ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ARCS
20230213572 · 2023-07-06
Inventors
Cpc classification
G01R31/14
PHYSICS
H01H9/50
ELECTRICITY
International classification
Abstract
An arrangement for detecting arcs in a low-voltage circuit has at least one voltage sensor for periodically determining voltage values of the low-voltage circuit and at least one current sensor for periodically determining current values of the low-voltage circuit. A first control unit is connected to the voltage sensor and the current sensor, has a processor, and is configured in such a way that the presence of a switch arc is determined on the basis of the determined voltage values and current values. A switch arc detection signal is output if a switch arc is determined to be present.
Claims
1-19. (canceled)
20. An arrangement for detecting arcs in a low-voltage circuit, the arrangement comprising: at least one voltage sensor for periodically determining voltage values of the low-voltage circuit; at least one current sensor for periodically determining current values of the low-voltage circuit; and a first control unit connected to said at least one voltage sensor and said at least one current sensor, said first control unit having a processor and being configured to determine from the voltage values determined by said at least one voltage sensor and the current values determined by said at least one current sensor whether a switching arc is present and, if a switching arc is determined to be present, to output a switching arc detection signal.
21. The arrangement according to claim 20, wherein the voltage values and current values are used for determining an exponential function and said control unit is configured to output the switching arc detection signal only if an exponent of the exponential function lies within a given range.
22. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein aid control unit is configured to output the switching arc detection signal only if a change in the voltage over time exceeds a first jump limit value or if a voltage jump is detected.
23. The arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the control unit is configured to begin a determination of the exponential function when the first jump limit value or the voltage jump is exceeded.
24. The arrangement according to claim 21, configured to: determine a voltage value and a current value as a value pair within a first time window; determine an arc voltage and an exponent from at least four successively determined value pairs; and output a switching arc detection signal when the arc voltage exceeds an arc voltage limit value and the exponent lies within the given range.
25. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein: a change in the current over time is determined as a change value from the determined current value; the voltage value, the current value, and the change value of a time window form a value set; an arc voltage and the exponent are determined from at least four successively determined value sets; and the switching arc detection signal is output if the arc voltage exceeds an arc voltage limit value and the exponent lies within the given range.
26. The arrangement according to claim 20, further comprising a second control unit, and wherein said second control unit or said first control unit is configured to determine the presence of an arc fault from the voltage values and the current values and to output an arc fault detection signal if the arc fault is determined to present.
27. The arrangement according to claim 26, further comprising an interruption unit for interrupting the low-voltage circuit, wherein said interruption unit is connected to said first control unit and optionally to said second control unit, and wherein the low-voltage circuit is interrupted in case of a positive determination of an arc fault and a negative determination of a switching arc.
28. The arrangement according to claim 27, wherein an interruption takes place only if a given number of current values exceed a given current limit value.
29. The arrangement according to claim 28, wherein the low-voltage circuit is a low-voltage AC circuit.
30. A low-voltage circuit breaker, comprising an arrangement according to claim 20.
31. A method for determining an arc in a low-voltage circuit, the method comprising: periodically determining voltage values and current values of the low-voltage circuit; using the voltage values and current values for determining an exponent of an exponential function; and outputting a switching arc detection signal only if the exponent lies within a given range.
32. The method according to claim 31, which comprises outputting the switching arc detection signal only if a change in the voltage over time exceeds a first jump limit value or a voltage jump is determined to lie within a lower and an upper bound.
33. The method according to claim 32, which comprises initiating the step of determining the exponent of the exponential function upon the first jump limit value being exceeded or the voltage jump being detected.
34. The method according to claim 31, which comprises determining a voltage value and a current value as a value pair within a given time window, and determining the exponent from at least four successively determined value pairs.
35. The method according to claim 34, which comprises determining the voltage value and the current value of the value pair simultaneously.
36. The method according to claim 34, which comprises: determining a change in the current over time as a change value from determined current values; forming a value set with the voltage value, the current value, and the change value of a time window; and determining the exponent from at least four successively determined value sets.
37. The method according to claim 31, which comprises determining a presence of an arc fault from the voltage values and the current values and, upon determining an arc fault, outputting an arc fault detection signal.
38. The method according to claim 37, which comprises carrying out an interruption of the low-voltage circuit in the case of a positive determination of an arc fault and a negative determination of a switching arc.
39. The method according to claim 38, which comprises interrupting the low-voltage circuit only if a number of current values exceed a given current limit value.
Description
[0053] The described properties, features and advantages of this invention and the way in which they are achieved will become clearer and more clearly understood in association with the following description of the exemplary embodiments which are explained in greater detail in association with the drawing.
[0054] In the associated drawing:
[0055]
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[0059]
[0060]
[0061]
[0062]
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[0065]
[0066] These variables, in particular the electrical voltage or electrical voltage values, are detected at the measurement points 600 in order to be processed further in an arrangement for arc detection according to the invention.
[0067] The region monitored with respect to arcs is represented by a dashed line 500.
[0068] An arc can occur in the electrical circuit, said arc being represented symbolically by an arc 400 having an arc voltage U.sub.LB(t).
[0069] For this circuit, it is possible to formulate an ansatz equation describing the electrical relationships in the circuit:
[0070] Assuming that an arc is present in the low-voltage network, the electrical behavior would be comparable with that of a back-EMF source in the network.
[0071] This results in the following, extended ansatz differential equation:
[0072] An arc fault is simulated in a simplified manner as a purely resistive load. It is thus assumed that the arc voltage is in phase with the arc current. The arc voltage can thus be described by the following equation (A – amperes, sign – sign function):
[0073] If it is assumed that the measurement current i.sub.m(t) corresponds to the arc fault current i.sub.LB(t), that is to say that no current branching is present between the measurement location and the arc fault burning location, the following can be written:
[0074] Various methods can be used to solve this extended ansatz differential equation. In this context, reference is made to the following patent applications: [0075] PCT/EP2016/062274 [0076] PCT/EP2016/062273 [0077] PCT/EP2016/062272 [0078] PCT/EP2016/062271 [0079] PCT/EP2017/062980 [0080] (European patent office and: [0081] 102016209444.0 [0082] 102016209443.2 [0083] 102016209445.9 [0084] (German patent office) [0085] the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in this patent application.
[0086] They contain solutions for determining an arc fault (but not for determining a switching arc). The circuit diagram and the above approach in accordance with
[0087] For the dependable detection of arc faults and to differentiate them from switching arcs, it is necessary to detect switching arcs individually.
[0088] According to the simplified equivalent circuit diagram in accordance with
[0089] In the circuit or network in which an arc burns, a current and voltage profile having a significant profile can be measured. A typical temporal voltage profile u.sub.m(t) and temporal current profile i.sub.m(t) for an arc fault is illustrated in
[0090] Time t in milliseconds (ms) [t in ms] is represented on the horizontal X-axis. The magnitude of the electrical voltage in volts (V) [u.sub.m in V] is depicted on the vertical y-axis on the left scale. The magnitude of the electrical current i.sub.m in kiloamperes (kA) [i.sub.m in kA] is depicted on the right scale.
[0091] After arc ignition, the current I continues with an approximately sinusoidal profile. The voltage U has a profile that is severely distorted, approximately “sawtooth-shaped” with rapid voltage changes. Roughly interpreted, to a first approximation, the voltage profile is rectangular, instead of a customarily sinusoidal profile. Considered in the abstract, it is possible to identify in the voltage profile a rectangular waveform exhibiting a highly stochastic component on the plateau. The rectangular waveform is characterized in that during the arc ignition and in the subsequent voltage zero crossings of the AC voltage, significantly increased voltage changes occur, which are referred to hereinafter as voltage jump, since the rise in the voltage change is significantly greater in comparison with a sinusoidal voltage profile.
[0092]
[0093] If the profiles in accordance with
[0094]
[0095]
[0096] It has been discovered according to the invention that in the case of a switching arc, an approximated exponential function is present in the voltage profile at the time of ignition, which exponential function is intended to be used according to the invention for the detection of a switching arc.
[0097] According to the invention, this significant voltage profile of a switching arc for this ignition range is described as follows (U.sub.AK - anode-cathode voltage between the open contacts, 20...30 V in the case of single-break interrupters and 40...60 V in the case of double-break interrupters; A - amperes):
[0098] After insertion into the ansatz equations (equation 2), the following can be described for a switching arc, in contrast to an arc fault (equation 4), for the arc ignition range:
[0099] The expression (t-to)/τ is the exponent of the exponential function. According to the invention, the voltage profile of a switching arc is described by an abstract exponential function, as illustrated in
[0100] That is to say if the exponent (t-to)τ of the exponential function lies within a first range, a switching arc is present. That is to say that a switching arc detection signal can be output by an arrangement in this case. The arrangement determines exponents of the exponential function continuously from (continuously/periodically) determined voltage and current values.
[0101] As a further or additional, significant criterion, in the voltage profile of a switching arc, it is possible to identify a voltage jump at the time of contact opening.
[0102]
[0103] According to the switch typology used, this voltage jump differs depending on the number of contacts connected in series. The profile in
[0104] The voltage jump occurs directly after the time of contact opening and describes the ignition of the arc and results – when derived physically – from the anode-cathode voltage drop U.sub.AK of the arc. According to the approximated exponential function, the voltage jump can be described by the scaling factor of the exponential function.
