GB2629831A - Load balancing switching actuator - Google Patents
Load balancing switching actuator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2629831A GB2629831A GB2307021.2A GB202307021A GB2629831A GB 2629831 A GB2629831 A GB 2629831A GB 202307021 A GB202307021 A GB 202307021A GB 2629831 A GB2629831 A GB 2629831A
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- switching
- phase
- actuator
- switching element
- electrical power
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for AC mains or AC distribution networks
- H02J3/26—Arrangements for eliminating or reducing asymmetry in polyphase networks
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
- H01H9/0072—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00 particular to three-phase switches
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02B—BOARDS, SUBSTATIONS OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02B1/00—Frameworks, boards, panels, desks, casings; Details of substations or switching arrangements
- H02B1/20—Bus-bar or other wiring layouts, e.g. in cubicles, in switchyards
- H02B1/205—Bus-bar or other wiring layouts, e.g. in cubicles, in switchyards for connecting electrical apparatus mounted side by side on a rail
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Remote Monitoring And Control Of Power-Distribution Networks (AREA)
- Keying Circuit Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A switching actuator 100, 100’ for connecting an electrical device 901, 902 to a single phase L1, L2, L3 of a multiple-phase electrical power network 1 comprises a plurality of phase terminals 11, 12, 13, each being configured for connection to a phase of the power network, and a device terminal 20 configured for connection to an electrical device, wherein the switching actuator has a first switching state and a plurality of second switching states, wherein, in the first switching state, all phase terminals are disconnected from the device terminal and wherein, in each of the second switching states, exactly one of the phase terminals is connected to the device terminal. A controller 200 and a measuring device 201 may be provided for controlling a switching state of the switching actuator e.g. to optimise the load balancing between the phases or to connect an electrical device to a functioning phase in the event of a phase malfunction.
Description
Description
Switching actuator, power distribution system comprising a switching actuator and method for operating a switching 5 actuator Embodiments of the present invention are related to a switching actuator. Further embodiments are related to a power distribution system comprising at least one switching 10 actuator and to a method for operating a switching actuator.
In standard electrical installations, for instance in a building having an electrical power network with three phases, each electrical device to be operated, for instance an electrical load, is connected fixedly, for instance directly or via a plug socket, to one of the three phases of the electrical power network. An electrician has to make assumptions of the load concurrency and has to select a suitable phase for each of the loads to be operated, so that, when the loads are operated, the distribution of the electrical power drawn from the three phases of the electrical power network is preferably balanced. In case the assumptions are not correct, it can happen that the three phases are unbalanced.
At least one object of certain embodiments is to provide a switching actuator. Further objects of certain embodiments are to provide a power distribution system with a switching actuator and a method for operating a switching actuator.
These objects are achieved by the subject-matter and the method according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and developments are characterized in the -2 -dependent claims, and are also disclosed by the following description and the drawings.
According to at least one embodiment, a switching actuator comprises a plurality of phase terminals and a device terminal. In particular, the switching actuator can be configured for connecting an electrical device to a single phase of a multiple-phase electrical power network. Via the device terminal, an electrical device can be connected to the switching actuator. In other words, the device terminal is configured for being connected to the electrical device. For example, the electrical device can be an electrical load. Alternatively, the electrical device can be an electrical supply like, for example, a photovoltaic device. Via the plurality of phase terminals, the switching actuator can be connected to a multiple-phase electrical power network. In particular, the switching actuator can comprise a dedicated phase terminal for each phase of a plurality of phases of the electrical power network, so that each of the plurality of phases of the electrical power network can be connected to a certain phase terminal. In other words, each of the phase terminals of the switching actuator can be assigned to a single one of the plurality of phases of the electrical power network, so that each phase terminal of the plurality of phase terminals can be configured for being connected to a phase of the multiple-phase electrical power network. If the electrical power network has a number n of phases, the switching actuator can preferably have the same number n of phase terminals.
According to a further embodiment, the switching actuator has a first switching state and a plurality of second switching states. In particular, the number of second switching states -3 -can be the same as the number of phase terminals, so that the overall number of switching states of the switching actuator is one more than the number of phases connectable to the switching actuator. In the first switching state, all phase terminals are disconnected from the device terminal. In other words, when the switching actuator is in the first switching state, an electrical device connected to the device terminal is disconnected from the electrical power network that is connected to the phase terminals. Furthermore, in each of the second switching states, exactly one of the phase terminals is connected to the device terminal. Thus, by choosing a certain second switching state, a certain dedicated phase of the electrical power network can be connected to the device terminal.
