U.S. patent application number 12/608444 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-06 for switching controller and switching control system for circuit breaker.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Hiroyuki Maehara, Minoru SAITO, Yoshimasa Sato.
Application Number | 20100110600 12/608444 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41577032 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100110600 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SAITO; Minoru ; et
al. |
May 6, 2010 |
SWITCHING CONTROLLER AND SWITCHING CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CIRCUIT
BREAKER
Abstract
The MPU for switching control arithmetic operation 210 in the
switching control arithmetic operation unit 200 performs arithmetic
operations to determine a predetermined delay time (synchronous
delay count value D) for each circuit breaker 1100. The synchronous
delay count value is sent to each switching command control unit
400 of the corresponding circuit breaker. The hardware counter 20
of the switching command output control unit 450, for the switching
command signal received from the superordinate device 2000, counts
the synchronous delay count value D, which is the delay time. When
the semiconductor switch of the switching command output unit 10
turns ON after counting completes, the switching command signal
(circuit breaker drive current) after the synchronous switching
control is output to the circuit breaker drive coil 1110 of the
circuit breaker 1100. A switching controller for circuit breaker
and a switching control system for circuit breaker are provided,
which can implement cost saving and space saving, even if switching
of a circuit breaker in a lower branch system, such as a power
distribution system, is controlled.
Inventors: |
SAITO; Minoru; (Kamakura,
JP) ; Maehara; Hiroyuki; (Fuchu, JP) ; Sato;
Yoshimasa; (Nakahara-ku, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT, L.L.P.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
41577032 |
Appl. No.: |
12/608444 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/98 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y04S 20/20 20130101;
Y02B 70/30 20130101; Y04S 20/14 20130101; H01H 2300/03 20130101;
Y02B 90/20 20130101; H01H 9/563 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/98 |
International
Class: |
H02H 3/00 20060101
H02H003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 31, 2008 |
JP |
2008-281829 |
Claims
1. A switching controller for circuit breaker, to which at least
one of electrical quantities of the system voltage and main circuit
current, state quantity of each circuit breaker, and at least one
of an opening command signal and closing command signal for each
circuit breaker, are input, and which, at a desired phase of the
system voltage or main circuit current, controls the opening
command signal to open the circuit breaker, or controls the closing
command signal to close the circuit breaker, comprising: a first
area which performs arithmetic operations to determine an
individual synchronous closing delay time for the closing command
signal, or performs arithmetic operations to determine an
individual synchronous opening delay time for the opening command
signal when the opening/closing command signal of each circuit
breaker has been input; and a second area which controls delay of
the closing command signal based on the synchronous closing delay
time, or controls delay of the opening command signal based on the
synchronous opening delay time when the opening/closing command
signal has been determined by the first area, and outputs each of
these delay-controlled opening/closing command signals to each
corresponding circuit breaker.
2. The switching controller for circuit breaker according to claim
1, wherein: the second area has one or more switching command
control units which controls delay of the opening command signal or
closing command signal, and the number of the switching command
control units is the same as that of the circuit breakers to be
controlled.
3. The switching controller for circuit breaker according to claim
1, wherein: the first area and second area are connected via a
parallel transmission medium.
4. The switching controller for circuit breaker according to claim
1, comprising: a third area, which is a communication unit for
communicating with a display operation device which displays and
stores synchronous switching control related data including main
circuit current waveforms and system voltage waveforms before and
after the switching operation of the circuit breaker, stroke
waveforms of the circuit breaker, switching operation time of the
circuit breaker and state quantity of the circuit breaker.
5. The switching controller for circuit breaker according to claim
4, wherein: the third area has a data storage unit in which the
synchronous switching control related data is stored, and the data
storage unit is divided into a plurality of parts according to the
number of the circuit breakers.
6. The switching controller for circuit breaker according to claim
1, wherein: the circuit breakers are non-phase segregated
operation-type circuit breakers.
7. A switching control system for circuit breaker, which is
configured by individually connecting a plurality of the switching
controllers for circuit breaker described in claim 4, with the
display operation device via a communication network.
8. The switching control system for circuit breaker according to
claim 7, wherein: a wireless communication unit is provided in at
least one of the switching controller for circuit breaker and the
display operation device, and a part or all of the communication
network is a wireless communication network.
9. The switching control system for circuit breaker according to
claim 7, wherein: the third area has a web server which accumulates
synchronous switching control related data, and the display
operation device has a web browser which displays the synchronous
switching control related data when the data has been acquired via
the communication network.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a technology to control
switching of a circuit breaker, and more particularly to a
switching controller for circuit breaker of which switching can be
controlled, without increasing cost and installation space, even if
the circuit breaker is in a lower branch system.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In a device for controlling switching of a power circuit
breaker, a method for controlling the opening/closing timing of the
circuit breaker, so as not to generate transient phenomena in a
system and power apparatus, has been proposed (e.g. see Patent
Document 1). In the power switching controller according to prior
art disclosed in Patent Document 1, the object is to prevent the
generation of transient phenomena, which negatively influences the
system and apparatus, under any switching conditions of the circuit
breaker.
[0005] In addition to this prior art, a device for controlling the
opening timing of the circuit breaker, so that the circuit breaker
contact can have sufficient opening length when current is
interrupted, has been proposed in order to avoid generating
transient phenomena. A device for controlling the closing timing of
the contact of the circuit breaker, in particular for controlling
the closing timing according to the type of load, has also been
proposed.
[0006] Such a switching controller for circuit breaker has a
function to delay the output timing of an opening command signal or
a closing command signal to the circuit breaker, to open or close
the circuit breaker in a desired phase when the opening command
signal or closing command signal has been detected. Because of this
function, many switching controllers for circuit breaker, for not
generating transient phenomena in the system or power apparatus,
are now frequently used in actual power stations (e.g. see
Non-Patent Document 1). This kind of switching control for a
circuit breaker is called "synchronous opening control" or
"synchronous closing control".
[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
H3-156820
[0008] Non-Patent Document 1: Catalogue Publication 1HSM 9543
22-Olen, Controlled Switching Buyer's Guide, Edition 1, 2004-05,
ABB Power Technologies
[0009] In the case of prior art shown in Patent Document 1 and
Non-Patent Document 1, one switching controller for circuit breaker
must be used for one circuit breaker (one circuit breaker in this
description refers to a circuit breaker for 3 phases, and hereafter
in a case of using a single-phase operation-type circuit breaker, a
3-phase-1-set circuit breaker is regarded as one circuit
breaker).
[0010] In a case of using the switching controller for a circuit
breaker in a trunk power system, such as a 500 kV system, the ratio
of the cost of the switching controller for circuit breaker is
generally small compared with the cost of the circuit breaker
itself. Therefore, in terms of cost, using one switching controller
for one circuit breaker, like the case of the prior art, is not a
major problem.
[0011] However if the switching controller for circuit breaker is
used for a circuit breaker in a lower branch system, such as a
power distribution system, using one switching controller for one
circuit breaker, often causes a cost problem. Also in a power
station in a lower branch system, such as a power distribution
system, the installation space for a circuit breaker is often
limited, so installing switching controllers of the same number as
that of the circuit breakers is difficult.
[0012] In terms of maintenance of the switching controller for
circuit breaker, a switching controller for circuit breaker used
for many electric stations has a connection unit with such external
equipment as a personal computer, and has a function to acquire
various data when the switching of the circuit breaker has been
controlled, including main circuit current waveforms and system
voltage waveforms. Here, in order to connect the synchronous
switching controller for the circuit breaker with such external
equipment as a personal computer in the switching controller for
circuit breaker, so as to acquire various data, normally dedicated
communication software and maintenance software must be installed
in the personal computer.
[0013] In the case of the switching controller for circuit breaker
according to Non-Patent Document 1, for example, dedicated
communication software and maintenance software are provided to the
user on a CD-ROM, and the user must install the dedicated software
in the personal computer using this CD-ROM. As a result of using
this prior art, a personal computer in which the dedicated software
is not installed cannot be connected to the switching controller
for circuit breaker, which is very inconvenient to use in terms of
storage and management of various acquired data.
[0014] Also in the case of the switching controller for circuit
breaker according to Non-Patent Document 1, an RS-232C interface is
used to connect with the personal computer, which is based on the
local connection at the work site, and is inconvenient for remote
control. If remote control is required, a modem must be connected
to the personal computer so as to be connected with the switching
controller for circuit breaker via a telephone line, which is not
only inconvenient to use but also communication speed is slow and
operation is inefficient.
[0015] Another problem is that only one switching controller for
circuit breaker can be connected to one personal computer, which
means that in order to perform maintenance and acquire various data
for switching controllers for circuit breaker installed in a
plurality of circuits, a connection switching operation is
generated, and the operation efficiency deteriorates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention is proposed for solving the above
mentioned problems, and an object is to provide a switching
controller for circuit breaker and a switching control system for
circuit breaker that can implement cost saving and space saving,
even if switching of a circuit breaker in a lower branch system,
such as a power distribution system, is controlled. Another object
is to provide a switching controller for circuit breaker and a
switching control system for circuit breaker which can be easily
connected with such external equipment as a personal computer
without using dedicated software at the work site or from a remote
place, and can perform efficient maintenance and data
collection.
[0017] The present invention is a switching controller for circuit
breaker to which at least one of the electrical quantities of the
system voltage and main circuit current, state quantity of each
circuit breaker, and at least one of an opening command signal and
a closing command signal of each circuit breaker are input, and
which controls the opening command signal to open the circuit
breaker or the closing command signal to close the circuit breaker
at a desired phase of the system voltage or the main circuit
current, comprising: a first area which performs arithmetic
operations to determine an individual synchronous closing delay
time for the closing command signal, or performs arithmetic
operations to determine an individual synchronous opening delay
time for the opening command signal when the opening/closing
command signal of each circuit breaker has been input; and a second
area which controls delay of the closing command signal based on
the synchronous closing delay time, or controls delay of the
opening command signal based on the synchronous opening delay time
when the opening/closing command signal has been determined by the
first area, and outputs each of these delay-controlled
opening/closing command signals to each corresponding circuit
breaker.
[0018] Another aspect of the present invention further is
constituted of a third area, which is a communication unit for
communicating with a display operation device which displays and
stores synchronous switching control related data including main
circuit current waveforms and system voltage waveforms before and
after the switching operation of the circuit breaker, stroke
waveforms of the circuit breaker, switching operation time of the
circuit breaker and state quantity of the circuit breaker.
[0019] As a result of using the present invention, one switching
controller for circuit breaker can control switching for a
plurality of circuit breakers, even if circuit breakers in a lower
branch system, such as a power distribution system, are used, so it
is unnecessary to install the switching controllers of the same
number as that of many circuit breakers, and a switching controller
for circuit breaker and switching control system for circuit
breaker, that can save cost and save space, can be provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting a system configuration of the
switching controller for circuit breaker and peripheral circuits
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of the switching
controller for circuit breaker according to the first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a timing chart depicting the synchronous closing
control according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting a system configuration of the
switching controller for circuit breaker and peripheral circuits
according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a detailed block diagram of the switching
controller for circuit breaker according to the second embodiment
of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting a system configuration of the
switching controller for circuit breaker and peripheral circuits
according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting a system configuration of the
switching controller for circuit breaker and peripheral circuits
according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a diagram depicting a system configuration of the
switching controller for circuit breaker and peripheral circuits
according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a detailed block diagram of the switching
controller for circuit breaker according to the sixth embodiment of
the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a diagram depicting a system configuration of the
switching controller for circuit breaker and peripheral circuits
according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a detailed block diagram of the switching
controller for circuit breaker according to the eighth embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0031] FIG. 12 is a diagram depicting an input connection method of
a voltage transformer of transformer side of the switching
controller for circuit breaker according to the ninth
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Preferred embodiments of a switching controller for circuit
breaker and switching control system for circuit breaker according
to the present invention will now be described with reference to
FIG. 1 to FIG. 12.
