JP5279781B2 - Power monitoring device - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a power monitoring apparatus.

  In recent years, the number of electrical devices (home appliances: household appliances) used in the home (home) has been increasing, and overloading has occurred due to the simultaneous use of home appliances without the residents' intentions. Often falls.

  In order to prevent the breaker from being interrupted due to overload caused by the use of home appliances, the home appliances have a function to exchange signals with an external power control device. There is technology to do.

JP 2009-22071 A

  In the case of the conventional entry control technology, since the load-side equipment has a bidirectional communication function, the cost increases, and household appliances that are inexpensive and consume a large current (for example, electric kettles, dryers, desktop IH cookers, etc.) ) Is not profitable in terms of cost.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a power monitoring device capable of preventing in advance breaker breakage caused by overload while minimizing the cost increase of load-side equipment.

  The power monitoring apparatus according to the embodiment is connected to a power transmission line for transmitting power and a home wiring, and supplies power from the power transmission line to an electric device connected to the home wiring within a range of a breaking current of a breaker. The power monitoring apparatus connected to the switchboard includes a current detection unit, a rating storage unit, a remaining power threshold storage unit, and a warning signal transmission unit. The current detection unit detects a current flowing to the home wiring through the breaker. The rated storage section stores a rated current of the breaker. The surplus power calculation unit compares the current detected by the current detection unit with the rated current of the rating storage unit to obtain the current surplus power of the breaker. The remaining power threshold storage unit stores a threshold for the remaining power. The warning signal sending unit, when the value of the remaining power obtained by the remaining power calculation unit is lower than a threshold stored in the remaining power threshold storage unit, a warning signal having a frequency set uniquely for each electric device Is sent to the home wiring.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the electric power monitoring system of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the electric power monitoring system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the table of a warning rule memory | storage part.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power monitoring system according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power monitoring system of the first embodiment is interposed between a power transmission line 1 from an electric power company and a power line 8 wired to each home (hereinafter referred to as “home wiring 8”). The distribution board 3, the power monitoring device 2 connected to the distribution board 3, and the electric kettle 4 as an electric device (load) connected to the home wiring 8.

  In addition to the contract power breaker 31 and the protection breaker 32, the switchboard 3 is provided with a coil 33 using the current of the protection breaker 32 as a detection unit. In this example, since there is one protective breaker 32, the rated current of the contract power breaker 31 is used as the breaking current of the protective breaker 32 as it is. The coil 33 is connected to a remaining power monitor 21 provided outside the switchboard 3.

  The switchboard 3 is connected to the power transmission line 1 for transmitting power and the home wiring 8, and the power from the power transmission line 1 is supplied to the electrical equipment connected to the home wiring 8, with the breaking current (rated power amount) of the protective breaker 32. ) Supply within the range. If there is a space inside the switchboard 3, the power monitoring device 2 may be built in the switchboard 3.

  The power monitoring device 2 includes a remaining power monitor 21 and a warning signal transmission unit 22. The remaining power monitor 21 includes a memory 23, a monitoring unit 24, a remaining power calculating unit 25, and the like. The memory 23 stores the breaking current (rated current) of the protective breaker 32.

  The monitoring unit 24 monitors the current flowing through the protective breaker 32 with the coil 33, and outputs the value of the current detected by the coil 33 to the remaining power calculation unit 25. The monitoring unit 24 functions as a measurement unit that measures the amount of power consumed by the electrical equipment connected to the home wiring 8 from the current detected by the coil 33.

  The remaining power calculation unit 25 calculates a difference between the breaking current (rated current) stored in the memory 23 and the current value detected by the monitoring unit 24, and calculates a remaining force value X indicating the remaining power amount (current). Obtained and output to the warning signal transmission unit 22.

  That is, the remaining power calculation unit 25 compares the power consumption (current) measured by the monitoring unit 24 with the rated power amount (rated current) of the memory 23 and can be supplied to the protection breaker 32 at the present time. Find the surplus of (current).

