrical signals, in particular responsive signals, from the load side L.
  • the detection circuitry may comprise signal processing circuitry such as shaping circuitry, amplification circuitry, filtering circuitry and other useful circuitry to process electrical signals collected from the load side L for subsequent output.
  • the detection circuitry may comprise decision circuitry to provide a decision output or a plurality of decision outputs upon receiving signals from the signal processing circuitry.
  • the detection circuitry comprises devices for collecting responsive signals on the load side. A responsive signal is one which is generated in response to a probing signal.
  • the control device 140 comprises control circuitry.
  • the control circuitry comprises control device and/or control circuit arrangements which are arranged to manage and/or control operations of the power supply control device 100.
  • the control circuitry may comprise a microprocessor, memory and peripheral circuitry such as input, output and control ports.
  • the control device 140 is connected to the load monitor device 120 for receiving electrical signals originated from the load side L.
  • the control device 140 is connected to control switching operations of both the power switching device SW1 and the probing signal switch SW2.
  • the switching circuitry 110 comprising the power switching device SW1 and the probing signal switch SW2 is operatively controlled by the control device 140.
  • the control device 140 may operate or control the power switching device SW1 and the probing signal switch SW2 either individually or oppositely in synchronisation so that when one is turned on, the other is turned off.
  • the control device 140 may be connected to the probing signal source 130 to control its signal generation operations.
  • Each of the power switching device SW1 and the probing signal switch SW2 may be implemented as solid state relays using MOSFET, thyristor or SCRs.
  • the power circuit 160 comprises power circuitry for supplying operation power to various components of the power supply control device 100.
  • the power circuitry comprises power circuit arrangements such as transformers and power regulators which are arranged to supply regulated power supply to the power consuming components of the power supply control device 100 such as the load monitor device 120, the probing signal source 130 and/or the control device 140.
  • An input of the power circuit 160 is connected to the first device side S and output of the power circuit 160 is connected to the power consuming components.
  • the power supply control device 100 is connected to a power supply or a power source, with the first device side S connected to a power supply such as AC mains and the second device side L connected to a load, as depicted in Figure 1 .
  • the load can be any electrical powered apparatus, appliance, equipment or tools.
  • the power supply control device 100 may be a built-in part of the power supply apparatus, for example, a general purpose power supply apparatus.
  • the power supply control device 100 may be operated by a power source which is independent of the source side power supply.
  • the power supply control device 100 is initially set to be in a stand-by mode.
  • the power supply control device 100 will be subsequently set into a power operation mode when conditions on the load side L are found or determined to correspond to prescribed operation conditions or eligible admission conditions.
  • the power switching device SW1 When in the standby mode, no current exceeding a safety threshold in time period and in amplitude is allowed to flow through the power supply control device 100 from the source side S to the load side L. To facilitate this, the power switching device SW1 is set into the OFF state when in the stand-by mode, and only to be switched into the operational mode subsequently after satisfactory determination of prescribed operation or admission conditions on the load side. When in the power operation mode, normal operational current exceeding the safety threshold time and current will be allowed to flow from the source side S to the load side L, and through the power supply control device 100. To facilitate this operation to allow flow of operational currents, the power switching device SW1 is set into the ON state when in the power operation mode.
  • the power supply control device 100 is set into the standby mode each time when the power supply control device 100 is connected to an active power source and will remain in the standby mode until actuated to operate in the operational mode.
  • the power supply control device 100 is reset into the standby mode after each use or completion of a cycle of power operation.
  • a cycle of power operation means an operation current has flowed through the power supply control device 100 for a minimum operation duration and followed by a period of no operation current flow exceeding a predetermined threshold pausing period.
  • An example threshold pausing period may be set to a few second or a few minutes.
  • the control device 140 When in the standby mode, the control device 140 will operate in a pre-power operation mode. During the pre-power operation mode, load side L electrical conditions are monitored and evaluated to determine whether there is a request for power supply condition. When a request for power supply condition has been detected, the control device 140 will operate to collect electrical signals from the load side and determine whether the collected electrical signals represent conditions of eligible admission on the load side.
  • the pre-power operation is also referred herein as a pre-actuation mode or a monitoring mode.
  • the power switching device SW1 is in the OFF state
  • the probing signal switch SW2 is in the ON state and probing signals generated by the probing signal source will be transmitted to the load side as probing signals and to the control device 140 as reference signals.
  • the control device 140 on evaluating the collected probing signal and upon comparison with or with respect to the reference signals would be able to determine whether electrical properties on the load side correspond to electrical properties of eligible operations.
  • the power supply control device 100 may be DC operated, for example, by battery operation. Where the power supply control device 100 is DC operated, the power circuit may include DC-DC converters and/or DC-AC converters. In some applications, the power supply control device 100 may be dually both battery and mains operated without loss of generality.