[0033] [1. First Embodiment]
[0034] [1.1 Configuration]
[0035] [1.1.1 General Configuration]
[0036] The configuration of the entire system of a switching
controller for circuit breaker and peripheral circuits thereof
according to the first embodiment will be described first with
reference to FIG. 1.
[0037] As FIG. 1 shows, 100 denotes a switching controller for
circuit breaker of the present invention, and 1000 denotes a main
circuit, which is constituted of a bus, power transmission circuits
from circuit #1 to circuit #N, a transformer circuit and a phase
modifier circuit.
[0038] 1100 _1 to 1100_N denote single-phase operation-type circuit
breakers for 3 phases (hereafter simply circuit breaker unless
otherwise specified) corresponding to circuit #1 to circuit #N,
1200_1 to 1200_N denote current transformers for 3 phases
corresponding to circuit #1 to circuit #N, and 1300 denotes a
voltage transformer for 3 phases connected to a bus of a main
circuit 1000. Since the switching controller for circuit breaker
100 of the present invention operates and functions on the 3 phase
circuit breaker 1100 and other circuits, the control target thereof
is a 3-phase circuit or 3-phase circuit breaker, unless other
specified. The other disconnectors and ground switch or the like
are omitted in FIG. 1, but it is assumed that general apparatuses
constituting a switching device of an electric station are
connected to the main circuit 1000.
[0039] 2000_1 to 2000_N denotes superordinate devices, such as a
protective relay device and BCU (Bay Control Unit) corresponding to
circuit #1 to circuit #N respectively.
[0040] Here, the suffixes_1 to _N attached to the circuit breaker
1100, current transformer 1200 and superordinate device 2000
indicate correspondence to circuit #1 to circuit #N, and this
description will be omitted herein below unless necessary.
"circuit" of circuit #1 to circuit #N could be any circuit in an
electric station, such as a power transmission circuit, a
transformer circuit and a phase modifier circuit (shunt reactor
circuit, capacitor bank circuit).
[0041] Now, the major components of the switching controller for
circuit breaker 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The
switching controller for circuit breaker 100 is constituted of a
first area 110 which performs switching control arithmetic
operation to open or close the circuit breaker 1100 at a desired
phase of the system voltage or main circuit current from the
transformer 1300 or the main circuit 1000, and a second area 120
which outputs a delay-controlled opening command signal or a
delay-controlled closing command signal to the circuit breaker 1100
based on the switching control arithmetic operation result of the
first area 110.
[0042] The entity of the first area 110 of the switching controller
for circuit breaker 100, which will be described in detail in
[1.1.2 Concrete configuration], is a switching control arithmetic
operation unit 200, which is a substrate of which main components
are an MPU (microprocessor) for switching control arithmetic
operation and a memory. The entity of the second area 120 of the
switching controller for circuit breaker 100, which will also be
described in detail in [1.1.2 Concrete configuration], is N number
of switching command control units 400 _1 to 400_N, which are
substrates of which major components are an AC input circuit, a
sensor input circuit, a DI (Digital Input) circuit, and a switching
command output unit, and a common input/output unit 900, which is a
substrate constituted by an input/output circuit shared by each
circuit, such as DO (Digital) contact output for a failure
alarm.
[0043] The suffixes _1 to _N of the switching command control unit
400 corresponds to circuit breaker 1100_1 of the circuit #1 to
circuit breaker 1100_N of the circuit #N respectively. In the first
embodiment, the switching command control units 400_1 to 400_N are
constituted by components which are independent for each circuit
breaker 1100, in other words, they are constituted by N number of
substrates which are independent each other for the N number of
circuit breakers 1100_1 to 1100_N. Needless to say, the common
input/output unit 900 may be one substrate or may be a plurality of
substrates separated for each function.
[0044] The first embodiment includes a mode in which the switching
command control units 400_1 to 400_N corresponding to individual
circuit breakers 1100 are constituted by one substrate
respectively, and a mode in which the switching command control
units 400_1 to 400_N are constituted by a plurality of substrates
separated for each function. In the switching command control unit
400, switching command control functions for the N number of
circuit breakers 1100 may be integrated into one substrate, or the
switching command control functions of several circuit breakers
1100 may be integrated into one substrate such that the switching
command control unit is constituted by several substrates. In any
case, the same functions can be implemented.
[0045] Concerning the connection relationship of the first area 110
and the second area 120 of the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100, the first area 110 and the second area 120 are
connected via a parallel transmission medium 140. Concretely, the
switching control arithmetic operation unit 200 of the first area
110, and the switching command control unit 400 and the common
input/output unit 900 of the second area are connected via the
parallel transmission medium 140, which is an I/O (input/output)
bus for mutually communicating such data as AC input, sensor input,
DI (Digital Input), switching command signal and DO (Digital)
contact output for failure alarm.
[0046] [1.1.2 Concrete Configuration]
[0047] The concrete configuration of the switching controller for
circuit breaker 100 according to the first embodiment will now be
described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a detailed block
diagram of the switching controller for circuit breaker 100
according to the first embodiment.
[0048] [1.1.2.1 First Area]
[0049] The switching control arithmetic operation unit 200 of the
first area 110 is constituted of an MPU (microprocessor) for
switching control arithmetic operation 210, a RAM 230, an FROM
(Flash ROM, alternatively, a rewritable non-volatile memory such as
EEPROM, can be used) 240, and an I/O bus interface (I/F) 290, which
are interconnected via local bus 220.
[0050] This local bus 220 is constituted by a dedicated parallel
bus for the hardware configuration in-use, or such a general
purpose parallel bus as a PCI bus, compact PCI bus and VME bus. The
I/O bus interface 290 is an interface of the parallel transmission
medium 140, which is an I/O bus for communicating data between the
first area 110 and the second area 120. Concrete control arithmetic
operation of the MPU for switching control arithmetic operation 210
will be described later.
[0051] [1.1.2.2 Second Area]
[0052] The switching command control unit 400 of the second area
120 is constituted of an AC input circuit 410, sensor input circuit
420, DI input circuit 430, input control unit 440, switching
command output control unit 450, switching command output unit 10
and I/O bus interface (I/F) 490. The configurations of the
switching command control unit 400_1 to 400_N, corresponding to the
circuit breaker 1100_1 to circuit breaker 1100_N, are the same.
[0053] The AC input circuit 410 and the sensor input circuit 420
are constituted of, for example, an insulation circuit, analog
filter (generally a low pass filter), sampling hold circuit,
multiplexer and analog-digital converter, which are not
illustrated, so as to load a main circuit current signal, system
voltage signal, and a sensor signal (e.g. pressure), as analog
information, holding them at a predetermined sampling interval,
then converting them into digital quantities.
[0054] In the AC input circuit 410, in particular, a main circuit
current signal and a system voltage signal are input from the
current transformer 1200 and voltage transformer 1300. In the
sensor input circuit 420, a pressure signal from an operation
pressure sensor for measuring the state quantity of the circuit
breaker 1100, a temperature signal from the temperature sensor, a
stroke signal from the stroke sensor and a control voltage from the
circuit breaker 1100, and the like, are input, although none are
illustrated.
[0055] In this circuit configuration, the sampling hold circuit and
multiplexer may be omitted, and an analog-digital converter may be
disposed for each input signal, or an analog-digital converter
built-in to the sampling hold circuit may be used. It is not
necessary to input all of the main circuit current signal, system
voltage signal, sensor signal (e.g. pressure) and all the
electrical quantities shown in the first embodiment, and needless
to say, the input circuit configuration can be changed according to
the control algorithm to be used.
[0056] In the DI (Digital Input) circuit 430, the contacts a and b
of the circuit breaker 1100, which are the state quantities of the
circuit breaker 1100, the switching command signal for a circuit
breaker 1100 from such a superordinate device 2000 as a protective
relay device and BCU, and other digital signals are input. Although
this is not illustrated, the DI input circuit 430 loads the digital
input quantities by holding at a predetermined sampling interval
using the sampling hold circuit and the like.
[0057] The input control unit 440 is a logic circuit constituted by
a PLD (Programmable Logical Device) or an FPGA (Field Programmable
Gate Array). This input control unit 440 controls the operation
timing of sampling hold circuit, multiplexer and analog-digital
converter in the AC input circuit 410, sensor input circuit 420 and
the DI input circuit 430. The input control unit 440 not only
controls the operation timing of each of the above mentioned
circuits, but also controls data transmission to send such digital
quantities as a main circuit current signal, system voltage signal,
sensor signal (e.g. pressure), contacts a and b of the circuit
breaker, and switching command signal to the switching control
arithmetic operation unit 200 in the first area 110 via the I/O bus
interface 490.
[0058] The switching command output control unit 450 is a logic
circuit constituted by a PLD (Programmable Logical Device) or an
FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and has a hardware counter 20
included therein. The switching command output control unit 450
receives a synchronous delay count value D which is sent from the
switching control arithmetic operation unit 200 via the I/O bus
interface 490, executes a predetermined synchronous delay counter
control, and outputs a trigger signal to the switching command
output unit 10. According to the configuration in FIG. 2, the
hardware counter 20 is included in the switching command output
control unit 450, but the hardware counter 20 may be omitted
depending on the control algorithm to be used.
[0059] The switching command output unit 10 is normally constituted
by such a semiconductor switch as an FET and IGBT, and this
semiconductor switch is turned ON by a trigger signal from the
switching command output control unit 450. When the semiconductor
switch has been turned ON, that is, when the switching command
output unit 10 has been turned ON, a switching command signal
(circuit breaker drive current) of the circuit breaker 1100 of
which switching is synchronously controlled flows to the circuit
breaker drive coil 1110 included in the circuit breaker 1100, and
the circuit breaker 1100 opens or closes.
[0060] The common input/output unit 900 disposed in the second area
120 is constituted of a DO (Digital Output) circuit for failure
alarm contact 910, an LED control circuit 920 for an LED to
indicate power ON and an LED to indicate a failure alarm, and I/O
bus interface (I/F) 990. The system voltage signal (bus side
voltage signal) acquired from the voltage transformer 1300 is
common information used in a substation, so it is information
shared by the circuit breaker 1101_1 to circuit breaker 1100_N.
Therefore, the AC input circuit for the system voltage signal (bus
side voltage signal) may be integrated into the common input/output
unit 900.
[0061] The ambient temperature and control voltage of the circuit
breaker 1100 are also common information of the circuit breaker
1100_1 to circuit breaker 1100_N, so the sensor input circuit for
the ambient temperature and control voltage, which are common input
signals, may be integrated into the common input/output unit
900.
[0062] The I/O bus interfaces 490, 990 are interfaces of the
parallel transmission medium 140, which is an I/O bus for
communicating data between the first area 110 and the second area
120.
[0063] For the parallel transmission medium 140, a general purpose
parallel bus, such as a PCI bus, compact PCI bus and VME bus, may
be used, or a parallel bus, dedicated to the hardware configuration
to be used, may be used. In the case of a dedicated parallel bus,
synchronous delay count value D and other data may be
transmitted/received via a leased line. All or a part of the
parallel transmission medium 140 may be replaced with serial
transmission medium.
