FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the present disclosure pertains to power distribution and dynamic load management systems. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to what is covered by the claims.

BACKGROUND

Operation of power distribution boxes commonly require safety measures and a qualified electrician. Similarly, making changes to power distribution boxes is difficult since the arrangements can be rigid with a fixed set of power outlets. Further, dynamic load management of systems with a number of power distribution boxes can be difficult and typically not a lot of real-time information is available on the operation level and load of individual power distribution boxes. Hence, there is a need for a type of power distribution box and a dynamic load management system incorporating such boxes that are easy and safe to operate and that allow real-time management of the boxes and the grid formed by the boxes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective is to at least alleviate the problems described hereinabove not satisfactorily solved by the known arrangements and systems. The aforesaid objective is achieved by the embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a control panel that is easy to install, carry and transport and that can be installed safely. It is also an aim of the present invention to provide a solution which guides a user at a construction site to understand how the power grid works and, if problems occur, informing and/or providing control to identify and fix problems in the power grid.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention a computer implemented method for dynamic load management, comprising

- receiving from a number of power distribution arrangements connected to a power grid said power distribution arrangements forming a group, information of the power outputs and electrical load of the power distribution arrangement,

- determining position and connection between each power distribution arrangements,

- detecting the voltage drops between power distribution arrangements, electrical loads of each power distribution arrangement and electrical load of the group of power distribution arrangements,

- determining output o to add a new power distribution arrangement or change power outputs to lower current outputs in a power distribution arrangement if voltage drops between power distribution arrangements is higher than a predetermined threshold, o to even out power consumption between power distribution arrangements in the group or change to higher current power outputs in a power distribution arrangement if the electrical load in a power distribution arrangement is too high, o to even out power consumption between power distribution arrangements in the group or add power grid output if the electrical load of the group is higher than a predetermined threshold in comparison to the power grid output.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention a computer program stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising computer executable program code which when executed by at least one processor causes an apparatus at least to perform the method of claim 1.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention a system for dynamic load management, comprising

- a number of power distribution arrangements connected to a power grid said power distribution arrangements forming a group, wherein each power distribution arrangement is arranged to provide information of the power outputs and electrical load of the power distribution arrangement,

- a remote computing entity arranged to o detect electrical load of each power distribution arrangement, o detect position and connection between each power distribution arrangement, - wherein the remote computing entity is further arranged to determine the voltage drops between power distribution arrangements, electrical loads of each power distribution arrangement and electrical load of the group of power distribution arrangements,

- wherein the remote computing entity is further arranged to provide output o to add a new power distribution arrangement or change power outputs to lower current outputs in a power distribution arrangement if voltage drops between power distribution arrangements is higher than a predetermined threshold, o to even out power consumption between power distribution arrangements in the group or change to higher current power outputs in a power distribution arrangement if the electrical load in a power distribution arrangement is too high, o to even out power consumption between power distribution arrangements in the group or add power grid output if the electrical load of the group is higher than a predetermined threshold in comparison to the power grid output.

Different embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The utility of the present disclosure follows from a plurality of factors depending on each particular embodiment.

The expression “a number of’ refers herein to any positive integer starting from one (1), e.g. to one, two, or three.

The expression “a plurality of’ refers herein to any positive integer starting from two (2), e.g. to two, three, or four.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED DRAWINGS

Next the invention is described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings in which

Fig. 1 illustrates aspects of an embodiment of a power distribution arrangement in accordance with the present invention, Fig. 2 illustrates aspects of an embodiment of a power distribution arrangement in accordance with the present invention,

Fig. 3 illustrates aspects of an embodiment of a power distribution arrangement in accordance with the present invention, and

Fig. 4 illustrates a flow chart of an embodiment of a dynamic load management method in accordance with the present invention, and

Figure 5 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a dynamic load management system in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Figs. 1-3 illustrate aspects of an embodiment of a power distribution arrangement in accordance with the present invention.

The power distribution arrangement comprises a housing, wherein the interior of the housing comprises at least one power connector and a removable enclosure (100) for the housing wherein said removable enclosure (100) provides removable connection for the housing and wherein the removable enclosure (100) comprises a number of electrical connectors (102) for connecting with the at least one power connector or such power source in the housing and a number of circuit breakers therebetween, wherein the electrical connectors (102) and circuit breakers provide a number of power outlets (104). The power distribution arrangement is arranged to detect the power outputs of the outlets (104) of the removable enclosure (100) in order to determine the output of the power distribution arrangement and a current electrical load of the power distribution arrangement. The power distribution arrangement may for example comprise sensors to measure voltage and current over 3 phase power wherein current measure is based on transformed low current signals.

The removable enclosure (100) may be connectable to power connector (102) in the housing with quick connector type means as illustrated. This enables easy connection and disconnection of the removable enclosure (100) to and from the power source in the housing. The power distribution may comprise a number of light indicators arranged to indicate the current electrical load of the power distribution arrangement. The light indicators may be for example LEDs. The power distribution arrangement may also comprise a LED based user interface, which may be individual LEDs or a display, to indicate current load. The power distribution arrangement may further comprise data connection means to transmit power output and/or electrical load information towards other devices.

