METHOD AND DEVICE FOR INDICATING THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION OF A THREE-PHASE SYSTEM

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method and measuring device (10) for measuring the direction of rotation of a three-phase system, the measurement being carried out by means of measuring sensors (11). After each measuring sensor (11) a coupling circuit is connected, transforming the voltage produced in the measuring sensor (11) into rectangular pulses. The coupling circuit outputs are connected to a common logic which determines the direction of rotation on the basis of the phase difference between the pulses.

Description: METHOD AND DEVICE FOR INDICATING THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION OF A THREE-PHASE SYSTEM The object of the invention is a method and measuring device for measuring the direction of rotation of a three- phase system, the measurement being carried out by means of measuring sensors. An electrical voltage with a varying direction is called alternating voltage. Periodic alternating voltage is a voltage, the variation of which is repeated in similar form at certain intervals. If a coil is rotated at constant angular speed in a homogenous magnetic field, a sinusoidal supply voltage is induced. A one-phase system is achieved when the coil is connected to a loading circuit. If coils are placed on the surface of a rotor at random, and a separate loading circuit is connected to each coil, a multiphase system is achieved. The multiphase system is symmetrical if all its supply voltages are equally high and if the phase angle difference between the supply voltages is equal; otherwise it is asymmetrical. The most common symmetrical multiphase system is the three- phase system. Since the number of phases of the system is three, the angle difference between the phase coils of the generator is 120°. As the positive direction of the supply voltages to be induced in phase coils we can select the direction from the end of the phase to its beginning. The phase sequence is then 1, 2, 3. If the rotor's direction of rotation is changed, the phase sequence becomes negative: By connecting three circuits together, the conductors can be partly shared by the different circuits. An electricity source for alternating current or an electrical apparatus to be connected to an electrical instrument is connected by joining either the beginnings or ends of the phase coils into a star point; similarly, in serial connection, the electrical apparatus is connected by joining the phase coils into a closed ring by always connecting the end of a phase coil to the beginning of the following phase coil. At present, measuring the direction of rotation of a voltage in field conditions - when connecting electrical apparatus and installing new apparatus - is carried out galvanically on the live parts of a three-phase system, the measurement thus having to be done on bare conductor surfaces. The conductor insulation on the conductor sur ace has to be peeled off, and to the bare conductor surface is fastened a so-called alligator clamp or the like, which is connected to the measuring device through a conductor. The disadvantages of the above known method are that the manner of measuring is not occupationally safe and carrying out the measurement alone in field conditions is difficult. In addition, the traditional measuring device must be connected when de-energized, that is, the supply of electricity must be disconnected for a moment. The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above- mentioned problems and to achieve a new method and measuring device which facilitate measurements in field conditions, and which are at the same time occupationally safe. It is characteristic of the method relating to the invention that a measuring sensor operating on the electrostatic principle is mounted adjacent to each three- phase system wire, that the alternating voltage produced in the measuring sensors is transformed by means of an electronic coupling circuit or the like into rectangular pulses, that the pulse sequences obtained from all measuring sensors are transmitted to a logic circuit or microprocessor circuit which determines the direction of rotation on the basis of the phase difference between the pulses. It is characteristic of the device relating to the invention that, after each measuring sensor a coupling circuit is connected, transforming the voltage produced in the measuring sensor into rectangular pulses, and that the coupling circuit outputs are connected to a common logic or microprocessor which determines the direction of rotation on the basis of the phase difference between the pulses. By means of the invention a measuring device is achieved, with which the direction of rotation can be measured on the conductor insulation surface, without galvanic contact. When the device is used, the conductor insulation on the conductors leading to the electrical appliance does not have to be removed, which at the same time facilitates and speeds up the measurement of the direction of rotation. Measurement can thus be carried out on a live wire, merely taking into account the safety distances complying with safety regulations. The invention is exemplified in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of the measuring device relating to the invention, Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic view of the operating principle of the measuring device relating to the invention, and Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic view of the operating principle of the second measuring device embodiment relating to the invention. Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of the measuring device 10 for measuring the direction of rotation of the voltage of a three-phase system. The measuring device 10 is intended for measuring the direction of rotation of a three-phase system electrostatically, by means of measuring sensors 11. Due to the sensitivity of the device 10, the measuring sensor 11 can measure the direction of rotation of the voltage in the wire even at a distance of 4 cm. The logic of the measuring device 10 is built into the housing 16. Manual devices 12 acting as the insulators of the measuring sensors 11 are connected through the front plate 19 of the housing 16 to the measuring circuit by means of wires 15. The ends of the measuring sensors 11 are bent in order to render them more suitable for fitting around the conductors or wires of the three-phase system. At the ends of the measuring sensors are fitted plugs 18. The manual devices 12 incorporate fixed stops 17 fitted at their centre, with the purpose of preventing the hand holding the device from coming into contact with the live wire being measured. Inside the insulator casing of the manual devices 12 are installed some of the electronics required for measuring, including for example the transistor 21 connected to the measuring sensor 11, a resistor 31 and a transistor 22, as shown in figure 2. After each measuring sensor 11 is thus connected a coupling circuit, 21 and 22, which transforms the voltage produced in the measuring sensor 11 into rectangular pulses. The outputs of the coupling circuits 21 and 22 are connected to the logic built into a common housing 16, the said logic indicating the direction of rotation on the basis of the phase difference between pulses. The housing 16 contains the measuring logic of the actual measuring device 10 shown in figure 2. On the cover plate 20 are fixed leds 68, 69 and 70, identifying the different phases by means of signal lamps. The leds provided with red 65 and green 66 signal lamps indicate whether the direction of voltage of a three-phase system being measured is correct or incorrect. The signal lamp 67 shows readiness for operation and, when illuminated, indicates that the measuring logic is not ready for operation. With the help of the signal lamp 67 it can be concluded whether the voltage of the battery acting as the power source for the measuring device is sufficient. The signal lamp 67 goes out when the measuring device 10 indicates the direction of rotation. To the side 9 of the housing 16 is attached the power switch K of the measuring device 10. The measuring device 10 operates on both 110 V and 220 V voltages. Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic view of the operating principle of an embodiment of a measuring device relating to the invention. When the measuring sensor 11 in the manual device 12 of the measuring device 10 for measuring the static direction of rotation is brought into the vicinity of an alternating voltage conductor, the transistor 21 in the manual device 12 opens, thus producing a base voltage in the transistor 22 over the resistor 31, and making the transistor 22 conductive. The current can then pass through the transistor 22 and the resistor 33 to the negative pole 13, 14. The circuit generating the base voltage of the NPN transistor 21 consists of a resistor 98 and, alongside the resistor 98, a so-called capacity earth 99, shown by a broken line in figure 2. When the sensor 11 of the manual device 12 is sufficiently close to the live conductor, that is, when the sensor is in a sufficiently high alternating voltage field, the voltage over the resistor 98 and the capacity earth 99 rises higher than 0.6 V. As a result of this the transistor 21 becomes conductive, that is, opens. The transistor 21 opens only during the positive phase of the mains voltage, in which case a 50 Hz rectangular wave can be measured over the resistor 33. These rectangular waves are conducted from each phase of the measuring sensors 11, through amplifiers 43, 44 and 45 to an R/S trigger element 50. The directions of rotation to be measured are indicated in such a way that the rectangular wave of each single phase in the three-phase system is conducted to the J-input 52 and K-input 53 and timer input 51 of the R/S trigger element 50, which triggers the S-output 55 or R-output 56 of the R/S trigger element 50, energizing one of them, depending on which one of the rectangular waves of the J- input 52 or K-input 53 is ahead of the other, that is, which phase voltage is ahead of the other at the moment of triggering, because the phase difference between the voltages of the three-phase system is always 120°. Triggering takes place on the falling edge of the pulse. After triggering the R/S trigger element 50 remains in the same state until the state of the J-input 52 or K-input 53 changes with respect to the moment of triggering. By means of the above-described coupling arrangement, a direct voltage is produced in the R-output 56 or S-output 55 of the circuit formed by the R/S trigger