[0064] [1.2 Functions]
[0065] The concrete synchronous switching control operation of the
switching controller for circuit breaker 100 according to the first
embodiment will now be described.
[0066] [1.2.1 Synchronous Switching Control Operation]
[0067] To perform synchronous switching control for opening or
closing the contacts of the circuit breaker 1100 at a predetermined
phase of the main circuit current or system voltage, the switching
command signal of the circuit breaker 1100 is input from the
superordinate device 2000, such as a protective relay device and
BCU, to the switching command control unit 400 in the second area
120 of the switching controller for circuit breaker 100.
[0068] Then a predetermined delay time for each circuit breaker
1100 is computed in the MPU for switching control arithmetic
operation 210 in the switching control arithmetic operation unit
200 in the first area 110. In other words, the MPU for switching
control arithmetic operation 210 in the switching control
arithmetic operation unit 200 performs arithmetic operations to
determine a synchronous delay count value D of each circuit breaker
1100. A method for determining the synchronous delay count value D
will be described later.
[0069] When the predetermined delay time for each circuit breaker
1100 has been computed, this delay time (synchronous delay count
value) is sent to each switching command control unit 400 of the
corresponding circuit breaker via the parallel transmission medium
140, which is an I/O bus. In the switching command control unit 400
for the circuit breaker, this delay time received via the I/O bus
interface 490 is input to the switching command output control unit
450.
[0070] The hardware counter 20 of the switching command output
control unit 450, for the switching command signal received from
the superordinate device 2000, counts the synchronous delay count
value D, which is the delay time. When the semiconductor switch of
the switching command output unit 10 turns ON after counting
completes, the switching command signal (circuit breaker drive
current) after the synchronous switching control is output to the
circuit breaker drive coil 1110 of the circuit breaker 1100.
[0071] The delay time for each circuit breaker 1100 computed by the
MPU for switching control arithmetic operation 210 of the switching
control arithmetic operation unit 200 is sent to the switching
command control unit 400 for each corresponding circuit breaker
1100, so the synchronous switching control as described above is
performed for each of the circuit breakers 1100. In other words,
the synchronous delay count value D, which is a predetermined delay
time of the switching command signal, is calculated for each of the
circuit breaker 1100_1 to the circuit breaker 1100_N in the MPU for
switching control arithmetic operation 210 of the switching control
arithmetic operation unit 200, respectively.
[0072] The switching command control unit 400_1 to switching
command control unit 400_N corresponding to the circuit breaker
1100_1 to circuit breaker 1100_N receive the synchronous delay
count value D_1 to synchronous delay count value D_N calculated by
the MPU for switching control arithmetic operation 210 of the
switching control arithmetic operation unit 200, respectively. The
hardware counter 20_X of the switching command output control unit
450_X of each switching command control unit 400_X (X: any of 1 to
N) counts the synchronous delay count value D_X and turns ON the
semiconductor switch of the switching command output unit 10_X at a
predetermined timing, so as to control the synchronous switching of
the circuit breaker 1100_X.
[0073] By this control operation, the switching controller 100 for
the circuit breaker 1100 can perform synchronous switching control
individually for the circuit breaker 1100_1 to circuit breaker
1100_N.
[0074] [1.2.2 Computation of Synchronous Delay Count Value D]
[0075] Computation of the synchronous delay count value D shown
above will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3, using
an example of the synchronous closing control algorithm used by the
switching controller for circuit breaker 100 according to the first
embodiment. FIG. 3 is an example of a timing chart depicting the
closing control method of the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100 according to the first embodiment.
[0076] In the case of the model shown in FIG. 3, the switching
command control unit 400 detects the closing command signal
transmitted from the superordinate device 2000 at the timing of
t.sub.command, and then waits for the timing t.sub.zero of the zero
cross-point of the bus side voltage, which comes next. T.sub.w in
FIG. 3 denotes the waiting time for the zero cross-point. From the
next timing t.sub.zero of the zero cross-point, at the timing of
t.sub.control after the elapse of the delay time of the synchronous
closing delay time T.sub.delay, which is the synchronous delay
count value D received from the switching control arithmetic
operation unit 200 of the first area 110, the switching command
control unit 400 outputs the closing command signal performed
synchronous closing control for the circuit breaker 1100, whereby
the circuit breaker 1100 closes at a predetermined phase
(mechanical closing timing of the contact; timing of t.sub.close in
FIG. 3) of the system voltage (bus side voltage). According to this
timing chart in FIG. 3, the synchronous closing delay time
T.sub.delay, which is a synchronous delay count value D, is
calculated as follows in the MPU for switching control arithmetic
operation 210 of the switching control arithmetic operation unit
200. In other words, the synchronous closing delay time T.sub.delay
is calculated by the following expression, using time T.sub.target
from the zero-cross point to the target closing phase (target
electric closing phase, timing of t.sub.make in FIG. 3), pre-arc
time T.sub.pre-arcing corresponding to the target closing phase,
closing operation time T.sub.closing of the circuit breaker 1100,
and the system cycle T.sub.freq.
[Expression 1]
T.sub.delay=T.sub.freq+(T.sub.target+T.sub.pre-arcing-(T.sub.closing%
T.sub.freq))
(0.ltoreq.T.sub.delay<2.times.T.sub.freq)
where (T.sub.closing%T.sub.freq) is a remainder of
T.sub.closing/T.sub.freq.
[0077] Here the pre-arc time T.sub.pre-arcing is calculated by the
following expression using the voltage wave height value V.sub.make
at the target closing phase and rate of decay of dielectric
strength RDDS across the contacts.
[Expression 2]
T.sub.pre-arcingV.sub.make/RDDS
[0078] The closing operation time T.sub.closing of the circuit
breaker 1100 fluctuates depending on the ambient temperature,
control voltage, operation pressure and the like of the circuit
breaker 1100. Therefore, the closing operation time T.sub.closing
of the circuit breaker 1100 must be constantly corrected based on
such conditions as the ambient temperature, control voltage and
operation pressure of the circuit breaker 1100.
[0079] Specifically as shown in FIG. 2, data on the ambient
temperature, control voltage and operation pressure of the circuit
breaker 1100 is constantly acquired by the sensor input circuit 420
of the switching command control unit 400 in the second area 120,
so the MPU for switching control arithmetic operation 210 can
perform correction computation of the closing operation time
T.sub.closing based on the ambient temperature, control voltage and
operation pressure of the circuit breaker using this data, which is
transmitted to the switching control arithmetic operation unit 200
in the first area 110 via the parallel transmission medium 140.
[0080] The synchronous closing control was described above, but the
synchronous opening control can also be implemented by a similar
operation and functions. The synchronous opening control, however,
is normally performed based on the zero cross-point of the main
circuit current, and the pre-arc time need not be considered. The
synchronous switching control algorithm shown in the first
embodiment is merely an example, and any other synchronous
switching control algorithm can be applied to the present
invention.
[0081] [1.3 Effects]
[0082] The switching controller for circuit breaker 100 according
to the first embodiment has the following effects.
[0083] Conventionally, when a switching controller for circuit
breaker is applied to a circuit breaker in a lower branch system,
such as a power distribution system, one switching controller for
circuit breaker must be applied to one circuit breaker, which
increases the cost and installation space, but if the switching
controller for circuit breaker 100 according to the first
embodiment is applied, one switching controller for circuit breaker
100 can control the switching of a plurality of circuit breakers
1100. Therefore, even if circuit breakers are used in a lower
branch system, such as a power distribution system, it is not
necessary to install switching controllers of the same number as
that of circuit breakers, so a switching controller for circuit
breaker which can decrease cost and space can be provided.
[0084] In the present invention, the system voltage signal (bus
side voltage signal), ambient temperature and control voltage of
the circuit breaker, and the like, out of various information
required for synchronous switching control arithmetic operation of
the circuit breaker, can be handled as common information shared by
each circuit breaker in N circuits. Then cost and space can be
further saved, wiring construction can be decreased, and the
switching controller for circuit breaker 100 can be more easily
applied to a circuit breaker in a lower branch system.
[0085] [1.4 Other Embodiments]
[0086] A target of the above-mentioned switching controller for
circuit breaker 100 according to the first embodiment target is a
single-phase operation-type circuit breaker for 3 phases, but
includes an embodiment applied to a non-phase segregated
operation-type circuit breaker.
[0087] In the case of a non-phase segregated operation-type circuit
breaker, which has one operation mechanism, only one quantity unit
of switching command signal (common switching command signal for 3
phases) is used. Therefore, if the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100 is applied to a non-phase segregated operation-type
circuit breaker, only a semiconductor switch for 1 phase can be
used for control, among the semiconductor switches provided for 3
phases in the switching command output unit 10. Regarding sensor
signals for pressure and control voltage, only one quantity unit
for each signal can also be input.
[0088] If such aspects are considered, the configuration of the
switching controller for circuit breaker 100 described in [1.2
Configuration] can be directly applied to the non-phase segregated
operation-type circuit breaker. Needless to say, in this case, an
algorithm optimum for the non-phase segregated operation-type
circuit breaker is used for the synchronous switching control
algorithm.
[0089] As described above, functions and effects similar to the
above can be implemented even in the case of an embodiment using
the non-phase segregated operation-type circuit breaker. The
non-phase segregated operation-type circuit breaker is often used
as a circuit breaker in a lower branch system, such as a power
distribution system, so even in such a case, the switching
controller for circuit breaker according to the present invention
can be easily applied.
[0090] [2. Second Embodiment]
[0091] [2.1 Configuration]
[0092] Configuration of a system of the switching controller for
circuit breaker and peripheral circuits thereof according to the
second embodiment of the present invention (hereafter switching
control system for circuit breaker) will be described next with
reference to FIG. 4. As FIG. 4 shows, 100 denotes a switching
controller for circuit breaker, 700 denotes a display operation
device, and 510 denotes a communication transmission medium, and
these aspects, which are characteristics of the second embodiment,
will be described herein below. The main circuit 1000, circuit
breaker 1100, current transformer 1200 and voltage transformer
1300, which have the same configuration as the first embodiment,
are denoted with the same reference symbols, and description
thereof is omitted.
[0093] [2.1.1 Switching Controller for Circuit Breaker
[0094] [2.1.1.1 General Configuration]
[0095] Major components of the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100 according to the second embodiment will be described
first. As FIG. 4 shows, the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100 according to the second embodiment is constituted of a
first area 110 which performs switching control arithmetic
operation to open or close a circuit breaker 1100 at a desired
phase of the system voltage or main circuit current from a
transformer 1300 or a main circuit 1000, a second area 120 which
outputs a delay-controlled opening command signal or
delay-controlled closing command signal to the circuit breaker 1100
based on the switching control arithmetic operation result of the
first area 110, and a third area 130 which transmits/receives
information to/from a display operation device 700 via a
communication transmission medium 510, and transmits/receives
information to/from the first area 110.
[0096] The entity of the first area 110 of the switching controller
for circuit breaker 100 is a switching control arithmetic operation
unit 200 which is a substrate of which main components are an MPU
(microprocessor) for switching control arithmetic operation and a
memory. This is largely the same as the first embodiment, and the
slight difference will be described later. The entity of the second
area 120 of the switching controller for circuit breaker 100 is
switching command control units 400_1 to 400_N constituted by N
number of substrates, and a common input/output unit 900
constituted by one substrate, and description thereof, which is the
same as the first embodiment, is omitted.