  The warning signal transmission unit 22 includes a control unit 26, a warning rule storage unit 27 as a remaining power threshold storage unit, a warning signal generator 28, and the like.

  The warning rule storage unit 27 includes a plurality of warning rules 27a, 27b, and 27c having different conditions for determining whether or not the protection breaker 32 has sufficient capacity for the flowing current (power amount), and the warning rule. The identification information (A), (B), (C) of the warning signal generators 28a, 28b, 28c associated with is stored. That is, the warning rule storage unit 27 stores a threshold for remaining power.

  The warning rule 27a is a rule of surplus power value X <10A, and is associated with the identification information (A) of the warning signal generator 28a. 10A is a threshold value. This rule is a rule that the high-frequency signal is generated in the warning signal generator 28a of the identification information (A) when the remaining power value X falls below 10A.

  The warning rule 27b is a rule of surplus power value X <5A, and is associated with the identification information (B) of the warning signal generator 28b. This rule is a rule that a high frequency signal is generated in the warning signal generator 28b of the identification information (B) when the remaining power value X falls below 5A.

  The warning rule 27c is a rule of surplus power value X <2A, and is associated with the identification information (C) of the warning signal generator 28c. This rule is a rule that a high frequency signal is generated in the warning signal generator 28c of the identification information (C) when the remaining power value X falls below 2A.

  The warning rules 27a, 27b, and 27c may be associated with the frequencies generated by the warning signal generators 28a, 28b, and 28c in addition to the identification information of the warning signal generator.

  The warning signal generation unit 28 outputs a warning signal having a frequency that is uniquely set for each electric device when the value of the remaining power obtained by the remaining power calculation unit 25 falls below the threshold value stored in the warning rule storage unit 27. It is sent to the home wiring 8. The warning signal generator 28 stops sending the warning signal when the power consumption decreases after the warning signal is sent and the value of the surplus power exceeds the threshold value.

  The warning signal generator 28 includes one or more warning signal generators 28a, 28b, and 28c. The warning signal generator 28a generates a warning signal S1 having a frequency uniquely set for each electric device, for example, a frequency of 1150 Hz, and transmits the warning signal S1 by superimposing it on the alternating current flowing through the home wiring 8.

  The warning signal generator 28b generates an alarm signal S2 having a frequency set in the electric kettle 4, for example, a frequency of 1850 Hz, and transmits the alarm signal S2 superimposed on the alternating current flowing through the home wiring 8. The warning signal generator 28c generates an alarm signal S3 having a frequency of, for example, 3550 Hz, and transmits the alarm signal S3 by superimposing it on the alternating current flowing through the home wiring 8. The warning signal generator 28 can simultaneously generate high-frequency signals having different frequencies.

  In Japan, the frequency of AC power is different between East Japan and West Japan. In eastern Japan, the frequency of the alternating current power supply is 50 Hz, and in western Japan, the frequency of the alternating current power supply is 60 Hz.

  Considering this, the frequency of the high-frequency signal (alarm signal S1) generated by the warning signal generator 28 may be a frequency that is a prime number of the frequency of the power supply current (50 Hz or 60 Hz) or a frequency in the vicinity thereof. desirable. For example, 50 × 107 = 5350 Hz≈5340 Hz = 60 × 89.

  The control unit 26 applies the remaining power value X received from the remaining power monitor 21 to each of the warning rules 27a, 27b, and 27c in the warning rule storage unit 27, and the warning rules 27a, 27b, and 27c that satisfy the condition from these rules. A high-frequency signal (warning signal) is generated from the warning signal generator 28 (at least one of the warning signal generators 28 a, 28 b, 28 c) corresponding to 1 and sent to the home wiring 8.

  The electric kettle 4 includes a power source 43, a band pass filter 42 (hereinafter referred to as “BPF 42”), an LED light emitting element as a warning lamp 44, an operation unit 41, and the like in addition to a normal water heater function. The BPF 42 is a simple one composed of, for example, a capacitor and a resistance element.

