Electrical power distribution system

• US 20060072271A1
• Filed: 10/05/2005
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 2D2C, Inc..
• Original Assignee: OFI Inc.
• Inventors: Montgomery, Steve, Jones, Nicolas, Baker, Gregory, Simpson, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 8,000,074 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/93.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7039 the coupling part with coding means activating the switch to establish different circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7135 with ground fault protector H01R13/7132 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 1/0015 Using arc detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/006 Calibration or setting of parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/08 responsive to excess current responsive to abnormal temperature caused by excess current H02H5/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

An electrical power distribution system for connecting an electrical device to a source of electrical power and disconnecting the electrical device therefrom. The system includes a PCD tag associated with the electrical device, and a PCD reader associated with a receptacle electrically connectable to the source of electrical power. The PCD tag has a PCD tag memory in which data related to the electrical device is stored in a format readable by the PCD reader, the data including an electrical device load rating. The system also has a switch device for connecting and disconnecting the receptacle to the power source. In addition, the system has a measuring device for measuring actual load and a control circuit for comparing actual load to the electrical device load rating. The control circuit provides a disconnect signal to the switch device upon the actual load exceeding the electrical device load rating.

Claims

1. An electrical power distribution system for connecting an electrical device to a source of electrical power and disconnecting the electrical device therefrom, the system comprising:

a PCD tag associated with the electrical device;

a PCD reader associated with at least one receptacle electrically connectable to the source of electrical power, said at least one receptacle being adapted to receive a plug electrically connected to the electrical device;

the PCD tag comprising a PCD tag memory in which data related to the electrical device is stored in a format readable by the PCD reader, said data comprising an electrical device load rating for the electrical device;

at least one switch device for connecting said at least one receptacle to the power source and for disconnecting said at least one receptacle from the power source upon receipt of a disconnect signal;

at least one measuring device for measuring actual load presented through said at least one receptacle by the electrical device; and

a control circuit adapted to compare said actual load to said electrical device load rating, and to provide the disconnect signal to said at least one switch device upon said actual load exceeding said electrical device load rating.

2. A system according to claim 1 in which, upon disconnection of said at least one receptacle, said at least one receptacle is in a disconnected condition in which said at least one receptacle is not connectable to the source of electrical power until said at least one receptacle is converted to a reset condition, in which said at least one receptacle is connectable to the source of electrical power.

3. A system according to claim 2 in which removal of the plug from said at least one receptacle converts said at least one receptacle to the reset condition.

4. A system according to claim 1 in which said disconnect signal is provided to said at least one switch device upon the control circuit determining that said actual load exceeds said electrical device load rating over a predetermined time period.

5. A system according to claim 1 in which said at least one receptacle has a maximum receptacle load rating and the control circuit is adapted to compare said actual load to each of said electrical device load rating and said maximum receptacle load rating, and to provide the disconnect signal to said at least one switch device upon said actual load exceeding either said electrical device load rating or said maximum receptacle load rating.

6. A system according to claim 1 additionally comprising:

at least one outlet, said at least one outlet comprising said at least one receptacle, said at least one outlet having a maximum outlet load rating; and

the control circuit being adapted to compare said actual load to each of said electrical device load rating and said maximum outlet load rating, and to provide the disconnect signal to said at least one switch device upon said actual load exceeding either said electrical device load rating or said maximum outlet load rating.

7. A system according to claim 1 additionally comprising:

at least one outlet, said at least one outlet comprising said at least one receptacle, said at least one outlet having a maximum outlet load rating;

said at least one receptacle being electrically connected with a plurality of electrical devices; and

the control circuit being adapted to compare said actual total load to said maximum outlet load rating, and to provide the disconnect signal to said at least one switch device upon said actual total load exceeding said maximum outlet load rating.

8. A system according to claim 1 in which:

said data in the PCD tag memory comprises a dynamic load profile for the electrical device;

the control circuit compares said actual load over a preselected time period with the dynamic load profile to determine whether said actual load exceeds the dynamic load profile by at least a preselected extent during the preselected time period; and

the control circuit is adapted to provide the disconnect signal to said at least one switch device upon determining that said actual load exceeds the dynamic load profile by at least the preselected extent during the preselected time period.

9. A system according to claim 1 in which:

said data in the PCD tag memory comprises preselected acceptable arc characteristics of the electrical device;

the system additionally comprises a source path circuit, the source path circuit comprising the electrical device and electrical conductors electrically connected between the electrical device and the source of electrical power;

the system additionally comprises an arc fault indicator circuit associated with said at least one receptacle, for detecting actual arcing activity in the source path circuit;

the control circuit is adapted to compare said actual arcing activity over a preselected arcing time period with said preselected acceptable arc characteristics to determine whether said actual arcing activity exceeds the preselected acceptable arc characteristics by at least a preselected margin during the preselected arcing time period; and

the control circuit is adapted to provide the disconnect signal to said at least one switch device upon determining that said actual arcing activity exceeds the preselected acceptable arc characteristics by at least the predetermined margin during the preselected arcing time period.

