Excitation inrush-current suppression system

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2012-273555, filed Dec. 14, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a magnetization inrush-current suppression system for suppressing a magnetization inrush current which is generated when a transformer is powered on.

As is commonly known, a large excitation inrush current flows when excitation is performed by supplying power under no load in the state where a magnetic flux remains about an iron core of a transformer. The excitation inrush current is several times greater than the rated load current of the transformer. When such a large excitation inrush current flows, a system voltage fluctuates. If the voltage fluctuation is great, the change influences consumers.

According to a known method for suppressing an excitation inrush current, when a transformer is disconnected from the power supplies, a residual magnetic flux is calculated from a voltage signal on the primary side of a transformer, and a breaker of a reference phase is closed at the timing when a prospective magnetic flux of the reference phase and the residual magnetic flux correspond to each other. Thereafter, the remaining two breakers are closed by causing a delay to minimize a difference between a prospective magnetic flux of another phase and the residual magnetic flux.

However, in a system configuration such as 1½ (one and half) bus configuration which enables a transformer to connect to power supplies by two breakers, which of the two breakers disconnects the transformer from the power supply or connects the transformer to the power supply cannot be known beforehand. Therefore, there is a difficulty in closing the two breakers in phases which suppress an excitation inrush current.

There are relevant prior-art literatures as follows.

Patent Document 1: Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2009-99347 Patent Document 2: Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2010-4686 Non-Patent Document 1: John H. Brunke et al., “Elimination of Transformer Inrush Currents by Controlled Switching—Part I: Theoretical Considerations”, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, IEEE, April 2001, Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 276 to 280

Under the circumstances as described above, there is a demand for providing an excitation inrush-current suppression system capable of suppressing an excitation inrush current to be generated when a transformer is connected to power supplies in a system configuration which enables the transformer to connect to the power supplies through two breakers.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an excitation inrush-current suppression system according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a waveform chart showing changes of phase voltages of a transformer from the power-off of the transformer to the power-on of the transformer by a first breaker according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a waveform chart showing changes of residual magnetic fluxes of an iron core of the transformer from the power-off of the transformer to the power-on of the transformer by the first breaker according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a waveform chart showing changes of breaker currents which flow through the first breaker from the power-off of the transformer to the power-on of the transformer by the first breaker, according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a configuration of an excitation inrush-current suppression system according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 shows a configuration of an excitation inrush-current suppression system according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In general, according to one embodiment, there is provided an excitation-inrush-current suppression system which suppresses an excitation inrush current of a transformer connected through a first breaker to a first power supply and connected through a second breaker to a second power supply.

The excitation-inrush-current suppression system comprises:

a transformer-voltage measurement unit configured to measure three-phase alternating-current voltages of the transformer;

a transformer power-off detection unit configured to detect that the transformer is disconnected from the power supplies;

a residual magnetic flux calculation unit configured to calculate residual magnetic fluxes of three phases of the transformer, based on the three-phase alternating-current voltages measured by the transformer-voltage measurement unit, when the transformer is detected to be disconnected from the power supplies by the transformer power-off detection unit;

a first power-supply-voltage measurement unit configured to measure three-phase alternating-current voltages of the first power supply;

a first closing unit configured to close a specific phase of the three phases of the first breaker at a first closing phase for suppressing an excitation inrush current, the specific phase being either a phase having a maximum absolute value or a minimum absolute value among the residual magnetic fluxes of the three phases, based on the residual magnetic fluxes of the three phases of the transformer calculated by the residual magnetic flux calculation unit and the three-phase alternating-current voltages of the first power supply measured by the first power-supply-voltage measurement unit;

a second closing unit configured to close two phases other than the specific phase of the first breaker, at a second closing phase for suppressing an excitation inrush current, after closing the specific phase of the first breaker by the first closing unit;

a second power-supply-voltage measurement unit configured to measure three-phase alternating-current voltages of the second power supply;

a third closing unit configured to close a specific phase of the three phases of the second breaker at a third closing phase for suppressing an excitation inrush current, the specific phase being either a phase having a maximum absolute value or a minimum absolute value among the residual magnetic fluxes of the three phases, based on the residual magnetic fluxes of the three phases of the transformer calculated by the residual magnetic flux calculation unit and the three-phase alternating-current voltages of the second power supply measured by the second power-supply-voltage measurement unit; and

a fourth closing unit configured to close two phases other than the specific phase of the second breaker, at a fourth closing phase for suppressing an excitation inrush current, after closing the specific phase of the second breaker by the third closing unit.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an excitation inrush-current suppression system 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention. Components which are common to the following figures will be denoted by common reference signs, respectively. Detailed descriptions of those components will be omitted and only components which differ among the figures will be described below.

An excitation inrush-current suppression system 1 is applied to a power system having a 1½ (one and half) bus configuration.

The excitation inrush-current suppression system 1 comprises two power supply buses 2 a and 2 b , three breakers 3 a , 3 b , and 3 c , two sets of power-supply-voltage detectors 5 Ua, 5 Va, and 5 Wa, and 5 Ub, 5 Vb, and 5 Wb for three phases, a transformer 7 , transformer terminal-voltage detectors 8 U, 8 V, and 8 W for three phases, and two excitation inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a and 9 b.

The first power supply bus 2 a and the second power supply bus 2 b are buses of a power system comprising a power supply of a three-phase alternating current having a U phase, a V phase, and a W phase.

A primary side of the transformer 7 is connected to the first power supply bus 2 a through the first breaker 3 a and the third breaker 3 c and also connected to the second power supply bus 2 b through the second breaker 3 b . Loads are connected between the first breaker 3 a and the third breaker 3 c . The transformer 7 is applied with no load when powered on. Hereinafter, the third breaker 3 c is assumed to be constantly closed unless otherwise mentioned.

The transformer 7 is a three-phase transformer comprising three coils, which transforms three-phase alternating-current voltages. The transformer 7 comprises a primary coil 701 , a secondary coil 702 , and a tertiary coil 703 . The primary coil 701 and the secondary coil 702 are Y-connected. The tertiary coil 703 is Δ-connected. Neutral points of the primary coil 701 and the secondary coil 702 are grounded.

The first breaker 3 a is a breaker which operates each of main contacts 31 Ua, 31 Va, and 31 Wa for the U phase, V phase, and W phase. The first breaker 3 a is provided with auxiliary switches 32 Ua, 32 Va, and 32 Wa which operate in association with opening/closing statuses of the main contacts 31 Ua, 31 Va, and 31 Wa. Auxiliary switches 32 Ua to 32 Wa each output an auxiliary switch signal indicating an opening status or a closing status of each of respectively corresponding contact points 31 Ua to 31 Wa, to each of two excitation inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a and 9 b . By closing the first breaker 3 a when the second breaker 3 b is open, the transformer 7 is powered on through the first power supply bus 2 a . By opening the first breaker 3 a when the second breaker 3 b is open, the transformer 7 is disconnected from the power supplies.

The second breaker 3 b is a breaker which operates each of main contacts 31 Ub, 31 Vb, and 31 Wb for the U phase, V phase, and W phase. The second breaker 3 b is provided with auxiliary switches 32 Ub, 32 Vb, and 32 Wb which operate in association with opening/closing statuses of the main contacts 31 Ub, 31 Vb, and 31 Wb. Auxiliary switches 32 Ub, 32 Vb, and 32 Wb each output an auxiliary switch signal indicating an opening status or a closing status of each of respectively corresponding main contacts 31 Ub, 31 Vb, and 31 Wb, to each of the two excitation inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a and 9 b . By closing the second breaker 3 b when the first breaker 3 a is open, the transformer 7 is powered on through the second power supply bus 2 a . By opening the second breaker 3 b when the first breaker 3 a is open, the transformer 7 is disconnected from the power supplies.

First power-supply voltage detectors 5 Ua, 5 Va, and 5 Wa are provided for the respective phases (U phase, V phase, W phase) of the first power supply bus 2 a . The first power-supply voltage detectors 5 Ua, 5 Va, and 5 Wa are devices used for meters to measure phase voltages (voltage to ground) of the respective phases of the first power supply bus 2 a . The first power-supply voltage detector 5 Ua, 5 Va, and 5 Wa are, for example, voltage dividers such as voltage transformers (VT) used for meters or a capacitance potential device (PD). The first power-supply voltage detectors 5 Ua, 5 Va, and 5 Wa are connected between the respective phases of the first power supply bus 2 a and the ground. The first power-supply voltage detectors 5 Ua, 5 Va, and 5 Wa output detected values as detection signals to the first excitation inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a.

Second power-supply voltage detectors 5 Ub, 5 Vb, and 5 Wb are provided for the respective phases (U phase, V phase, and W phase) of the second power supply bus 2 b . The second power-supply voltage detectors 5 Ub, 5 Vb, and 5 Wa are devices used for meters to measure phase voltages of the respective phases of the first power supply bus 2 b . Power-supply voltage detectors 5 Ub, 5 Vb, and 5 Wb are, for example, voltage dividers such as voltage transformers or capacitance potential devices. The second power-supply voltage detectors 5 Ub, 5 Vb, and 5 Wb are connected between the respective phases of the first power supply bus 2 b and the ground. The second power-supply voltage detectors 5 Ub, 5 Vb, and 5 Wb output detected values as detection signals to the second excitation inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b.

The transformer-terminal voltage detectors 8 U, 8 V, and 8 W are voltage transformers to measure the phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw of respective terminals (U phase, V phase, and W phase) on the primary side of the transformer 7 . The transformer-terminal voltage detectors 8 U, 8 V, and 8 W are, for example, voltage dividers such as voltage transformers or capacitance potential devices. The transformer-terminal voltage detectors 8 U, 8 V, and 8 W are provided for each of the respective phases of the primary terminal of the transformer 7 . The transformer-terminal voltages detectors 8 U, 8 V, and 8 W output detected values as detection signals to the first excitation inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a and second excitation inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b.

The first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a outputs close commands to the main contacts 31 Ua, 31 Va, and 31 Wa of the respective phases of the first breaker 3 a , based on the detection signals received from the first power-supply voltage detectors 5 Ua, 5 Va, and 5 Wa and the transformer-terminal voltage detectors 8 U, 8 V, and 8 W. In this manner, the first breaker 3 a is closed.

The second excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b outputs close commands to the main contacts 31 Ub, 31 Vb, and 31 Wb of the respective phases of the second breaker 3 b , based on the detection signals received from the first power-supply voltage detectors 5 Ub, 5 Vb, and 5 Wb and the transformer-terminal voltage detectors 8 U, 8 V, and 8 W. In this manner, the second breaker 3 b is closed.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 , configurations of the excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a and 9 b will now be described.

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 show statuses from the power-off of the transformer 7 to the power-on of the transformer 7 by the first breaker 3 a . FIG. 2 is a waveform chart showing changes of phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw of the transformer 7 . FIG. 3 is a waveform chart showing changes of residual magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw of the transformer 7 . FIG. 4 is a waveform chart showing changes of breaker currents Iu, Iv, and Iw which flow through the first breaker 3 a . A time t 0 indicates a power-off time (the time point when the breaker 3 is opened) of the transformer 7 .

The configuration of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a will be described first.

The first excitation inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a comprises a power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 a , a transformer-voltage measurement unit 902 a , a residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a , a transformer power-off detection unit 904 a , a phase detection unit 905 a , and a close-command output unit 906 a.

The power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 a measures phase voltages V 1 u , V 1 v , and V 1 w of the first power supply bus 2 a , based on the detection signals detected by the first power-supply-voltage detectors 5 Ua, 5 Va, and 5 Wa. The power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 a outputs measured phase voltages V 1 u , V 1 v , and V 1 w to the phase detection unit 905 a.

The transformer-voltage measurement unit 902 a measures phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw on the primary side of the transformer 7 , based on the detection signals detected by the transformer-terminal voltage detectors 8 U, 8 V, and 8 W. The transformer-voltage measurement unit 902 a outputs measured phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw on the primary side of the transformer 7 , to the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a.

The transformer power-off detection unit 904 a receives the auxiliary switch signals output respectively from auxiliary switches 32 Ua, 32 Va, and 32 Wa of the first breaker 3 a and auxiliary switches 32 Ub, 32 Vb, and 32 Wb of the second breaker 3 b . The transformer power-off detection unit 904 a detects that the transformer 7 is disconnected from the power supplies (i.e., the first power supply bus 2 a and the second power supply bus 2 b ), based on the input auxiliary switch signals of the first breaker 3 a and the second breaker 3 b . Specifically, if the auxiliary switch signals of the first breaker 3 a and the second breaker 3 b indicate opened statuses, the transformer power-off detection unit 904 a determines that the transformer 7 is disconnected from the power supplies. When the transformer power-off detection unit 904 a detects that the transformer 7 is disconnected from the power supplies, the transformer power-off detection unit 904 a outputs a detection signal to the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a.

Alternatively, the transformer power-off detection unit 904 a may detect the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies, based on the auxiliary switch signals of the first breaker 3 a or second breaker 3 b and based on the phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw of the transformer. For example, if an auxiliary switch signal of the first breaker 3 a (or second breaker 3 b ) changes to indicate an opening status from a closing status and if phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw of the transformer 7 go to substantial zero, the transformer 7 may be determined to be disconnected from the power supplies.

The residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a integrates each of the phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw of U, V, and W phases after the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies by the first breaker 3 a , based on phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw measured by the transformer-voltage measurement unit 902 a , respectively. The residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a fixes integration values of the respective phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw at the time of detecting the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies (namely, opening of the first breaker 3 a or the second breaker 3 b ) by the transformer power-off detection unit 904 a . The residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a sets the fixed integration values as residual magnetic fluxes (phase magnetic fluxes on the primary side) φZu, φZv, and φZw of the iron core of the transformer 7 . The residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a outputs calculated magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw to the phase detection unit 905 a.

The magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw of the respective phases calculated by the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a and the phase voltages V 1 u , V 1 v , and V 1 w of the first power supply bus 2 a measured by the power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 a are input to the phase detection unit 905 a . The phase detection unit 905 a detects a specific phase, which is a phase having the maximum or minimum absolute value among the residual magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw of the respective phases. Alternatively, the phase detection unit 905 a may constantly take, as the specific phase, a phase having either the maximum or minimum absolute value.

If a phase having the maximum absolute value is taken as the specific phase, the phase detection unit 905 a detects the phase at a zero point at which the voltage of the specific phase changes from the same polarity as the residual magnetic flux of the specific phase to the opposite polarity, among the detected phase voltages V 1 u , V 1 v , and V 1 w of the first power supply bus 2 a . Otherwise, if a phase having the minimum absolute value is taken as the specific phase, the phase detection unit 905 a detects, as a target closing phase θc 1 , a phase at which the voltage of the specific phase is a wave height value, among the detected phase voltages V 1 u , V 1 v , and V 1 w of the first power supply bus 2 a . The phase detection unit 905 a outputs the detected specific phase and the target closing phase θc 1 to the close-command output unit 906 a.

Here, a reason for determining the target closing phase θc 1 described above will now be described below.

If the phase of a residual magnetic flux having a maximum absolute value is taken as the specific phase, the residual magnetic flux of the specific phase has a value near the wave height value. Further, a prospective magnetic flux which integrates a voltage is delayed by 90 degrees from the voltage. Accordingly, both the residual magnetic flux and prospective magnetic flux have values near a wave height value by closing the first breaker 3 a at a phase of a zero point at which the voltage of the specific phase changes from the same polarity as the residual magnetic flux to the opposite polarity. That is, a difference decreases between the residual magnetic flux of the specific phase and the prospective magnetic flux. Therefore, the excitation inrush current of the specific phase is suppressed.

If the phase of a residual magnetic flux having a minimum absolute value is taken as the specific phase, the residual magnetic flux of the specific phase has a value near the zero point. Accordingly, both the residual magnetic flux and the prospective magnetic flux have values near the zero point by closing the first breaker 3 a at a phase at which the voltage of the specific phase reaches the wave height value. That is, the difference decreases between the residual magnetic flux of a view phase and the prospective magnetic flux thereof. Therefore, the excitation inrush current of the specific phase is suppressed.

If the transformer 7 is powered on when the first breaker 3 a is closed (for example, if the first breaker 3 a is closed when the auxiliary switch signal of the second breaker 3 b indicates an opening status), the close-command output unit 906 a closes only the specific phase of the first breaker 3 a at the target closing phase θc 1 detected by the phase detection unit 905 a . After closing the specific phase of the first breaker 3 a , the close-command output unit 906 a closes the remaining two phases other than the specific phase of the first breaker 3 a at a target closing phase θc 2 . The target closing phase θc 2 is a phase at the zero point of the phase voltage of the specific phase after elapse of a preset time from the target closing phase θc 1 of the specific phase. By closing the remaining two phases other than the specific phase of the first breaker 3 a at the target closing phase θc 2 , the excitation inrush current which is generated at the time of closing these two phases is also suppressed.

If the transformer 7 is already powered on (for example, if the first breaker 3 a is closed when the auxiliary switch signal of the second breaker 3 b indicates an opening status), the close-command output unit 906 a closes only the first breaker 3 a with the first power-supply bus 2 a and the second power-supply bus 2 b synchronized with each other. In this case, the close-command output unit 906 a may close the first breaker 3 a in each of phases in any manner.

The close-command output unit 906 a outputs close commands to the operation mechanism to drive the main contact of a phase of the first breaker 3 a to be closed, based on the target closing phases θc 1 and θc 2 . In this manner, the main contact of the phase of the first breaker 3 a to be closed is closed.

If the phase of the residual magnetic flux having a maximum absolute value is taken as the specific phase, the absolute value of the residual magnetic flux of the U phase is the greatest in FIG. 3 . Therefore, the specific phase is the U phase. By closing the specific phase of the first breaker 3 a at the target closing phase θc 1 and by closing the remaining two phases other than the specific phase of the first breaker 3 a at the target closing phase θc 2 , as shown in FIG. 4 , the breaker currents (excitation inrush currents) Iu, Iv, and Iw of the respective phase are suppressed to about several ten ampere which is smaller than a rated current.

Next, the configuration of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b will now be described. Since the second excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b is configured in the same manner as the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a , descriptions will be mainly made of components different from the first excitation-inrush-current suppression 9 a.

The second excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b comprises a power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 b , a transformer-voltage measurement unit 902 b , a residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 b , a transformer power-off detection unit 904 b , a phase detection unit 905 b , and a close-command output unit 906 b.

The power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 b measures phase voltages V 2 u , V 2 v , and V 2 w of the first power supply bus 2 b , based on the detection signals detected by the second power-supply-voltage detectors 5 Ub, 5 Vb, and 5 Wb. The power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 b outputs measured phase voltages V 2 u , V 2 v , and V 2 w to the phase detection unit 905 b.

The transformer-voltage measurement unit 902 b measures phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw on the primary side of the transformer 7 , based on the detection signals detected by the transformer-terminal voltage detectors 8 U, 8 V, and 8 W, like the transformer-voltage measurement unit 902 a of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a . The transformer-voltage measurement unit 902 b outputs measured phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw on the primary side of the transformer 7 , to the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 b.

The transformer power-off detection unit 904 b detects the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies, based on auxiliary switch signals output respectively from auxiliary switches 32 Ua, 32 Va, and 32 Wa of the first breaker 3 a and auxiliary switches 32 Ub, 32 Vb, and 32 Wb of the second breaker 3 b , like the transformer power-off detection unit 904 a of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a . When the transformer power-off detection unit 904 b detects the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies, the transformer power-off detection unit 904 b then outputs a detection signal to the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 b.

The residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 b calculates residual magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw of the iron core of the transformer 7 , based on phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw measured by the transformer voltage measurement unit 902 b , like the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a . The residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 b outputs calculated magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw to the phase detection unit 905 b.

The phase detection unit 905 b detects a specific phase of the three phases and a target closing phase θc 1 , based on residual magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw, like the phase detection unit 905 a of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a . The phase detection unit 905 b outputs the detected specific phase and the target closing phase θc 1 to the close-command output unit 906 b.

If the transformer 7 is powered on when the second breaker 3 b is closed (for example, if the second breaker 3 b is closed when the auxiliary switch signal of the first breaker 3 a indicates an opening status), the close-command output unit 906 b closes the specific phase of the second breaker 3 b at the target closing phase θc 1 detected by the phase detection unit 905 b , and closes the remaining two phases other than the specific phase of the second breaker 3 b at the target closing phase θc 2 after elapse of a preset time, like the close-command output unit 906 a of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a.

In this manner, when the second breaker 3 b is closed by the second excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b , the excitation inrush current of the transformer 7 is suppressed, like the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a.

If the transformer 7 is already powered on (for example, if the second breaker 3 b is closed when the auxiliary switch signal of the first breaker 3 a indicates a closing status), the close-command output unit 906 b closes the second breaker 3 b , like the close-command output unit 906 a of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a.

According to the present embodiment, even with the system configuration which powers on the transformer 7 by the two breakers 3 a and 3 b , residual magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw can be calculated by the excitation inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a and 9 b provided respectively for the two breakers 3 a and 3 b , irrespective of an order of opening the breakers 3 a and 3 b . Accordingly, the excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a and 9 b can suppress the excitation inrush current of the transformer 7 to be generated when the transformer 7 is powered on, irrespective of whether the transformer 7 is disconnected from the power supplies by the breaker 3 a or 3 b.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 5 shows a configuration of an excitation-inrush-current suppression system 1 A according to the second embodiment of the invention.

In the excitation-inrush-current suppression system 1 A, the two excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a and 9 b in the excitation-inrush-current suppression system 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are respectively replaced with two excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a A and 9 b A. The two excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a A and 9 b A are connected through a transfer path for transferring data. The other features of the configuration are the same as those of the excitation-inrush-current suppression system 1 according to the first embodiment.

In the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a A, the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a , the transformer power-off detection unit 904 a , and the phase detection unit 905 a of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a in FIG. 1 are replaced respectively with a residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a A, a transformer power-off detection unit 904 a A, and a phase detection unit 905 a A. The other features of the configuration are the same as those of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a according to the first embodiment.

In the second excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b A, the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 b , the transformer power-off detection unit 904 b , and the phase detection unit 905 b of the second excitation inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b in FIG. 1 are replaced respectively with a residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 b A, a transformer power-off detection unit 904 b A, and a phase detection unit 905 b A. The other features of the configuration are the same as those of the second excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b according to the first embodiment.

The transformer power-off detection unit 904 a A of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a A receives auxiliary switch signals output from auxiliary switches 32 Ua, 32 Va, and 32 Wa of the first breaker 3 a . The transformer power-off detection unit 904 a A detects that the transformer 7 has been disconnected from the power supplies, based on the input auxiliary switch signal of the first breaker 3 a . Specifically, if the auxiliary switch signal of the first breaker 3 a changes to indicate an opening status from a closing status, the transformer power-off detection unit 904 a A detects the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies. At this time, even if the second breaker 3 b has been closed and if the transformer 7 has not been actually disconnected from the power supplies, the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies may be detected. Only if the transformer 7 is actually disconnected from the power supplies, the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies may be determined. When the transformer power-off detection unit 904 a A detects the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies, the transformer power-off detection unit 904 a A outputs a detection signal to the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a A.

The transformer power-off detection unit 904 b A of the second excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b A receives auxiliary switch signals output from auxiliary switches 32 Ub, 32 Vb, and 32 Wb of the second breaker 3 b . The transformer power-off detection unit 904 b A detects the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies, like the transformer power-off detection unit 904 a A of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a A. Specifically, if the auxiliary switch signal of the first breaker 3 b changes so as to indicate an opening status from a closing status, the transformer power-off detection unit 904 b A detects the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies. When the transformer power-off detection unit 904 b A detects the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies, the transformer power-off detection unit 904 b A outputs a detection signal to the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 b A.

The residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a A of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a A integrates each of the phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw after the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies by the first breaker 3 a , based on the phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw measured by the transformer-voltage measurement unit 902 a , respectively. If the phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw become approximately zero at the time point when the transformer power-off detection unit 904 a A detects the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies (namely, if the transformer 7 is actually disconnected from the power supplies), the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a A fixes the integration values of the phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw of the transformer 7 . If the phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw do not become approximately zero at the time point when the transformer power-off detection unit 904 a A detects the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies (namely, if the transformer 7 is not actually disconnected from the power supplies), the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a A fixes the integration values of the phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw of the transformer 7 . The residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a A outputs the fixed integration values to the phase detection unit 905 a A and the phase detection unit 905 b A of the second excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b A, as residual magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw of the iron core of the transformer 7 . The output of the phase detection unit 905 b A of the second excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b A is performed through a transfer path. The other features of the configuration are the same as those of the first residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a according to the first embodiment.

The residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 b A of the second excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b A fixes residual magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw of the iron core of the transformer 7 , like the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a A of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a A. The residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 b A outputs the fixed residual magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw to the phase detection unit 905 b A and the phase detection unit 905 a A of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a A. The output of the phase detection unit 905 a A of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a A is performed through a transfer path.

The phase detection unit 905 a A of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a A is input with fixed residual magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw from either the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 a A or the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 b A of the second excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a A. The phase detection unit 905 a A detects a specific phase of the three phases and the target closing phase θc 1 , based on the input residual magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw and the respective phase voltages V 1 u , V 1 v , and V 1 w of the first power supply bus 2 a measured by the power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 a , like the phase detection unit 905 a according to the first embodiment. The phase detection unit 905 a A outputs the detected specific phase and the target closing phase θc 1 to the close-command output unit 906 a . The other features of the configuration are the same as those of the phase detection unit 905 a according to the first embodiment.

The phase detection unit 905 b A of the second excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b A detects the specific phase and the target closing phase θc 1 , like the phase detection unit 905 a A of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a A. The phase detection unit 905 b A outputs the detected specific phase and target closing phase θc 1 to the close-command output unit 906 b.

According to the present embodiment, the same functions and effects as the first embodiment can be achieved by the configuration in which the two excitation inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a and 9 b respectively receive auxiliary switch signals from only the breakers 3 a and 3 b as operation targets to be operated.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 6 shows a configuration of an excitation-inrush-current suppression system 1 B according to the third embodiment of the invention.

In the excitation-inrush-current suppression system 1 B, the two excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a and 9 b in the excitation-inrush-current suppression system 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are replaced with one excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 B. The other features of the configuration are the same as those of the excitation-inrush-current suppression system 1 according to the first embodiment.

The excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 B comprises two power-supply-voltage measurement units 901 a and 901 b , a transformer-voltage measurement unit 902 B, a residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 B, a transformer power-off detection unit 904 B, two phase detection units 905 a and 905 b , and two close-command output units 906 a and 906 b.

The power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 a is the same as the power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 a of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a according to the first embodiment. The power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 a outputs measured phase voltages V 1 u , V 1 v , and V 1 w to the phase detection unit 905 a.

The power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 b is the same as the power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 b of the second excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b according to the first embodiment. The power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 b outputs measured phase voltages V 2 u , V 2 v , and V 2 w to the phase detection unit 905 b.

The transformer-voltage measurement unit 902 B has a configuration in which transformer-voltage measurement units 902 a and 902 b in each of the two excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a and 9 b according to the first embodiment are integrated into one unit. The transformer-voltage measurement unit 902 B outputs measured phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw on the primary side of the transformer 7 to the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 B, like the transformer-voltage measurement units 902 a and 902 b according to the first embodiment.

The transformer power-off detection unit 904 B has a configuration in which the transformer power-off detection units 904 a and 904 b in each of the two excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a and 9 b according to the first embodiment are integrated into one unit. The transformer power-off detection unit 904 B outputs a detection signal to the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 B, when the transformer power-off detection unit 904 B detects the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies, based on each of auxiliary switch signals of the first breaker 3 a and the second breaker 3 b , like the transformer power-off detection units 904 a and 904 b according to the first embodiment.

The residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 B has a configuration in which the residual magnetic flux calculation units 903 a and 903 b in each of the two excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a and 9 b according to the first embodiment are integrated into one unit. The residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 B calculates the residual magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw of the respective phases after the disconnection of the transformer 7 from the power supplies by the first breaker 3 a or the second breaker 3 b , like the residual magnetic flux calculation units 903 a and 903 b according to the first embodiment. The residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 B outputs calculated magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw, according to the two phase detection units 905 a and 905 b.