element 50. This direct voltage is conducted through the resistors 36 or 35 to the leds 65 or 66 indicating the direction of rotation, and further through the transistor 23 to the negative pole 14. By means of the transistor 33 and the AND gate 60, the leds 65 and 66 are prevented from lighting up until all three sensors 11 of the measuring device 10 have been connected to measure. Blocking is carried out so that the pulses of the sensors 11 are brought to the input pins 61, 62 and 63 of the AND gate, filtered through the circuit formed by the resistors 37, 38 and 39, and capacitors 71, 72 and 73 and also through the diodes 95, 96 and 97. Similarly, the positive operating voltage 57 is brought to the AND gate 60. After filtering, the voltages at the input pins 61, 62 and 63 of the AND gate can be seen as direct voltages at the AND gate 60. The output 64 of the AND gate 60 is energized once all the input pulses have been connected and the positive operating voltage has been switched on by means of switch K, which means that through two inverting amplifiers 47 and 48, and through resistor 34, the transistor 23 receives base current and is energized, thus allowing the leds 65 and 66 to light up. The inverting amplifier 49 and resistor 32 in the output 64 of the AND gate 60, cause the led 67 indicating readiness for operation to light up, which, when illuminated, indicates that the measuring logic is not ready for operation. From the signal lamp led 67 it can at the same time be deduced that the battery has sufficient voltage. The signal lamp led 67 goes out when the measuring device 10 indicates the direction of rotation. The amplifiers 89 - 94 control the signal lamp leds 68, 69 and 70 which, when lighting up, indicate that the field received by the sensor 11 is of sufficient magnitude. Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic view of the operating principle of the second measuring device embodiment relating to the invention. Where applicable, the same reference numbers are used in the diagram of figure 3 as in figure 1, by merely adding the number "1" in front of the reference number. After the measuring sensor 111 operating on the same principle as that shown in figure 2, a coupling circuit 121, 122 is connected, transforming the voltage produced in the measuring sensor into rectangular pulses. The outputs 121, 122 of the coupling circuit are connected to a common microprocessor built into a housing, the microprocessor determining the direction of rotation on the basis of the phase difference between the pulses. The housing corresponds to the housing shown in figure 1 and on its cover plate are fixed leds 168, 169 and 170 identifying different phases by means of signal lamps. The leds provided with red 165 and green 166 signal lamps indicate whether the direction is correct or incorrect. The signal lamp 167 indicates the battery's readiness for operation. As in figure 1, to the side of the housing is attached the power switch K of the measuring device 110. The measuring device 110 operates on both 110 V and 220 V voltages. The measuring device can be used to establish the phases of two different systems having the same signs. According to the operating principle of the measuring device shown in figure 3, the directions of rotation to be measured are indicated in such a way that the rectangular wave of each single phase in the three-phase system is conducted to the input gates p5, p6, and p7 of the microprocessor 150. The program in the processor 150 establishes the order in which the rectangular pulses come to the gates p5, p6 and p7, and on the basis of this determines from the 120° phase difference between the pulses the direction of rotation of the system. The program also controls the phase identification leds 168, 169 and 170, as guided by the gates plO, pll, and pl2 of the processor 150, with the help of the amplifier 200. The device relating to figure 3 can be provided with a "self test" function which checks, whenever power is switched to the device from switch Kl, that the input gates of the processor 150 have not short-circuited for one reason or another. The testing is carried out so that the program conducts voltage from the processor gate p9 to gate p6, after which the processor reads the states of all input gates p5, p6, and p7 and lights up the leds 168, 169 and 170 identifying the phase, and keeps them illuminated for about 2 seconds. If the inputs of the device are in order, only led 169 may light up. The measuring device can be used to find out the equiangular phases of two different systems by switching voltage by switch K2 to the input gate p8 which transfers the processor program to an area which checks for cophasality. Cophasality can be established by means of the sensors 112 and 112'. When the sensors are in the same phase, both leds 165 and 166 indicating the direction of rotation are lit up by the program, through the amplifier 200. It is obvious to one skilled in the art that the different embodiments of the invention may vary within the scope of the claims presented below. Thus, for example in measuring sensors connected to measuring devices, micro circuits can be used instead of transistors.