[0097] The entity of the third area 130 of the switching controller
for circuit breaker 100, which is a characteristic of the second
embodiment, is a communication arithmetic operation unit 300 which
is a substrate constituted of mainly an MPU (microprocessor) for
communication operation and a communication interface (I/F). A
concrete configuration will be described in detail in [2.1.1.2
Concrete configuration].
[0098] Concerning the connection relationship of the first area
110, second area 120 and third area 130 of the switching controller
for circuit breaker 100, the first area 110 and the second area 120
of the switching controller for circuit breaker 100 are connected
via the parallel transmission medium 140, just like the first
embodiment, and the third area 130 is connected with the first area
110 via a transmission medium 150 for transmitting/receiving data
between the respective MPUs.
[0099] The third area 130 of the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100 is directly connected to the display operation device
700 via the communication transmission medium 510. In other words,
the communication arithmetic operation unit 300 of the third area
130 is directly connected to the communication transmission medium
510.
[0100] The first area 110 and the second area 120, on the other
hand, are not directly connected to the display operation device
700 via the communication transmission medium 510. In other words,
the switching control arithmetic operation unit 200 of the first
area 110, and the switching command control unit 400 and the common
input/output unit 900 of the second area 120 are not directly
connected to the communication transmission medium 510.
[0101] [2.1.1.2 Concrete Configuration]
[0102] Concrete configuration of the switching controller for
circuit breaker 100 according to the second embodiment will now be
described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a detailed block
diagram of the switching controller for circuit breaker 100
according to the second embodiment. Description on the second area
120 of the switching controller for circuit breaker 100, which has
the same configuration as the first embodiment, will be
omitted.
[0103] The first area 110 has a major configuration that is the
same as the first embodiment, and has an MPU (microprocessor) for
switching control arithmetic operation 210, RAM 230, FROM 240
(Flash ROM, alternatively, a rewritable non-volatile memory such
as
[0104] EEPROM, can be used), and I/O bus interface 290, which are
inter-connected via a local bus 220. In the second embodiment, in
addition to this configuration, a DPRAM (Dual Port RAM) 30 is also
connected via the local bus 220.
[0105] In the configuration in FIG. 5, a configuration in which the
DPRAM 30 is disposed in the switching control arithmetic operation
unit 200 is used, but the DPRAM 30 may be disposed in the
communication arithmetic operation unit 300 in the third area
130.
[0106] The third area 130 is constituted by the communication
arithmetic operation unit 300, as mentioned above, and the
communication arithmetic operation unit 300 is constituted of an
MPU for communication arithmetic operation 310, RAM 330, FROM
(Flash ROM, alternatively, a rewritable non-volatile memory such as
EEPROM, can be used) 340, and a communication interface 40, which
are inter-connected via a local bus 320.
[0107] This local bus 320 is constituted by a dedicated parallel
bus for hardware configuration in-use, or such a general purpose
parallel bus as a PCI bus, compact PCI bus and VME bus. The
communication interface 40 is an interface for connecting the
communication transmission medium 510. According to FIG. 5, the MPU
for communication arithmetic operation 310 and the communication
interface 40 are connected via the local bus 320, but may be
connected via a dedicated local bus.
[0108] The MPU for communication arithmetic operation 310 of the
communication arithmetic operation unit 300 is connected to the MPU
for switching control arithmetic operation 210 of the switching
control arithmetic operation unit 200 via the transmission medium
150 so as to mutually transmit/receive data. Concrete arithmetic
operation of the MPU for communication arithmetic operation 310
will be described later.
[0109] As FIG. 5 shows, the transmission medium 150 has a
configuration in which the local bus 220 of the switching control
arithmetic operation unit 200 in the second area 120 and the local
bus 320 of the communication arithmetic operation unit 300 in the
third area 130 are connected via the DPRAM 30. For the transmission
medium 150, a dedicated parallel bus such as a PCI bus, compact PCI
bus and VME bus or dedicated serial bus may be used, instead of
using a DPRAM.
[0110] [2.1.2 Display Operation Device]
[0111] The configuration of the display operation device 700
according to the second embodiment will now be described with
reference to FIG. 4. As FIG. 4 shows, the display operation device
700 is mainly constituted of a communication processing unit 710,
display operation processing unit 720 and data storage processing
unit 730. A concrete configuration example of the display operation
device 700 is such a general purpose computer as a personal
computer and a workstation.
[0112] Since the communication transmission medium 510 is for
serial communication (e.g. RS-232C communication), the
communication processing unit 710 is constituted of a serial
communication interface circuit of a general purpose computer (e.g.
using an RS-232C interface), and the corresponding terminal
software and the like. The display operation processing unit 720 is
constituted of display/operation/data processing software which run
on the CPU of a general purpose computer, and such a display device
as a monitor. The data storage processing unit 730 is constituted
of data storage software which runs on the CPU of a general purpose
computer, and such an external storage device as a hard disk and
CD-ROM.
[0113] The display operation device software, such as terminal
software, display/operation/data processing software and data
storage software, which run on a general purpose computer, are
specially developed according to the hardware-specific
configuration of the computer, operating system and related
software to be used, but commercial software may be used for part
or all of this software.
[0114] As described above, the display operation device 700 is
implemented by installing display operation device software on a
general purpose computer which satisfies the required operation
conditions, including a serial communication interface circuit, the
CPU in which the display operation device software can run, and an
external storage device, such as a hard disk. Particularly in the
second embodiment, the general purpose computer, in which the
display operation device software is installed, is handled as the
display operation device 700, unless otherwise specified. In the
second embodiment, the display operation device 700 may be
implemented by a dedicated hardware unit, and communication
processing unit 710, display operation processing unit 720 and data
storage processing unit 730 may be implemented by a piece of
software which runs on the dedicated hardware unit.
[0115] The communication transmission medium 510 is constituted by
serial communication (e.g. RS-232C communication), but a method
other than serial communication may be used. For example, a
parallel interface, such as SCSI, may be used, or a communication
network (e.g. LAN) may be used, just like the later mentioned third
embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the
communication processing unit 710 of the display operation device
700 is constituted of an Ethernet.RTM. LAN interface circuit
(Ethernet.RTM. is a registered trademark) for a general purpose
computer and software for LAN communication.
[0116] [2.2 Functions]
[0117] The functions of the switching control system for circuit
breaker according to the second embodiment will be described next,
but detailed description on concrete synchronous switching control
operation will be omitted, since it is the same as the first
embodiment, and concrete data acquisition/storage operation, and
setting operation of settling value in this switching control
system for circuit breaker will be described herein below.
[0118] [2.2.1 Data Acquisition/Storage operation]
[0119] When the synchronous switching control of the circuit
breaker 1100 has been executed, the switching controller for
circuit breaker 100 stores the synchronous switching control
related data at this time, and in concrete terms, the switching
controller for circuit breaker 100 stores the synchronous switching
control related data, for example, including the main circuit
current waveforms/system voltage waveforms before and after the
circuit breaker switching operation, stroke waveforms of the
circuit breaker, switching operation time of the circuit breaker,
the state data of the circuit breaker (e.g. operation pressure,
temperature, control voltage), and the like.
[0120] Concerning the data acquisition/storage operation of the
switching controller for circuit breaker 100 when the synchronous
switching control for the circuit breaker 1100 has been executed,
the synchronous switching control related data is acquired in the
first area 110, from the switching command control unit 400_X (X:
any of 1 to N) corresponding to the control target circuit breaker
1100 having operated this time, out of the switching command
control units 400_1 to 400_N of the second area 120 via the
parallel transmission medium 140, which is an I/O bus. By this, the
MPU for switching control arithmetic operation 210 of the switching
control arithmetic operation unit 200 of the first area 110 writes
this acquired synchronous switching control related data to the
DPRAM 30 of the transmission medium 150.
[0121] As soon as the synchronous switching control related data is
written to the DPRAM 30 in the first area 110, the MPU for
communication arithmetic operation 310 of the communication
arithmetic operation unit 300 in the third area 130 acquires, via
the transmission medium 150, the synchronous switching control
related data written to the DPRAM 30 of the transmission medium
150. Then the MPU for communication arithmetic operation 310 of the
communication arithmetic operation unit 300 stores the acquired
synchronous switching control related data in the FROM 340.
[0122] When an acquisition request of the synchronous switching
control related data is generated from the display operation device
700 to the switching controller for circuit breaker 100 at this
stage, the MPU for communication arithmetic operation 310 of the
communication arithmetic operation unit 300 of the third area 130
transfers the synchronous switching control related data stored in
the FROM 340 to the display operation device 700 via the
communication transmission medium 510. The display operation device
700 stores this transferred synchronous switching control related
data in the data storage processing unit 730, which is an external
storage device, such as a hard disk, and the display operation
processing unit 720 displays the synchronous switching control
related data on the display device, such as a monitor, using the
display/operation/data processing software as an HMI (HuMan
Interface).
[0123] [2.2.2 Setting Operation]
[0124] A concrete setting operation in the switching controller for
circuit breaker 100 when the synchronous switching control of the
circuit breaker 1100 is executed will be described. The switching
controller for circuit breaker 100 must set the settling
values/setting values in order to control synchronous switching of
the circuit breaker 1100, and concretely, the settling
values/setting values, for example, such as the target opening
phase, target closing phase, switching operation time of the
circuit breaker, and operation characteristic data of the circuit
breaker, are set in the switching controller for circuit breaker
100.
[0125] Now the setting operation of the settling values/setting
values in the switching controller for circuit breaker 100, when
the synchronous switching control of the circuit breaker 1100 is
executed, will be described. First the display operation device
700, using display/operation/data processing software as the HMI
(HuMan Interface), sends the settling values/setting values which
were input from an HMI, or the settling values and setting values
stored in the display operation device 700 in the form of file, to
the communication arithmetic operation unit 300 in the third area
130 via the communication transmission medium 510.
[0126] When the settling values/setting values are sent from the
communication arithmetic operation unit 300 in the third area 130,
the MPU for communication arithmetic operation 310 of the
communication arithmetic operation unit 300 stores the settling
values/setting values in the FROM 340. Then in the first area 110,
the MPU for switching control arithmetic operation 210 of the
switching control arithmetic operation unit 200 acquires the
settling values/setting values via the DPRAM 30 of the transmission
medium 150, whereby the settling values and setting values are set
in the switching controller for circuit breaker 100, and are used
for execution of synchronous switching control.
[0127] [2.3 Effects]
[0128] The switching control system for circuit breaker according
to the second embodiment has the following effects in addition to
the effects of the first embodiment.
[0129] In the display operation device 700 connected to the
switching controller for circuit breaker 100 according to the
second embodiment, the synchronous switching control related data
can be acquired and stored via the communication transmission
medium 510, using the display/operation/data processing software,
which runs on a general purpose computer as an HMI (HuMan
Interface). By this display operation device 700, an operator can
set the settling values/setting values of the switching controller
for circuit breaker 100 via the communication transmission medium
510, using the display/operation/data processing software which
runs on a general purpose computer as an HMI.
[0130] Also in the switching control system for circuit breaker
according to the second embodiment, the switching control
arithmetic operation unit 200 which performs arithmetic operations
related to the synchronous switching control and the display
operation device 700 are completely separated. In other words, the
MPU for switching control arithmetic operation 210 of the switching
control arithmetic operation unit 200 and the MPU for communication
arithmetic operation 310 which performs arithmetic operations
related to the communication with the HMI of an operator, that is
the display operation device 700, are completely separated.