For example, the switching actuator can have exactly three phase terminals configured for being connected to a three-phase electrical power network. Furthermore, the switching actuator can have exactly one device terminal. Accordingly, by choosing a certain second switching state of the switching actuator, exactly one of the three phases of the three-phase electrical power network can be connected to the device terminal and, thus, to an electrical device connected to the device terminal. By changing the switching state of the switching actuator to another second switching state, another of the three phases of the electrical power network can be connected to the device terminal. By changing the switching state to the first switching state, the device terminal and, thus, an electrical device connected to the device terminal, can be disconnected from any of the phases of the electrical power network. -4 -
In addition to the phase terminals and the device terminal, the switching actuator can have further terminals, for instance neutral terminals configured for being connected a neutral line of the electrical power network and/or of the electrical device.
The switching actuator described herein offers the possibility to connect an electrical device like an electrical load to exactly one or none of the for example three phases of an electrical power network. By connecting one phase at a time and by choosing that one phase by choosing and applying the corresponding switching state of the switching actuator, the distribution of power drawn from the phases of the electrical power network can be influenced and, if more than one electrical load is connected to the electrical power network preferably balanced. For example, if two electrical loads are connected to the same phase of the electrical power network, whereas no electrical load is connected to any of the other phases, the distribution of electrical power drawn from the electrical power network is unbalanced. If at least one of the electrical loads is connected to the electrical power network via a switching actuator as described before, this load could be connected to another phase of the electrical power network, so that the distribution of power drawn from the electrical power network is more balanced. Also in case that the assumptions of an electrician who connects electrical loads to the electrical power network by choosing certain phases are most of the time correct, using one or more switching actuators could provide an additional possibility for optimizing the load balancing. Furthermore, if for instance the phase to which an electrical load is connected via the switching actuator is malfunctioning, in a very easy way another phase of the -5 -electrical power network can be chosen and connected to the electrical load by choosing another second switching state of the switching actuator. Thus, in a method for operating at least one switching actuator the switching state of the at least one switching actuator can be controlled so that at least one the following operations is performed: -a distribution of power drawn from the plurality of phases of the multiple-phase electrical power network is balanced, -an electrical device that is connected to a malfunctioning 10 phase is connected to a functioning phase.
According to a further embodiment, a power distribution system comprises a multiple-phase electrical power network, the electrical power network comprising a plurality of phases, and at least one switching actuator, wherein each of the phase terminals of the at least one switching actuator is connected to a phase of the electrical power network. Furthermore, the power distribution system can comprise a controller that is configured for controlling a switching state of the at least one switching actuator. By means of such power distribution system, it can be possible to control the connection state between the phases of the electrical power network and at least one electrical device as described before.
Preferably, the power distribution system further comprises a measuring device configured for measuring an electrical power on each phase of a multiple-phase electrical power network. Furthermore, the power distribution system can comprise a measuring device configured for measuring an electrical power on the device terminal of the at least one switching actuator. By using one or more such measuring devices, the power distribution in the electrical power network and/or the -6 -flow of electrical power to or from an electrical device connected to the switching actuator can be monitored, so that, for instance, the phases of the electrical power network could be automatically balanced and/or malfunctioning phases can be detected.
According to a further embodiment, the power distribution system comprises a plurality of switching actuators, so that more than one electrical device can be connected to the electrical power network via a respective switching actuator. For example, in the power distribution system at least the bigger loads can be connected to the electrical power network via switching actuators, so that the phases can be rightly balanced.
Preferably, the switching state of the at least one switching actuator is changed when the connected electrical device is inactive. Consequently, the power distribution system is preferably configured for a predictive switching of the at least one switching actuator. However, it can be also possible to change the switching state of the at least one switching actuator in case the connected electrical device is already powered and in use. In case the phase to which the electrical device is connected via the switching actuator starts to malfunction, the electrical device can stay operative by changing the switching state of the switching actuator to connect one of the other phases to the electrical device, so that the overall system availability can be increased.
According to a further embodiment, the at least one switching actuator comprises at least two switching elements that are electrically controllable relays. One or more or all of the -7 -switching elements of the switching actuator can be on-off relays or changeover relays or can have more than two switching states like, for example, a three-way relay. The switching elements can for example be embodied as monostable or bistable relays. Furthermore, the switching elements can be electromechanical relays or semiconductor relays.
According to a further embodiment, the switching elements are configured for being controlled via a wire-based connection.
