DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an instrument for monitoring earth value in electrical systems. In particular, the present invention relates to an instrument for monitoring earth value in electrical systems in real-time. More particularly, the present invention relates to a low-cost instrument for detecting and controlling electrical systems in real-time to avoid electrical failures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The connection between electrical/electronic equipment and electrical and electronic devices with the earth plate or electrode through a thick wire of low resistance to provide safety is referred to as Earthing or Grounding. Earthing or grounding System in Electrical network is provided for the purpose of the safety of the electrical/electronic circuit therein. So, the main objective of this earthing system is to provide an alternative path for dangerously high current to flow to earth to prevent the problem of electric shock to the personnel and/or to eliminate any damage to such equipment.

When the metallic part of an equipment is grounded, no dangerous voltage is present in the equipment box on failure of the insulation of the equipment. The circuit gets shorted and the fuse blows out or the circuit breaker trips immediately, in case of the live wire touching the earthed equipment box. Thus, an earthing system makes the electrical/electronic equipment/devices electrical shock-free and ensures a safe working environment.

The following are the major advantages of an earthing system provided in an electrical or electronic system:

a) Safety to human life and protection to electrical devices from any damage.

• Prevents any danger of electrical shock (which may cause even death in extreme cases) by blowing a fuse or by tripping the circuit breaker.

• Provides a safe path for lightening and short circuit currents.
b) Over Voltage Protection
• Provides an alternative path in the electrical system to minimize the dangerous effect in the electrical system, observed at the time of lightening and unintentional contact with high voltage lines.

Therefore, proper earthing is a must for any electrical and electronic equipment/device and there should be a system for monitoring the state of earthing therein.

Presently, there is no system available for monitoring earth value in real time. It can only be monitored manually as a periodic activity. In case of appearance of any abnormality in-between, often major disorders or failures occur. So, the major issues involved here are:

• No online system is available for the earth value monitoring in electrical/electronic equipment/devices.

• Electrical/electronic equipment/devices failures due to high currents.

• Human dependency.

In existing electrical/electronic equipment/devices, the earthing value feedback is necessary for a continuous running because of the prevailing high current during operation thereof. This is an unavoidable situation in all electrical systems all over the world. The following are the main disadvantages with the existing electrical/electronic equipment/devices discussed above:

• Requires expensive control system for earthing value monitoring.

• Continuous checking of earthing terminal is a must.

• Necessitates use of an earth tester.

• Requires obtaining several parameters of the earthing pit to check the exact condition thereof.

• Voltage fluctuations.

• Combined equipment failure detection and control not possible at present.
Therefore, it is necessary to incorporate expensive control systems or controllers to safe guard electrical/electronic equipment/devices by diverting excess current through an earthing to the ground to be maintained properly.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention - satisfied by at least one embodiment of the present invention - are as follows:

An object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost instrument for detecting and controlling the electrical/electronic equipment/devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an instrument for instantaneous electrical failure detection and control in electrical/electronic equipment/devices.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a low-maintenance instrument for electrical failure detection and control of electrical/electronic equipment/devices.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an instrument providing instantaneous detection of improper earthing in electrical/electronic equipment/devices.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an instrument which obviates the need of using costly controllers to avoid failures of electrical/electronic equipment/devices.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide an instrument prevents the use of electrical/electronic equipment/devices in case of improper earthing.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are however not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an instrument for instantaneous detection and control of electrical failures in electrical and/or electronic systems/equipment/device connected thereto supplied with electrical power by means of power supply, wherein the instrument comprises a means for monitoring and controlling instantaneous electrical failures in the electrical and/or electronic systems/equipment/device due to improper earthing detected therein, for preventing damages to the systems/equipment/device and for issuing timely warnings about the detected faulty earthing to the operating personnel to take preventive action, preferably by stopping the power supply thereto until a proper earthing is restored therein.

Typically, the instantaneous detection and control instrument comprises:

• a voltmeter having terminals for measuring the circuit voltage therein;

• a plurality of auxiliary contacts;

• a contactor with a coil;

• a miniature circuit breaker MCB, preferably a two-pole MCB;

• an on-off switch;

• a relay having a potential-free contacts;

• an auxiliary contactor;

• a buzzer; and

• an indicator;

wherein the instrument is mounted in a panel and connected to the electrical/electronic systems/equipment/device to be protected and supplied with power for proper operation thereof.

