TWI884734B - A current transformer assembly for measuring energy and a measuring system using the assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The current transformer assembly of the present invention and the measurement system using the current transformer assembly save space for configuring the current transformer, are easy to configure, and have improved compatibility. To achieve this purpose, the current transformer assembly of the present invention and the measurement system using the current transformer assembly include a phase current transformer that can pass through the phase line; a neutral current transformer that is arranged adjacent to the phase current transformer and can pass through the neutral line; a communication unit that can be communicatively connected to the phase current transformer and the neutral current transformer; a communication port that is connected to the communication unit; and a housing that accommodates the phase current transformer, the neutral current transformer, the communication unit, and the communication port.

Description

Current transformer assembly for measuring electric energy and measurement system using the current transformer assembly

The present invention relates to a current transformer assembly for measuring electric energy and a measuring system using the current transformer assembly, and more specifically, to a current transformer assembly for measuring electric energy that saves space for configuring a current transformer, is easy to configure, and has improved compatibility, and a measuring system using the current transformer assembly.

Traditional current transformers are arranged in a single loop and go around each wire.

However, when multiple current transformers are configured around each wire, there is a problem of occupying a large amount of space, complicating the internal structure. In addition, the current transformer must be configured on each wire, which makes the configuration time-consuming and expensive.

On the other hand, in the case of a three-phase four-wire system or a single-phase two-wire system, the arrangement of the wires and current transformers configured inside is very different, so there is a problem of poor design compatibility when designing the internal structure.

The present invention aims to solve this problem, and its purpose is to provide a current transformer assembly for measuring electric energy and a measurement system using the current transformer assembly to save current transformer configuration space, while being easy to configure and having improved compatibility.

In addition, the present invention has another object, namely, to provide a current transformer assembly for measuring electric energy and a measurement system using the current transformer assembly, which can connect multiple current transformers with a communication cable.

To achieve this purpose, the current transformer assembly of the present invention and the measurement system using the current transformer assembly include a phase current transformer that can pass through the phase line; a neutral current transformer that is arranged adjacent to the phase current transformer and can pass through the neutral line; a communication unit that can be communicatively connected to the phase current transformer and the neutral current transformer; a communication port that is connected to the communication unit; and a housing that accommodates the phase current transformer, the neutral current transformer, the communication unit, and the communication port.

The phase line current transformer is prepared in multiple forms and arranged at a certain distance from each other in the left and right directions, wherein the neutral line current transformer is arranged above the phase line current transformer.

The multiple phase line current transformers are composed of three; the phase line current transformer arranged in the center protrudes to one side more than the phase line current transformers on both sides, and at least a part of the phase line current transformers on both sides are arranged behind the central phase line current transformer, but partially overlap when viewed from one side.

The housing includes a first housing and a second housing that can be detachably connected to the first housing. The first housing is equipped with the current transformer for the phase line, and the second housing is equipped with the current transformer for the neutral line.

The first accommodating protrusion is arranged on one side of the first shell, so that the current transformer arranged in the center among the multiple current transformers for phase lines can be arranged to protrude to one side compared with other current transformers. The first supporting tube is arranged inside the first accommodating protrusion and on the inner surface of the first shell, and is used to be inserted into the central hole of the phase line current transformer and support the phase line current transformer.

On the other side of the second housing, a second housing protrusion is provided so that the neutral line current transformer can protrude to the other side, and the second support tube in contact with the first support tube is provided on the second housing protrusion and the inner surface of the second housing.

This port accepts eight cable connectors.

In addition, the present invention also includes a measurement system, which includes: a current transformer assembly, including a current transformer for a neutral line, at least one current transformer for a phase line, a communication unit for communicating with the current transformer for the neutral line and the current transformer for the phase line, and a communication port connected to the communication unit; a multi-channel power meter for communicating with the current transformer assembly and capable of measuring leakage current or power; and a server, which is connected to the multi-channel power meter in communication and manages the measurement data of the multi-channel power meter.

The multi-channel power meter is configured with multiple communication ports to be able to communicate with multiple current transformer assemblies simultaneously.

The characteristic of the current transformer assembly is that it can be compatible with measuring three-phase four-wire, three-phase three-wire, single-phase two-wire and single-phase one-wire types.