The switching actuator can have one or more control terminals for connecting a controller to the switching actuator. Via the control terminals, the controller can control the switching elements. It can also be possible that the at least one switching actuator comprises a control element that can communicate with the controller of the power distribution system and that can control the switching states of the switching elements of the switching actuator. For example, the control element can also be configured to measure an electrical power, for instance at the device terminal, and to communicate the measured electrical power to the controller of the power distribution system. Alternatively to a wire-based communication between a controller and the at least one switching actuator, the at least one switching actuator can comprise a control element that is configured for a wireless connection with a controller of the power distribution system. Accordingly, the switching states of the at least one switching actuator can be controllable via a wireless connection.
According to a further embodiment, the switching actuator comprises a first switching element, a second switching element and a third switching element. For example, the first switching element can be an on-off switch and each of the -8 -second switching element and the third switching element can be a changeover switch. The first switching element can have a first switching state and a second switching state. In the first switching state of the first switching element the device terminal can be connected to the second switching element, whereas in the second switching state of the first switching element the device terminal can be disconnected from the second switching element. Particularly preferably, the second switching state of the first switching element, irrespective of the switching states of the other switching elements, can be the first switching state of the switching actuator. When the first switching element is in the first switching state, the switching actuator can be in a second switching state as explained as follows. The second switching element can have a first switching state and a second switching state. In the first switching state of the second switching element, the first switching element can be connected to a first phase terminal of the plurality of phase terminals, thereby establishing a first one of several second switching states of the switching actuator. In the second switching state of the second switching element, the first switching element can be connected to the third switching element. The third switching element can have a first switching state and a second switching state. In the first switching state of the third switching element the second switching element can be connected to a second phase terminal of the plurality of phase terminals, thereby establishing a second one of the several second switching states of the switching actuator. In the second switching state of the third switching element the second switching element can be connected to a third phase terminal of the plurality of phase terminals, thereby establishing a third one of the several second switching states of the switching actuator. -9 -
Accordingly, the changeover relays, i.e. the second and third switching element, are connected to each other and to the phase terminals so that each of the three phases of the electrical power network can be used for the connected electrical device. In particular, the changeover relays are arranged in such a way that only one phase at a time can be connected to the device terminal. The on-off relay, i.e. the first switching element, can be used for the load switching.
Alternatively to the embodiment described before, other combinations and configurations of switching elements are possible. For instance, according to a further embodiment, the switching actuator comprises a fourth switching element and a fifth switching element instead of the first, second and third switching elements described before. The fourth switching element can be a changeover switch and the fifth switching element can be a three-way switch, wherein the fourth switching element can have a first switching state, connecting the device terminal to a first phase terminal of the plurality of phase terminals, and a second switching state, connecting the device terminal the fifth switching element. The fifth switching element can have a first switching state, connecting the fourth switching element to a second phase terminal of the plurality of phase terminals, a second switching state, connecting the fourth switching element to a third phase terminal of the plurality of phase terminals, and a third switching state, disconnecting the fourth switching element from any phase terminal. When the fourth switching element is in the second switching state and the fifth switching element is in the third switching state, the first switching state of the switching actuator is established, whereas in the other described switching states -10 -the second switching states of the switching actuator are established.
As described before, the at least one switching actuator can be used for instance for a power distribution balancing among the phases of a multiple-phase electrical power network. In particular, at least one or, preferably, a plurality of switching actuators can be used in a power distribution system that can be a home energy management system (HEMS) or a building energy management system (BEMS). Thus, the at least one switching actuator can form a load balancing switching actuator that is configured so that each of the available phases of the electrical power network can be selected for powering a single-phase load. Together with the power distribution system that forms a system wide energy measurement system, load balancing can be achieved.
Further features, advantages and expediencies will become apparent from the following description of exemplary 20 embodiments in conjunction with the figures.
Figures lA to 1D show schematic illustrations of a switching actuator according to an embodiment in various switching states, Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a switching actuator according to a further embodiment, Figures 3A and 3B show schematic illustrations of a switching actuator according to further embodiments, Figures 4A and 4B show schematic illustrations of a switching actuator according to further embodiments, Figure 5 shows a schematic illustration of a power distribution system used for a method for operating at least one switching actuator according to a further embodiment, Figure 6 shows a schematic illustration of a power distribution system according to a further embodiment, and Figure 7 shows a schematic illustration of a power distribution system according to a further embodiment.
