Method for predicting arc flash energy and PPE category within a real-time monitoring system

• US 9,111,057 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2014
• Issued: 08/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Power Analytics Corporation (PAC Global, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Power Analytics Corporation (PAC Global, Inc.)
• Inventors: Radibratovic, Branislav, Nasle, Ali
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivas, Omar Fernandez
• Assistant Examiner(s): CALLE, ANGEL J.
• Application Number:
  US14/496,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20150012254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• Field of Search: 703/2, 703/4, 703/18
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/048 using a predictor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 17/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/10 Complex mathematical operations function generation by table look-up G06F1/03; evaluation of elementary functions by calculation G06F7/544
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2111/02 CAD in a network environment, e.g. collaborative CAD or distributed simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2111/10 Numerical modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/20 Design optimisation, verification or simulation optimisation, verification or simulation of circuit designs G06F30/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/367 Design verification, e.g. using simulation, simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis [SPICE], direct methods or relaxation methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06G 7/63 for power apparatus, e.g. motors, or supply distribution networks for control systems of electric power apparatus G06G7/66
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 7/00 Computing arrangements based on specific mathematical models
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 1/0015 Using arc detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2203/20 Simulating, e g planning, reliability check, modelling or computer assisted design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation

Abstract

A method for simulating an arc flash event on an electrical power system is disclosed. The virtual system model of the electrical system is modified to introduce a short circuiting feature. The standard to supply equations used in the arc flash event calculations is chosen. The arc flash event is simulated using the modified virtual system model in accordance with the chosen standard. The quantity of arc energy released by the arc flash event is calculated using results from the simulation. The report that forecasts an aspect of the arc flash event is communicated.

Claims

1. A method for simulating an arc flash event on an electrical power system, comprising:

comparing a virtual system model of the electrical power system with a real-time of the electrical power system in real-time based on real-time data from the electrical power system;

synchronizing a virtual system model with a real-time model when a difference between the real-time data and predicted data from the virtual system model exceeds a threshold;

modifying a virtual system model of the electrical power system to introduce a short circuiting feature to an uninterrupted power supply bypass circuit branch;

simulating the arc flash event utilizing the modified virtual system model;

calculating a quantity of arc energy released by the arc flash event using results from the simulation; and

communicating a report that forecasts an aspect of the arc flash event.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a standard having equations for applying in the arc flash event calculations.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the standard applied is IEEE 1584.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the arc flash event is an alternating current arc flash event.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying an equipment classification for a protective device impacted by the arc flash event.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the standard applied is NFPA 70E.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the calculation of the quantity of arc energy released includes:

determining bolted fault current values for the electrical system;

determining a system voltage level for the electrical system;

identifying an equipment classification for a protective device impacted by the arc flash event;

predicting the required PPE level as per Table 130.7(C)(9)(a) of NFPA 70E.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the forecasted aspect is an arc flash protection boundary around a component within the electrical system.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the component is a protective device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the protective device is selected from the group consisting of a circuit breaker, a fuse, and a relay.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the forecasted aspect is a level of personal protective equipment (PPE) to be worn by personnel operating around components of the electrical system.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the level of PPE is based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E classification categories.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the NFPA 70E classification categories are selected from a group consisting of Category 0, Category 1, Category 2, Category 3, and Category 4.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein Category 0 denotes that the PPE must withstand minimum incident energy of 1.2 Cal/cm².

15. The method of claim 13, wherein Category 1 denotes that the PPE must withstand minimum incident energy of 4 Cal/cm².

16. The method of claim 13, wherein Category 2 denotes that the PPE must withstand minimum incident energy of 8 Cal/cm².

17. The method of claim 13, wherein Category 3 denotes that the PPE must withstand minimum incident energy of 25 Cal/cm².

18. The method of claim 13, wherein Category 4 denotes that the PPE must withstand minimum incident energy of 40 Cal/cm².

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the report is communicated using graphics and/or text on a display.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the report is communicated by way of synthesized speech generated by a client terminal device.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating arc flash labels displaying the forecasted aspect.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying where the arc flash event is occurring within the electric power system while the arc flash event is analyzed.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a visual image illustrating the difference between the real-time data and the predicted data.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising reporting the arc flash event and results of comparing the virtual system model and the real-time data to a remote computer device.