According to the present invention, multiple current transformers are installed in a housing, and the current transformer for the phase line and the current transformer for the neutral line are composed of one component, so the configuration of the current transformer is easy, the configuration cost is low, and the space occupied is minimal.

In addition, it has the advantage of connecting four current transformers through a single eight-port communication connector, which facilitates communication connection.

Additionally, connecting dozens of current transformers to a multi-channel power meter via a current transformer assembly can simplify the layout for collecting information from multiple current transformers.

1: Current transformer assembly

10: Shell

11: First shell

111: First receiving protrusion

112: First opening

113, 123: Reinforcement ribs

115: The first support tube

12: Second shell

121: Second accommodating protrusion

122: Second opening

125: The second support tube

13: Bracket

14: Communication port

20: Communication port

210: Current transformer for phase line

220: Current transformer for neutral line

211, 221: Shell

212, 222: signal line

21: Communication unit

22:PCB

23: Connecting pins

300:Multi-channel power meter

320: Communication port

400:Gateway

500: User terminal

600: Communication connection equipment

700: Server

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of the current transformer assembly according to the present invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are exploded views of the current transformer assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view and a rear view of a current transformer assembly according to the present invention.

FIG5 is a side view of a current transformer assembly according to the present invention.

FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a multi-channel power meter to which the current transformer assembly of the present invention can be connected.

Figures 7 and 8 show schematic diagrams of a current transformer assembly according to the present invention connected to a measurement system of other equipment.

FIG9 shows the arrangement of the phase line and the neutral line when measuring electric energy and leakage current using the current transformer assembly of the present invention.

FIG10 shows the layout of the phase line when measuring electric energy using the current transformer assembly of the present invention.

The invention is susceptible of various modifications and may have several embodiments, and it is intended to illustrate and illustrate certain embodiments in the accompanying drawings.

However, it is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific embodiment, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents or replacements within the concept and technical scope of the present invention.

Terms containing ordinal numbers (such as first, second, etc.) can be used to describe various components, but components are not limited by these terms.

The above terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

For example, without exceeding the scope of the patent application of the present invention, the second component can be named as the first component, and similarly, the first component can be named as the second component.

A term and/or combination that includes multiple related items or any of multiple related listed items.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to another component, but there may be other components in between.

On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

The terms used in the present invention are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not limited to the present invention.

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, a singular expression includes the plural expression.

In the present invention, terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to indicate the existence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof described in the specification, but are not intended to indicate the existence of the following contents: It should be understood that this does not preclude the possibility of the existence or addition of elements, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the same or corresponding parts will be assigned the same element symbols regardless of the element symbols, and their repeated descriptions will be omitted.

As shown in FIG1 , the current transformer assembly of the present invention is composed of a plurality of current transformers (CT). As shown in FIG1 , the current transformer assembly (1) has a housing (10) forming its appearance.

The housing (10) is divided into a first housing (11) and a second housing (12), and the first housing (11) and the second housing (12) are separably connected in the front-rear direction.

A first receiving protrusion (111) is provided at the bottom center of the front face of the first shell (11), and a second receiving protrusion (121) is provided at the top center of the rear face of the second shell (12).

In addition, a plurality of first openings (112) are provided on the left and right sides and the top of the first receiving protrusion (111) on the front of the first shell (11), and a plurality of second openings (122) are provided below the second receiving protrusion (121) on the rear of the second shell (12).

The bottom of the housing (10) is provided with a configuration bracket (13), and the top of the housing (10) is provided with a communication port hole (14), in which a communication port (20) is provided. The communication port (20) is the part of the connector (not shown) that connects the communication cable.

At the same time, the reinforcing ribs (113) and (123) are arranged in a curved shape on the front and rear sides of the housing (10).

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the current transformer for the phase line (210) and the current transformer for the neutral line (220) are arranged between the first shell (11) and the second shell (12). Three current transformers for the phase line (210) are arranged at the bottom, and one current transformer for the neutral line (220) is arranged at the top.

Each current transformer is composed of two separate housings (211) and (221), each housing having an iron core (not shown) and a coil (not shown) surrounding the iron core. Two signal lines (212, 222) are connected to each current transformer, and the signal lines (212, 222) are connected to a communication unit described later to provide information about the current intensity measured by the current transformer, about the current direction, and leakage.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, three current transformers (210) for phase lines are arranged at the bottom, and a PCB (22), a communication unit (21) and a communication port (20) are arranged at the top. In addition, a current transformer (220) for neutral lines is arranged at the top of the PCB (22).

