Method and device for detecting a stray electric arc in a photovoltaic installation
US10910992B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 1, 2016 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 1, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A photovoltaic installation comprising at least one photovoltaic module (1) and an electromechanical unit capable of producing a non-stray electric arc of a duration less than or equal to a given arc-quenching duration (x) when contacts of the electromechanical unit are opened. The photovoltaic installation comprising a method comprising the steps of: detecting (E0) the appearance of an electric arc in a photovoltaic installation; triggering (E1) a timer to start timing from the moment (T0) of appearance of an electric arc; measuring (E3) at least one of electric quantities of a group including a voltage (Vm) of the at least one photovoltaic module and a current (I) produced by the photovoltaic installation at the end of the arc-quenching duration starting from the moment (T0) of appearance of the electric arc; comparative testing (E4; E5) in order to determine whether the measured electric quantity is equal to an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of the photovoltaic module or to a zero current; and, if the test is negative, identifying a stray electric arc.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.