Typically, the buzzer and indicator are connected to the auxiliary contacts of the voltmeter.
Typically, the electrical/electronic systems/equipment/device is supplied with power via the contactor and the MCB connected to each other; the electrical/electronic equipment/device is also connected to an earth terminal.

Typically, the voltmeter is directly connected to the power and connected to the electrical/electronic systems/equipment/device via the corresponding P, N, E terminals thereof.

Typically, the contactor coil is controlled via the on-off switch and the auxiliary contacts of said voltmeter, said switch is switched on when said auxiliary contacts are true.

Typically, the relay is connected via said auxiliary contactor.

Typically, the instrument continuously monitors the voltage difference between the phase-neutral (P-N) and the phase-earth (P-E) when the electrical/electronic systems/equipment/device is connected to the earth terminal.

Typically, on observing the monitored voltage difference being greater than the voltage difference predefined and stored in the instrument, the instrument isolates electrical/electronic systems/equipment/device from the power supply and sounds the buzzer and/or flashes the indicator for warning the operator about the presence of an improper earthing in the circuit thereof.

Typically, the instrument reconnects the electrical/electronic systems/equipment/device to the power supply to restart the same only observing the monitored voltage difference becomes equal to the predefined voltage difference stored in the instrument and switches off the buzzer and/or the indicator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a conventional electrical/electronic system including an earthing for safety of the personnel and equipment connected thereto.

Figure 2 shows an instrument configured in accordance with the present invention for continuously monitoring the status of the earthing of the electrical/electronic equipment in real time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

In the following, the instrument configured in accordance with the present invention for instantaneous detection and control of electrical failures in electrical/electronic systems/equipment/devices, will be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings without limiting the scope and ambit of the present invention in any way.

Figure 1 shows a conventional electrical/electronic system including an earthing for safety of the personnel and equipment connected thereto. It includes no online monitoring of the status of the earthing thereof. The power supply M (Phase, Neutral and Earth) to the electrical/electronic equipment/device 10 is connected the earth terminal 20 via respective P and E (Phase and Earth) terminals thereof.

Figure 2 shows an instrument configured in accordance with the present invention for continuously monitoring the status of the earthing of the electrical/electronic system/equipment/devices in real time. This instrument is capable of safeguarding the personnel as well as preventing any damage thereto in case of improper earthing therein. It also warns the personnel about the faulty earthing to enable the operator to take preventive action, e.g. by stopping power supply M until restoring a proper earthing therein. The instrument 100 comprises voltmeter 180 with auxiliary contacts 110; MCB 130; contactor 120 having a coil 170 and auxiliary NO contact 160; indicator L; buzzer B; on-off switch 140; and relay 150 for potential-free auxiliary contacts NO, NC. The power supply M to equipment/device 10 is connected through a contactor 120 via a two-pole 130 MCB (Q1), both of which should be in switched on for operating the equipment/device 10. The voltmeter 180 is directly connected in line to the power supply M and connected at P, N and E terminals respectively thereof to the equipment/device 10 via measuring terminals Phase, Neutral, Earth (P, N, E). The contactor coil 170 is controlled via auxiliary contact 110 should be true and via switch 140 which should be switched on and auxiliary contact 110, which also connects the indicator L and Buzzer B to the voltmeter 180. The relay 150 is connected through auxiliary contact 160 to the contactor 120. All components are mounted in a panel and connected to the equipment to be protected and supplied with power according to the circuit diagram described above. The contactor 120 can be used both with single and 3-phase power supply.

WORKING OF THE INVENTION

The instrument 100 facilitates a real time monitoring of the earth value of the electrical/electronic system/equipment/device 10 to protect the electrical and electronic circuit thereof from high currents developed therein. It also protects human being from any high current developed in the electrical/electronic system/equipment/device 10.

The instrument allows to run the electrical and electronic equipment/device 10 only when it is properly connected to the general mass of earth as a reference (zero) potential by using correct wiring.

The voltage validation principle is used such that when electrical or electronic equipment/device 10 is properly connected to the earthing terminal 200, the voltage between the respective phase (P)-neutral (N) and phase (P)-earth (E) terminals thereof is the same. Otherwise, any observed voltage difference would imply that there is an improper earthing and the wire resistance will increase proportionately with this voltage difference.