Therefore, communication with the HMI of the display operation
device 700 is executed without interrupting arithmetic operations
related to the synchronous switching control, which is the most
important processing of this system, and the operator can acquire
necessary synchronous switching control rated data at any time.
[0131] [3. Third Embodiment]
[0132] [3.1 Configuration]
[0133] The configuration of the system of the switching controller
for circuit breaker and peripheral circuits thereof according to
the third embodiment of the present invention (hereafter switching
control system for circuit breaker) will be described next with
reference to FIG. 6. As FIG. 6 shows, 100i to 100M denote switching
controllers for circuit breaker, 700 denotes a display operation
device, and 500 denotes a communication network, and this aspect,
which is a characteristic of the third embodiment, will be
described herein below.
[0134] The other main circuits 1000i to 1000M, circuit breakers
1100i_1 to 1100M_N, current transformers 1200i_1 to 1200M_N, and
voltage transformers 1300i to 1300M, which have the same
configurations as the first embodiment, are denoted with the same
reference symbols, and description thereof is omitted. The suffixes
i to M attached to the circuit breakers 1100i_1 to 1100M_N, current
transformers 1200i_1 to 1200M_N, and voltage transformers 1300i to
1300M correspond to the suffixes i to M of the different main
circuits 1000i to 1000M, and are omitted herein below unless
necessary. The main circuits 1000i to 1000M may be different main
circuits in a same power station (e.g. a plurality of main circuits
of different voltage classes, or two main circuits in a same
voltage class of which buses are separated), or may be different
main circuits in different electric stations.
[0135] [3.1.1 Switching Controller for Circuit Breaker]
[0136] The major components of the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100 according to the third embodiment will be described
first.
[0137] As FIG. 6 shows, the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100 according to the third embodiment is constituted of a
first area 110 which performs switching control arithmetic
operation to open or close a circuit breaker 1100 in a desired
phase of the system voltage or main circuit current from a
transformer 1300 or a main circuit 1000, a second area 120 which
outputs a delay-controlled opening command signal or
delay-controlled closing command signal to the circuit breaker 1100
based on the switching control arithmetic operation result of the
first area 110, and a third area 130 which transmits/receives
information to/from a display operation device 700 via a
communication network 500, and transmits/receives information
to/from the first area 110.
[0138] Description of the configurations of the first area 110 and
the second area 120, which are the same as the second embodiment,
is omitted.
[0139] The entity of the third area 130 of the switching controller
for circuit breaker 100 is a communication arithmetic operation
unit 300 which is a substrate of which component are an MPU
(microprocessor) for communication arithmetic operation and a
communication interface (I/F), and which is largely the same as the
second embodiment. In other words, just like the case of FIG. 5
which shows the configuration of the switching controller for
circuit breaker 100 according to the second embodiment, the
communication arithmetic operation unit 300 of the third area 130
is constituted of an MPU (microprocessor) for communication
arithmetic operation 310, RAM 330, FROM 340 (Flash ROM,
alternatively, a rewritable non-volatile memory such as EEPROM, can
be used), and a communication interface 40, which are
inter-connected via a local bus 320.
[0140] However, in the third area 130 of the switching controller
for circuit breaker 100 according to the third embodiment, the
communication interface 40 disposed in the communication arithmetic
operation unit 300 is an interface for connecting the switching
controller for circuit breaker 100 to the communication network
500, which is the difference from the second embodiment. This is
why the switching controller for circuit breaker 100 according to
the third embodiment and the display operation device 700 are
connected via the communication network 500.
[0141] Concerning the connection relationship of the first area
110, second area 120 and third area 130 of the switching controller
for circuit breaker 100, the first area 110 and the second area 120
of the switching controller for circuit breaker 100 are connected
via the parallel transmission medium 140, just like the second
embodiment, and the third area 130 is connected with the first area
110 via a transmission medium 150 for transmitting/receiving data
between the respective MPUs.
[0142] The third area 130 of the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100 is directly connected to the display operation device
700 via the communication network 500, which is a characteristic of
the third embodiment. In other words, the communication arithmetic
operation unit 300 of the third area 130 is directly connected to
the communication network 500.
[0143] The first area 110 and the second area 120, on the other
hand, are not directly connected to the display operation device
700 via the communication network 500. In other words, the
switching control arithmetic operation unit 200 of the first area
110, and the switching command control unit 400 and the common
input/output unit 900 of the second area 120 are not directly
connected to the communication network 500.
[0144] [3.1.2 Communication Network]
[0145] The configuration of the communication network 500 according
to the third embodiment will be described next. This communication
network 500 is constituted by an Ethernet.RTM. LAN (Ethernet.RTM.
is a registered trademark), and connects each switching controller
for circuit breaker 100i to 100M and the display operation device
700 respectively in a local range, such as in an electric station,
and in a wide area range among different electric stations. The
Ethernet.RTM. LAN used here as an example is generally known,
therefore detailed description of the configuration thereof is
omitted.
[0146] This communication network 500 inter-connects the switching
controllers for circuit breaker 100i to 100M and the display
operation device 700 via a switching hub or such a hub as a
repeater, using a connection based on such a twist pair cable as
10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX, or a connection based on such an optical
cable as 100BASE-FX, although these are not illustrated. A
configuration in which one switching controller for circuit breaker
100 and the display operation device 700 are connected one-to-one,
using a cross-cable as a connection medium, may be used.
[0147] [3.1.3 Display Operation Device 700]
[0148] The configuration of the display operation device 700
according to the third embodiment will now be described with
reference to FIG. 6. As FIG. 6 shows, the display operation device
700 is mainly constituted of a communication processing unit 710,
display operation processing unit 720 and data storage processing
unit 730. The entity of the display operation device 700 is a
general purpose computer, such as a personal computer and
workstation.
[0149] The communication processing unit 710, which uses
Ethernet.RTM. LAN as the communication network 500, is constituted
of an Ethernet.RTM. LAN interface circuit of a general purpose
computer, and LAN communication software. The display operation
processing unit 720 is constituted of display/operation/data
processing software which runs on a CPU of a general purpose
computer, and such a display device as a monitor. The data storage
processing unit 730 is constituted of data storage software which
runs on a CPU of a general purpose computer, and such external
storage device as a hard disk and CD-ROM.
[0150] The display operation device software, such as LAN
communication software, display/operation/data processing software,
and data storage software, which run on a general purpose computer,
are specially developed according to a hardware configuration of
the computer, operating system and related software to be used, but
commercial software may be used for part or all of these
software.
[0151] As described above, the display operation device 700 is
implemented by installing the display operation device software on
a general purpose computer which satisfies the required operation
conditions, including the Ethernet.RTM. LAN interface circuit, CPU
in which the display operation device software can run, and
external storage device, such as a hard disk. Particularly, in the
third embodiment, the general purpose computer in which the display
operation device software is installed is handled as the display
operation device 700, unless otherwise specified.
[0152] The display operation device software may be installed in a
plurality of general purpose computers within an electric station
or in different electric stations, so that a plurality of display
operation devices 700 are constructed within an electric station,
or in different electric stations, although this is not
illustrated. The display operation device software may also be
installed respectively in each of a plurality of general purpose
computers of organization ranking higher than an electric station,
such as a power station, power center, and head office and branch
office of a power company, so that the display operation device
700, extending over organizations ranking higher than an electric
station, is constructed.
[0153] In the third embodiment, the display operation device 700
may be implemented by a dedicated hardware unit, and the
communication processing unit 710, display operation processing
unit 720 and data storage processing unit 730 may be implemented by
a piece of software which run on the dedicated hardware unit.
[0154] [3.2 Functions]
[0155] The functions of the switching control system for circuit
breaker according to the third embodiment will be described next,
but a detailed description on a concrete synchronous switching
control operation is omitted since it is the same as the first
embodiment.
[0156] Concerning a concrete data acquisition/storage operation,
and a settling value/setting value setting operation in this
switching control system for circuit breaker, according to the
third embodiment in which a plurality of switching controllers for
circuit breaker 100i to 100M and the display operation device 700
are inter-connected via the communication network 500, the
synchronous switching related data and settling value/setting value
are transmitted/received via this communication network 500. The
other concrete data acquisition/storage operation and settling
value/setting value setting operation are the same as the second
embodiment, so description thereof is omitted.
[0157] [3.3 Effects]
[0158] The switching control system for circuit breaker according
to the third embodiment described above has the following effects,
in addition to the effects of the first and second embodiments.
[0159] In the display operation device 700 connected to the
switching controller for circuit breaker 100 according to the third
embodiment, the synchronous switching control related data can be
acquired and stored easily from a remote place via the
communication network 500, using the display/operation/data
processing software which runs on a general purpose computer as an
HMI (HuMan Interface). By this display operation device 700, an
operator can easily set the settling values/setting values of the
switching controller for circuit breaker 100 from a remote place
via the communication network 500, using the display/operation/data
processing software which run on a general purpose computer as an
HMI.
[0160] Moreover, by disposing a plurality of general purpose
computers equipped with display operation devices 700 in a
plurality of electric stations and inter-connecting these computers
via the communication network 500, any of the switching controllers
for circuit breaker 100i to 100M can be accessed from any of the
general purpose computers equipped with display operation devices
700, although this is not illustrated. Thereby, the synchronous
switching control related data of any of the switching controllers
for circuit breaker 100i to 100M can be acquired and stored, and
the settling values/setting values can be set from any of the
general purpose computers.
[0161] By mutually accessing general purpose computers, one or
several representative display operation device(s) 700 can be
operated as a data server, and the synchronous switching control
related data and settling values/setting values can be shared in
this data server(s).
[0162] Although it is a matter of course, since the communication
network 500 is used, the switching controllers for circuit breaker
100i to 100M to be the targets can be switched by the HMI, and
there is no need for physically switching operation of a
communication unit, for the purpose of such as maintenance of the
switching controllers for circuit breaker 100i to 100M installed in
a plurality of main circuits 1000, and the collection of various
synchronous switching control related data. Therefore, by using a
high-speed communication network 500 (e.g. Ethernet.RTM. LAN), a
switching controller for circuit breaker and switching control
system for circuit breaker which can easily be used from a remote
place and can perform maintenance and data collection efficiently,
compared with a conventional switching controller for circuit
breaker, can be provided.
[0163] [4. Fourth Embodiment]
[0164] [4.1 Configuration]
[0165] Configuration of a system of the switching controller for
circuit breaker and peripheral circuits thereof according to the
fourth embodiment of the present invention (hereafter switching
control system for circuit breaker) will be described next with
reference to FIG. 7. As FIG. 7 shows, 100i to 100M denote switching
controllers for circuit breaker, 700 denotes a display operation
device, and 550 denotes a wireless communication network, and this
aspect, which is a characteristic of the fourth embodiment, will be
described herein below. The other main circuits 1000i to 1000M,
circuit breakers 1100i_1 to 1100M_N, current transformers 1200i_1
to 1200M_N, and voltage transformers 1300i to 1300M, which have the
same configurations as the first embodiment, are denoted with the
same reference symbols, and description thereof is omitted.
[0166] [4.1.1 Switching Controller for Circuit Breaker]
[0167] As FIG. 7 shows, the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100 according to the fourth embodiment is characterized in
that each communication arithmetic operation unit 300 of the
switching controllers for circuit breaker 100i to 100M disposed in
a same electric station or in different electric stations has a
wireless communication unit 50 included therein. This wireless
communication unit 50 is a result of that all or part of the
communication interface 40 of the second embodiment has been
replaced with one for wireless communication.