[0105] The scaling factor and thus also the voltage jump can be determined by means of different algorithms. For example by means of a calculation using the so-called W-RU algorithm or the W-Rus algorithm, which were developed on the basis of a wavelet transformation, in order to determine an equivalent voltage jump in the signal profile.
[0106] A determination using the W-RU algorithm is described for example in the German patent application having the application number 10 2016 209 445.9. A determination using the W-Rus algorithm is described for example in the European patent application having the application number PCT/EP2016/062271 (EP) (both cited above and incorporated by reference).
[0107] An alternative to determining the voltage jump would be the (continuous or periodic) determination of the change in the voltage with respect to time. If the change in the voltage with respect to time or the first derivative of the voltage with respect to time exceeds a first jump limit value, the value of which can be between 10 and 30 volts, in particular from 12 to 25 volts (as a typical anode-cathode voltage drop), a voltage jump of a switching arc is present, particularly if it is followed by an exponential function.
[0108] A method for determining an exponential function and whether the determined exponent of the exponential function lies within the first range is possible by means of a numerical calculation on the basis of an extended, modified distance protection algorithm. The following differentiating and integrating algorithms are respectively suitable for this according to the desired accuracy and the model network present:
TABLE-US-00001 Algorithm Calculated variables Ansatz equation R.sub.BM L.sub.BM U.sub.AK τ Differentiating D-se × ×
[0109] The findings from the development of numerical detection algorithms for detecting arc faults (see the patent applications referenced) show that good results are attainable when calculating the unknown parameters of the ansatz equation in the case of a complete integrating solution approach.
[0110] The novel method according to the invention or the novel algorithm according to the invention was developed for distinguishing between switching arcs and arc faults. The (integrating) I-RLse algorithm is particularly well suited to this. This algorithm is based on the I-RLs algorithm developed for the arc faults and constitutes an approach modified according to the invention. In future, using the I-RLse algorithm, it will be possible to detect both an arc fault and a switching arc.
[0111] Besides the parameters RBM, LBM, U.sub.AK and τ it is additionally helpful to determine the point in time t0. The point in time t0 defines the point in time at which the voltage jump in the form of the anode-cathode voltage drop occurs. Since the latter can be detected in the form of a signal profile algorithm, for example, or if the change in the voltage with respect to time exceeds the first jump limit value, the point in time t0 can be determined by way of this, of example.
[0112] By solving equation 6, it is possible to determine the parameters – to be evaluated for the switching arc detection – of voltage jump SS or U.sub.AK, or/and the exponent of the exponential function or τ. If both calculated parameters simultaneously lie within defined limit ranges, a switching arc is deemed to have been detected.
[0113] This is illustrated by way of example in
[0114] The middle diagram illustrates the determined exponent of the exponential function, represented by the value ⅟τ in s.sup.-1 in the example. The value range of ⅟τ in s.sup.-1, in the example 0...3000...6000 s.sup.-1, is plotted on the vertical Y-axis. Two horizontal lines for the limit values 800 s.sup.-1 and 2700 s.sup.-1 are plotted parallel to the horizontal X-axis. The first range would be from 800 s.sup.-1 to 2700 s.sup.-1 in this example.
[0115] In the bottom diagram, the voltage jump U.sub.AK (= UAK) is plotted against time. The magnitude of the electrical voltage U.sub.AK in volts (V) [U.sub.AK in V] is depicted on the vertical axis. A horizontal line for the limit value U.sub.AK of 9.5 V is shown parallel to the horizontal axis. That is to say that if a voltage jump of greater than 9.5 V is present (or an equivalent jump limit value of the change in the voltage with respect to time), at least one criterion for a switching arc is present. Time t in milliseconds (ms) [t in ms] is represented on the horizontal X-axis for all three diagrams.
[0116] A vertically dashed line is shown at the point in time just before 16 ms. Two positive criteria of the switching arc detection are present at this point in time. Firstly, the exponent of the exponential function lies within the first range. Secondly, a voltage jump of greater than 9.5 V is present. Consequently, at this point in time a switching arc is detected and a switching arc detection signal can be output. The detection of the voltage jump can be limited at the upper end, as is depicted by a further horizontal line at 70 volts (upper limitation) in the bottom diagram in
[0117] According to the invention, the switching arc detection can be combined with a predictive overcurrent release. That is to say that a switching arc detection signal is output only if the current, i.e. a first number of current values for example, exceeds a first current limit value.
[0118]
[0119] Alternatively or additionally, the arc fault determination can also be carried out by means of a second control unit ST2. For this purpose, the electrical voltage u.sub.m(t) and the electrical current variable are fed to the second control unit ST2. The second control unit S2 outputs a first arc fault detection signal LST1 in the case where an arc fault is detected.