  The power source 43 receives AC 100V power from an outlet of a commercial power source (AC 100V) in the house. The power supply 43 has a rating of 5A, for example. The BPF 42 is a filter that passes a signal having a frequency of 1850 Hz, for example. The warning lamp 44 is connected to the wiring from the power source 43 via the BPF 42. The operation unit 41 includes a warning lamp 44, a power switch, a temperature adjustment switch, and the like.

Next, the operation of this power monitoring system will be described.
In this power monitoring system, the monitoring unit 24 monitors the current detected by the coil 33, and always outputs the value of the detected current to the remaining power calculation unit 25.

  The surplus power calculation unit 25 calculates a difference between the breaking current (rated current) stored in the memory 23 and the current value detected by the monitoring unit 24 to obtain a surplus value X indicating the surplus power, and outputs a warning signal. Output to the sending unit 22.

  In the warning signal sending unit 22, the control unit 26 applies the received surplus value X to the warning rules 27a, 27b, and 27c in the warning rule storage unit 27, and the warning rules 27a and 27b that match the rules from these rules. , 27c (at least one of the warning signal generators 28a, 28b, 28c) generates a high frequency and sends it to the home wiring 8.

  In the case of the warning rules 27a, 27b, and 27c in this example, if the remaining power value X is 4A, for example, it is the warning rules 27b and 27c that match the remaining power value X = 4A, and the control unit 26 generates high-frequency signals to the warning signal generators 28b and 28c of the identification information (B) and (C) corresponding to the warning rules 27b and 27c, and is sent to the home wiring 8.

  Thereafter, when the remaining power value X recovers and the remaining power value X does not apply to the warning rules 27a, 27b, and 27c, the control unit 26 stops the high-frequency generation of the corresponding warning signal generators 28a, 28b, and 28c.

  On the other hand, in the electric kettle 4 connected to the home wiring 8, a high frequency signal is received from the home wiring 8, and the warning lamp 44 of the operation unit 41 is turned on through the power supply 43 and the BPF 42.

  When the warning lamp 44 is turned on, it is understood that the electric power in the house is deficient before the resident uses the electric kettle 4.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, from the power consumption of the protective breaker 32 obtained by the switchboard 3 and the rated current stored in the memory 23 in advance, the remaining amount of power in each distribution system is obtained. When this surplus value falls below a preset surplus threshold, a high-frequency signal having a predetermined frequency (a value that matches the frequency of the BPF 42 of the warning target device) is transmitted superimposed on the power supply current flowing through the in-home wiring 8. Therefore, it is possible to display a warning that there is no power in the house simply by providing the electric kettle 4 with a warning lamp 44 such as a BPF 42 and an LED light emitting element. That is, a simple remaining power warning can be performed on the side of the home electric appliance (home appliance) with an inexpensive and simple configuration.

  That is, since the warning light 44 provided in the operation unit 41 of the electric kettle 4 is automatically turned on when the power distribution surplus is insufficient, when the user operates the electric kettle 4, he / she notices excessive use of power, By not using the electric kettle 4, it is possible to prevent the breaker from being interrupted due to overload.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the power monitoring system of the second embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure as 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the power monitoring system according to the second embodiment, the home wiring 8 to which power is supplied from the transmission line 1 is divided into a bus 80 and branch lines 8 a and 8 b branched from the bus 80. Among them, the contract power breaker 31 is connected to the bus 80, and the protection breakers 32a and 32b are installed on the branch lines 8a and 8b, respectively.

  The surplus power monitor 21 measures the power consumption in units of the protection breakers 32a and 32b, and the surplus power values obtained by comparison with the rated currents of the respective protection breakers 32a and 32b stored in the memory 23 are measured for the individual protection breakers 32a and 32b. It is sent to warning signal transmitters 22a and 22b provided for each 32b.