[0168] Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, both this wireless
communication unit 50 and the cable communication interface 40 may
be used in tandem. The configurations of the switching controllers
for circuit breaker 100i to 100M, other than the wireless
communication unit 50, are the same as the third embodiment, so
description thereof is omitted.
[0169] In FIG. 7, this wireless communication unit 50 is included
in the communication arithmetic operation unit 300 of the third
area 130, but the system configuration in which this wireless
communication unit 50 is disposed outside the switching controller
for circuit breaker 100 may be used. If this system configuration
is used, the same switching controller for circuit breaker 100 as
the third embodiment is used, and the communication interface 40 in
this switching controller for circuit breaker 100 and the wireless
communication unit 50 disposed outside are connected via a cable
Ethernet.RTM. LAN, for example.
[0170] [4.1.2 Display Operation Device]
[0171] As FIG. 7 shows, the display operation device 700 according
to the fourth embodiment is characterized in that the wireless
communication processing unit 750 is included as the communication
processing unit. This wireless communication processing unit 750 is
constituted of a wireless LAN interface circuit of a general
purpose computer and wireless LAN communication software.
Particularly, the wireless communication processing unit 750 is a
result of that all or part of the communication processing unit 710
of the third embodiment is replaced with one for wireless
communication.
[0172] Therefore, both the wireless communication processing unit
750 and the cable communication processing unit 710, that is both
the wireless LAN interface circuit of a general purpose computer
and the cable Ethernet.RTM. LAN interface, in concrete terms, can
be used together. The configuration of the display operation device
700, other than this wireless communication processing unit 750, is
the same as the third embodiment, so description thereof is
omitted.
[0173] According to FIG. 7, this wireless communication processing
unit 750 is included in the display operation device 700, but the
system configuration in which this wireless communication
processing unit 750 is disposed outside the display operation
device 700 may be used. If this system configuration is used, the
same general purpose computer constituting the display operation
device 700 as the third embodiment is used, and the wireless LAN
device and the general purpose computer are connected via a cable
Ethernet.RTM. LAN or USB interface.
[0174] [4.1.3 Wireless Communication Network]
[0175] The wireless communication network 550, which is a
characteristic of the fourth embodiment, is constituted by a
wireless LAN, and connects the switching controllers for circuit
breaker 100i to 100M and the display operation device 700
respectively, which are disposed in the local range, such as an
electric station.
[0176] According to FIG. 7, the communication network is
constituted only by the wireless communication network 550, but a
cable communication network 500 and wireless communication network
550 may coexist via a medium converter and hub. The display
operation device 700 and a part of the switching controllers for
circuit breaker 100i to 100M may be connected via a cable
Ethernet.RTM. LAN and the other via a wireless LAN. The fourth
embodiment includes a mode in which this wireless communication
network 550 is connected with a wide area network via a switching
hub or a repeater, which can be connected to the wireless LAN.
[0177] By using not only the wireless communication network 550 but
also a cable communication network 500, and connecting these to the
wide area network, a plurality of switching controllers for circuit
breaker 100i to 100M, extending over electric stations and display
operation devices 700, can be interconnected. Needless to say, the
switching controller for circuit breaker 100 and a display
operation device 700 may be connected wirelessly one-to-one, by
using the wireless communication network 550.
[0178] [4.2 Functions]
[0179] The functions of the switching control system for circuit
breaker according to the fourth embodiment are the same as the
third embodiment, except that the wireless communication network
550 is used, so description thereof is omitted.
[0180] [4.3 Effects]
[0181] The switching control system for circuit breaker according
to the fourth embodiment described above has the following effects
in addition to the effects of the first to third embodiments.
[0182] In the fourth embodiment, the switching controller for
circuit breaker 100 and the display operation device 700 are
connected wirelessly by using the wireless communication network
550, so there is no need for a time-consuming work of laying cable.
Particularly, when the switching controller for circuit breaker is
connected to a conventionally installed switching device, laying
cable may be difficult in some cases, but if the invention
according to the fourth embodiment is applied, a cable need not be
laid, which simplifies construction of the system and decreases
cost.
[0183] If the switching controller for circuit breaker 100 and the
display operation device 700 are connected one-to-one using the
wireless communication network 550, cable connection is
unnecessary, so these devices can be easily connected, and various
operations performed by the display operation device 700 become
more convenient. In periodic inspection of the switching controller
for circuit breaker 100 and the circuit breaker 1100, the switching
controller for circuit breaker 100 and the display operation device
700 can be easily connected one-to-one at the work site, whereby
such work as data collection and operation checks can be more
efficient.
[0184] [5. Fifth Embodiment]
[0185] [5.1 Configuration]
[0186] The configuration of a system of the switching controller
for circuit breaker and peripheral circuits thereof according to
the fifth embodiment of the present invention (hereafter switching
control system for circuit breaker) will be described next with
respect to FIG. 8. As FIG. 8 shows, the major configuration of the
switching controllers for circuit breaker 100i to 100M, display
operation device 700 and communication network 500 is the same as
the third embodiment, so description thereof is omitted, but the
characteristics of the fifth embodiment, which is different from
the third embodiment, are the following aspects.
[0187] A first aspect is that according to the fifth embodiment, a
web server 800 is installed in the communication arithmetic
operation unit 300 of the switching controller for circuit breaker
100. This web server 800 is a piece of software having an
information transmission function based on the WWW (World Wide
Web), which runs on the MPU for communication arithmetic operation
310 of the communication arithmetic operation unit 300 of the
switching controller for circuit breaker 100 shown in FIG. 5.
[0188] A second aspect is that according to the fifth embodiment, a
web browser 810 is installed in the display operation device 700.
This web browser 810 is display/operation/data display software
which runs on the CPU of the display operation device 700
constituted by a general purpose computer, and acquires and
displays the information sent by the web server 800. For this web
browser 810, commercial web browser software, such as Internet
Explorer, can be used.
[0189] A third aspect is that according to the fifth embodiment, a
communication network 500, to which the Internet or intranets
(TCP/IP protocols) is applied, is used. When the synchronous
switching control related data and setting values/settling values
are transmitted/received in the form of file between the switching
controller for circuit breaker 100 and the display operation device
700, FTP and HTTP protocols can also be applied to this
communication network 500. The wireless communication network 550
may be applied to the communication unit between the switching
controller for circuit breaker 100 and the display operation device
700, just like the case of the fourth embodiment.
[0190] [5.2 Functions]
[0191] The functions of the switching control system for circuit
breaker according to the fifth embodiment will be described next,
but description on the concrete synchronous switching control
operation, which is the same as the first embodiment, is omitted.
Concerning the concrete data acquisition/storage operation and
settling value/setting value operation in the switching control
system for circuit breaker, not only functions similar to the third
and fourth embodiments, but the following functions are also
implemented.
[0192] Concretely according to the fifth embodiment, the MPU for
communication arithmetic operation 310 of the communication
arithmetic operation unit 300 of the switching controller for
circuit breaker 100 executed the web server 800 housed in the
communication arithmetic operation unit 300, and in the web server
800, synchronous switching control related data, such as main
circuit current waveforms before and after the circuit breaker
switching operation, system voltage waveforms before and after the
circuit breaker switching operation, stroke waveforms of the
circuit breaker, switching time of the circuit breaker and state
data (e.g. operation pressure, temperature and control voltage) of
the circuit breaker are stored in HTML document and XML document
format.
[0193] If data acquisition is requested from the web browser 810
running on the display operation device 700, the web server 800 of
the communication arithmetic operation unit 300 sends the above
mentioned synchronous switching control related data to the display
operation device 700 according to this request via the
communication network 500 constituted by the Internet or intranets.
When the synchronous switching control related data is received,
the display operation device 700 displays this synchronous
switching control related data on the web browser 810 in table
format, for example.
[0194] In the display operation device 700, waveform data can be
displayed as a graph using JavaScript.RTM. (Java.RTM. is a
registered trademark), for example, so that an operator can read
the synchronous switching control related data or the other data
using the web browser 810 as an HMI. Needless to say, the received
synchronous switching control related data may be stored in the
data storage processing unit 730, which is an external storage
device, such as a hard disk, using this web browser 810 as an
HMI.
[0195] Also according to the fifth embodiment, the settling
values/setting values in the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100 are set using the web browser 810 included in the
display operation device 700 as an HMI. Concretely, when a settling
value/setting value is input to the web browser 810, the settling
value/setting value is sent to the web server 800 of the
communication arithmetic operation unit 300 of the switching
controller for circuit breaker 100 via such communication networks
500 as the Internet or intranets. If a settling value/setting value
is stored in the display operation device 700 in file format or the
other format, this settling value/setting value can be sent to the
web server 800 of the communication arithmetic operation unit 300
of the switching controller for circuit breaker 100 via the
communication network 500, even if the settling value/setting value
is not input to the web browser 810.
[0196] When the settling value/setting value is sent to the web
server 800 of the communication arithmetic operation unit 300, the
MPU for communication arithmetic operation 310, shown in FIG. 5,
stores this settling value/setting value in the FROM 340. In the
fifth embodiment, access may be limited by setting a password in
the web server 800 in order to ensure security in accessing the
network. The above mentioned functions of the web server 800 and
the web browser 810 are an example, and the present invention
includes other general functions of the web server and web
browser.
[0197] [5.3 Effects]
[0198] The switching control system for circuit breaker according
to the fifth embodiment has the following effects in addition to
the effects of the first to fourth embodiments.
[0199] According to the fifth embodiment, the web server 800 is
installed in the communication arithmetic operation unit 300 of the
switching controller for circuit breaker 100, and the web browser
810 is installed in the display operation device 700, therefore
commercial web browser software, such as Internet Explorer, can be
used as HMI software of the display operation device 700.
[0200] Thereby, an operator need not install dedicated
communication software and maintenance software in the display
operation device 700 (e.g. computer for HMI), and the manufacturer
need not provide dedicated software and maintenance software to the
user on a CD-ROM or the like.
[0201] Therefore, only if the operator has a personal computer
where Microsoft Windows.RTM. OS (Windows.RTM. is a registered
trademark) and/or Apple Mac.RTM. OS (Mac.RTM. is a registered
trademark), which is/are quite popular now, and Internet Explorer
are installed, is it easily connected to the switching controller
for circuit breaker 100, and various operations by the operator
become dramatically more convenient to execute.
[0202] [6. Sixth Embodiment][6.1 Configuration]
[0203] The configuration of a system of the switching controller
for circuit breaker and peripheral circuits thereof according to
the sixth embodiment of the present invention (hereafter switching
control system for circuit breaker) will be described next with
reference to FIG. 9.
[0204] As shown in the detailed block diagram of the switching
controller for circuit breaker 100 in FIG. 9, the configuration of
the sixth embodiment is characterized in that the data storage area
in FROM 340 disposed in the communication arithmetic operation unit
300 of the third area 130 is divided into a plurality of data
storage areas (N areas in this case) from the data storage area for
the circuit breaker 1100_1 to the data storage area for the circuit
breaker 1100_N.
[0205] Concretely as FIG. 9 shows, #1 circuit breaker data storage
area 341_1 (of circuit #1) in the FROM 340 is disposed as a storage
area of the synchronous switching control related data for the
circuit breaker 1100_1. In the same manner, in the FROM 340, #N
circuit breaker data storage area 341_N (of circuit #N) is disposed
as a storage area of the synchronous switching control related data
for the circuit breaker 1100_N. In this way, #1 circuit breaker
data storage areas 341_1 to #N circuit breaker data storage area
341_N are disposed corresponding to the circuit breaker 1100_1 to
circuit breaker 1100_N.