  • An example power supply control device 200 of Figure 2A1 comprises switching circuitry 210, a load monitor device 220, a probing signal source 230, a control device 240 and a power circuit 260.
  • the power supply control device 200 includes the same functional components of the power supply control device 100 of Figure 1 A and the description thereon is incorporated herein mutatis mutandis where appropriate and with reference numerals increased by 100.
  • the power circuit 260 comprises two 220v-to-9v transformers which are connected in series to form a 220v-to-18v transformer. Rectified output of the transformer is voltage regulated by a power regulation arrangement 262 comprising voltage regulators.
  • the transformer output comprises two output paths, namely, a first output path of 18v AC to serve as probing signals and a second output path connected to a full wave rectifier to supply DC power to operate components of the power supply control device 200.
  • the rectified output is connected to a first voltage regulator 7808.
  • the first voltage regulator 7808 comprises two outputs, namely, a first voltage output of 8V DC output for driving operational amplifiers (Op-amp) and a second voltage output connected to a second voltage regulator 7805 to provide a voltage output of 5V DC output for microprocessor and peripheral devices operation.
  • the load monitor device 120 comprises two current transformers 222a, 222b as example of signal collection devices. Connection of the current transformers 222a, 222b is depicted in more detail in Figures 2B1 and 2B2. Each of the current transformers 222a, 222b has a transformer ratio and rating of 5A/5mA.
  • the current transformer 222a (or first current transformer) is for detection of current flowing through the second current conduction portion P2. Although a single wire is shown in Figures 1 and 2, each of P1 and P2 actually comprises a live and neutral wire as depicted in Figures 2B1 and 2B2.
  • the current transformer 222b (or second current transformer) is for detection of imbalanced current flowing through the second current conduction portion P2 and its associated neutral wire portion N. Flail effect transducers or other transducers may be used alternatively.
  • electrical apparatus may be categorized into a plurality of different load types, for example, according to load characteristics.
  • electrical apparatus may be categorized with reference to their load current characteristics when connected to a power supply.
  • Power supply herein means an alternating electrical power supply having a sinusoidal supply voltage of a constant frequency and a constant amplitude unless the context requires otherwise.
  • Typical power supplies for powering electrical apparatus are main power supply or power supplies that comply with standards of mains power supply.
  • the prevailing mains power supplies of different countries or territories are either at a sinusoidal frequency of 50Flz or 60Flz and at a nominal voltage of between 100V and 240V.
  • an electrical apparatus may be classified as a first load type if the current of the electrical apparatus follows the supply voltage of the power supply when the electrical apparatus is electrically connected to the power supply; as a second load type if the current of the electrical apparatus does not follow the supply voltage of the power supply when the electrical apparatus is electrically connected to the power supply, but has current which is characteristic of an electronic power converter which converts AC power into DC power; and as a third load type if the current of the electrical apparatus does not follow the supply voltage of the power supply and does not exhibit the current characteristics of an electronic power converter when the electrical apparatus is electrically connected to the power supply.
  • An electrical apparatus is electrically connected to the power supply herein means a state in which operation power is to flow from the power supply to the electrical apparatus unimpeded or unimpeded by an open switch.
  • the first load type comprises electrical apparatus having a load current which follows the supply voltage of the power supply when the electrical apparatus is connected to a sinusoidal power supply.
  • the first load type may be divided into a plurality of load subtypes.
  • An example subtype of load of the first type has a full-wave sinusoidal current flow when connected to a full-wave sinusoidal power supply.
  • the voltage-current relationship of a light bulb having a tungsten filament as an example of a load of this subtype (first subtype herein) is shown in Figure 5A.
  • a half-wave sinusoidal current is one which flows for half of a sinusoidal cycle or for 180 degrees out of 360 degrees of a sinusoidal cycle and which does not flow for the remaining half of the sinusoidal cycle.
  • a half wave sinusoidal current typically flows in the first half or the second half of a sinusoidal cycle.
  • the first-half of a sinusoidal cycle corresponds to 0-180 degrees of the sinusoidal cycle and the second half of a sinusoidal cycle corresponds to 180-360 degrees of the sinusoidal cycle.
  • a load having a half-wave sinusoidal current is characteristic of a diode circuit or rectifier circuit, but other loads, for example, switched loads, may also exhibit a half-wave sinusoidal characteristic.
  • a load has a half-wave sinusoidal current flow if the current in the non- conductive half of a sinusoidal cycle is zero or negligible.
  • the voltage-current relationship of a hair blower Philips branded 1300 Airport 600/1200W as an example of a load of this subtype (second subtype herein) is shown in Figure 5B.
  • a further example subtype of load of the first type has a phase cut current flow characteristic when connected to a full-wave sinusoidal power supply.