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method for measuring the direction of rotation of a three-phase system, the measurement being carried out by means of measuring sensors (11, 111), where the alternating voltage produced in the measuring sensors is transformed by means of an electronic coupling circuit (21, 22, 121, 122) or the like into rectangular pulses, that the pulse sequences obtained from all measuring sensors (11, 111) are transmitted to a logic circuit (50, 60, 150), such as a microprocessor or the like which determines the direction of rotation on the basis of the phase difference between the pulses, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the measurement of the direction of rotation is carried out by using measuring sensors (11, 111), operating on the electrostatic principle, on the conductor insulation, without galvanic contact, so that a measuring sensor (11, 111) operating on the electrostatic principle is mounted adjacent to each wire in the three-phase system to be measured, after which the alternating voltage produced in the measuring sensors is measured. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the pulse sequences obtained from the measuring sensors (111) are transmitted to a microprocessor (150) which establishes in which order the pulses come to its gates (p5, p6 and p7) , and on the basis of this determines the direction of rotation. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the rectangular wave of each single phase is conducted to the J-input (52) and K- input (53) and timer input (51) of the R/S trigger element (50), which triggers the S-output (55) or R-output (56) of the R/S trigger element (50) on the falling edge of the pulse energizing one of them, depending on which one of the rectangular waves of the J-input (52) or K-input (53) is ahead of the other at the moment of triggering. 4. A method as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that, after triggering, the R/S trigger element (50) remains in the same state until the state of the J-input (52) or K-input (53) changes with respect to the moment of triggering. 5. A method as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a direct voltage is produced in the R-output (56) or S-output (55) of the circuit formed by the R/S trigger element (50), and that the direct voltage is conducted through a resistor (36, 35) to the leds (65, 66) indicating the directions of rotation, and through the transistor (23) to the negative pole (14). 6. A method as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that by means of the transistor (33) and the AND gate (60), the leds (65, 66) are prevented from lighting up until all three sensors (11) of the measuring device (10) have been connected to measure, by bringing to the input pins (61, 62, 63) of the AND gate (60) the pulses of the sensors (11), filtered through the circuit formed by the resistors (37, 38, 39) and capacitors (71, 72, 73) and also through the diodes (95, 96, 97). 7. A method as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the output (64) of the AND gate (60) is energized once all the input pulses have been connected and the positive operating voltage has been switched on by means of the switch (K), which means that through two inverting amplifiers (47, 48), and the resistor (34), the transistor (23) receives base current and becomes conductive, thus allowing the leds (65, 66) to light up, and that through the inverting amplifier (49) and resistor (32) in the output (64) of the AND gate (60) the led (67) indicating readiness for operation is lit up and, when illuminated, indicates that the measuring logic is not ready for operation. 8. A method as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the signal lamp led (67) goes out when the measuring device (10) indicates the direction of rotation, and that the amplifiers (89 - 94) control the signal lamp leds (68, 69, 70) which, when they light up, indicate that the field received by the sensor (11) is of sufficient magnitude. 9. A measuring device (10) for measuring the direction of rotation of a three-phase system, the measurement being carried out by means of measuring sensors (11), where after each measuring sensor (11) a coupling circuit (21, 22) is connected, transforming the voltage produced in the measuring sensor (11) into rectangular pulses, and that the coupling circuit (21, 22) outputs are connected to a common logic (50, 60) which determines the direction of rotation on the basis of the phase difference between the pulses, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the measuring sensors are measuring sensors operating on the electrostatic principle by means of which the direction of rotation is measured on the electrostatic principle, on the conductor insulation, without galvanic contact with the conductors. 10. A measuring device (10) as claimed in claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the coupling circuit comprises at least one transistor which becomes conductive in the positive or negative half-cycle of the induced voltage. 70 PCI7FI93/00267 AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 18 November 1993 (18.11.93); original claims 1 and 9 amended; other claims unchanged (3 pages)] 1. A method for measuring the direction of rotation of a three-phase system, the measurement being carried out by means of measuring sensors (11, 111) , where the alternating voltage produced in the measuring sensors is transformed by means of an electronic coupling circuit (21, 22, 121, 122) or the like into rectangular pulses, that the pulse sequences obtained from all measuring sensors (11, 111) are transmitted to a logic circuit (50, 60, 150) , such as a microprocessor or the like which determines the direction of rotation on the basis of the phase difference between the pulses, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the measurement of the direction of rotation is carried out by using measuring sensors (11, 111) , operating on the electrostatic principle, on the conductor insulation, without galvanic contact with the wires in the three-phase system or with earth, so that a measuring sensor (11, 111) operating on the electrostatic principle is mounted adjacent to each wire in the three-phase system to be measured, after which the alternating voltage produced in the measuring sensors is measured and that a base voltage is generated in the transistor (21, 121) by a resistor (98) and earth capacitance (99) . 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the pulse sequences obtained from the measuring sensors (111) are transmitted to a microprocessor (150) which establishes in which order the pulses come to its gates (p5, p6 and p7) , and on the basis of this determines the direction of rotation. 3. A method as claimed in claim l, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the rectangular wave of each single phase is conducted to the J-input (52) and K- input (53) and timer input (51) of the R/S trigger element (50) , which triggers the s-output (55) or R-output (56) of the R/S trigger element (50) on the falling edge of the pulse energizing one of them, depending on which one of the rectangular waves of the J-input (52) or K-input (53) is ahead of the other at the moment of triggering. 4. A method as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that, after triggering, the R/S trigger element (50) remains in the same state until the state of the J-input (52) or K-input (53) changes with respect to the moment of triggering. 5. A method as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a direct voltage is produced in the R-output (56) or S-output (55) of the circuit formed by the R/S trigger element (50) , and that the direct voltage is conducted through a resistor (36, 35) to the leds (65, 66) indicating the directions of rotation, and through the transistor (23) to the negative pole (14) . 6. A method as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that by means of the transistor (33) and the AND gate (60), the leds (65, 66) are prevented from lighting up until all three sensors (11) of the measuring device (10) have been connected to measure, by bringing to the input pins (61, 62, 63) of the AND gate (60) the pulses of the sensors (11) , filtered through the circuit formed by the resistors (37, 38, 39) and capacitors (71, 72, 73) and also through the diodes (95, 96, 97) . 7. A method as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the output (64) of the AND gate (60) is energized once all the input pulses have been connected and the positive operating voltage has been switched on by means of the switch (K) , which means that through two inverting amplifiers (47, 48), and the resistor (34) , the transistor (23) receives base current and becomes conductive, thus allowing the leds (65, 66) to light up, and that through the inverting amplifier (49) and resistor (32) in the output (64) of the AND gate (60) the led (67) indicating readiness for operation is lit up and, when illuminated, indicates that the measuring logic is not ready for operation. 8. A method as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the signal lamp led (67) goes out when the measuring device (10) indicates the direction of rotation, and that the amplifiers (89 - 94) control the signal lamp leds (68, 69, 70) which, when they light up, indicate that the field received by the sensor (11) is of sufficient magnitude. 9. A measuring device (10) for measuring the direction of rotation of a three-phase system, the measurement being carried out by means of measuring sensors (11) , where after each measuring sensor (11) a coupling circuit (21, 22) is connected, transforming the voltage produced in the measuring sensor (11) into rectangular pulses, and that the coupling circuit (21, 22) outputs are connected to a common logic (50, 60) which determines the direction of rotation on the basis of the phase difference between the pulses, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the measuring sensors are measuring sensors operating on the electrostatic principle by means of which the direction of rotation is measured on the electrostatic principle, on the conductor insulation, without galvanic contact with the conductors of the three phase-system or the earth, and that a resistor (98) and earth capacitance (99) is coupled to the measuring sensors for providing a base voltage to the coupling cirucuit (21) . 10. A measuring device (10) as claimed in claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the coupling circuit comprises at least one transistor which becomes conductive in the positive or negative half-cycle of the induced voltage.

Inventors: ALAHUHTALA JORMA, ALAHUHTALA, JORMA
Applicants: ALAHUHTALA JORMA, ALTOMATIC OY
Application year: 1993
Main classification: G01R29
IPC codes: G01R15, G01R29, H02P9