[0206] In the #1 circuit breaker data storage area 341_1 to #N
circuit breaker data storage area 341_N disposed in the FROM 340, a
memory size which is different depending on the operation frequency
and degree of importance of the circuit breaker 1100 may be
allocated respectively. For example, a large memory size is
allocated to a data storage area 341_X (X: any of 1 to N) of the
circuit breaker 1100_X (X: any of 1 to N), of which operation
frequency and degree of importance are high.
[0207] According to the sixth embodiment, a plurality of storage
areas (N or more areas) of settling value/setting value, where the
settling value/setting value storage area to be set in the
switching controller for circuit breaker 100 is divided into an
area for the circuit breaker 1100_1 to the area for circuit breaker
1100_N in the FROM 340, may be disposed.
[0208] According to the sixth embodiment, the above mentioned data
storage areas may be disposed on a non-volatile memory other than
the FROM 340.
[0209] In the sixth embodiment, the configuration other than the
above mentioned FROM 340 is the same as the second to fifth
embodiments, so description thereof is omitted.
[0210] [6.2 Functions]
[0211] The functions of the switching control system for circuit
breaker according to the sixth embodiment will be described next. A
concrete synchronous switching control operation, however, is the
same as the first embodiment, so description thereof is omitted.
Concrete data acquisition/storage operation, and the settling value
or setting operation according to this switching control system for
circuit breaker, have the following functions in addition to
functions similar to the second to fifth embodiments.
[0212] According to the sixth embodiment, if the synchronous
switching control of the circuit breaker 1100 is executed, the MPU
for communication arithmetic operation 310 of the communication
arithmetic operation unit 300 of the third area 130 classifies the
synchronous switching control related data transferred from the
switching control arithmetic operation unit 200 of the first area
110 for each corresponding control target circuit breaker 1100, and
stores the data in the FROM 340.
[0213] In concrete terms for example, if the synchronous switching
control is performed for the circuit breaker 1100_X (X: any of 1 to
N) of circuit #X, the switching control arithmetic operation unit
200 of the first area 110 attaches a recognition flag of the
circuit breaker 1100_X of circuit #X to the synchronous switching
control related data, and transfers it to the MPU for communication
arithmetic operation 310. Referring to the recognition flag of the
circuit breaker 1100_X of the circuit #X attached to the
synchronous switching control related data, the MPU for
communication arithmetic operation 310 stores this data in the #X
circuit breaker data storage area 341_X (of circuit #X) of the FROM
340.
[0214] If the switching controller for circuit breaker 100 received
a data transmission request from the display operation device 700
via the communication network 500, the MPU for communication
arithmetic operation 310 of the third area 130 sends the requested
synchronous switching control related data of the circuit breaker
to the display operation device 700. For example, if the
synchronous switching control data of the circuit breaker 1100_X of
circuit #X is requested, the MPU for communication arithmetic
operation 310 reads data stored in the #X circuit breaker data
storage area 341_X of the FROM 340, and sends this data to the
display operation device 700 via the communication network 500.
[0215] [6.3 Effects]
[0216] The switching control system for circuit breaker according
to the sixth embodiment has the following effects in addition to
the effects of the second to fifth embodiments.
[0217] According to the switching controller for circuit breaker
100 of the sixth embodiment, the data storage area is divided into
an area for the circuit breaker 1100_1 of circuit #1 to an area for
the circuit breaker 1100_N of circuit #N in the FROM 340 of the
communication arithmetic operation unit 300, so even if a circuit
breaker 1100 of which operation frequency is high operates many
times, overwriting and discarding the synchronous switching control
related data of a circuit breaker 1100 of which operation frequency
is low can be prevented.
[0218] Therefore, when the synchronous switching control related
data is stored in the FROM 340 of which storage capacity of the
data storage area is limited, a conventional problem of old data
being overwritten and discarded by new data, exceeding the storage
capacity of the data storage area, can be solved. In other words,
if the data storage area is different from the sixth embodiment and
shared by the circuit breaker 1100_1 of circuit #1 to the circuit
breaker 1100_N of circuit #N, the synchronous switching control
related data of the circuit breaker, of which operation frequency
is high, overwrites the synchronous switching control related data
of the circuit breaker of which operation frequency is low. On the
other hand, according to the sixth embodiment, in which the data
storage area is divided, the synchronous switching control related
data of the circuit breaker of which operation frequency is low can
also be stored in the FROM 340, just like the circuit breaker of
which operation frequency is high.
[0219] As a result of using the sixth embodiment, a large memory
size in the storage area of the FROM 340 can be allocated to a
circuit breaker of which operation frequency is high and a circuit
breaker of which degree of importance is high, so flexible data
management according to the operation can be implemented.
[0220] [7. Seventh Embodiment]
[0221] [7.1 Configuration]
[0222] The configuration of a system of the switching controller
for circuit breaker and peripheral circuits thereof according to
the seventh embodiment of the present invention (hereafter
switching control system for circuit breaker) will be described
next. The seventh embodiment is characterized in that the switching
controller for circuit breaker is constructed such that a substrate
corresponding to the switching command control unit 400, to be
installed in the second area 120 of the switching controller for
circuit breaker 100, can be added later. The other configuration,
which is the same as the first to sixth embodiments, is denoted
with the same reference symbols, and description thereof is
omitted.
[0223] Concretely, the maximum number M of circuit breakers that
the switching controller for circuit breaker 100 can support is
predetermined, and the installation space for this number of
substrates is secured in the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100. Therefore, if N number of substrates corresponding to
the switching command control units 400 have already been
installed, open slots to install (M-N) number of substrates are
available in the switching controller for circuit breaker 100.
[0224] The switching controller for circuit breaker 100 has a
substrate count setting unit, which is not illustrated, for storing
as a setting value, a number of actually installed substrates
corresponding to the switching command control units 400, and if
the number of corresponding circuit breakers 1100 is N at that
moment, the actually installed number of substrates corresponding
to the switching command control units 400 is also N, so N is
stored as the setting value. When a number of substrates changes,
the substrate count setting unit for storing the number of
substrates as the setting value has a function to re-register the
number of substrates after the change within the range not
exceeding the maximum number of circuit breakers that can be
supported.
[0225] [7.2 Functions]
[0226] The functions of the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100 according to the seventh embodiment will be described
next. The synchronous switching control operation of the switching
controller for circuit breaker 100 according to the seventh
embodiment has the following functions in addition to the same
functions as the first embodiment. Description on the steps common
to the first embodiment is omitted.
[0227] In the seventh embodiment, it is assumed that a maximum
number of circuit breakers, that the switching controller for
circuit breaker 100 can support, is M, and the switching controller
for circuit breaker 100 has a space to install this number (M) of
substrates. It is also assumed that a number N of installed
substrates corresponding to the switching command control unit 400
is stored in the switching controller for circuit breaker 100 as a
setting value.
[0228] If A number of substrates corresponding to the switching
command control units 400 are added to the open slots of the
switching controller for circuit breaker 100, the substrate count
setting unit changes the setting value of the number of installed
substrates to (N+A). Here (N+A) is assumed to be less than or equal
to M, which is the maximum setting value that can be supported.
[0229] Referring to this setting value (N+A), the switching control
arithmetic operation unit 200 of the first area 110 executes normal
switching control arithmetic operation for the circuit breaker
1100_1 of circuit #1 to the circuit breaker 1100_(N+A) of circuit
#(N+A). In other words, referring to this setting value (N+A), the
switching command control units 400_1 to 400_(N+A), corresponding
to the (N+A) number of circuit breakers 1100, operate. The
subsequent part of switching control operation is the same as the
first embodiment.
[0230] [7.3 Effects]
[0231] The switching controller for circuit breaker 100 according
to the seventh embodiment described above has the following
effects, in addition to the effects of the first to sixth
embodiments.
[0232] In the seventh embodiment, even when a circuit, that is a
circuit breaker, is added later during construction of an electric
station, for example, one or more substrate(s) corresponding to the
switching command control unit(s) 400 for the circuit breaker to be
added can be inserted into the same number of open slot(s) of the
switching controller for circuit breaker 100, and the setting value
of the number of installed substrates can be changed, so circuit
breakers can be easily added. In other words, without resorting to
the method of prior art where the switching controller for circuit
breaker is added accordingly when a circuit breaker is added, any
number of switching control unit(s) for circuit breaker can be
additionally installed within one switching controller for all
circuit breakers with minimum construction very economically.
[0233] Even for an already installed circuit breaker 1100 to which
the switching controller for circuit breaker 100 is not applied,
the switching controller for circuit breaker 100 can be easily and
additionally applied later. In this case as well, the switching
controller for circuit breaker can be additionally installed with
minimum construction very economically, without requiring a new
installation space.
[0234] [8. Eighth Embodiment]
[0235] [8.1 Configuration]
[0236] The configuration of a system of the switching controller
for circuit breaker and peripheral circuits thereof according to
the eighth embodiment of the present invention (hereafter switching
control system for circuit breaker) will be described with
reference to FIG. 10.
[0237] As FIG. 10 shows, 100i to 100M denote switching controllers
for circuit breaker, 700 denotes a display operation device, and
500 denotes a communication network. The configuration of the
display operation device 700 and the communication network 500
according to the eighth embodiment is the same as the fifth
embodiment, so description thereof is omitted.
[0238] [8.1.1 Configuration of Main Circuits]
[0239] 1000i to 1000M are main circuits, which are constituted of a
bus, transformer circuit #1 to transformer circuit #N, and other
power transmission circuits and phase modifier circuits which are
not illustrated. 3000i_1 to 3000M_N denote a transformer of
transformer circuit #1 to transformer circuit #N, respectively, and
3100i_1 to 3100M_N denote a non-phase segregated operation-type
circuit breaker (hereafter simply circuit breaker unless otherwise
specified) of transformer circuit #1 to transformer circuit #N,
respectively.
[0240] 3300i_1 to 3300M_N denote voltage transformers to measure 3
phases of transformer terminal voltage of transformer circuit #1 to
transformer circuit #N respectively, and 1300 denotes a voltage
transformer for 3 phases connected to a bus, just like the first to
seventh embodiments.
[0241] A disconnector, ground switch, current transformer or the
like are omitted, but it is assumed that general apparatuses
constituting a switching device of an electric station are
connected to the main circuits 1000i to 1000M. The main circuits
1000i to 1000M may be different main circuits in a same electric
circuits (e.g. a plurality of main circuits in different voltage
classes, 2 main circuits with a different bus in a same voltage
class) or different main circuits in different electric stations.
The present invention concerns the operating and functioning of a
3-phase main circuit 1000, and hereafter the target of the present
invention is assumed to be a 3-phase main circuit 1000, unless
otherwise specified.
[0242] 2000i_1 to 2000M_N denote a superordinate device of
transformer circuit #1 to transformer circuit #N, respectively,
such as a protective relay device and BCU (Bay Control Unit).
[0243] The suffixes i to M attached to the transformer 3000,
non-phase segregated operation-type circuit breaker 3100, voltage
transformer to measure transformer terminal voltage 3300, and
superordinate device 2000 correspond to the characters of different
main circuits 1000i to 1000M, and are omitted herein below unless
necessary. The suffixes _1 to _N attached to the transformer 3000,
non-phase segregated operation-type circuit breaker 3100, voltage
transformer to measure transformer terminal voltage 3300 and
superordinate device 2000 correspond to transformer circuit #1 to
transformer circuit #N, and this explanation is omitted herein
below unless necessary.
