US 5,708,551 AGranted

Electrical distribution device with preventive checking of the state of the load, particularly for civil and industrial users

AssigneeGewiss S.P.A.

InventorDomenico Bosatelli

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Abstract

An electrical distribution device with preventive checking of the state of the load, particularly for civil and industrial users, having a plurality of electrical tapping outlets which are mutually connected by a single-phase/multiple-phase electrical distribution line and at least one electrical connector for data transmission which is connected to elements for controlling the device. Each outlet is provided with elements for detecting plugs within the respective receptacles; these elements indicate the presence or absence of the plugs to elements for connecting the outlet to the electrical distribution line; each outlet is also provided with elements for detecting phase/neutral polarity and elements for detecting the state of the load. The connecting elements selectively close normally-open coupling elements between the electrical distribution line.

Claims47

Dependent claims

An electrical distribution device, particularly for civil and industrial users, comprising:

a single-phase/multiple-phase electrical distribution line provided with a neutral, a ground and a phase, and at least one electrical connector for data transmission;
a plurality of electrical tapping outlets mutually connected by said electrical distribution line and said electrical connector and suitable to accommodate a plurality of plugs in respective receptacles;
control means connected to said electrical connector, said control means being suitable to control said device;
and
a local control unit connected to said electrical connector, said local control unit checking the type and the state of the load connected to each of said outlets before powering said outlets, said powering being enabled in case of no short circuits in the loads;
said control means comprising a consumption measurement unit and a management unit for said plurality of outlets, said management unit selecting the powering of essential loads connected to said outlets in case of excessive consumption detected by said consumption measurement unit, before powering said outlets;
each outlet being provided with detection means for detecting said plugs within said respective receptacles, said detection means being suitable to indicate the presence or absence of said plugs to connection means for connecting the outlet to said electrical distribution line, said connection means being adapted to selectively close normally open coupling means between said distribution line and said outlet if a plug within a respective outlet is detected by said detection means;
wherein said connection means comprise power supply means which supplies power to a pulse generator which is suitable to transmit, on receptacles of said outlets, a high frequency pulsed low-value voltage to detect the type of the load connected to the outlet, and a detection probe which is arranged on a receptacle and is suitable to detect the type of the load and to report it to said local control unit, said local control unit receiving, in input, a signal arriving from said detection probe, and control signals related to internal local voltage references from a pair of comparators which have inputs connected to receptacles of said outlet and to said internal references, said local control unit being adapted to operate an actuator which activates said coupling means to provide connection of the receptacles of said outlet to said electrical distribution line.

5 more elements

A device for detecting and measuring the status of the load, particularly for civil and industrial users, for recognition of the load prior to the supply of power to said load, comprising:

first power supply means for supplying electrical power at the electrical distribution line voltage;
second power supply means for supplying low electrical power;
detection and measuring means for detecting and measuring the type and the state of the load associated with each one of a plurality of outlets connected to the electrical distribution line, said detection and measuring means preventively recognizing said load and the state of the load prior to supplying power to said outlets, said detection and measuring means checking for the presence of an overload or a short-circuit in the load before powering the corresponding outlet;
said measuring and detection means comprising means for detecting the dispersion of the current in the load before powering said outlets;
and
connecting means for connecting the load to said first power supply means in case of positive detection by said detection and measuring means;
said load and said detection and measuring means being powered by said second low-power supply means during the detection of the state of the load, said connecting means being controlled by said detection and measuring means.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/606,659Filed 26 Feb 1996 · continuation
Priority: IT MI92A170714 Jul 1992
Granted: 13 Jan 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

H02H 3/335
With means to produce an artificial imbalance for other protection or monitoring reasons or remote control: the main function being self testing…
H01R 13/641
Means for preventing incorrect coupling: by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
H01R 13/6683
With built-in electronic circuit: with built-in sensor
H02H 3/12
Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working…:…