In the figures, elements of the same design and/or function are identified by the same reference numerals. It is to be understood that the embodiments shown in the figures are illustrative representations and are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Figures 1A to 1D show schematic illustrations of an embodiment of a switching actuator 100 in various switching states. The switching actuator 100 comprises a plurality of phase terminals 11, 12, 13 and a device terminal 20. The switching actuator 100 is configured for connecting an electrical device to a single phase of a multiple-phase electrical power network. In particular, the device terminal 20 is configured for being connected to the electrical device and each of the phase terminals 11, 12, 13 is assigned to a dedicated phase of the plurality of phases of the electrical power network, so that each phase terminal 11, 12, 13 is configured for being connected to a phase of the multiple-phase electrical power network. Consequently, via the device terminal 20, an electrical device can be connected to the switching actuator, wherein the electrical device can be an electrical load or an electrical supply like, for example, a photovoltaic device. Furthermore, via the plurality of phase terminals 11, 12, 13 the switching actuator 100 can be -12 -connected to a multiple-phase electrical power network. In case the electrical power network has a number n of phases, the switching actuator 100 can preferably have the same number n of phase terminals. In the embodiments shown in the figures a switching actuator suitable for being connected to a three-phase electrical power network is assumed. Consequently, the switching actuator comprises three phase terminals. However, other numbers of phases are also possible.
The switching actuator 100 has a first switching state that is depicted in Figure 1D, and a plurality of second switching states that are depicted in Figures 1A to 10. Since the switching actuator is configured for being connected to a three-phase electrical power network, the switching actuator has three second switching states.
The switching actuator 100 comprises three switching elements 31, 32, 33 that can be manually or, preferably, electrically controllable relays. One or more or all of the switching elements 31, 32, 33 of the switching actuator can be on-off relays or changeover relays. As described further below also a relay with more than two switching states like, for example, a three-way relay is possible. The switching elements 31, 32, 33 can for example be embodied as monostable or bistable relays. Furthermore, the switching elements 31, 32, 33 can be electromechanical relays or semiconductor relays. The switching elements 31, 32, 33 are integrated in a single device that establishes the switching actuator 100.
In the shown embodiment the switching actuator 100 comprises a first switching element 31 that is embodied as an on-off switch, and a second switching element 32 and a third -13 -switching element 33 that are embodied as changeover switches. The first switching element 31 has a first switching state that is shown in Figures 1A to 10, and a second switching state that is shown in Figure 1D. In the first switching state of the first switching element 31 the device terminal 20 is connected to the second switching element 32, whereas in the second switching state of the first switching element 31 the device terminal 20 is disconnected from the second switching element 32. As can be easily understood from Figure 1D, the second switching state of the first switching element 31, irrespective of the switching states of the other switching elements 32, 33, establishes the first switching state of the switching actuator 100.
When the first switching element 31 is in the first switching state, as shown in Figures lA to 10, the switching actuator 100 is in one of the three second switching state depending on the switching states of the second and third switching elements 32, 33. Thus, for the following description, it is assumed that the first switching element is in its first switching state. The second switching element 32 has a first switching state and a second switching state. In the first switching state of the second switching element 32, as shown in Figure 1A, the first switching element 31 is connected to a first phase terminal 11 of the plurality of phase terminals 11, 12, 13, thereby establishing a first one of the three second switching states of the switching actuator 100. In the second switching state of the second switching element 32, the first switching element 31 is connected to the third switching element 33, as shown in Figures 1B and 10. The third switching element 33 has a first switching state and a second switching state. In the first switching state of the -14 -third switching element 33, as shown in Figure 1B, the second switching element 32 is connected to a second phase terminal 12 of the plurality of phase terminals 11, 12, 13, thereby establishing a second one of the three second switching states of the switching actuator 100. In the second switching state of the third switching element 33, as shown in Figure 10, the second switching element 32 is connected to a third phase terminal 13 of the plurality of phase terminals 11, 12, 13, thereby establishing a third one of the three second switching states of the switching actuator 100.
Consequently, the second and third switching element 32, 33, which are changeover relays, are connected to each other so that each of the three phase terminals 11, 12, 13 can be connected to the first switching element 31. In particular, the changeover relays are arranged in such a way that only one phase terminal 11, 12, 13 at a time can be connected to the first switching element 31. In other words, the second and third switching element 32, 33 are used to choose the phase terminal 11, 12, 13. The first switching element 31, which is an on-off relay, is used to connect the chosen phase terminal 11, 12, 13 to the device terminal 20 or to disconnect the phase terminals 11, 12, 13 from the device terminal 20.
Since in the first switching state of the switching actuator 100 all phase terminals 11, 12, 13 are disconnected from the device terminal 20, an electrical device connected to the device terminal 20 would be disconnected from the electrical power network connected to the phase terminals 11, 12, 13. Furthermore, in each of the second switching states, exactly one of the phase terminals 11, 12, 13 is connected to the device terminal 20, so that, by choosing a certain second -15 -switching state, a certain dedicated phase 11, 12, 13 of the electrical power network can be connected to the device terminal 20.