  Each warning signal sending unit 22a, 22b sends warning signals S1, S2,... To each branch line 8a, 8b according to each warning rule. The warning rule is the same as in the first embodiment.

  That is, in the second embodiment, the power monitoring device shown in the first embodiment is separated into the remaining power monitor 21 and the warning signal sending units 22a and 22b for the branch lines 8a and 8b. In this example, the power consumption (current) of the lines 8a and 8b is monitored.

  In this example, it is assumed that the bus 80 has a contract of 60A, and the contract power breaker 31 having a rating of 60A is provided.

  The branch breaker 8a is connected with a protective breaker 32a that is cut off for safety when power consumption continues for 15A or more. It is assumed that the electric kettle 4 is connected to the branch line 8a.

  The branch breaker 8b is connected to a protective breaker 32b that is cut off for safety when power consumption continues for 20 A or more. It is assumed that a dryer 9 is connected to the branch line 8b.

  The dryer 9 includes a power source 93, a band pass filter 92 (hereinafter referred to as “BPF 92”), an LED light emitting element as a warning lamp 94, an operation unit 91, and the like in addition to a normal hot air generating function. The BPF 92 is a filter that passes a signal having a frequency of 1150 Hz, for example, and is a simple filter composed of a capacitor and a resistance element.

  The power supply 93 is supplied with AC 100 V from an outlet of a commercial power source (AC 100 V) in the house. The power supply 93 has a rating of 10A, for example. The warning lamp 94 is connected to the wiring from the power source 93 via the BPF 92. The operation unit 91 includes a warning lamp 94, a power switch, a wattage switch, and the like.

  In the memory 23 of the surplus power monitor 21, the value of the rated current (breaking current) for each of the breakers 31, 32a, 32b is stored.

  The surplus power monitor 21 measures the power consumption of not only the bus 80 but also the branch lines 8a and 8b branched from the bus 80 in the in-home wiring 8, and compares it with the corresponding cutoff current value of the memory 23. The residual power value of the difference is calculated and output to the corresponding warning signal sending units 22a and 22b.

  At this time, since the remaining power differs between the contract power breaker 31 and the protection breakers 32a and 32b for protecting the home wiring, the actually applied surplus power is the contract power breaker 31 of the bus 80 and the branch lines 8a and 8b. The smaller of the protective breakers 32a and 32b, and the protective breakers 32a and 32b are in units.

  Therefore, in this example, the coil 6a as the current detection unit is connected to the protection breaker 32a of the branch line 8a, the coil 6b as the current detection unit is connected to the protection breaker 32b of the branch line 8b, and the contract of the bus 8 is made. A coil 6c as a current detector is connected to the power breaker 31, and the surplus power monitor 21 centrally monitors the current consumed by each.

  The surplus power monitor 21 measures the power consumption of each of the bus 80 and each branch line 8a, 8b by the current obtained from each of the coils 6a to 6c, and the warning signal transmission unit 22a associated with each branch line 8a, 8b. , 22b, the smaller value of the remaining power of the bus 80 and the remaining power of the branch lines 8a, 8b is set as the remaining power of the branch lines 8a, 8b.

  That is, the remaining power monitor 21 sets the smaller value of the remaining power of each branch line 8a, 8b and the remaining power of the contract power breaker 31 as the remaining power of the branch lines 8a, 8b, and sets each remaining power value to the corresponding branch line. The signals are sent to warning signal transmitters 22a and 22b installed for each of 8a and 8b (feed) to control the generation of high-frequency signals (warning signals).

  Each warning signal sending unit 22a, 22b generates a high-frequency signal (warning signal) according to the warning rules 27a, 27b, 27c, and sends them to the corresponding branch lines 8a, 8b, as in the example shown in FIG.

  Various electrical devices (home appliances: abbreviated as “home appliances”) are connected to the home, and various signals are mixed in the home wiring 8 from the home appliances. May light up incorrectly.