10. A system according to claim 1 in which:

said data in the PCD tag memory comprises safety certification data;

the control circuit is adapted to compare said safety certification data with predetermined certification data, and to provide a connect signal to said at least one switch device upon determining that said safety certification data matches with at least a preselected portion of said predetermined certification data; and

said connection signal causes said at least one switch device to connect said at least one receptacle with the source of electrical power.

11. A system according to claim 1 in which the PCD tag is programmable by the control circuit.

12. A system according to claim 1 in which the control circuit writes selected data to the PCD tag memory.

13. A system according to claim 12 in which said selected data is based upon at least one performance characteristic of the electrical device.

14. A system according to claim 1 in which the PCD tag memory is at least partially erasable by the control circuit, such that the PCD tag is in an unprogrammed condition.

15. A system according to claim 14 in which the PCD tag is reprogrammable by the control circuit to provide a new load rating for the electrical device based on actual load consumed by the electrical device.

16. A system according to claim 1 additionally including a command card adapted to provide at least one command signal readable by the PCD reader, said at least one command signal being transmitted to the control circuit from the PCD reader.

17. A system according to claim 16 in which the command card provides said at least one command signal upon the command card being located within a predetermined distance from the PCD reader.

18. A system according to claim 16 in which said at least one command signal causes said at least one receptacle to be connected to the source of electrical power and enabled for a preselected enablement time period.

19. A system according to claim 16 in which said at least one command signal causes data in the PCD tag memory to be erased, such that the PCD tag is in an unprogrammed condition.

20. A system according to claim 16 in which said at least one programming command signal causes the PCD tag to be programmed by the control circuit to provide a predetermined load rating for the electrical device based on actual load consumed by the electrical device.

21. A system according to claim 1 additionally comprising a night light.

22. A system according to claim 16 additionally comprising a night light activatable by said at least one command signal.

23. A system according to claim 16 in which said at least one receptacle is convertible by said at least one command signal between a locked condition, in which said at least one receptacle is not connectable to the power source, and an unlocked condition, in which said at least one receptacle is connectable to the power source.

24. A system according to claim 1 additionally comprising:

a ground fault detector circuit for detecting a ground fault; and

the ground fault detector circuit being adapted to provide the disconnect signal to said at least one switch device upon detection of the ground fault.

25. A system according to claim 1 additionally comprising:

a detector for detecting at least one power fault in the electrical power provided to said at least one receptacle; and

the detector being adapted to provide the disconnect signal to said at least one switch device upon detection of said at least one power fault.

26. A system according to claim 25 additionally comprising a means for delaying connection of said at least one receptacle to the source of electrical power for a selected time period after disconnection due to detection of a power fault.

27. A system according to claim 26 in which said selected time period is selected within a predetermined range based on data in the PCD tag memory read by the PCD reader.

28. A system according to claim 26 in which said selected time period is selected within a predetermined range based on data in the control circuit.

29. A system according to claim 26 in which said selected time period is randomly selected from a predetermined range.

30. A system according to claim 26 in which said selected time period is systematically selected from a predetermined range.

31. A system according to claim 26 in which said selected time period is selected by a central controller such that connection of said at least one receptacle to the source of electrical power is sequential relative to connection of one or more other receptacles to the power source.

32. A system according to claim 25 in which said data in the PCD tag memory includes minimum acceptable power quality characteristics for the electrical device and said at least one switch device connects said at least one receptacle to the source of electrical power upon the control circuit determining that said minimum acceptable power quality characteristics are satisfied over a predetermined power quality test period.

33. A system according to claim 1 additionally comprising:

a memory storage means associated with said at least one receptacle in which receptacle data related to said at least one receptacle is stored in readable format; and

a means for communication with the memory storage means and the PCD tag, said means being adapted for reading data from said PCD tag memory and for reading said receptacle data.

34. A system according to claim 33 in which said means for communication is adapted for erasing said data in said PCD tag memory.

35. A system according to claim 33 in which said means for communication is adapted for erasing said data in said PCD tag memory and reprogramming said PCD tag memory.

36. A system according to claim 1 in which:

a plurality of electrical devices are electrically connected to said at least one outlet, said at least one outlet comprising said at least one receptacle;

said at least one outlet has a maximum outlet load rating;

said at least one measuring device measures actual total load presented through said at least one outlet by said plurality of electrical devices; and

the control circuit is adapted to compare said actual total load to said maximum outlet load rating, and to provide the disconnect signal to said at least one switch device upon said actual total load exceeding said maximum outlet load rating.

37. A system according to claim 1 in which:

a plurality of electrical devices are electrically connected to at least one outlet, each said electrical device having a respective electrical device load rating;

said at least one outlet comprising said at least one receptacle;

said at least one measuring device measures actual load presented through said at least one outlet by each said electrical device respectively; and

the control circuit is adapted to compare said actual load presented by each said electrical device respectively to said respective electrical device load rating for each said electrical device, and to provide the disconnect signal to said at least one switch device upon said actual load consumed by each said electrical device respectively exceeding said respective electrical device load rating for each said electrical device.