In addition to the phase terminals 11, 12, 13 and the device terminal 20, the switching actuator 100 can have further terminals, for instance neutral terminals 40, 41 configured for being connected to a neutral line of the electrical power network and/or of the electrical device, as indicated in Figure 2 that shows a schematic illustration of a switching actuator according to a further embodiment. For the sake of simplicity, neutral terminals are not shown in the following figures. However, each of the embodiments described in the following can also have neutral terminals. Furthermore, the switching actuators described herein can also have earthing terminals.
Figures 3A and 3B show schematic illustrations of a switching actuator 100 according to further embodiments, wherein the switching actuator 100 has the first, second and third switching element 31, 32, 33 as described in connection with Figures lA to 1D. As indicated in Figure 3A, the switching elements 31, 32, 33 can be configured for being controlled via a wire-based connection. In this case, the switching actuator 100 can have control terminals 51, 52, 53 for connecting a controller, for instance a controller of a power distribution system as explained further below, to the switching actuator 100. Via the control terminals 51, 52, 53, such controller can control each of the switching elements 31, 32, 33. In the embodiment of Figure 3A each switching element 31, 32, 33 can be connected to a controller individually via the control terminals 51, 52, 53. Although only one control terminal 51, 52, 53 per switching element -16 - 31, 32, 33 is shown, the switching actuator 100 can have more than one control terminal for each of the switching elements 31, 32, 33.
As indicated in Figure 3B, it can also be possible that the switching actuator 100 comprises a control element 50 that can communicate with an external controller, for instance a controller of a power distribution system as explained further below, and that can control the switching states of the switching elements 31, 32, 33 of the switching actuator 100. The control element 50 can be configured for a wire-based communication between an external controller and the switching actuator 100 or, as indicated in Figure 3B, the switching actuator 100 can comprise a control element 50 that is configured for a wireless connection with an external controller. Accordingly, in this case the switching states of the switching actuator 100 can be controllable via a wireless connection.
Furthermore, the control element 50 can also be configured to measure an electrical power for instance at the device terminal 20, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 3B, and to communicate the measured electrical power to an external controller.
Figures 4A and 4B show schematic illustrations of a switching actuator 100 according to further embodiments, which comprises a fourth switching element 34 and a fifth switching element 35 instead of the first, second and third switching elements 31, 32, 33 described in connection with Figures 1A to 3B. As shown in Figure 4A, the fourth switching element 34 can be a changeover switch and the fifth switching element 35 can be a three-way switch, wherein the fourth switching -17 -element 34 can have a first switching state, connecting the device terminal 20 to a first phase terminal 11 of the plurality of phase terminals 11, 12, 13, and a second switching state, connecting the device terminal 20 to the fifth switching element 35. The fifth switching element 35 can have a first switching state, connecting the fourth switching element 34 to a second phase terminal 12 of the plurality of phase terminals 11, 12, 13, a second switching state that is shown in Figure 4A, connecting the fourth switching element 34 to a third phase terminal 13 of the plurality of phase terminals 11, 12, 13, and a third switching state, disconnecting the fourth switching element 34 from any phase terminal 11, 12, 13. In Figure 4A the third switching state of the fifth switching element 35 is indicated as the middle state. When the fourth switching element 34 is in its second switching state and the fifth switching element 35 is in its third switching state, the first switching state of the switching actuator 100 is established, whereas in the other described switching states the second switching states of the switching actuator 100 are established. As indicated, the switching elements 34, 35 can be controlled for instance by control terminals 54, 55. Alternatively, a wireless communication as described before is also possible.
As indicated in Figure 4B, the fourth and fifth switching elements 34, 35 can be swapped. However, also in this configuration, the first switching state and the three second switching states of the switching actuator 100 can be established.
Figure 5 shows a schematic illustration of a power distribution system 100 according to a further embodiment.
-18 -The power distribution system 100 comprises a multiple-phase electrical power network 1, the electrical power network 1 comprising a plurality of phases Ll, L2, L2. In the shown embodiment, a three-phase electrical power network 1 is shown that has three phases Ll, L2, L3. In addition, the electrical power network 1 can have, for instance, a neutral line and/or an earthing line, which are not shown for the sake of simplicity. By way of example, the power distribution system 1000 comprises two switching actuators 100, 100' that can be embodied according to any of the embodiments described before. Via each of the switching actuators 100, 100', an electrical device 901, 902 is connected to the electrical power network 1. The switching actuators 100, 100' can be equal or different, depending on the electrical devices to be connected. An exemplary further electrical device 903, indicated by the dotted lines, is fixedly connected to the phase L3. Of course, a plurality of fixedly connected electrical devices can be connected to any of the phases of the electrical power network. Moreover, more switching actuators with electrical devices can be connected to the electrical power network 1.
