Method and apparatus for preventing overloads of power distribution networks

• US 9,048,688 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2011
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Spitaels, James S., Rasmussen, Neil
• Primary Examiner(s): Shechtman, Sean
• Assistant Examiner(s): GARLAND, STEVEN R
• Application Number:
  US12/983,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20110301773A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,611 Days
• Field of Search: 700/295, 700/296, 713/300, 713/340, 713/310, 713/320, 713/323, 702/62, 307/35, 307/39
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/40 The network being an on-board power network, i.e. within a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• 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 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/244 the home appliances being or involving heating ventilating and air conditioning [HVAC] units

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring power in power distribution systems are provided. In one aspect, a system for monitoring power includes a power monitoring device that measures a value of at least one characteristic of power provided to a branch of a power distribution system. The power monitoring device includes an output that provides the value measured. The system further includes a controller having an input to receive the value measured and an output that couples to a first device powered by the branch to send a maximum power signal to the first device to command the first device to operate at a percentage of maximum power.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring and controlling a power distribution system that has a plurality of circuit branches for providing power to a plurality of devices, the system comprising:

a control module configured to;

control a first device on a first circuit branch to increase power draw to operate at a predetermined percentage of maximum power, wherein the predetermined percentage of maximum power is less than 100%;

detect a first value for a characteristic;

of power provided to the first circuit branch using a first power monitoring device;

control a second device on a second circuit branch to increase power draw to operate at a predetermined percentage of maximum power;

detect a second value for a characteristic of power provided to the second circuit branch using a second power monitoring device;

add the first value to the second value to obtain a total value;

compare the total value to an overload value to detect an overload condition; and

indicate

an alarm condition when the total value exceeds the overload value.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to control the first device to operate at less than the predetermined percentage of maximum power when the second device is controlled to operate at the predetermined percentage of maximum power.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module is further configured to:

communicate with the first device and the second device over a first communications network; and

communicate with power monitoring devices over a second communications network.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module is further configured to:

detect when an uninterruptible power supply is operating in a battery mode; and

control at least one of the plurality of devices to operate in a reduced power mode upon detection of the battery mode.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module is further configured to:

receive a signal indicative of air temperature at a plurality of locations within a facility;

compare at least one value of air temperature measured with a predetermined value to detect an over temperature condition; and

control at least one of the plurality of devices to operate in a reduced power mode upon detection of the over temperature condition.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module is further configured to:

control the first device and the second device to simultaneously operate at the predetermined percentage of maximum level;

determine a combined maximum power draw for the first circuit branch and the second circuit branch; and

compare the measured combined maximum draw with the total overload value.