The phase detection unit 905 a is the same as the phase detection unit 905 a of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a according to the first embodiment. The phase detection unit 905 a detects a specific phase of the three phases and the target closing phase θc 1 to close the first breaker 3 a , based on each of the residual magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw calculated by the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 B and the phase voltages V 1 u , V 1 v , and V 1 w of the first power supply bus 2 a measured by the power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 a.

The phase detection unit 905 b is the same as the phase detection unit 905 b of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b according to the first embodiment. The phase detection unit 905 b detects a specific phase of the three phases and the target closing phase θc 1 to close the second breaker 3 b , based on each of the residual magnetic fluxes φZu, φZv, and φZw calculated by the residual magnetic flux calculation unit 903 B and the phase voltages V 2 u , V 2 v , and V 2 w of the second power supply bus 2 b measured by the power-supply-voltage measurement unit 901 b.

The close-command output unit 906 a is the same as the close-command output unit 906 a of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 a according to the first embodiment. If the transformer 7 is powered on, the close-command output unit 906 a closes the first breaker 3 a through two steps, based on the specific phase and the target closing phase θc 1 detected by the phase detection unit 905 a , as described in the first embodiment.

The close-command output unit 906 b is the same as the close-command output unit 906 b of the first excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 b according to the first embodiment. If the transformer 7 is powered on, the close-command output unit 906 b closes the second breaker 3 b through two steps, based on the specific phase and the target closing phase θc 1 detected by the phase detection unit 905 b , as described in the first embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, the same functions and effects as the first embodiment can be achieved by providing one excitation inrush-current suppression apparatus 9 B in place of the two excitation inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a and 9 b according to the first embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, various parameters in phase control by the excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a , 9 b , 9 a A, 9 b A, and 9 B may be corrected to further improve accuracy. For example, when closing the breakers 3 a and 3 b , the closing time may vary due to an advance discharge, referred to as pre-arc, which is generated between main contacts, or due to operational variations of the operation mechanism. By obtaining properties of closing variations due to the pre-arc and variations at the time of closing breakers in advance, corrections can be made based on the properties. By making such corrections, an excitation inrush current can be controlled more steadily even when such variations occur.

Also, each of the above embodiments has been described with reference to a power system having a common 1½ bus configuration. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration. The power system may be of any type insofar as the power system applies the transformer 7 to two or more power supplies (power supply buses 2 a and 2 b ) by two or more breakers. For example, the third breaker 3 c may be omitted from each of the embodiments.

Yet also in each of the embodiments, the phase voltages V 1 u , V 1 v , and V 1 w and V 2 u , V 2 v , and V 2 w of the power supply buses 2 a and 2 b are measured by the power-supply voltage detectors 5 Ua, 5 Va, and 5 Wa and 5 Ub, 5 Vb, and 5 Wb, respectively. However, line voltages between the power supply buses 2 a and 2 b may be measured and converted into phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw. Similarly, the phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw on the primary side of the transformer 7 are measured by the transformer terminal-voltage detectors 8 U, 8 V, and 8 W. The invention is, however, not limited to the above embodiments. The phase voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw of the transformer 7 may be the phase voltages of the secondary coil 702 or may be phase voltages into which interline voltages of the tertiary coil 703 of Δ connection are converted.

Also, in each of the embodiments, the transformer 7 may be of any type insofar as the transformer 7 is a three-phase transformer which transforms three-phase alternating current voltages into three-phase alternating current voltages. Therefore, the transformer 7 is not limited to three coils but may be two coils or may be four or more coils. The connection types of each of the coils may be any of Y connection and Δ connection, and may be combined arbitrarily.

In each of the embodiments, insofar as the same result is obtained, the order or spots of calculations may be arbitrarily changed. The places where calculations are performed may be either inside or outside of the excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a , 9 b , 9 a A, 9 b A, and 9 B. The calculations may be performed by various detectors.

In each of the embodiments, each of the excitation-inrush-current suppression systems 1 to 1 B are configured by one or two of the excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatuses 9 a and 9 b , 9 a A, 9 b A, and 9 B. The systems 1 to 1 B may be configured by any number of excitation-inrush-current suppression apparatuses.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.