  Therefore, an appropriate filter is provided between each branch line 8a, 8b and the bus 80 so that the warning signal (high frequency signal) from each warning signal transmission unit 22a, 22b and other high frequency signals do not interfere with each other in the home wiring 8. 7a and 7b are inserted. These filters 7a and 7b are low-pass filters.

  In the case of the second embodiment, the surplus power monitor 21 monitors the currents from the coils 6a to 6c and measures the respective power consumption amounts.

  For example, when the power consumption of the coil 6a is 11A, the remaining power value X is 15A-11A = 4A, and this value is output from the remaining power monitor 21 to the warning signal sending unit 22a.

  In the warning signal sending unit 22a, when the remaining power value X = 4A is input, the control unit 26 applies the remaining power value X = 4A to each of the warning rules 27a, 27b, and 27c, and the rule is matched from these rules. High-frequency signals (1150 Hz and 1850 Hz) are generated for the warning signal generators 28a and 28b corresponding to the warning rules 27a and 27b to be transmitted to the branch line 8a.

  Thereby, the warning lamp 44 of the electric kettle 4 connected to the branch line 8a is turned on, and a resident (user) is warned. If another device provided with a 1150 Hz BPF 42 is connected to the branch line 8a, the warning light 44 of the device is also turned on.

  On the other hand, when the power consumption of the coil 6b is 11A, the remaining power value X is 20A-11A = 9A, and this value is output from the remaining power monitor 21 to the warning signal sending unit 22b.

  In the warning signal sending unit 22a, when the remaining power value X = 9A is input, the control unit 26 applies the remaining power value X = 9A to each of the warning rules 27a, 27b, and 27c, and the rule is matched from these rules. A high-frequency signal (1150 Hz) is generated for the warning signal generator 28a corresponding to the warning rule 27a to be transmitted and sent to the branch line 8b.

  Thereby, the warning light 94 of the dryer 9 connected to the branch line 8b is turned on, and a warning is given to the resident (user).

  As described above, according to the power monitoring system of the second embodiment, the contract power breaker 31 is connected to the bus 80 of the in-home wiring 8 to which power is supplied from the transmission line 1, and the branch lines 8 a branched from the bus 80. When the protective breakers 32a and 32b are installed in 8b, the surplus power monitor 21 measures the power consumption in units of the protective breakers 32a and 32b, and the surplus power values obtained by comparison with the respective rated currents are obtained for the individual protective breakers 32a. , 32b are sent to warning signal sending units 22a, 22b, and each warning signal sending unit 22a, 22b sends warning signals S1, S2,... To each branch line 8a, 8b according to each warning rule. Since the warning lights 44 and 94 of each household electrical appliance (such as the electric kettle 4 or the dryer 9) connected to the branch lines 8a and 8b having a small capacity are turned on, the user sees the warning display. , By not using the home appliance, the protective breaker 32a generated from an overload, it is possible to prevent interruption of 32b in advance.

  Hereinafter, application examples will be described. In addition to those generated by the high frequency generator 28, other devices such as a switching power supply and a capacitor may constantly send a high frequency signal to the home wiring 8.

  In order to distinguish the signal (noise) from these high-frequency generation sources and the warning signal (high-frequency signal) from the high-frequency generation unit 28, a plurality of channels are secured and two or more channels that generate high-frequency signals for each warning rule It is better to set it.

  With this configuration, each home electrical appliance that receives a warning signal (high-frequency signal) also receives a high-frequency signal from a plurality of BPFs, and turns on a warning lamp when all the corresponding channels have received input. Control. For example, it is assumed that a warning is generated with remaining powers 2A, 5A, and 10A.

  Here, the total number of channels is set to 8 channels. At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the warning rule storage unit 27 is provided with a table 29 in which a plurality of channels are set.

  In this table 29, the channels marked with “◯” are associated with individual remaining power thresholds, and when the threshold value is below the threshold, a high-frequency signal having the frequency of the channel marked with “◯” is generated (oscillated).