If the electrical devices 901, 902 were connected to the electrical power network 1 without the switching actuators 100, 100', it would be necessary for an electrician to assume correctly the load concurrency in order to decide which electrical device 901, 902 should be connected to which phase Ll, L2, L2 before connecting them. Afterwards, there would be no easy possibility to change the connections in case the assumptions had not been correct. Also, if one of the phases Ll, L2, L2 has a malfunction, there would be no easy way to quickly change a connection to another phase.
-19 -However, as described before, the switching actuators 100, 100' offer the possibility to connect the electrical devices to any of the phases L1, L2, L3 of the electrical power network 1. By connecting one phase at a time and by choosing that one phase by choosing and applying the corresponding switching state of the switching actuators 100, 100', the distribution of power drawn from the phases Ll, L2, L2 of the electrical power network 1 can be balanced. For example, as indicated in Figure 5 by the dashed lines in the switching actuators 100, 100', the switching actuator 100 can be configured in a second switching state that connects the electrical device 901 to the first phase L1, while the other switching actuator 100' is configured in another second switching state that connects the electrical device 902 to the second phase L2. Moreover, if for instance the first phase L1 was malfunctioning, it would be easy to connect the electrical device 901 to the second phase L2 or the third phase L3 by simply changing the second switching state of the assigned switching actuator 100. In addition, by switching a switching actuator 100, 100' to its first switching state, the connected electrical device 901, 902 could be easily disconnected from the electrical power network 1 independently from all the other electrical devices.
Thus, as can be easily understood from Figure 5, in a method for operating at least one switching actuator 100, 100' the switching state of the at least one switching actuator 100, 100' can be controlled so that at least one the following operations is performed: -a distribution of power drawn from the plurality of phases Ll, L2, L2 of the multiple-phase electrical power network 1 is balanced, -20 - -an electrical device 901, 902 that is connected to a malfunctioning phase is connected to a functioning phase.
Figure 6 shows a schematic illustration of a power distribution system 1000 according to a further embodiment, which has, in contrast to the power distribution system 1000 shown in Figure 5, a controller 200 that is configured for controlling the switching states of the switching actuators 100, 100'. As described above, the communication between the controller 200 and the switching actuators 100, 100' can be wire-based or wireless. By means of the shown power distribution system 1000 with the controller 200, it can be possible to easily control the switching states of the switching actuators 100, 100' and, thus, the connection states between the phases Ll, L2, L2 of the electrical power network 1 and the electrical devices 901, 902 connected to the switching actuators 100, 100'.
Figure 7 shows a schematic illustration of a power distribution system 1000 according to a further embodiment. In contrast to the previous embodiment, the power distribution system 1000 shown in Figure 7 additionally comprises a measuring device 201 configured for measuring an electrical power on each phase Ll, L2, L2 of a multiple-phase electrical power network 1. The measuring device 201 can be separate from the controller 200 and can be configured to communicate with the controller 200 via a wire-based or wireless communication method. Alternatively, the measuring device 201 can be a part of the controller 200. Due to the measuring device 201, the power distribution in the electrical power network 1 can be easily monitored, so that the distribution of electrical power drawn from the phases -21 -Ll, L2, L2 can be automatically balanced by the power distribution system 1000.
Furthermore, the power distribution system 1000 can comprise a measuring device 201' configured for measuring an electrical power on the device terminals of the switching actuators 100, 100', as additionally indicated in Figure 7. For instance, as indicated in Figure 7 the measuring device 200 for monitoring the phases Ll, L2, L3 and measuring device 201 for monitoring the device terminals of the switching actuators 100, 100' can be the same device. Alternatively, the power distribution system 1000 can comprise one or more additional measuring devices 201' for monitoring the device terminals of the switching actuators 100, 100', or the switching actuators 100, 100' can comprise measuring elements as described above in connection with Figure 3B. By monitoring also the device terminals, not only the power distribution in the electrical power network 1 but also the flow of electrical power to or from the electrical devices 901, 902 connected to the switching actuators 100, 100' can be monitored, which can increase the ability of balancing the power distribution in the phases Ll, L2, L2.
It can also be possible that at least one of the electrical devices 901, 902 is an electrical supply, for instance based on a photovoltaic device. In this case the power distribution system 1000 can control to which phase Ll, L2, L2 of the electrical power network 1 electrical power is injected by the electrical supply in order to match the production and consumption of electrical power in the electrical power network 1.