  • a load having a phase cut current flow characteristic generally follows the sinusoidal waveform of the supply voltage, but has a non-conductive portion having no or negligible current followed by an abrupt change portion which returns the current flow to follow the sinusoidal waveform of the supply voltage.
  • the phase cut can be represented by a characteristic phase-cut angle, and the phase-cut angle is less than 180 degrees, and usually less than 90 degrees.
  • a load having a phase cut current flow characteristic is typical of a circuit having a switchable device such as a thyristor, SCR, triac, thyratron, or other gated devices.
  • the switchable device is operated by a gating circuit or a firing circuit to control the phase cut angle and the phase cut angle determines the conductive portion during a sinusoidal supply voltage cycle.
  • a Lightwave oven Proluxury brand model SDTA0201 , 1200W-1400W
  • the circular mark on Figure 5C is to show a region where phase cutting occurs.
  • the example phase cutting occurs in the first half cycle of the sinusoidal current waveform, or more specifically in the first quadrant and between zero and thirty degrees.
  • the first load type is conveniently referred to as an AC load herein.
  • the second load type comprises electrical apparatus having a load current which is characteristic of an electronic power converter.
  • An electronic power converter is to operate to convert AC to DC.
  • Switched power supplies and rectifying circuitry are example of electronic power converters.
  • a switched power supply also known as switched-mode power supply, typically comprises a switching circuit which operates to convert AC power to DC power.
  • the current input of an example switched-mode power supply in operation has an arcuate profile in the time domain, as shown in Figure 6A.
  • the load current to the power converter has an arch shape comprising a first current side, a second current side and a vertex portion interconnecting the first current side and the second current side.
  • the load current has a duration which is shorter than the sinusoidal half cycle during which the load current flows.
  • the load current duration is typically determined by the duty ratio of a power conversion circuitry of the power converter.
  • the power conversion circuitry may comprise a half-H-bridge or a full H-bridge.
  • the duty ratio of a DC power converter is usually in the range of between 10% and 90%, and more particularly between 20%-30%.
  • the first current side and the second current side are symmetrical about an axis of symmetry which passes through the vertex, the axis of symmetry is parallel to the current axis (Y-axis) and orthogonal to the time axis (X-axis) of Figure 6A.
  • the first current side has a slope of a first polarity
  • the second current side has a slope of a second polarity opposite to the first polarity
  • inflexion occurs at the vertex of the load current which is intermediate the first current side and the second current side.
  • the slope of a current side generally follows the polarity or trend of the driving sinusoidal supply voltage.
  • the load current when driven by the first half sinusoidal cycle of the supply voltage has a first current side of a positive or rising slope, a second current side of a negative or falling slope, and a vertex portion having a zero slope.
  • the load current when driven by the second half sinusoidal cycle of the supply voltage has a first current side of a negative or falling slope, a second current side of a positive or rising slope, and a vertex portion having a zero slope.
  • the first and the second half sinusoidal cycles are, respectively, positive and negative half cycles in the example of Figure 6A.
  • the load current and supply voltage relationship of an example electrical apparatus (Midea brand fan, model FTS35-13BR at 50Flz supply voltage) having an electronic power supply as depicted in Figure 6B has a current arch width which is approximately 20% of the voltage arch width of the corresponding supply voltage half cycle.
  • the supply voltage and load current relationship of an example electrical apparatus is shown in Figure 6C.
  • the example electrical apparatus is a 7W LED lamp having a rectifying circuit which is to convert AC supply into DC power for LED operation.
  • the rectifying circuit comprises a bridge rectifier and a parallel RC (resistance-capacitance) bridge connected to the input node of the bridge rectifier.
  • each load current cycle of this example electrical apparatus has a first current side having a first slope of a first polarity, a second current side having a second slope of a second polarity opposite to the first polarity, and a vertex portion containing an inflexion point of zero slope.
  • the first slope is an abrupt slope having a gradient which is significantly higher than the slope of the second slope
  • the second current side has a significantly higher duration than the duration of the first current side.
  • the load current has a conduction window having a width (in time domain) which is smaller than the half-cycle width of the supply voltage.
  • the load current duration is approximately 50% of the supply voltage half-cycle width. In general, the load current duration may be around 40%- 75%, or between 50%-60%, of the supply voltage half-cycle width.
  • the second load type is conveniently referred to herein as a DC load, since the output of the power conversion circuitry is direct current (DC).
  • An electrical apparatus having load current characteristics what are not defined hereinabove is classified as a third load type or as a third type of load.
  • An electrical apparatus of the third type comprises more complicated circuitry compared to the AC load and the DC load.
  • the third load type is conveniently referred to herein as a complex load.