38. An electrical power distribution system for connecting a plurality of electrical devices to a source of electrical power, the system comprising:

a plurality of outlets, each said outlet comprising at least one receptacle;

each said receptacle being adapted to receive a plug electrically connected to each said electrical device;

each said electrical device having a PCD tag associated therewith;

each said outlet having a PCD reader associated therewith;

each said PCD tag comprising a PCD tag memory in which data related to each said electrical device respectively is stored in a format readable by each said PCD reader respectively, said data comprising an electrical device load rating for each said electrical device respectively;

each said outlet comprising at least one switch device for connecting each said outlet to the power source and for disconnecting each said outlet from the power source upon receipt of a disconnect signal;

each said outlet comprising at least one measuring device for measuring actual load presented through each said outlet respectively by said electrical devices connected to each said outlet respectively; and

each said outlet comprising a control circuit adapted to compare such actual load to said electrical device load rating for each said electrical device connected with each outlet respectively, and to provide the disconnect signal to at least one switch device upon said actual load exceeding said electrical device load rating.

39. A system according to claim 38 additionally comprising:

a detector associated with each said outlet, for detecting at least one power fault in the electrical power provided to each said outlet respectively; and

the detector being adapted to provide the disconnect signal to said at least one switch device in each said outlet respectively upon detection of said at least one power fault.

40. A system according to claim 39 additionally comprising a means for delaying connection of each said outlet to the source of electrical power for a selected time period after disconnection due to detection of a power fault.

41. A system according to claim 40 in which said selected time period is selected by a central controller such that connection of each said receptacle to the source of electrical power is sequential.

42. A plug electrically connectable to an electrical device, the plug being receivable in at least one receptacle and electrically connectable therewith, the plug comprising a PCD tag comprising a PCD tag memory in which data related to the electrical device is stored in a format readable by a PCD reader associated with said at least one receptacle.

43. A PCD tag associated with an electrical device, the PCD tag comprising a PCD tag memory in which data related to the electrical device is stored in a format readable by a PCD reader associated with said at least one receptacle.

45. A PCD tag according to claim 43 located in an adaptor which is positionable between the receptacle and a plug electrically connected to the electrical device, said adaptor being adapted for electrically connecting the electrical device to the receptacle via said plug.

46. A PCD tag according to claim 43 secured to a plug receivable in the receptacle.

47. A PCD tag according to claim 46 in which the plug is electrically connected to an electric cord adapted for electrically connecting the electrical device to the plug.

48. A PCD tag according to claim 43 which is incorporated within a body of the plug.

49. A PCD tag according to claim 43 adapted to be attached to the plug.

44. A PCD tag according to claim 44 positionable relative to said at least one receptacle in a predetermined position to permit the PCD reader to read said data in said PCD tag memory.

50. An outlet for connecting at least one electrical device to a source of electrical power and disconnecting said at least one electrical device therefrom, the outlet comprising:

at least one receptacle electrically connectable to the source of the electrical power, said at least one receptacle being adapted to receive a plug electrically connected to said at least one electrical device, said at least one electrical device having a PCD tag associated therewith, the PCD tag comprising a PCD tag memory in which data related to said at least one electrical device is stored, said data comprising an electrical device load rating for said at least one electrical device;

at least one switch device for connecting said at least one receptacle to the power source and for disconnecting said at least one receptacle from the power source upon receipt of a disconnect signal;

a control circuit;

a measuring device for measuring actual load presented through said at least one receptacle by said at least one electrical device, and for communicating said measured actual load to the control circuit;

a PCD reader for reading at least a portion of said data and communicating said portion to the control circuit, said portion including said electrical device load rating; and

the control circuit being adapted to compare said actual load to said electrical device load rating, and to provide the disconnect signal to said at least one switch device upon said actual load exceeding said electrical device load rating.

51. A PCD reader associated with said at least one receptacle electrically connectable to a source of electrical power, said at least one receptacle being adapted to receive a plug electrically connected to an electrical device, said at least one receptacle having a maximum receptacle load rating;

the PCD reader being adapted to read data in a PCD tag memory in a PCD tag associated with the electrical device, said data comprising an electrical device load rating; and

the PCD reader being adapted to communicate said data to a control circuit associated with said at least one receptacle.

52. An electrical power distribution system for connecting an electrical device to a source of electrical power and disconnecting the electrical device therefrom, the system comprising:

a PCD tag associated with the electrical device;

a PCD reader associated with at least one receptacle electrically connectable to the source of electrical power, said at least one receptacle being adapted to receive a plug electrically connected to the electrical device;

the PCD tag comprising a PCD tag memory in which data related to the electrical device is stored in a format readable by the PCD reader, said data comprising an electrical device current rating for the electrical device;

at least one switch device for connecting said at least one receptacle to the power source and for disconnecting said at least one receptacle from the power source upon receipt of a disconnect signal;

a measuring device for measuring actual current drawn from said at least one receptacle by the electrical device; and

a control circuit adapted to compare said actual load to said electrical device load rating, and to provide the disconnect signal to said at least one switch device upon said actual current exceeding said electrical device load rating.