-22 -The switching actuators 100, 100' as well as the other components of the power distribution system 1000 can preferably be components that can be mounted onto a DIN rail, so that the switching actuators 100, 100' and, in particular, the complete power distribution system 1000, which can be a home energy management system (HEMS) or a building energy management system (BEMS), can be easily integrated in the electrical installation of a building.
Alternatively or additionally to the features described in connection with the figures, the embodiments shown in the figures can comprise further features described in the general part of the description. Moreover, features and embodiments of the figures can be combined with each other, even if such combination is not explicitly described.
The invention is not restricted by the description on the basis of the exemplary embodiments. Rather, the invention encompasses any new feature and also any combination of features, which in particular comprises any combination of features in the patent claims, even if this feature or this combination itself is not explicitly specified in the patent claims or exemplary embodiments.
-23 -Reference numerals electrical power network 11, 12, 13 phase terminal device terminal 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 switching element 40, 41 neutral terminal control element 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 control terminal 100, 100' switching actuator controller 201, 201' measuring device 901, 902, 903 electrical device 1000 power distribution system Ll, L2, L3 phase
Claims (15)
- -24 -Patent claims 1. A switching actuator (100, 100') for connecting an electrical device (901, 902) to a single phase (L1, L2, L2) of a multiple-phase electrical power network (1), comprising -a plurality of phase terminals (11, 12, 13), each phase terminal (11, 12, 13) being configured for being connected to a phase (L1, L2, L2) of the multiple-phase electrical power network (1), -an device terminal (20) being configured for being connected to the electrical device (901, 902), wherein the switching actuator (100, 100') has a first switching state and a plurality of second switching states, wherein, in the first switching state, all phase terminals (11, 12, 13) are disconnected from the device terminal (20), wherein, in each of the second switching states, exactly one of the phase terminals (11, 12, 13) is connected to the device terminal (20).
- 2. The switching actuator (100, 100') according to claim 1, wherein the switching actuator (100, 100') has three phase terminals (11, 12, 13) configured for being connected to a three-phase electrical power network (1).
- 3. The switching actuator (100, 100') according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the switching actuator (100, 100') comprises at least two switching elements (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) that are electrically controllable relays.
- -25 - 4. The switching actuator (100, 100') according to claim 3, wherein the switching elements (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) are configured for being controlled via a wire-based connection.
- 5. The switching actuator (100, 100') according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a control element (50), wherein the control element (50) is configured for controlling the switching elements (31, 32, 33, 34, 35).
- 6. The switching actuator (100, 100') according to claim 5, wherein the control element (50) is configured for a wireless connection.
- 7. The switching actuator (100, 100') according to one of the claims 3 to 6, wherein the switching actuator (100, 100') comprises a first switching element (31), a second switching element (32) and a third switching element (33), wherein the first switching element (31) is an on-off switch, and wherein each of the second switching element (32) and the third switching element (33) is a changeover switch.
- 8. The switching actuator (100, 100') according to claim 7, wherein the first switching element (31) has a first switching state, connecting the device terminal (20) to the second switching element (32), and a second switching state, disconnecting the device terminal (20) from the second switching element (32), wherein the second switching element (32) has a first switching state, connecting the first switching element (31) to a first phase terminal (11) of the plurality of -26 -phase terminals (11, 12, 13), and a second switching state, connecting the first switching element (31) to the third switching element (33), wherein the third switching element (33) has a first switching state, connecting the second switching element (32) to a second phase terminal (12) of the plurality of phase terminals (11, 12, 13), and a second switching state, connecting the second switching element (32) to a third phase terminal (13) of the plurality of phase terminals (11, 12, 13).
- 9. The switching actuator (100, 100') according to one of the claims 3 to 6, wherein the switching actuator (100, 100') comprises a fourth switching element (34) and a fifth switching element (35), wherein the fourth switching element (34) is a changeover switch and the fifth switching element (35) is a three-way switch.
- 10. The switching actuator (100, 100') according to claim 9, wherein the fourth switching element (34) has a first switching state, connecting the device terminal (20) to a first phase terminal (11) of the plurality of phase terminals (11, 12, 13), and a second switching state, connecting the device terminal (20) the fifth switching element (35), wherein the fifth switching element (35) has a first switching state, connecting the fourth switching element (34) to a second phase terminal (12) of the plurality of phase terminals (11, 12, 13), a second switching state, connecting the fourth switching element (34) to a third phase terminal (13) of the plurality of phase terminals -27 - (11, 12, 13), and a third switching state, disconnecting the fourth switching element (34) from any of the phase terminals (11, 12, 13).