Accordingly, the present invention facilitates a continuous monitoring of the voltage between (P-N) and (P-E) of the electrical / electronic system / equipment / devices. When the voltage difference therebetween exceeds the predefined limits, the connected electrical/electronic system/equipment/device is immediately isolated from the power supply and is restarted only after ensuring a proper earthing thereof. In the meanwhile, an indicator is automatically switched on along with sounding a buzzer to raise alarm for the presence of an improper earthing.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The instrument for instantaneous detection and control of electrical failures in electrical systems configured in accordance with the present invention has the following technical and economic advantages:

? Facilitates a real time scanning of earthing value of electrical systems.

? Switches off the controller (power isolation) in case of detecting an earth value disturbance or improper earthing.

? Issues a visual alarm for the operator and maintenance personnel.

? Enables integration with SCADA system with digital I/O.

? Efficient, low-cost instrument requiring low or no maintenance at all.

? Offers instantaneous detection/control of electrical failure in electrical system.

? Prevents use of electrical systems detected with improper earthing.

? Facilitates restarting the electrical/electronic system/equipment/device connected thereto only after a proper earthing thereof is ensured.

? Substantially reduces the maintenance cost of the electrical/electronic system/equipment/devices.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept.
Therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

The description provided herein is purely by way of example and illustration. The various features and advantageous details are explained with reference to this non-limiting embodiment in the above description in accordance with the present invention. The descriptions of well-known components and manufacturing and processing techniques are consciously omitted in this specification, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the specification.

It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, the skilled person will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of embodiments described herein.

Therefore, the skilled person can easily make innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies, assemblies and in terms of the size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.

Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to implies including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.

The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. An instrument (100) for instantaneous detection and control of electrical failures in electrical and/or electronic systems/equipment/device (10) connected thereto supplied with electrical power by means of power supply (M), wherein said instrument comprises a means for monitoring and controlling instantaneous electrical failures in said electrical and/or electronic systems/equipment/device due to improper earthing detected therein, for preventing damages to said systems/equipment/device and for issuing timely warnings about said detected faulty earthing to the operating personnel to take preventive action, preferably by stopping the power supply thereto until a proper earthing is restored therein.

2. Instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein said instantaneous detection and control instrument (100) comprises:

• a voltmeter (180) having terminals (P, N, E) for measuring the circuit voltage therein;

• a plurality of auxiliary contacts (110);

• a contactor (120) with a coil (170);

• a miniature circuit breaker MCB, preferably a two-pole MCB (130);

• an on-off switch (140);

• a relay (150) having a potential-free (NO, NC) contacts;

• an auxiliary contactor (160);

• a buzzer (B); and

• an indicator (L);

wherein said instrument is mounted in a panel and connected to the electrical/electronic systems/equipment/device to be protected and supplied with power for proper operation thereof.

3. Instrument as claimed in claim 2, wherein said buzzer (B) and indicator (L) are connected to said auxiliary contacts (110) of said voltmeter (180).

4. Instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical/electronic systems/equipment/device (10) is supplied with power (M) via said contactor (120) and said MCB (130) connected to each other; said electrical/electronic equipment/device is also connected to an earth terminal.

5. Instrument as claimed in claim 2, wherein said voltmeter (180) is directly connected to said power (M) and connected to said electrical/electronic systems/equipment/device (10) via the corresponding (P, N, E) terminals thereof.

6. Instrument as claimed in claim 2, wherein said contactor coil (170) is controlled via said on-off switch (140) and said auxiliary contacts (110) of said voltmeter (180), said switch (140) is switched on when said auxiliary contacts (110) are true.

7. Instrument as claimed in claim 2, wherein said relay (150) is connected via said auxiliary contactor (160).

8. Instrument as claimed in claim 2, wherein said instrument (100) continuously monitors the voltage difference between said phase-neutral (P-N) and said phase-earth (P-E) when said electrical/electronic systems/equipment/device (10) is connected to said earth terminal (200).

9. Instrument as claimed in claim 8, wherein on observing said monitored voltage difference being greater than the voltage difference predefined and stored in said instrument (100), said instrument (100) isolates electrical/electronic systems/equipment/device (10) from said power supply (M) and sounds said buzzer (B) and/or flashes said indicator (L) for warning the operator about the presence of an improper earthing in the circuit thereof.

10. Instrument as claimed in claim 8, wherein said instrument (100) reconnects said electrical/electronic systems/equipment/device (10) to said power supply (M) to restart the same only observing said monitored voltage difference becomes equal to said predefined voltage difference stored in said instrument (100) and switches off said buzzer (B) and/or said indicator (L).
Digitally Signed.
Dated: this 30th day of September 2017. (SANJAY KESHARWANI)
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT.