Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power distribution
system for a building such as a residential complex or a
tenant building and a protection method for a main line
thereof.
Background of the Invention
In a building such as a residential complex or a
tenant building, power is distributed to a tenant or a
dwelling unit of each floor via a main line which is wired
to pass through each floor, as described in Patent Document
1. The main line is branched into electric power
distribution lines in each floor, so that power can be
transmitted to each dwelling unit or each tenant via the
electric power distribution lines.
When power is not generated in a building, a
commercial AC current passing through a main line 80 is
sequentially distributed to each floor of the building, as
shown in Fig. 6. In that case, a current value of the main
line 80 becomes maximum at a base portion 81 of the main
line 80, i.e., at a connection portion with a commercial AC
power supply.
For example, in Fig. 6, a current of about 20A is
supplied to each floor of the building. In that case, a
total current of about 80A flows through the base portion 81
of the main line 80. Therefore, an overcurrent of the main
line 8 0 can be detected simply by installing a current
sensor 82 at the base portion 81 of the main line .80 and
monitoring a current value of the base portion 81.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application
Publication No. 2008-178275
Recently, however, development and distribution of a
personal small-sized power generator individually installed
at a dwelling unit or an office, such as a fuel cell or a
solar photovoltaic power generator, are in progress.
Further, it is considered to share generated power between
floors of a building in order to efficiently utilize the
generated power. In other words, when surplus power is
generated in a certain floor of a building, the surplus
power is supplied to another floor, thereby effectively
reducing consumption of commercial AC power in the entire
building.
In that case, however, a current value becomes maximum
at a portion other than the base portion 81 of the main line
80. For example, referring to Fig. 7, in a second floor of
a building, surplus power is generated in output power of a
power generator 83, so that the surplus power is supplied to
an upper floor of the building. As a result, a current
value of the main line 80 between the second floor and the
third floor exceeds a current value of the base portion 81.
In the example shown in Fig. 7, a current of about 40A
flows through the base portion 81 of the main line 80, and a
current of about 20A is distributed to the first floor of
the building. Therefore, the residual current of about 20A
flows between the first floor and the second floor.
Meanwhile, in the second floor, a surplus current of about
40A is generated in the output power of the power generator
83. Thus, the surplus current is supplied to an upper floor
via the main line 80.
Accordingly, a current of about 60A, i.e., the sum of
the current of about 20A supplied from the first floor and
the surplus current of about 40A from the second floor,
flows through the main line 80 between the second floor and
the third floor. When the power is transmitted and received
between the floors of the building, it is not possible to
detect an overcurrent of the main line 80 by monitoring a
current value of the main line 80 only at the base portion
81.
Summary of the Invention
In view of the above, the present invention provides a
power distribution system capable of reliably detecting an
overcurrent of a main line even in the case where power is
transmitted and received between floors of a building.
Further, the present invention provides a power
distribution system and a protection method for a main line
thereof, capable of reliably detecting an overcurrent of a
main line and protecting the main line from the overcurrent.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a power distribution system for
distributing power via a main line, including: a plurality
of current sensors, provided between nodes of electric power
distribution lines branched from the main line, for
monitoring a current value of the main line.
Further, the main line may distribute power to each
section of a structure via the main line' which is wired to
pass through each section of the structure and the plurality
of current sensors may be provided at each section of the
structure and monitor the current value of the main line in
each section of the structure.
In the power distribution system having the above-
described configuration, when the power is transmitted and
received between the sections of the building, the current
value of the main line may become maximum at a portion other
than the base portion of the main line. Even in that case,
the above-described configuration can reliably detect the
overcurrent of the main line because the current value of
the main line in each section of the building is monitored.
Further, the power distribution system may include a
protection unit for protecting, when any of the current
sensors detects a current value greater than a predetermined
value, the main line from an overcurrent by limiting power
consumption of a section adjacent to a section where a
current sensor that has detected the overcurrent is
installed.
In the above-described configuration, when the
overcurrent of the main line is detected, the power
consumption of the section adjacent to the section where the
overcurrent is detected is limited. By limiting the power
consumption of the section adjacent to the section where the
overcurent is detected, the current value of the section
where the overcurrent is detected can be reduced.
Accordingly, in accordance with the above-described
configuration, the main line can be properly protected from
the overcurrent.
Further, the power distribution system may include a
protection unit for protecting, when any of the current
sensors detects a current value greater than a predetermined
value, the main line from an overcurrent by shutting down a
specific breaker provided at a section adjacent to a section
where the current sensor that has detected the overcurrent
is installed.
In the above-described configuration, when the
overcurrent of the main line is detected, a specific breaker
provided at the section adjacent to the section where the
overcurrent is detected is shut down. If the breaker is
shut down, the power consumption of the section adjacent to
the section where the overcurrent is detected is decreased,
and the current value of the main line at the section where
the overcurrent is detected is decreased. Therefore, in
accordance with the above configuration, the main line can
be properly protected from the overcurrent.
Further, the surplus power may be transmitted and
received between the sections of the building. The present
invention is preferably applied to the power distribution
system in which surplus power is transmitted and received
between the sections of the building.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a protection method of a main
line of a power distribution system for distributing power
to each section of a structure via the main line which is
wired to pass through each section of the structure,
including: monitoring a current value of the main line in
each section of the structure; and limiting power
consumption of a section adjacent to a section where the
current value greater than a predetermined value is
monitored.
In the above-described protection method, the current
value of the main line in each section of the building is
monitored. Thus, even when the power is transmitted and
received between the sections of the building, the
overcurrent of the main line can be reliably detected. When
the monitored current value is greater than a predetermined
value, the power consumption of the section adjacent to the
section where the overcurrent greater than the predetermined
value is detected is limited. By limiting the power
consumption as described above, the current of the section
where the overcurrent is detected can be decreased.
Accordingly, the protection method described above can
properly protect the main line from the overcurrent.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a protection method of a main
line of a power distribution system for distributing power
to each section of a structure via the main line which is
wired to pass through each section of the structure,
including: monitoring a current value of the main line in
each section of the structure; and shutting down a specific
breaker provided at a section adjacent to a section where
the current value greater than a predetermined value is
monitored.
In the above-described the protection method, the
current value of the main line between the sections of the
building is monitored, so that the overcurrent of the main
line can be reliably detected even in the case where the
power is transmitted and received between the sections of
the building. Moreover, when the monitored current value is
greater than the predetermined value, a specific breaker
provided at the section adjacent to the section where the
current value greater than the predetermined value is
detected is shut down. Hence, the power consumption of the
section adjacent to the section where the overcurrent is
detected is limited, and the current value of the section
where the overcurent is detected is decreased. Accordingly,
in accordance with the protection method, it is possible to
reliably detect the overcurrent of the main line and also
possible to protect the main line from the overcurrent.
Further, the structure may be a building and the
section is a floor.
In accordance with the power distribution system of
the present invention, the overcurrent of the main line can
be reliably detected even in the case where power is
transmitted and received between the sections of the
building. Further, in accordance with the protection method
for the main line of the power distribution system, the
overcurrent of the main line can be reliably detected, and
the main line can be properly protected from the
overcurrent.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description of
embodiments, given in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an
entire configuration of a power distribution system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a
configuration of a power supply system installed at each
dwelling unit of a residential complex in the embodiment of
the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a
configuration of a general control unit in the embodiment of
the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing
configurations of an AC power distribution board and a home
control unit in the embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing sequence of
the general control unit in a main line protection control
routine employed in the embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a
current flow in a main line in the case of not generating
power in a building; and
Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a
current flow in a main line in the case of generating power
in a building.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention
will be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings which form a part hereof. Throughout the drawings,
like reference numerals refer to like or similar parts, and
redundant description thereof will be omitted.
Fig. 1 shows an entire configuration of a power
distribution system in a structure, e.g., a building, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
A residential complex shown in Fig. 1 is equipped with
a main line 50 which is wired to pass through each floor.
The main line 50 is branched into electric power
distribution lines in each floor, and each of the electric
power distribution lines is connected to an AC power
distribution board 11 of each dwelling unit 101. Further, a
main line breaker 51 is installed at a base portion of the
main line 50 to interrupt a current when a current flowing
through the main line 50 exceeds a rated current. A
residential complex referred to in the present embodiment
denotes a building where a plurality of offices, stores or
dwelling units is located in a single structure, for
example.
Further, in the power distribution system of the
present embodiment, a plurality of current sensors 52 for
monitoring a current value of the main line 50 between
floors of the residential complex 100 is provided between
the floors of the residential complex 100. The detection
signals of the current sensors 52 are input into a general
control unit 53 for controlling entire power distribution of
the residential complex 100.
Fig. 2 shows an entire configuration of a power supply
system 1 installed at each dwelling unit 101 of the
residential complex 100.
As shown in Fig. 2, each dwelling unit of the
residential complex 100 is equipped with the power supply
system 1 for supplying power to various household appliances
(lighting devices, air conditioners, electronic appliances,
audio/visual devices and the like). The power supply system
1 operates various devices by using, as a power source,
commercial AC power (AC power source) supplied from the main
line 50. Further, the power supply system 1 supplies, as a
power source, power generated by a fuel cell 3 using a
reverse reaction of water electrolysis or power generated by
a solar cell (not shown) to various devices. The power
supply system 1 supplies power to a DC appliance 5 operating
by an input of DC power and to an AC appliance 6 operating
by an input of AC power.
In the power supply system 1, a home control unit 7
and a DC power distribution board (having a DC breaker) 8
function as a power distribution board of the power supply
system 1. Further, the power supply system 1 includes a
control unit 9 and a relay unit 10 which serve as devices
for controlling operations of the household DC appliances 5.
The AC power distribution board 11 for distributing AC
power is connected to the home control unit 7 via an AC
power line 12. The home control unit 7 is connected to a
commercial AC power supply (not shown) via the AC power
distribution board 11 and also connected to the fuel cell 3
via a DC power line 13. The home control unit 7 acquires AC
power from the AC power distribution board 11 and DC power
from the fuel cell 3 and converts the acquired power into
predetermined DC power as a power source of devices.
Moreover, the home control unit 7 outputs the converted DC
power to the DC power distribution board 8 via a DC power
line 14 or to a storage battery 16 via a DC power line 15 so
as to be stored therein. The home control unit 7 can
acquire AC power from the AC power distribution board 11 and
convert DC power from the fuel cell 3 or the storage unit 16
into AC power. The home control unit 7 can supply the
converted AC power to the AC power distribution board 11.
The home control unit 7 exchanges data - with the DC power
distribution board 8 through a signal line 17.
The DC power distribution board 8 functions as a
breaker for DC power. The DC power distribution board 8
distributes DC power that is input from the home control
unit 7 and outputs the distributed DC power to the control
unit 9 via a DC power line 18 or to the relay unit 10 via a
DC power line 19. Further, the DC power distribution board
8 exchanges data with the control unit 9 via a signal line
20 or with the relay unit 10 via a signal line 21.
A plurality of DC devices 5 is connected to the
control unit 9. The DC appliances 5 are connected to the
control unit 9 via DC supply lines 22 capable of
transferring both of DC power and data through a single
line. The DC supply lines 22 transfer both of the power and
the data through a single line by utilizing so-called power
line carrier communication in which a communication signal
for transferring data through a high frequency carrier wave
is superposed with a DC voltage as a power source of the DC
appliances. The control unit 9 acquires DC power from the
DC appliances 5 via the DC power line 18 and determines
which of the DC appliances 5 is to be controlled and how to
control the corresponding DC appliance 5 based on an
operation instruction obtained from the DC power
distribution board 8 via a signal line 20. Further, the
control unit 9 outputs a DC voltage and an operation
instruction to the required DC appliance 5 via the DC supply
line 22 and controls the operation of the corresponding DC
appliance 5.
Switches 23 that are manipulated to switch operations
of the household DC appliances 5 are connected to the
control unit 9 via the DC supply line 22. Moreover, a
sensor 24 for detecting, e.g., a radio wave transmitted from
an infrared remote controller, is connected to the control
unit 9 via the DC supply line 22. Thus, the DC appliances 5
are controlled by the communication signals flowing through
the DC supply lines 22 in accordance with the manipulation
of the switches 23 or the detection of the sensor 24 as well
as the operation instruction from the power distribution
board 8.
The DC appliances 5 are connected to the relay unit 10
via DC power lines 25. The relay unit .10 acquires DC power
for the DC appliances 5 via the DC power line 19 and
determines which of the DC appliance 5 is to be operated
based on the operation instruction obtained from the DC
power distribution board 8 via the signal line 21. Further,
the relay unit 10 controls the operation of the required DC
appliance 5 by switching on/off the power supply to the DC
power line 25 in a relay installed therein. Moreover, a
plurality of switches 26 for manually manipulating the DC
appliances 5 is connected to the relay unit 10.
Accordingly, the DC appliances 5 are controlled by switching
on/off the power supply to the DC power lines 25 in the
relay by manipulation of the switches 26.
A DC outlet 27 installed at a dwelling unit in the
form of a wall outlet or a bottom outlet, for example, is
connected to the DC power distribution board 8 via a DC
power line 28. When a plug (not shown) of a DC appliance is
inserted in the DC outlet 27, DC power can be supplied to
the DC appliance.
Besides, a power meter 29 capable of remote reading of
power usage of the commercial AC power supply is connected
between the commercial AC power supply and the AC power
distribution board 11. In addition to the function of
remote reading of the power usage of the commercial AC power
supply, the power meter 29 also has a function of, e.g.,
power line carrier communication or wireless communication.
The power meter 29 transmits the metering result to an
electric power company or the like through the power line
carrier communication, the wireless communication or the
like.
The power supply system 1 includes a network system 30
for controlling various household appliances through network
communication. The network system 30 is provided with a
home server 31 serving as a control unit thereof. The home
server 31 is connected to a management server 32 outside
home via a network N such as Internet or the like, and also
connected to a household appliance 34 via a signal line 33.
Moreover, the home server 31 operates by using, as a power
source, DC power obtained from the DC power distribution
board 8 via a DC power line 35.
A control box 36 for controlling operations of various
household appliances through network communication is
connected to the home server 31 via a signal line 37. The
control box 36 is connected to the home control unit 7 and
the DC power distribution board 8 via a single line 17, and
can directly control the DC appliance 5 via a DC supply line
38. The control box 36 is connected to, e.g., a gas/tap
water meter 39 capable of remote reading of gas usage or
water usage, and also connected to a manipulation panel 40
of a network system 30. The manipulation panel 40 is
connected to a monitoring device 41 which includes, e.g., a
door phone slave unit,, a sensor or a camera.
When the operation instructions of various household
appliances are input through the network N, the home server
31 informs the control box 36 of the instructions and allows
the control box 3 6 to control the various devices to perform
operations in accordance with the instructions. Further,
the home server 31 can provide various information acquired
from the gas/tap water meter 39 with the management server
32 through the network N. When abnormality detected by the
monitoring device 41 is received from the manipulation panel
40, the cause of the abnormality is also provided to the
management server 32 through the network N.
In the residential complex 100 in which each dwelling
unit 101 is equipped with the power supply system 1, power
is generated by the fuel cell 3 in each dwelling unit 101.
In the residential complex 100, surplus power is transmitted
and received between the dwelling units 101. Moreover, the
surplus power is transmitted and received between the floors
of the residential complex 100.
As described above, in the residential complex 100,
the entire power distribution control is performed by the
general control unit 53. Fig. 3 shows a configuration of
the general control unit 53. As shown in Fig. 3, the
general control unit 53 has a main line current monitoring
unit 54 for monitoring a current value of the main line 50
which is detected by the current sensors 52 installed at
each of the sections in the residential complex 100. In
addition, the general control unit 53 has a current level
determination unit 55 for determining whether or not a
current value of the main unit 50 is excessive and a
transmission unit 56 for transmitting an instruction signal
to the home control unit 7 of each dwelling unit 101 based
on the determination result.
Fig. 4 shows configurations of the home control unit 7
and the AC power distribution board 11 which are installed
at each dwelling unit 101.
As shown in Fig. 4, the AC power distribution board 11
has a main breaker 60 and a plurality of branch breakers 61.
The main breaker 60 serves as a breaker that blocks
connection between the main line 50 and the power supply
system 1 when the current supplied from the main line 50 is
excessive. The branch breakers 61 serve as breakers that
blocks power supply to each of household loads 62 when
necessary. The loads 62 may be various household electrical
devices such as lighting devices, air conditioners,
electronic device, audio/visual devices and the like.
Meanwhile, the home control unit 7 has a receiving
unit 70 for receiving an instruction signal from the general
control unit 53, and a controller 71. The controller 71
controls operations of the household loads 62 based on the
instruction signal received by the receiving unit 70. The
controller 71 controls an operation of an AC/DC converter 72
and further controls charging/discharging of the storage
battery 16 based on the instruction signal received by the
receiving unit 70. In Fig. 4, the illustration of the DC
power lines 13 and 14 extending from the home control unit 7
to the fuel cell 3 and the DC power distribution board is
omitted.
In the power distribution system for a building of the
present embodiment which is configured as described above, a
plurality of current sensors 52 for monitoring a current
value of the main line 50 between floors of the residential
complex 100 are provided between the floors of the
residential complex 100. Further, the current values
detected by the current sensors 52 are monitored by the
general control unit 53. As a result, an overcurrent that
occurs any portion of the main line 50 can be reliably
detected.
In the present embodiment, when an overcurrent of the
main line 50 is detected, i.e., when any of the current
sensors 52 detects a current value greater than a
predetermined value, the general control unit 53 performs
the main line protection control for protecting the main
line 50 from an overcurrent. In this case, the protection
control is realized by limiting power consumption of an
upper floor of a floor where the current sensor 52 that has
detected the overcurrent is installed.
Fig. 5 shows a processing sequence of a main line
protection control routine employed in the present
embodiment. Further, the processing of this routine is
performed by the general control unit 53 from start to end.
When this routine is initiated, first, at a step S100,
the general control unit 53 receives current values detected
by the current sensors 52 provided at the main line 50
between the floors. At a step S101, the general control
unit 53 checks whether or not the current values detected by
the current sensors 52 is equal to or greater than a first
predetermined value. Moreover, in the present embodiment,
the first predetermined value is set to, e.g., a current
value corresponding to about 80% of a shutdown current of
the main line breaker 51.
If any of the current sensors 52 does not detect a
current value greater than the first predetermined value
(S101:NO), the general control unit 53 proceeds to a step
S102 and outputs load suppression release signals to the
home control units 7 of the entire dwelling units at a step
S102. Upon completion of the output of the load suppression
release signals, the general control unit 53 returns to the
step S100. When the load suppression release signals are
received, the home control units 7 release a load
suppression control, if it is being performed. The load
suppression control will be described later
On the other hand, when any of the current sensors 52
detects a current value equal to or greater than the first
predetermined value (S101:YES), the general control unit 53
proceeds to a step S103 and checks whether or not any of the
current sensors 52 detects a current value greater than a
second predetermined value at the step S103.
In the present embodiment, the second predetermined
value is set to, e.g., a current value corresponding to
about 90% of a shutdown current of the main line breaker 51.
In other words, in the present embodiment, the step S103
corresponds to a step of monitoring a current value of the
main line 50 between floors of the building (the residential
complex 100).
If any of the current sensors 52 does not detect a
current value equal to or greater than the second
predetermined value (S103:NO), the general control unit 53
returns to the step S100.
Meanwhile, if any of the current sensors 52 detects a
current value equal to or greater than the second
predetermined value (S103:YES), the general control unit 53
transmits, at a step S104, a load suppression release signal
to the home control unit 7 of an upper floor of a floor
where the current sensor 52 that has detected the current
value equal to or greater than the second predetermined
value is installed. Upon completion of the transmission of
the load suppression signal, the general control unit 53
returns to the step 100.
When the load suppression signal is received, the home
control unit 7 controls an operation of a specific household
load 62 in order to suppress power consumption thereof. To
be specific, an air conditioner is temporarily stopped, or
brightness of lighting devices is temporarily lowered. In
other words, in the present embodiment, the step S104
corresponds to a step of limiting power consumption of a
floor immediately above a floor where the current value
equal to or greater than the second predetermined value is
detected in the step S103.
In the above-described embodiment, the residential
complex 100 corresponds to the building. Further, in the
above-described embodiment, the general control unit 53
performs the processes carried out by the protection unit.
The power distribution system for a building and a
protection method for the main line of the power
distribution system in accordance with the embodiment of the
present invention can provide the following effects.
(1) In the power distribution system for a building of
the present embodiment, power is distributed to each floor
of the residential complex via the main line 50 which is
wired to pass through each floor of the residential complex
100. Further, a plurality of current sensors 52 for
monitoring a current value of the main line 50 between
floors of the residential complex 100 is provided between
the floors of the residential complex 100. In the power
distribution system for a building, when power is
transmitted and received between the floors, a current value
of the main line 50 becomes maximum at a portion other than
the base portion of the main line 50. Even in that case,
the above-described configuration can reliably detect the
overcurrent of the main line 50 because the current value of
the main line between the floors of the residential complex
100 is monitored.
(2) In the present embodiment, when any of the current
sensors 52 detects a current value greater than a
predetermined value, the general control unit 53 protects
the main line 50 from an overcurrent by limiting power
consumption of an upper floor of a floor where the current
sensor 52 that has detected the overcurrent is installed.
By limiting the power consumption of the upper floor of the
floor where the overcurrent is detected, the current at the
portion where the overcurrent is detected can be decreased.
Accordingly, the power distribution system for a building of
the present embodiment can properly protect the main line 50
from the overcurrent.
(3) In the protection method for the main line of the
power distribution system for a building of the present
embodiment, the main line 50 is protected from an
overcurrent by the following two steps. First, at a first
step, a current value of the main line 50 between the floors
of the residential complex 100 is monitored (S103) . At a
second step, power consumption of an upper floor of a floor
where the current value greater than the second
predetermined value is monitored in the first step is
limited (S104) . In this protection method, even when the
power is transmitted and received between the floors, the
overcurrent of the main line 50 can be reliably detected by
monitoring the current value of the main line 50 between the
floors of the residential complex 100. Further, when the
monitored current value is greater than the predetermined
value, the power consumption of the floor immediately above
the portion where the current value ' greater than the
predetermined value is detected is limited. By limiting the
power consumption as described above, the current at the
portion where the overcurrent is detected is decreased.
Therefore, in accordance with the protection method of the
present embodiment, the main line 50 can be properly
protected from the overcurrent.
(4) In the present embodiment, when any of the current
sensors 52 detects a current value greater than or equal to
about 90% of a shutdown current of the main line breaker 51,
the protection control of the main line 50 is initiated.
When the current value becomes smaller than about 80% of the
shutdown current of the main line breaker 51, the protection
control of the main line 50 is released. In other words, in
the present embodiment, there is constant hysteresis between
the current value (the second predetermined value) related
to the initiation of the protection control and the current
value (the first predetermined value) related to the release
of the protection control. Hence, it is possible to
properly avoid an occurrence of a control hunting of the
protection control, i.e., repetition of initiation and
release of the protection control within a short period of
time.
In addition, the present embodiment may be modified as
follows.
In the above-described embodiment, when any of the
current sensors 52 detects a current value greater than the
second predetermined value, the general control unit 53
protects the main line 50 from the overcurrent by limiting
power consumption of a load 62 provided at an upper floor of
the portion where the current sensor 52 that has detected
the overcurrent is installed by controlling the operation of
the load 62. The main line 50 can also be protected by
shutting down a specific branch breaker 61 provided at a
floor immediately above the floor where the current sensor
52 that has detected a current value greater than the second
predetermined value is installed.
In the above-described embodiment, there is constant
hysteresis between the first predetermined value and the
second predetermined value. However, the first and the
second predetermined value may be the same when the control
hunting of the protection control can be neglected.
In the above-described embodiment, the main line 50 can
be protected from an overcurrent by limiting power
consumption of a floor immediately above a floor where the
current sensor 52 that has detected a current value greater
than the second predetermined value is installed. The
protection control method of the main line 50 may be
properly modified. For example, the main line 50 can be
protected from an overcurrent by limiting power consumption
of another floor other than the floor immediately above the
floor where the current sensor 52 that has detected the
overcurrent is installed.
In the above-described embodiment, each dwelling unit
is equipped with the power supply system 1 shown in Fig. 2.
However, another power supply system may also be employed.
For example, the configuration of the power supply system
may be changed as long as it has a function of receiving a
load suppression signal or a load suppression release signal
from the general control unit 53 and a function of limiting
power consumption of the load 62 by controlling an operation
of the load 62 or a function of shutting down the branch
breakers 61 in accordance with the received load suppression
signal.
The above-described embodiment has described the case
in which the present invention is applied to the residential
complex 100. However, the power distribution system or the
protection method for a main line thereof can be applied to
another building, e.g., a tenant building or the like, other
than the residential complex. For example, the present
invention can be applied to a power distribution system for
distributing power to each floor of a building via a main
line which is wired to pass through each floor of the
building. Besides, the present invention can be applied to
a configuration in which power is distributed to a plurality
of sections (areas) of a building having one or more floors
via a main line which is wired to pass through each section
of the building and a power generator is installed at least
one of the sections. In that case, the protection control
of the main line 50 can be achieved by limiting power
consumption of a section adjacent to a portion where a
current sensor that has detected an overcurrent is
installed. In addition, the present invention can be
applied to a configuration capable of monitoring a current
value of a main line by using current sensors provided
between nodes of electric power distribution lines branched
from a common main line which is wired to pass through,
e.g., an area, not a same building.
While the invention has been described with respect to
the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the
above embodiments and can be variously modified and changed
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined
in the following claims, and such changes and modifications
are also included in the scope of the present invention.
What is claimed is:
1. A power distribution system for distributing power via
a main line, comprising:
a plurality of current sensors, provided between nodes
of electric power distribution lines branched from the main
line, for monitoring a current value of the main line.
2. The power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the
main line distributes power to sections of a structure via
the main line which is wired to pass through each section of
the structure; and the current sensors are provided at
respective section of the structure to monitor the current
value of the main line in each section of the structure.
3. The power distribution system of claim 2, further
comprising a protection unit for protecting, when any of the
current sensors detects a current value greater than a
predetermined value, the main line from an overcurrent by
limiting power consumption of a section adjacent to the
section where the current sensor that has detected the
overcurrent is installed.
4. The power distribution system of claim 2, further
comprising a protection unit for protecting, when any of the
current sensors detects a current value greater than a
predetermined value, the main line from an overcurrent by
shutting down a specific breaker provided at a section
adjacent to the section where the current sensor that has
detected the overcurrent is installed.
5. The power distribution system of any one of claims 2 to
4, wherein surplus power is transmitted and received between
the sections of the structure.
6. A protection method of a main line of a power
distribution system for distributing power to each section
of a structure via the main line which is wired to pass
through each section of the structure, comprising:
monitoring a current value of the main line in each
section of the structure; and
limiting power consumption of a section adjacent to a
section where the current value greater than a predetermined
value is monitored.
7. A protection method of a main line of a power
distribution system for distributing power to each section
of a structure via the main line which is wired to pass
through each section of the structure, comprising:
monitoring a current value of the main line in each
section of the structure; and
shutting down a specific breaker provided at a section.

ABSTRACT

A power distribution system distributes power to each
section of a building via a main line which is wired to pass
through each section of the building. The power
distribution system is equipped with a plurality of sensors
which are provided at each section of the building and which
monitor the current value of the main line in the respective
sections.