  • the load current of a complex load herein does not usually have a dominant fundamental frequency and its complex frequency domain characteristics may be analyzed by techniques such as FFT. Apparatuses comprising motors, inverters etc., are typical example of complex load.
  • Many electrical apparatuses have different operation states and have different load current requirements or characteristics at the different operation states. For example, some electrical apparatuses begin operation at a cold state and proceed to a warm state after the cold state. Electrical apparatus having a cold state typically draw a large load current from the power supply when starting up from the cold state, and the load current is to fall to a rated current after completion of starting up.
  • the load current at starting up from the cold state is typical multiple times the magnitude of the rated current at the warm state.
  • the start-up current may appear as a current surge or a current spike when compared with the rated current at the warm state which is also referred to as a steady state.
  • a surge current at start up of an electrical apparatus in the cold state may be 3 times to 10 times or more, typically between 3 times and 5 times the magnitude of the rated current.
  • the rated current is a steady- state current which may vary within a small range during steady state operations.
  • an electrical apparatus When an electrical apparatus is at a cold state, it usually means that the electronic circuitry of the electrical apparatus is not pre-biased.
  • many electrical apparatuses have a standby mode which draws a standby current that is substantially smaller than the rated current of the electrical apparatus.
  • An electrical apparatus at standby mode usually has its electrical or electronic circuitry pre biased to facilitate quick start-up and or start-up with reduced or minimum current surge.
  • an electrical apparatus for example, a refrigerator having a mechanical compressor
  • the initial current also known as power up current or cold start current
  • the electrical apparatus is said to be in the warm state.
  • the change from a spiky start-up current to the rated current represents a transition from a cold state to a cold start state and then the steady state.
  • a stand-by mode is classified as a steady-state mode in this disclosure. When in the stand-by mode, the appliance is in a warm- state and is ready for steady-state operations.
  • Many electrical apparatuses can operate in a plurality of steady-states.
  • an electrical apparatus may operate in a plurality of steady states according to load requirements, user selection, schedules, etc.
  • the switching between various steady-states may be automatic, for example in response to sensor feedback, according to preset times or time schedules, by user control or election, or according to other criteria or means without loss of generality.
  • Appliances may be classified according to their expected use conditions. For example, electrical appliances such as hair dryers, hand blowers, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, may be classified as a short-use duration appliance. Appliances such as refrigerators, computer servers, air conditioners and lighting equipment may be classified as a long-duration appliance.
  • electrical apparatus may be categorized into a plurality of operation states, for example, a power-up state, a steady state, a switching state, or other states as and when appropriate.
  • the load monitoring apparatus may be configured to capture load current characteristics of the electrical apparatus during an initial period of electrical connection when the electrical apparatus is first electrically connected to the power supply.
  • An electrical apparatus is first electrically connected to a power supply if the electrical apparatus changes from a state of non-electrical connection with the power supply to a state of electrical connection with the power supply.
  • load current is to flow from the power supply to the electrical apparatus.
  • the load monitoring apparatus is configured to capture load current characteristics of the electrical apparatus for a plurality of supply voltage cycles during an initial period of first electrical connection. The initial period may comprise, for example, 5- 15 voltage cycles after first electrical connection of the electrical apparatus with the power supply.
  • load current characteristics of 8 to 10 supply voltage cycles may be captured for controller processing.
  • the load monitoring apparatus is to analyze which type of load is the electrical apparatus.
  • the load monitoring apparatus or more specifically the controller of the load monitoring apparatus, is configured to compare the load current characteristics of the electrical apparatus with the load current characteristics of the different types of loads herein.
  • the load monitoring apparatus or more specifically the controller of the load monitoring apparatus, is configured to and is to operate to extract pertinent electrical parameters of the electrical apparatus for subsequent or future use.
  • the electrical parameters to be captured, extracted, and/or processed on startup when an AC load has been detected include one or more of: first cycle peak current value, maximum peak current value and minimum peak current value during the initial period, power factor, and rms current during one of the voltage cycles, for example, the last voltage cycle during the initial period.
  • the load monitoring apparatus or more specifically the controller of the load monitoring apparatus, is configured to and is to operate to determine the subtype of AC load to which the electrical apparatus belong.
  • AC load type is assigned a numerical code zero“0”
  • the first AC load subtype AC full wave
  • the second AC load subtype AC half wave
  • the third subtype AC phase-cut
  • the subtype numbers are elected as a matter of convenience and are not intended to be limiting.
  • the electrical apparatus will be assigned the subtype number 2, or alternatively, a subtype number 4, as a matter of convenience.
  • the extracted pertinent parameters may be set out in table form, for example in the example form of Table 1 below:
  • the electrical parameters to be captured, extracted, and/or processed on startup when a DC load has been detected include one or more of: peak current of the first cycle, peak current of the last cycle, rms current of the last cycle, average real power of the last cycle, apparent power of the last cycle, all of the initial period.
  • the extracted pertinent parameters may be set out in a table form, for example in the example form of Table 2 below:
  • the electrical parameters to be captured, extracted, and/or processed on startup when a complex load (third load type) has been detected include one or more of: first cycle peak current value, maximum peak current value and minimum peak current value during the initial period, power factor, and rms current during one of the voltage cycles, for example, the last voltage cycle during the initial period.
  • the extracted pertinent parameters may be set out in a table form, for example in the example form of Table 3 below:
  • an electrical apparatus is operable in a plurality of different steady states having different power requirements
  • pertinent electrical parameters of the electrical apparatus at the different steady states may be obtained, for example, from captured voltage and current data which are saved and processed to obtain the electrical parameters.
  • Pertinent electrical parameters herein include peak current or current peak, power including real power and apparent power, and power factor which may be obtained from read power and apparent power.
  • the load is an AC load
  • the pertinent steady-state electrical parameters may include one or more of maximum peak current, minimum peak current, power factor. Power factor may be recorded in radian or displacement angle.
  • the pertinent electrical parameters of each steady state (where there is more than one steady state), identified for example by a steady state number, may be set out in table form, for example in the example form of Table 4 below:
  • the pertinent steady-state electrical parameters may include one or more of: maximum peak current, minimum peak current, maximum root- mean-square (rms) current, minimum rms (root-mean-square) current, average real power over a full supply voltage cycle, average apparent power over a full supply voltage cycle, power factor.
  • the pertinent steady-state electrical parameters may include one or more of: maximum peak current, minimum peak current, maximum root-mean-square (rms) current, minimum rms (root-mean-square) current, average real power over a full supply voltage cycle, average apparent power over a full supply voltage cycle, power factor.
  • the extracted pertinent parameters may be saved in the local storage of the load monitoring apparatus, for example, on an on-board memory.
  • Automated monitoring of electrical apparatus by machine to enhance operational safety and/or security may be realized by use of a load monitoring apparatus which comprises electronic circuitry.
  • the electronic circuitry may comprise detection circuitry, decision circuitry, control circuitry, data acquisition device, data storage device, and sensors.
  • An example load monitoring apparatus may comprise a controller as control and decision circuitry, a power switch connected to a power supply and operable by the controller, sensors such as electrical sensors, and a data acquisition device operable by the controller to facilitate capture of pertinent data such as voltage and current data.
  • the controller may be a solid-state controller such as a microprocessor-based controller or a gate-logic- array-based controller.
  • the power switch may be a semiconductor power switch or a electromechanical switch such as a relay.
  • the load monitoring apparatus is configured to capture voltage and current data of the electrical apparatus when power flows from the power supply to the electrical apparatus.
  • the load monitoring apparatus is configured to capture voltage and current data of the electrical apparatus when the electrical apparatus enters into electrical connection with the power supply.
  • An electrical apparatus enters into a state of electrical connection or a state of power connection with the power supply means that the electrical apparatus changes from a state of non electrical connection to a state of connection with the power supply.
  • the controller is configured to begin capture and is to begin capture of electrical data resulting from the power flow upon detection of entry of electrical connection between the electrical apparatus and the power supply.
  • the controller is configured to perform data communication with a load and is to begin data communication with the electrical apparatus to make data enquiries with the electrical apparatus upon detection of entry of electrical connection between the electrical apparatus and the power supply.
  • the electrical apparatus is a smart apparatus having a data communication frontend, a data storage device and a data controller
  • the data controller of the smart apparatus will return with apparatus data requested by the load monitoring apparatus.
  • the smart apparatus data may include one or more of: apparatus identification (load ID), pertinent electrical parameters of the smart apparatus, load type.
  • the pertinent electrical parameters include the pertinent electrical parameters described herein and may include one or more additional data such as rate current, rated voltage, rated frequency, maximum allowable current, maximum allowable voltage, maximum allowable power, maximum temperature.
  • the pertinent electrical parameters may include one or more sets of pertinent electrical parameters on start-up, on steady-state operations, and on the different switched states as described herein.
  • the load monitoring apparatus is configured to and is to operate to capture data on voltage and start-up current when the electrical apparatus enters into electrical connection with the power supply, to process the voltage and current data to obtain pertinent electrical parameters, and to determine whether the obtained electrical parameters are within an acceptable range defined by a set of stored pertinent electrical parameters. If the outcome is positive, that is, the obtained electrical parameters are within the acceptable range, electrical connection is maintained. Otherwise, electrical connection is broken and an alarm may be set.
  • the stored pertinent electrical parameters may be retrieved from a smart apparatus, from a database of pertinent electrical parameters when the load ID of the electrical apparatus is known, or by machine learning of the load monitoring apparatus if the electrical apparatus is electrically connected to the power supply for a first time and no useable data is retrieved from the electrical apparatus.
  • the load monitoring apparatus is configured to and is to operate to machine learn pertinent electrical parameters of an electrical apparatus.
  • the controller of the monitoring apparatus is configured to and is to operate to capture voltage and current data on start-up, during steady-state operations, and at different switched states of the electrical apparatus, to process the captured voltage and current data to obtain the pertinent electrical parameters, and to save the pertinent electrical parameters, for example, locally or on a database accessible by other load monitoring apparatus of a network, for example, a local network.
  • the controller is configured to and is to operate to set an acceptable range of the pertinent electrical parameters when the pertinent electrical parameters have been leaned and stored, and to subsequently use the acceptable range to form the pertinent electrical parameters for subsequent use or applications.
  • the acceptable range may be set according to safety requirements and may be set according to a prestored margin algorithms.
  • the electrical apparatus being learned has an apparatus identity or apparatus identification information (“ID”) such as Mac address, Bluetooth (TM) ID, Wi Fi ID, RFID, power-on-ethernet (PoE) or other electronic ID (wireless or wired) which is detectable by the load monitoring apparatus, the controller of the load monitoring apparatus upon detection of new electrical connection of the electrical apparatus with the power supply will operate to retrieve the stored pertinent electrical parameters to facilitate load monitoring of the electrical apparatus.
  • ID apparatus identity or apparatus identification information
  • TM Bluetooth
  • Wi Fi ID Wi Fi ID
  • RFID power-on-ethernet
  • PoE power-on-ethernet
  • a new electrical connection herein means the electrical apparatus changes from a state of non-electrical connection to a state of electrical connection, after a previous electrical connection.
  • the load monitoring apparatus may be equipped with a wireless frontend and/or optical frontend to facilitate electronic equipment ID recognition and/or detection.
  • the load monitoring apparatus is configured to and is to operate to perform load monitoring on start-up, during steady-state operations, and/or at different switched states using, respectively the start-up pertinent electrical parameters, the steady-state pertinent electrical parameters , and/or the switched states pertinent electrical parameters, whether the electrical parameters were learned from the electrical apparatus or retrieved from database or data storage.
  • the load monitoring apparatus may have to relearn the pertinent electrical parameters on next re-connection, which may be physical or electrical re-connection.
  • the power supply may comprise an electrical connector for making detachable physical and electrical connection with an electrical apparatus.
  • the electrical apparatus would need to have a counterpart electrical connector which is mechanically complementary to the electrical connector of the power supply.
  • the power supply may comprise a power connection interface comprising a load monitoring apparatus, an electrical connector, a connection detector and a rigid main housing, as shown in Figure 8.
  • the load monitoring apparatus, the connection detector and the electrical connector may be housed inside the main housing and the electrical connector has a connection port exposed on the main housing.
  • the power supply comprising a load monitoring apparatus, an electrical connector and a connection detector is configured in the form of a power outlet, wall socket, power plug, or other suitable forms of electrical power connection interface.
  • the power supply or the electrical connector of the power supply may comprise a connection detector or a connection sensor which is configured to detect physical connection between the electrical apparatus and the power supply.
  • the connection sensor and the load monitoring apparatus may comprise a contact sensor which is configured to detect physical or mechanical connection between the electrical apparatus and the power supply.
  • the contact sensor has a signal output which is to out detection signals to the load monitoring apparatus and the controller of the load monitoring apparatus is configured to determine whether there is physical connection which is sufficient to establish electrical connection between the electrical apparatus and the power supply.
  • the controller of the load monitoring apparatus may be configured to determine with reference to signals of the connection detector or a connection sensor whether an electrical apparatus is physically removed and disconnected from the power supply or the power connector. If no removal or disconnection of the electrical apparatus is detected, the load monitoring apparatus may perform using the last saved pertinent electrical parameters to perform load monitoring of the electrical apparatus.
  • the load monitoring apparatus may need to re-perform learning of pertinent electrical parameters upon detection of a new physical and electrical connection of an electrical apparatus where the electrical apparatus is neither a smart apparatus nor an apparatus having a machine detectable ID.
  • Example operation flow of a load monitoring apparatus in cooperation with a power connection interface which comprises an electrical connector having a port for detachable electrical connection with a complementary electrical connector and a connection detector is shown in Figure 9.
  • Mains power supply herein means the general-purpose alternating-current (AC) electric power supply which is also known as household power, household electricity, house current, power-line, domestic power, wall power, line power, AC power, city power, street power, grid power, etc. Most mains power in the world either operate at a standard frequency of 50Flz (Europe) or 60Flz (US) sinusoid.
  • AC alternating-current
  • Electrical appliances typically comprise electrical circuit assemblies which are connected to the load side of a power source to obtain operation power.
  • the electrical circuits of modern electrical appliances are complex and their electrical properties or electrical characteristics as an electrical load are non-constant, but can be variable according to operation time and/or operation states.
  • a load monitor may be connected to the load or the power outlet to monitor load current conditions and a controller is to operate the load monitor to capture an example plurality of load current samples for determination of load current properties and/or load current characteristics.
  • the load current samples may be samples of load current amplitudes with respect to time.
  • the captured current amplitude and time data may be stored in a storage device of the monitor circuit.
  • the storage device may comprise volatile memory devices such as RAM and non-volatile memory devices such as flash memories.
  • a controller for example, an integrated circuit or solid-state microprocessor-based controller is to operate to analyze the captured current and time to determine the load current properties and load current characteristics at materials times.
  • An example load current monitor comprises a current sensor which is connected across the first input terminal A and a second input terminal com, as depicted in Figure 4.
  • the current monitor is for monitoring current which flows through a load, which is connected to an AC power source, and the AC power source comprises a live terminal L and a neutral terminal N.
  • the current sensing path comprises a low resistance path formed by a fusible link and a current sensing resistor.
  • the current sensing resistor has an example very low resistance of 0.01 W and the example fusible link has an example fusing rating of 5A.
  • the current which flows through the current sensing resistor is monitored by a resistor ladder network.
  • the resistor ladder network comprises a first terminal which is connected to a first terminal of the current sensing resistor and a second terminal which is connected to a negative input terminal of an amplifier LTC1050.
  • the resistor ladder network comprises a plurality of switchable resistor links to control gain of the voltage amplifier.
  • the positive input terminal of the voltage amplifier LTC1050 is tied to a reference voltage, which in the present example embodiment is set to be at 1 .6V by a set of biasing resistors when the amplifier output is to swing between 0 and 3.3 volt when the power supply to the load current monitor is at 5V DC.
  • the current monitor comprises a third input terminal which is for connection to the live terminal of the AC voltage to monitor the AC supply voltage.
  • the load current monitor comprises a first output terminal which is an output terminal of the voltage amplifier.
  • the load current monitor comprises a second output terminal which is a line voltage terminal V for outputting the AC line voltage, down converted.
  • the load current monitor comprises a third output terminal zero which is a reference voltage terminal for outputting voltage at the com terminal or the neutral terminal.
  • the first input terminal A is connected to an upstream end of the low resistance path and the second terminal com is connected to the neutral terminal of an AC source and the downstream end of the low resistance path.
  • load characteristics of some appliances change according to the operation states.
  • load characteristics are determined during different operation states and the outcomes of determination may be used as stand-alone criteria or in combination.
  • the frequency contents of the load current are obtained by using Fast Fourier Tran storms FFT), and the characteristic frequency spectrum of the load current is stored as pertinent parameters.
  • FFT Fast Fourier Tran storms
  • a load monitor apparatus is to execute stored instructions to operate the load monitor circuit to monitor load-side conditions and to determine whether the connected appliance is fit for operation.
  • the load monitor circuit may comprise the load current monitor circuit of Figure 4, which may be incorporated or built-in as part of the load monitor 120 of Figure 1 , and the device, including the load monitor 120, of Figure 2A may also function as the load monitor apparatus.
  • the appliance may have an identification code which is stored on the appliance.
  • the identification code may be stored in a data storage device, such as a non-volatile memory, of the appliance or stored in an RFID tag attached to the appliance.
  • the appliance may comprise a data communication frontend to facilitate export of the identification code.
  • the data communication frontend may be wired data communication port or a wireless data communication frontend.
  • the load monitor apparatus When the appliance is to request for power supply, the load monitor apparatus, or more specifically the controller or the load monitor apparatus, is to obtain the identification code of the appliance.
  • An appliance may be treated as to request for power when the appliance is first connected to the power source or when a connected appliance is switched on from an off- state.
  • the controller is to retrieve stored electrical characteristics of the appliance with reference to the identification code.
  • the electrical characteristics for example, comprising the pertinent parameters hereinabove, are pre-stored in databases of stored electrical characteristics of appliances.
  • the databases may be stored on-board the load monitor apparatus or outside. Where the databases are stored outside of the load monitor apparatus, the load monitor apparatus may retrieve the stored electrical characteristics through its data communication frontend, as depicted in Figure 8.
  • the load monitor apparatus is to compare the retrieved pertinent parameters and the real time measured data and to determine whether the appliance is fit for operation.
  • the database may include a white list, a grey list and a black list.
  • a white list may contain electrical characteristics of a plurality of appliances which is approved for immediate connection, together with their pertinent parameters.