[0244] [8.1.2 Configuration of Switching Controller for Circuit
Breaker]
[0245] Major components of the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100 according to the eighth embodiment will be described
next with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. The switching
controller for circuit breaker 100 is constituted of a first area
110 which performs switching control arithmetic operation to open
or close a non-phase segregated operation-type circuit breaker 3100
in a desired phase of the system voltage from the transformer 1300
or the main circuit 1000, a second area 120 which outputs a
delay-controlled opening command signal or delay-controlled closing
command signal to the non-phase segregated operation-type circuit
breaker 3100 based on the switching control arithmetic operation
result of the first area 110, and a third area 130 which
transmits/receives information to/from a display operation device
700 via the communication network 500, and transmits/receives
information to/from the first area 110.
[0246] The entity of the first area 110 of the switching controller
for circuit breaker 100 is a switching control arithmetic operation
unit 200, which is a substrate of which components are an MPU
(microprocessor) for switching control arithmetic operation and a
memory, and has a configuration similar to the fifth embodiment.
The eighth embodiment, however, has the following difference from
the fifth embodiment, which is a characteristic of the eighth
embodiment. Components the same as the fifth embodiment are denoted
with the same reference symbols, and description thereof is
omitted.
[0247] As FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show, according to the eighth
embodiment, a residual magnetic flux measuring unit 3210 is
installed in the MPU (microprocessor) for switching control
arithmetic operation 210 of the switching control arithmetic
operation unit 200 of the first area 110. The residual magnetic
flux measuring unit 3210 in particular is constituted by a piece of
software which runs on the MPU for switching control arithmetic
operation 210, and 3 phases of transformer residual magnetic flux
is calculated by digitally integrating the 3-phase transformer
terminal voltage from the voltage transformer of transformer side
3300.
[0248] The entity of the second area 120 of the switching
controller for circuit breaker 100 is N number of switching command
control units 400_1 to 400_N, each of which is a substrate
constituted of an AC input circuit, sensor input circuit, DI
(Digital Input) circuit and switching command output unit, and a
common input/output unit 900, which is a substrate constituted of
input/output circuits commonly used for each circuit, such as DO
(Digital contact Output) for a failure alarm, which is mostly the
same as the fifth embodiment, but the eighth embodiment is
different from the fifth embodiment in terms of the following
aspects, which are characteristics of the eighth embodiment. The
components the same as the fifth embodiment are denoted with the
same reference numbers, and description thereof is omitted.
[0249] According to the eighth embodiment, 1 phase of the bus side
voltage from the voltage transformer of bus side 1300 and 3 phases
of transformer terminal voltage from the voltage transformer of
transformer side 3300 are input to the AC input circuit 410 in the
switching command control unit 400 of the second area 120, as shown
in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.
[0250] The switching command output unit 10 of the switching
command control unit 400 of the second area 120 outputs one
quantity unit to one non-phase segregated operation-type circuit
breaker 3100, as shown in FIG. 11, considering that the target
circuit breaker is a non-phase segregated operation-type circuit
breaker 3100. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, it is sufficient to
provide one semiconductor switch, installed in each substrate
corresponding to the switching command control unit 400_1 to 400_N,
to support each substrate (that is, one semiconductor switch is
provided to one circuit breaker).
[0251] The configuration of the third area 130 according to the
eighth embodiment, which is the same as the fifth embodiment, is
denoted with the same reference symbols, and description thereof is
omitted.
[0252] [8.2 Functions]
[0253] The functions of the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100 according to the eighth embodiment will be described
next. Since the major functions of the synchronous switching
control operation are the same as the first to seventh embodiments,
only the differences will be described below. Concrete data
acquisition/storage operation and the settling value/setting value
operation in this switching controller for circuit breaker 100 are
the same as the second to seventh embodiments, so description
thereof is omitted.
[0254] [8.2.1 Residual Magnetic Flux Measurement Operation]
[0255] A first difference of the eighth embodiment from the first
to seventh embodiments is that the residual magnetic flux
measurement function is provided. The switching controller for
circuit breaker 100 according to the eighth embodiment, of which
control target is a non-phase segregated operation-type circuit
breaker for transformer circuit 3100, has a residual magnetic flux
measuring function for measuring the residual magnetic flux of the
voltage transformer of transformer side 3300 when this voltage
transformer is electrically disconnected from the main circuit
1000.
[0256] Concretely, the residual magnetic flux measurement function
of the switching controller for circuit breaker 100 is implemented
by the digital computing function of the residual magnetic flux
measuring unit 3210 installed in the MPU (microprocessor) for
switching control arithmetic operation 210 of the switching command
control unit 400 of the first area 110. Particularly, this residual
magnetic flux measuring unit 3210 calculates the 3-phase
transformer residual magnetic flux by measuring the 3-phase
transformer terminal voltage from the voltage transformer of
transformer side 3300, and digitally integrating the 3-phase
transformer terminal voltage after electrically disconnecting the
transformer.
[0257] The transformer residual magnetic flux is computed
individually for all the transformers connected to the control
target non-phase segregated operation-type circuit breaker 3100.
The transformer residual magnetic flux measured by the residual
magnetic flux measuring unit 3210 is calculated using the following
expression, for example.
[Expression 3]
.PHI.(t)=.intg.V.sub.tranformer(t)dt+.phi..sub.r
where .PHI.(t) denotes transformer magnetic flux, V.sub.transformer
(t) denotes transformer terminal voltage, and .phi.r denotes
residual magnetic flux.
[0258] As [Expression 3] shows, the transformer residual magnetic
flux is determined by integrating the transformer terminal voltage,
and any algorithm can be applied to the integration algorithm to
digitally integrate the transformer terminal voltage.
[0259] [8.2.2 Switching Control Operation of Circuit Breaker]
[0260] A second difference of the eighth embodiment from the first
to seventh embodiments is that the control target is a non-phase
segregated operation-type circuit breaker. Concretely the switching
controller for circuit breaker 100 of the eighth embodiment
performs the following switching control arithmetic operation for
the non-phase segregated operation-type circuit breaker as a
control target.
[0261] The MPU (microprocessor) for switching control arithmetic
operation 210 in the switching control arithmetic operation unit
200 of the first area 110 calculates one quantity unit of
synchronous delay count values D_1 to D_N for the non-phase
segregated operation-type circuit breaker 3100_1 to the non-phase
segregated operation-type circuit breaker 3100_N, respectively,
based on the timing of the zero cross-point of 1 phase of bus side
voltage. The hardware counter 20_X in the switching command output
control unit 450_X of the switching command control unit 400_X (X:
any of 1 to N) corresponding to each circuit breaker 3100 counts
one quantity unit of synchronous delay count value D_X, and turns
ON the semiconductor switch of the switching command output unit
10_X at a predetermined timing.
[0262] Since the control target is the circuit breaker 3100 for
transformer circuits, the target closing phase for synchronous
closing control in the switching control arithmetic operation is
calculated based on the transformer residual magnetic flux
calculated by the residual magnetic flux measuring unit 3210.
[0263] The other switching control operation of circuit breaker is
the same as the first to seventh embodiments.
[0264] [8.3 Effects]
[0265] The switching controller for circuit breaker 100 according
to the eighth embodiment described above has the following effects,
in addition to the effects of the first to seventh embodiments.
[0266] According to the eighth embodiment, of which control target
is a non-phase segregated operation-type circuit breaker 3100 for
transformer circuits, the circuit breaker can be easily applied
even if a non-phase segregated operation-type circuit breaker is
used in a lower branch system, such as a power distribution system,
and if the application target is limited to transformer circuits in
a lower branch system, such as a power distribution system, a more
economical synchronous switching controller can be installed with
less space.
[0267] [9. Ninth Embodiment]
[0268] [9.1 Configuration]
[0269] The configuration of a system of the switching controller
for circuit breaker and peripheral circuits thereof according to
the ninth embodiment of the present invention (hereafter switching
control system for circuit breaker) will be described next with
reference to FIG. 12. As FIG. 12 shows, the characteristic of the
ninth embodiment is a voltage transformer of transformer side 3350,
which is connected to the switching controller for circuit breaker
100 by a specific method. The other configuration, which is the
same as the eighth embodiment, is denoted with the same reference
symbols, and description thereof is omitted.
[0270] As FIG. 12 shows, the transformer 3000 used here has a Y
connection at the primary side, and a .DELTA. connection at the
secondary side. According to the ninth embodiment, the non-phase
segregated operation-type circuit breaker 3100 is connected to the
primary side of the transformer 3000, and the voltage transformer
of transformer side 3350 is connected to the secondary side of the
transformer 3000. Therefore, the output of the voltage transformer
of transformer side 3350 connected to the secondary side of the
transformer 3000 is input to the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100.
[0271] In other words, as FIG. 12 shows, the voltage transformer of
transformer side 3350 connected to the secondary side of the
transformer 3000 is connected to the switching controller 100 of
the circuit breaker 3100 such that the output of this voltage
transformer of transformer side 3350 is .DELTA.-Y converted.
[0272] [9.2 Functions]
[0273] The functions of the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100 according to the ninth embodiment will be described
next. The major functions of the ninth embodiment are the same as
the eighth embodiment, but the difference from the eight embodiment
is the input mode of the voltage of the transformer 3000, based on
which the residual magnetic flux of the transformer 3000 is
calculated, therefore, the function of this aspect will be
described below. Description of the functions the same as the
eighth embodiment is omitted.
[0274] The switching controller for circuit breaker 100 according
to the ninth embodiment, of which control target is the non-phase
segregated operation-type circuit breaker for transformer circuit
3100, also measures the residual magnetic flux of the transformer
3000, just like the eighth embodiment. Therefore, when the voltage
transformer of transformer side 3350 measures the residual magnetic
flux of the transformer 3000, the transformer terminal voltage at
the primary side of the transformer 3000 must be measured.
[0275] As FIG. 12 shows, the secondary side voltage of the
transformer 3000 is directly output to the voltage transformer of
transformer side 3350, but the voltage transformer of transformer
side 3350 is connected to the switching controller for circuit
breaker 100 such that the output is .DELTA.-Y converted, so the
transformer voltage to be input to this switching controller for
circuit breaker 100 corresponds to the primary side voltage of the
transformer 3000.
[0276] Hence, the residual magnetic flux measuring unit 3210
installed in the MPU for switching control arithmetic operation 210
of the switching control arithmetic operation unit 200 calculates
the residual magnetic flux by directly integrating the input
voltage of the transformer 3000.
[0277] [9.3 Effects]
[0278] The switching controller for circuit breaker 100 according
to the ninth embodiment described above has the following effects,
in addition to the effects of the eight embodiment.
[0279] According to the ninth embodiment, the voltage transformer
of transformer side 3350 connected to the secondary side of the
transformer 3000 is connected to the switching controller 100 of
the circuit breaker 3100 such that the output of the voltage
transformer of transformer side 3350 is .DELTA.-Y converted, so the
.DELTA.-Y conversion operation processing in the switching
controller for circuit breaker 100, to receive the primary side
terminal voltage from the secondary side terminal voltage of the
transformer 3000, can be omitted.
[0280] Hence, such problems as high load to the MPU for switching
control arithmetic operation 210 when a .DELTA.-Y conversion
operation is performed, as the internal processing of the switching
controller for circuit breaker 100, and the requirements of a high
performance MPU, can be solved. Even if the output voltage of the
voltage transformer of transformer side 3350 connected to the
secondary side of the transformer 3000 is used, the residual
magnetic flux of the transformer 3000 can be easily measured.
* * * * *