In the present invention, each of the two wires connected to the four current transformers, that is, a total of eight wires, is connected to a communication unit (21). At the bottom of the communication unit (21), there are eight connection pins (23) so that they can be connected to the eight provided wires. Above these eight connection pins (23) is a communication port (20), which can be connected to an eight-cable connector such as RJ45.

Therefore, it has the advantage of being able to transmit information by connecting four current transformers to one communication cable, thus greatly simplifying the structure.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a first receiving protrusion (111) is provided at the center bottom side of the front of the first shell (11), and a second receiving protrusion (121) is provided at the center top side of the rear of the second shell (12).

Among the three phase line current transformers (210), the current transformer located in the center is accommodated in the first accommodation protrusion (111) and is arranged in front of the phase line current transformers (210) on both sides.

Furthermore, at least a portion of the phase current transformers (210) on both sides are arranged behind the central phase current transformer (210), and when viewed from one side, a portion of the central phase current transformer (210) and a portion of the phase current transformers (210) on both sides may appear to overlap.

By arranging in this manner, the arrangement gaps between the three phase current transformers can be minimized, and the size of the current transformer assembly (1) can be made compact, minimizing the size of the current transformer assembly (1), thereby minimizing the space occupied.

The inner side surface of the first housing (11) and the interior of the first housing protrusion (111) are each provided with a first supporting tube (115). The three phase line current transformers (210) can be respectively inserted into and supported by the first supporting tube (115).

The inner side surface of the second housing (12) and the interior of the second receiving protrusion (121) are also provided with a second supporting tube (125). The neutral line current transformer (220) can be inserted into and support the second supporting tube (125) provided in the second receiving protrusion (121).

The first supporting tube (115) and the second supporting tube (125) are in contact with each other so that they can be continuously arranged in the housing. Therefore, by adopting the connection form of the first supporting tube (115) or the second supporting tube (125), the current transformer for the phase line (210) and the current transformer for the neutral line (220) can be stably supported on their respective supporting tubes even if they shake or move in the housing.

As shown in FIG. 4 , three phase current transformers (210) are arranged in the left and right directions respectively. When viewed from one side, it can be seen that the phase current transformer (210) arranged in the center of the housing and the phase current transformers (210) arranged on both sides partially overlap each other to minimize the left and right width of the current transformer assembly (1), as described above.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , a current transformer (220) for a neutral line is preferably arranged above a central current transformer (210) for a phase line.

When viewed from the side, the central phase current transformer (210) is accommodated in the first accommodation protrusion (111) protruding from the front of the first housing (11), and phase current transformers (210) are arranged on both sides of the rear thereof.

In addition, the neutral line current transformer (220) is arranged behind the phase line current transformers (210) on both sides, and the arrangement height of the neutral line current transformer (220) is higher than the arrangement height of the phase line current transformer (210).

In addition, the front end of the neutral line current transformer (220) and the rear end of the phase line current transformers (210) on both sides slightly overlap in the vertical direction, which is to reduce the front-to-back width of the current transformer assembly (1).

FIG6 shows a multi-channel power meter (300) in communication with the current transformer assembly (1) of the present invention. A multi-channel power meter is an electrical measurement device that can monitor and measure power and energy usage in multiple circuits simultaneously.

Each channel represents a separate circuit, and these devices are typically used in large facilities that need to manage multiple circuits, such as commercial buildings, factories, data centers, and apartment buildings.

The main features of the multi-channel power meter are as follows:

(1) Multi-circuit monitoring: Multi-channel power meters can measure the current, voltage, power, power factor, cumulative power usage, etc. of multiple circuits simultaneously. This enables facility managers to effectively monitor how the entire facility uses electricity.

(2) Energy management and cost reduction: Multi-channel power meters can be used to analyze power usage patterns and develop measures to reduce energy consumption. This reduces energy costs and achieves environmentally friendly operations.

(3) Overload and leakage detection: Multi-channel power meters can quickly detect electrical anomalies such as overload or leakage and notify facility management personnel. This can prevent safety accidents and extend the service life of electrical equipment.

(4) Remote monitoring: Multi-channel power meters are equipped with communication functions to support remote monitoring. This enables facility managers to remotely monitor power usage and control circuits when necessary.