  • a black list may contain identification numbers of a plurality of appliances which are prohibited from connection.
  • a grey list may contain types of appliances which are not prohibited from connection or partial parameters, subject to verification of their pertinent electrical characteristics and parameters.
  • the databases may be contributed by manufacturers and assembled as centralized databases.
  • the databases may be contributed by end-users and saved on the load monitor apparatus.
  • the databases may follow the formats of the pertinent parameters set out herein as examples, but other formats are of course possible.
  • sample electrical appliances of various types and associated electrical characteristics are measured and stored as reference data for subsequent use. Due to variation and tolerances, ranges of associated electrical characteristics are measured may be included in the database so that the load monitor apparatus may determine whether the electrical characteristics and parameters are within an acceptable range or ranges representing fitness for operation. For example, an appliance may be fit for operation when new but its electrical characteristics and parameters degrade to outside the acceptable range or ranges and become no longer fit for operation. When the load monitor apparatus has determined that the electrical characteristics and parameters of an approved appliance are no longer with an acceptable range representing fit for operation, the specific appliance having a specific identification number will become black listed, locally or centrally.
  • the load monitor apparatus may include a set of local databases of frequently used appliances to expedite approval for power connection.
  • a manufacture may define acceptable range or ranges of the electrical characteristics and parameters of appliances, for example, by measuring the electrical characteristics and parameters of a pool of samples of appliances.
  • the load monitor apparatus may include an option for a user to selectively approve an appliance by going through initial measurements to measure the operating electrical characteristics and parameters at one or all or the operations states and to determine whether the appliance should be approved for power connection. The measured operating electrical characteristics and parameters of an approved appliance are then stored locally for future reference. Where the appliance has no built-in identification number, the approval procedure may be repeated every time when the appliances makes a request for power connection. Where an appliance has an identification number which is not previously stored in the databases, the databases may be updated with the new identification number and the associated electrical characteristics and parameters as those of an approved appliance.
  • a plurality of load monitor apparatus is connected separately to a plurality of individual power outlets.
  • the updated local databases may be distributed to the plurality of load monitor apparatus within the locality for use by the plurality of load monitor apparatus within the same locality.
  • a locality may be a home, an office, a building or a street without loss of generality.
  • each locality may have a centralized load monitor apparatus which controls operation of a plurality of power outlets and the databases of pertinent electrical characteristics and parameters of approved appliances of the locality are stored on the centralized load monitor apparatus.
  • the identification number may be specific to individual appliances so that each appliance can be uniquely identified by its identification number.
  • the identification number may include a serial number of an appliance, which is assigned for example by manufacturer.
  • the identification number may include a code portion to represent the load type.
  • the pertinent or reference electrical characteristics and parameters may be stored according to the operations state.
  • the power-up state may be given a state-code of 0
  • the switching-state may be given a state-code of 1
  • the steady-state may be given a state-code of 2.
  • the switching-state may have a two-digit format to provide space for sub switching states.
  • the load monitor apparatus may monitor the operation electrical characteristics and parameters at each and/or every operation state. If the measured electrical characteristics and parameters commensurate with the pre-stored reference electrical characteristics and parameters, the load monitor apparatus is to determine that the connected appliance is fit for operation and power connection is to continue. Otherwise, the power connection is to cease and an alert or alarm may be generated to attract user or security attention.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Remote Monitoring And Control Of Power-Distribution Networks (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil de surveillance d'un appareil électrique, l'appareil de surveillance de charge comprenant un dispositif de commande qui est conçu pour capturer et traiter des données de tension et de courant d'un appareil électrique, qui est électriquement connecté à une alimentation électrique, pour obtenir des paramètres électriques de l'appareil électrique, pour mémoriser les paramètres électriques en tant que paramètres électriques mesurés, pour comparer les paramètres électriques mesurés à un ensemble de paramètres électriques prémémorisés, pour déterminer si les paramètres électriques mesurés correspondent aux paramètres électriques mémorisés, et pour faire fonctionner un commutateur de puissance pour couper l'alimentation électrique par rapport aux paramètres électriques si les paramètres électriques mesurés ne correspondent pas aux paramètres électriques mémorisés.
PCT/IB2020/051364 2019-02-19 2020-02-19 Procédé et appareil de surveillance de charge WO2020170142A1 (fr)

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EP20759621.4A EP3928106A4 (fr) 2019-02-19 2020-02-19 Procédé et appareil de surveillance de charge
CN202080015589.6A CN113454470A (zh) 2019-02-19 2020-02-19 负载监控方法和设备

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HK19119695.5 2019-02-19
HK19119695 2019-02-19

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WO2020170142A1 true WO2020170142A1 (fr) 2020-08-27

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CN113454470A (zh) 2021-09-28
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