- 11. A power distribution system (1000), comprising a multiple-phase electrical power network (1) comprising a plurality of phases (L1, L2, L2), at least one switching actuator (100, 100') according to one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein each of the phase terminals (11, 12, 13) of the at least one switching actuator (100, 100') is connected to a phase (L1, L2, L2) of the electrical power network (1), a controller (200) configured for controlling a switching state of the at least one switching actuator (100, 100').
- 12. The power distribution system (1000) according to claim 11, wherein the power distribution system (1000) further comprises a measuring device (201) configured for measuring an electrical power on each phase (L1, L2, L2) of the multiple-phase electrical power network (1).
- 13. The power distribution system (1000) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the power distribution system (1000) further comprises a measuring device (201') configured for measuring an electrical power on the device terminal (20) of the at least one switching actuator (100, 100').
- 14. The power distribution system (1000) according to one of the claims 11 to 13, wherein the controller (200) communicates via a wireless connection with the at least one switching actuator (100, 100').-28 -
- 15. Method for operating at least one switching actuator (100, 100') according to one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein the switching state of the at least one switching actuator (100, 100') is controlled so that at least one the following operations is performed: -a distribution of power drawn from the plurality of phases (L1, L2, L2) of a multiple-phase electrical power network (1) is balanced, -an electrical device (901, 902) that is connected to a malfunctioning phase (L1, L2, L3) is connected to a functioning phase (L1, L2, L3).
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2307021.2A GB2629831A (en) | 2023-05-11 | 2023-05-11 | Load balancing switching actuator |
| PCT/EP2024/062747 WO2024231459A1 (en) | 2023-05-11 | 2024-05-08 | Switching actuator, power distribution system comprising a switching actuator and method for operating a switching actuator |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2307021.2A GB2629831A (en) | 2023-05-11 | 2023-05-11 | Load balancing switching actuator |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB202307021D0 GB202307021D0 (en) | 2023-06-28 |
| GB2629831A true GB2629831A (en) | 2024-11-13 |
Family
ID=86872533
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2307021.2A Pending GB2629831A (en) | 2023-05-11 | 2023-05-11 | Load balancing switching actuator |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2629831A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2024231459A1 (en) |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6018203A (en) * | 1995-05-22 | 2000-01-25 | Target Hi-Tech Electronics Ltd. | Apparatus for and method of evenly distributing an electrical load across an n-phase power distribution network |
| US20140001850A1 (en) * | 2011-02-18 | 2014-01-02 | Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives | Load-balancing device on a polyphase network |
| US20160105024A1 (en) * | 2013-05-28 | 2016-04-14 | Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives | Phase selection for polyphase electrical installation |
| US20170104362A1 (en) * | 2015-10-13 | 2017-04-13 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | Polyphase power dispatching system and method |
| US10757830B1 (en) * | 2011-03-11 | 2020-08-25 | Lex Products Corp | Power management and distribution system and method |
| US20210320497A1 (en) * | 2018-08-30 | 2021-10-14 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Device for a low-voltage circuit for unbalanced load reduction |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN108832643A (en) * | 2018-07-13 | 2018-11-16 | 南昌工程学院 | A phase commutation system of an intelligent phase commutation switch |
| CN112421625A (en) * | 2020-11-13 | 2021-02-26 | 国网四川省电力公司广元供电公司 | A single-pole double-head commutation switch and commutation equipment |
-
2023
- 2023-05-11 GB GB2307021.2A patent/GB2629831A/en active Pending
-
2024
- 2024-05-08 WO PCT/EP2024/062747 patent/WO2024231459A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6018203A (en) * | 1995-05-22 | 2000-01-25 | Target Hi-Tech Electronics Ltd. | Apparatus for and method of evenly distributing an electrical load across an n-phase power distribution network |
| US20140001850A1 (en) * | 2011-02-18 | 2014-01-02 | Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives | Load-balancing device on a polyphase network |
| US10757830B1 (en) * | 2011-03-11 | 2020-08-25 | Lex Products Corp | Power management and distribution system and method |
| US20160105024A1 (en) * | 2013-05-28 | 2016-04-14 | Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives | Phase selection for polyphase electrical installation |
| US20170104362A1 (en) * | 2015-10-13 | 2017-04-13 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | Polyphase power dispatching system and method |
| US20210320497A1 (en) * | 2018-08-30 | 2021-10-14 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Device for a low-voltage circuit for unbalanced load reduction |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2024231459A1 (en) | 2024-11-14 |
| GB202307021D0 (en) | 2023-06-28 |
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