[0120] In the example in accordance with
[0121] The arrangement in accordance with
[0122] The control units in accordance with
[0123] The ORed arc fault detection signal(s) can be ANDed with the switching arc detection signal, for example by an AND unit AND, the AND unit having an inverted input for the switching arc detection signal LSA, such that in the case where a switching arc detection signal LSA is present, the AND unit does not output a positive signal. The AND unit AND can output an interruption signal US, for example for an interruption of the electrical circuit, for example by a low-voltage circuit breaker. An interruption signal US is output only if an arc fault has been detected, i.e. a first or/and second arc fault detection signal LST1, LST2 is/are present, and no switching arc has been detected, i.e. no (positive) switching arc detection signal LSA is present.
[0124] Furthermore, the current release signal SI of the third control unit ST3 can likewise be fed to the AND unit AND, as illustrated in
[0125] The second control unit ST2 can furthermore be configured in such a way that a determination of the point in time t0 is carried out, i.e. if e.g. the first jump limit value is exceeded or a voltage jump exceeding a voltage jump magnitude is present. The determination of the point in time t0 can be reported to the first control unit ST1, which is indicated by an arrow between the first and second control units. The first control unit can thus apply the presence of the switching arc criterion or/and start a determination of the exponential function or the exponent thereof.
[0126] The second control unit ST2 can carry out e.g. a signal profile analysis (see the patent applications referenced).
[0127]
[0128] A step 10 involves continuously calculating the exponent of the exponential function, for example τ.sup.-1, and continuously detecting a voltage jump or the exceedance of the first jump limit value.
[0129] In a step 20, in the case where a jump is detected, a check is made to ascertain whether the point in time t0 has already been set, step 30. If the outcome of the check is no, step 50, the point in time t0 is set to the present point in time. If the outcome of the check is yes, step 40, the set point in time t0 is used. Step 60 involves carrying out the check to establish whether the exponent of the exponential function lies within the first range. If the outcome of the check is no, the method sequence jumps to step 200, i.e. that no switching arc is present, and the method sequence starts afresh. If the outcome of the check is yes, the method sequence jumps to step 70 and e.g. the magnitude of the voltage jump U.sub.AK is determined. If U.sub.AK is greater than a threshold value or within a further range, a switching arc is detected in step 100, otherwise with step 200 no switching arc is present. In both cases the algorithm can start afresh.
[0130] If no jump is detected in step 20, with step 200 no switching arc is present.
[0131]
[0132] The signal profile algorithm (W-RU) detects the voltage jump and thus already provides a base point release for the I-RLse algorithm according to
[0133] The solution to the ansatz equation for the circuit by way of an integrating method which, on account of four unknowns, likewise requires four different integration limits is merely one example of the solution possibilities. A further possibility would be, for example, solution using MKQ algorithms based on the least squares method.
[0134] The detection algorithm according to the invention for detecting switching arcs can firstly be used for distinguishing between switching arcs and arc faults during arc fault detection using numerical detection algorithms. The algorithm can secondly also be used as an additional function in the case of existing arc fault protection systems that operate e.g. on the basis of optical detection, since systems of this type often have problems if a switching arc of high current intensity occurs in the region to be protected and monitored.
[0135] Moreover, it is possible to use the algorithm in combination with numerical methods of arc fault detection, in order for example rapidly to detect a circuit breaker failure of a downstream circuit breaker and to clarify the fault correspondingly rapidly, without delaying corresponding set grading times.
[0136] A description is given below of the derivation of the extended distance protection methods or algorithms for detecting switching arcs and thus for delimitation from arc faults. The method or the algorithm is based on the following ansatz equation:
[0137] I-RLse calculation/algorithm (with numbering beginning anew):
[0138] Rearranging with respect to R
[0139] Equating the 1.sup.st and 2.sup.nd and 3.sup.rd and 4.sup.th formulae and solving for L
[0140] Rearranging
[0141] Simplifying
[0142] Equating
[0143] Rearranging for U-LB
[0144] Simplifying
[0145] Calculating b
[0146] Substitution for e.sup.τΔT= x
[0147] Equating the 1.sup.st and 3.sup.rd and 2.sup.nd and 4.sup.th formulae and solving for U-LB
[0148] Rearranging for L-BM
[0149] Equating for L-BM
[0150] Substitution for e.sup.τΔT= x
[0151] Equating U-LB
[0152] Calculation of the arc voltage
[0153] Although the invention has been more specifically illustrated and described in detail by means of the exemplary embodiment, nevertheless the invention is not restricted by the examples disclosed and other variations can be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.