The multi-channel power meter (300) is equipped with multiple communication ports (320), and the communication line connector (not shown) is connected to the communication port (320).

For example, insert a communication line connector such as RJ45 (not shown) into the 10 communication ports on the side indicated by the dotted line, and connect it to the current transformer assembly (1) through the communication line. The communication port (20) outside the dotted line can be used for other communications.

In addition, the multi-channel power meter (300) provides a plurality of communication ports (20) on both sides, and the communication port (20) on one side and the communication port (20) on the other side can both be connected to the current transformer assembly (1).

Therefore, a total of 20 current transformer assemblies (1) can be connected, and since one current transformer assembly has four current transformers, a maximum of 80 current transformers can be connected to one multi-channel power meter (300).

In this structure, it can be connected to a multi-channel power meter (300), which is connected to multiple current transformer assemblies (1).

The multi-channel power meter (300) connected to the current transformer assembly (1) can measure leakage current of various line combinations passing through the current transformer assembly, or can measure power (electric energy). In other words, a server connected to the multi-channel power meter (300) and the current transformer assembly (1) and the multi-channel power meter (300) can realize a single measurement system.

Various line combinations refer to three-phase four-wire (L1, L2, L3, N line), single-phase two-wire (any one of L1, L2, L3 lines and N line), three-phase three-wire (L1, L2, L3 lines) and one-phase one-wire (any one of R1, L2, L3 lines).

On the other hand, each of the plurality of multi-channel power meters (300) connected thereby can be connected to a gateway (400), as shown in FIG7.

The gateway (400) and the multi-channel power meter (300) are preferably connected via 485 communication, and the gateway (400) is connected to the user terminal (500) or the server. However, the multi-channel power meter (300) can also be directly connected to the server without the gateway (400).

Thus, information from dozens to hundreds of current transformers can be received and managed through one gateway (400), thereby having the advantage of simplifying the wiring layout for information management.

FIG8 discloses another type of configuration and wiring method that can provide information from a gateway (400) to multiple servers or terminals.

Here, a gateway (400) is connected to two different IP addresses and communication connection devices (600), and each communication connection device (600) is connected to each different server (700) or terminal.

Therefore, the advantage is that leakage measurement information or power measurement information provided by the current transformer can be provided to different servers (700) or terminals, thereby achieving diversified management.

The difference is that in the case of FIG. 7, it is a layout for providing multiple current transformer information to a user terminal (500) or a server, while in the case of FIG. 8, it is a layout for providing multiple current transformer information to multiple communication connection devices (600) and a server (700).

Various combinations of lines passing through a current transformer assembly according to the present invention are compatible, as described below.

Part (a) of Figure 9 shows the three-phase four-wire passing through the current transformer assembly. In other words, the neutral line (N) passes through the upper part and the three-phase lines (L1, L2, L3) pass through the lower part. In this state, it is connected to a multi-channel power meter. Through the monitoring and calculation of the multi-channel power meter, not only the current of the L1, L2, L3 lines can be measured, but also the leakage current can be measured.

Parts (b) to (d) of Figure 9 show a single-phase two-wire circuit passing through a current transformer. The neutral wire (N) passes through the upper part and the single-phase wire passes through the lower part.

In part (b) of Figure 9, the L1 line passes through, in part (c) of Figure 9, the L2 line passes through, and in part (d) of Figure 9, the L3 line passes through. Here, the multi-channel power meter can also be used to measure the current on the L1, L2 or L3 line and the leakage current.

Part (a) of Figure 10 shows a three-phase three-wire passing through a current transformer assembly. In other words, there is no neutral wire (N) at the top, and the three-phase wires (L1, L2, L3) pass through the bottom. In this state, the currents of the L1, L2, and L3 wires can be measured through monitoring and calculation by a multi-channel power meter.

Parts (b) to (d) of Figure 10 show a single-phase line passing through a current transformer. There is no neutral line (N) in the upper part, and only the single-phase line passes through the lower part.

In part (b) of Figure 10, the L1 line passes, in part (c) of Figure 10, the L2 line passes, and in part (d) of Figure 10, the L3 line passes. Here, the current on the L1, L2, or L3 line can also be measured by monitoring and calculating the multi-channel power meter.

This invention is the result of a national research and development project. The information is as follows.

