Coupling capacitor having an integrated connecting cable

• US 6,255,935 B1
• Filed: 09/13/1999
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ABB Power Grids Switzerland AG (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: ABB Research Ltd. (ABB Ltd.)
• Inventors: Doser, Bernhard, Rhyner, Jakob, Lehmann, Josef, Postma, Ate
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/394,901
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.07, 340/310.01, 340/310.03, 340/310.08, 340/310.05, 333/24.R, 333/24.C, 333/24.2, 375/259
• US Class Current: 307/3
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5425 improving S/N by matching impedance, noise reduction, gain control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5466 using three phases conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

The invention relates to a simplified and cost-effective apparatus for injecting signals into electrical power lines at the high-voltage or medium-voltage level. A coupling unit which is simple to assemble and is protected against direct contact is proposed, in which the connecting cable 9 is integrated in the housing 10 of the coupling capacitor 8. In the region where the conductor 20 passes through the grounded housing 10 of the coupling capacitor 8, the electrical field is reduced by means of the housing wall having a special shape 10a. A smooth field distribution is achieved by suitable rounding of the formed region 10a which is provided for the insertion of the connecting cable 9.

Claims

1. An apparatus for capacitive injection of communication signals into a phase conductor of an electrical power line of a medium-voltage or high-voltage network, comprising:

a) a coupling capacitor in a grounded housing and

b) a connecting cable having a first conductor and a conductor shield, wherein the first conductor is connected to a point on a phase conductor of the electrical power line, wherein

c) the first conductor is routed into the interior of the grounded housing and is connected to the coupling capacitor, and wherein

d) the conductor shield of the connecting cable is conductively connected to the grounded housing.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, for field control, the grounded housing has a formed region which is formed essentially rotationally symmetrically around the connecting cable.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the formed region tapers continuously toward the outside.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein a radius of curvature at each point in the formed region and in a plane containing the first conductor is not less than a minimum radius of curvature of 0.5 centimeters.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the interior of the grounded housing is potted and/or foam-filled with an electrically insulating material.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductor shield of the connecting cable comprises an inner conductive layer and an outer conductive layer wherein the outer conductive layer is in contact with the grounded housing via a ground connection.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling capacitor is a dry capacitor.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a signal transformer is likewise accommodated in the housing.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is arranged in the interior of a power distribution installation.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the coupling capacitor is a foil capacitor.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the coupling capacitor is a ceramic capacitor.

12. A power distribution installation comprising an apparatus for capacitive injection of communication signals into a phase conductor of an electrical power line of a medium-voltage or high-voltage network,

wherein the apparatus is arranged in an interior of the power distribution installation, and

wherein the apparatus comprises a coupling capacitor in a grounded housing and a connecting cable having a first conductor and a conductor shield, wherein the first conductor is connected to a point on a phase conductor of the electrical power line, wherein the first conductor is routed into the interior of the grounded housing and is connected to the coupling capacitor, and wherein the conductor shield of the connecting cable is conductively connected to the grounded housing.