The removable connection between the housing and the removable enclosure (100) may be facilitated by a DIN rail in the housing to which the removable enclosure (100) may be connectable. The DIN rail connection may facilitate easy connection and removal of the removable enclosure (100) so that different removable enclosures with different power outlets (104) may be used and changed by easy user operation.

The power distribution arrangement preferably comprises insulation (106) between the removable enclosure (100) and power connector (102) and/or inner surfaces of the housing. The power insulation enables easy and safe operation of the removable enclosure so that that different removable enclosures with different power outlets (104) may be used and changed by easy and safe user operation.

The removable enclosure (100) may comprise a number of electrical connectors (102) for connecting with the at least one power connector in the housing and a number of circuit breakers therebetween, wherein the electrical connectors (102) and circuit breakers provide a number of power outlets (104). The number of power outlets may vary. Hence a user may choose a removable enclosure (100) with a preferred number and type of power outlets (104). The removable enclosure (100) may comprise for example a 63 A or 32 A circuit breaker depending on the intended use of the power outlets (104). The removable enclosure (100) preferable comprises means to detect or identify the type of outlets and circuit breakers of the removable enclosure (100), which information may be communicated to an external device.

The power distribution arrangement may further comprise a power switch for turning on and off the power outlets (104) or power output(s). The housing of the power distribution arrangement may comprise means to fix to the power distribution arrangement to a wall, pipe or rack.

Fig. 4 illustrates a flow chart of an embodiment of a dynamic load management method (200) in accordance with the present invention. At 202, receiving from a number of power distribution arrangements connected to a power grid, such as determining position of a power distribution arrangement, the 201 defining an individual power distribution arrangement,

At 204, receiving circuit breaker information from a number of power distribution arrangements,

At 206, receiving current, voltage and power information from a number of power distribution arrangements,

At 208, receiving or defining based on prior information from a number of power distribution arrangements the maximum current of the removable enclosure (100) of a number of power distribution arrangements,

At 203, defining a group of power distribution arrangements,

At 210, defining the total combined current and power of the group,

At 212, detecting the maximum current output of an outlet,

At 205, defining a set of power distribution arrangements after a distribution board, At 214, defining the total combined current and power of the set of power distribution arrangements after a distribution board,

At 216, detecting the maximum current output of the distribution board,

At 207, defining a set of power distribution arrangements after a switchboard,

At 218, defining the total combined current and power of the set of power distribution arrangements after the switchboard,

At 220, detecting the maximum current output of the switchboard,

At 222, comparing the defined the total combined current and power of a group or set of power distribution arrangements and comparing that with the maximum current output detected at a step and informing or alerting if the defined total combined current and power of a group or set is close to a maximum current output, and

At 224, alerting or informing a user if a too high a voltage drop is detected.

The method steps are executed by a computer program, which may be stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising computer executable program code which when executed by at least one processor causes an apparatus at least to perform the method steps.

Figure 5 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a dynamic load management system in accordance with the present invention.

At 402, a power distribution arrangement is installed to a site by a user 400, At 404, a position is defined for the power distribution arrangement, such as a position in a grid and/or a position in a site, which may be a 3 -dimensional position,

At 406, the power distribution arrangement measures current and voltage optionally in real-time,

At 408, a number of power distribution arrangements are defined into groups, At 410, the vertical location in a 3 -dimensional space, such as the floor in a site, is determined for a power distribution arrangement, which vertical location may be combined with the position defined in 404 to give each a power distribution arrangement a 3 -dimensional position,

At 412, the removable enclosure (100) of a power distribution arrangement is detected, the removable enclosure (100) being defined for example as 16 A (414), 32 A (416) or 63 A (418), by the removable enclosure (100) set by the user at 420, At 422, the load and health of the whole grid is measured,

At 424, a problem may be detected, which problem may comprise:

426: too high a voltage drop in response to which a suggestion to add a new power distribution arrangement or change power outputs to lower current outputs in a power distribution arrangement is given 428,

430: the electrical load of a power distribution arrangement is too high in response to which a suggestion to even out power consumption between power distribution arrangements in the group or change to higher current power outputs in a power distribution arrangement is given 432,

434: the electrical load of the group is higher than a predetermined threshold in comparison to the power grid output in response to which a suggestion to even out power consumption between power distribution arrangements in the group or increase power grid output,

At 438, the user may make changes to the power distribution arrangements based on the suggestions, such as strengthening the grid 440.

The power distribution arrangements may be connected wirelessly to each other and they may be arranged to communicate using cellular communication or other such long-range wireless communication to send information to remote computing entity 442, such as a cloud computing arrangement, server or edge computing entity. The remote computing entity 442 is preferable arranged to execute the method steps and it may be arranged to provide output via graphical user interface of for example a terminal or mobile apparatus, such as suggestions to a user relating to the power distribution arrangements. A skilled person may on the basis of this disclosure and general knowledge apply the provided teachings in order to implement the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims in each particular use case with necessary modifications, deletions, and additions.