  Here, for a load that requires 10 A of surplus power, channels 1, 3, 5, and 7 are monitored, and if all of these are input, a warning is issued.

  In addition, equipment that requires 5 A of surplus power monitors channels 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 if there is a load with sufficient resources, and monitors channels 4 and 8 if there is no surplus. If there is input for all, a warning is issued. This is because the channels peculiar to the remaining power 5A are channels 4 and 8.

  Similarly, the load requiring the reserve 2A may monitor all the channels 1 to 8, or may monitor only the channels 2 and 6. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the false alarm by the high frequency signal generated by high frequency generation sources other than the high frequency generator 28 can be eliminated.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  For example, in addition to the above-described embodiment, when a power urgency is transmitted to a HEMS controller (Home Energy Management System) existing in a house by, for example, a radio or a smart grid, the warning signal transmission unit 22 transmits this to a device in the house. It is also possible to give a warning and inform the resident.

  Further, each component shown in the above embodiment may be realized by a program installed in a storage such as a hard disk device of a computer, and the program is stored in a computer-readable electronic medium: electronic media, The computer may realize the functions of the present invention by causing a computer to read a program from an electronic medium. Examples of the electronic medium include a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flash memory, and removable media. Further, the configuration may be realized by distributing and storing components in different computers connected via a network, and communicating between computers in which the components are functioning.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Transmission line, 2 ... Power monitoring apparatus, 3 ... Distribution board, 4 ... Electric kettle, 6a, 6b, 6c ... Coil, 7a, 7b ... Filter, 8 ... Home wiring, 8a, 8b ... Branch line, 9 ... Dryer, 21 ... Surplus power monitor, 22, 22a, 22b ... Warning signal sending unit, 23 ... Memory, 24 ... Monitoring unit, 25 ... Surplus power calculation unit, 26 ... Control unit, 27 ... Warning rule storage unit, 28, 28a, 28b, 28c ... Warning signal generator, 29 ... Table, 31 ... Contract power breaker, 32a, 32b ... Protection breaker, 33 ... Coil, 41, 91 ... Operation unit, 42, 92 ... Band pass filter (BPF), 43, 93 ... Power supply 44, 94 ... warning light, 80 ... busbar.

Claims (6)

A power monitoring device connected to a power distribution board connected to a power transmission line for transmitting power and a home wiring, and supplying power from the power transmission line to an electrical device connected to the home wiring within a range of a breaking current of a breaker In
A current detector that detects a current flowing through the breaker to the home wiring;
A rated storage unit in which the rated current of the breaker is stored;
A surplus power calculation unit that obtains a surplus current of the current of the breaker by comparing the current detected by the current detection unit and the rated current of the rating storage unit;
A surplus power threshold storage unit storing a threshold for the surplus power;
When the value of the remaining power obtained by the remaining power calculation unit falls below the threshold value stored in the remaining power threshold value storage unit, a warning signal having a frequency uniquely set for each electric device is sent to the home wiring. A power monitoring apparatus comprising: a warning signal transmission unit that performs the above-described operation. The warning signal sending unit
Provided for each branch line branched from the bus of the home wiring, and the value of the remaining force of the branch line breaker obtained by the remaining force calculation unit is less than the threshold value stored in the remaining force threshold storage unit The power monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a warning signal having a frequency uniquely set for each electric device is transmitted to the branch line. The warning signal sending unit
3. The power monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the value of the remaining power falls below a threshold value, a plurality of warning signals having different frequencies set corresponding to the threshold value are transmitted. The warning signal sending unit
4. The power monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the warning signal is transmitted, the warning signal is stopped when the value of the surplus power exceeds a threshold value. 5. The warning signal sending unit
5. The power monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a high-frequency warning signal is superimposed and transmitted on a power supply current flowing through the home wiring. The warning signal sending unit
6. The power monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the alarm signal is a frequency that is a prime multiple of the frequency of the power supply current or a frequency in the vicinity thereof.

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