Subject specific number: 1415180973

Project number: 20222020800050

Department name: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources

Project Management (Professional) Organization Name: Korea Energy Technology Evaluation Institute

Research Project: Energy Technology Development Project

Research topic: Development and demonstration of energy efficiency improvement solutions for high-density data centers

Contribution rate: 1/1

Research period: 2023.01.01~2023.12.31

The above is described with reference to the embodiments shown in the attached drawings, but this is only for the purpose of illustrating the present invention. Those who have general knowledge of the technical field to which the present invention belongs will be able to understand from the detailed description of the present invention that various variations or unified embodiments are possible.

Therefore, the true scope of rights of this invention must be determined by the technical idea of the patent application scope.

1: Current transformer assembly 10: Shell 11: First shell 111: First receiving protrusion 112: First opening 113, 123: Reinforcement ribs 12: Second shell 121: Second receiving protrusion 122: Second opening 13: Bracket 14: Communication port hole 20: Communication port

Claims (7)

A current transformer assembly, including: a phase current transformer, which can pass through the phase line; a neutral current transformer, which is arranged adjacent to the phase current transformer and can pass through the neutral line; a communication unit, which can be communicatively connected to the phase current transformer and the neutral current transformer; a communication port, which is connected to the communication unit; and a housing for accommodating the phase current transformer, the neutral current transformer, the communication unit and the communication port; wherein: the housing includes three phase openings corresponding to the phase current transformer and a neutral opening corresponding to the neutral current transformer; According to the wiring status of the phase line opening and the neutral line opening, the three-phase four-wire type, three-phase three-wire type, single-phase two-wire type and single-phase one-wire type can be compatible with the measurement; wherein, the phase line current transformer is configured as a plurality, and the plurality of phase line current transformers are configured at a certain distance from each other in the left-right direction, the neutral line current transformer is configured above the phase line current transformer, wherein, the plurality of phase line current transformers are configured as three, the phase line current transformer configured in the center protrudes to one side more than the phase line current transformers on both sides, at least a part of the phase line current transformers on both sides are configured behind the central phase line current transformer, but partially overlap when viewed from one side. The current transformer assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first housing and a second housing that can be detachably connected to the first housing, the first housing is equipped with the current transformer for the phase line, and the second housing is equipped with the current transformer for the neutral line. The current transformer assembly as described in claim 2, comprising: a first accommodating protrusion is arranged on one side of the first shell, so that the phase current transformer arranged in the center among the plurality of phase current transformers is arranged to protrude to one side compared with the other phase current transformers, a first supporting tube is arranged inside the first accommodating protrusion and on the inner surface of the first shell, and is used to be inserted into the central hole of the phase current transformer and support the phase current transformer. The current transformer assembly as described in claim 3, wherein a second housing protrusion is provided on the other side of the second housing so that the neutral current transformer can protrude to the other side, and a second support tube in contact with the first support tube is provided on the second housing protrusion and the inner surface of the second housing. A current transformer assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the communication port can be plugged into an eight-cable connector. A measurement system, comprising: a current transformer assembly, including a neutral current transformer, at least one phase current transformer, a communication unit communicating with the neutral current transformer and the phase current transformer, and a communication port connected to the communication unit; a multi-channel power meter for communicating with the current transformer assembly and capable of measuring leakage current or power; and a server communicating with the multi-channel power meter and managing the measurement data of the multi-channel power meter; wherein: the housing includes three phase openings corresponding to the phase current transformer, and a neutral opening corresponding to the neutral current transformer; According to the wiring status of the phase line opening and the neutral line opening, the three-phase four-wire type, three-phase three-wire type, single-phase two-wire type and single-phase one-wire type can be compatible with the measurement; wherein, the phase line current transformer is configured as a plurality, and the plurality of phase line current transformers are configured at a certain distance from each other in the left-right direction, the neutral line current transformer is configured above the phase line current transformer, wherein, the plurality of phase line current transformers are configured as three, the phase line current transformer configured in the center protrudes to one side more than the phase line current transformers on both sides, at least a part of the phase line current transformers on both sides are configured behind the central phase line current transformer, but partially overlap when viewed from one side. A measurement system as described in claim 6, wherein the multi-channel power meter is configured with multiple communication ports to enable simultaneous communication with multiple current transformer assemblies.