EP0944295B1 - Safety device for lighting systems formed by a plurality of lamps connected in series - Google Patents
Safety device for lighting systems formed by a plurality of lamps connected in series Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0944295B1 EP0944295B1 EP99104798A EP99104798A EP0944295B1 EP 0944295 B1 EP0944295 B1 EP 0944295B1 EP 99104798 A EP99104798 A EP 99104798A EP 99104798 A EP99104798 A EP 99104798A EP 0944295 B1 EP0944295 B1 EP 0944295B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- mesh
- operative
- load
- safety device
- series
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
- H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
- H05B41/46—Circuits providing for substitution in case of failure of the lamp
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
- H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
- H05B41/26—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from DC by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage DC
- H05B41/28—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from DC by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage DC using static converters
- H05B41/282—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from DC by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage DC using static converters with semiconductor devices
- H05B41/285—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions
- H05B41/2851—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions for protecting the circuit against abnormal operating conditions
- H05B41/2855—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions for protecting the circuit against abnormal operating conditions against abnormal lamp operating conditions
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a safety devices associated to feeding devices for a plurality of lamps connected in series, in particular for discharge lamps, that are used in industrial and/or public lighting systems.
- Lighting systems of medium-high power which have heretofore been provided, often use discharge lamps connected preferably in series.
- the traditional systems are provided with a current transformer in series with the load mesh, generally with the secondary winding of the power supply transformer, which operates, by a suitable control unit, transition and protection devices provided on the supply mesh, i.e. on the primary winding of the power supply transformer ( Figure 1).
- This undesired situation can occur with particular frequency in all lighting systems which are operated only for a predetermined period of time, i.e. in accordance with discontinued cycles.
- Document WO-A-87/07730 discloses a fixture for checking the continuity of a cable having wires running between terminals in two end connectors.
- the cable is designed so that a single path is provided by each wire and its associated terminals.
- the connectors are plugged into mating receptacles on the fixture which also includes an array of associated light emitting diodes and an array of pins. The user touches the stylus of a manually movable probe against each pin. Only the associated light emitting device will be energised if there is good continuity for a given path in the cable.
- Non energising of the associated device or energising any other device indicates a lack of continuity and the source thereof.
- Document WO-A-74/18811 describes a method and apparatus for feeding a plurality of fluorescent lamps connected in series which are fed at the start-up with a variable voltage having a frequency that is varied during a selected time period, between a minimum value and a maximum value. This makes the start-up of the lamps taking place with a convenient voltage value. Subsequently, the lamps are fed with constant current having nominal frequency.
- Document EP 768.810 discloses a ground fault detection system for airfield lighting systems, including electronic circuitry arranged to detect a ground fault of the lighting system. The current sensed by the leakage sensing circuitry is recorded and the current measured value of current flow is then related to the extent of ground fault condition. The function of the device is long term monitoring of the insulation resistance of the high voltage series circuit.
- this invention was evolved with the general object of providing a safety device for lighting systems formed by a plurality of loads, preferably lamps connected in series, which can verify the metallic continuity of the system, in which it is disposed, before power is applied.
- Another object of the present invention is to propose a safety device, which guarantees safety for persons present near the system, in the whole area occupied by this system.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to propose a safety device, which is obtained by a simple technical solution, which is extremely functional, reliable and cheap and which can be used also in already existing and/or obsolete systems.
- reference numeral 3 generally designates a plurality of loads, e.g. discharge lamps, connected in series and supplied by outlet terminals of a first generator GAC.
- loads e.g. discharge lamps
- the first generator GAC is preferably an AC generator, capable of supplying a voltage V2 variable within acceptable values.
- the input terminals of the first generator GAC are supplied via a first switching means 4 connected to a control unit C.
- the proposed safety device 1 is connected in series with the lamps 3, which define a load mesh 3a supplied by the output terminals of the first generator GAC.
- An electric contactor 11, normally closed, and a detection mesh 3b are connected to the output terminals of the safety device 1.
- the detection mesh 3b that is power supplied by a second generator GDC, e.g. a low voltage generator, includes a pair of second electric contactors 12, mechanically connected to each other and normally open, an impedance Z, preferably with high power factor, and a current measuring device 90.
- a second generator GDC e.g. a low voltage generator
- An isolation electric contactor 13, normally closed and connected to earth, is connected to the output terminals of the second generator GDC, that is preferably a DC generator. According to known techniques, the isolation electric contactor is connected to earth via a low impedance connection, that produces a zero reference potential.
- All the electric contactors that is the first electric contactor 11, the second electric contactors 12 and the isolation electric contactor 13, are operated in proper phase relation, by a unique actuator 10, e.g. an electric-mechanical relay operated in turn by the control unit C.
- a unique actuator 10 e.g. an electric-mechanical relay operated in turn by the control unit C.
- the first electric contactor 11 and the isolation electric contactor 13 of the safety device 1 keep their closed position, while the second electric contactors 12 are open ( Figure 2).
- This condition can often occur in those systems which do not work continuously, typically a lightening system, and is particularly dangerous for people located close to the failure point.
- the safety device 1 can be activated.
- the safety device 1 can be operated manually or by the control unit C, only if the first generator GAC is not powered.
- the load mesh 3a can be connected in series with the detection mesh 3b by the relay 10, that opens the electric contactor 11.
- Opening of the first electric contactor 11 determines an operative condition 0 for the safety device 1.
- the second generator GDC sends a predetermined detection continue current, that runs through the load mesh 3a and the detection mesh 3b ( Figure 3).
- the control unit C stores this data and, possibly, operates the first switching means 4 to close, so that the lamps 3 are powered.
- the failure is displayed by means of a predetermined sound or optical signal.
- the safety device 1 By checking the integrity of the lighting system in which it is installed, the safety device 1 prevents all possible anomalous and dangerous effects provoked by the full supply voltage on the terminals of a single load 3, both because of the high value and because of the risky way in which this condition occurs.
- the claimed solution prevents various possible accidents for the maintenance team and for other people, that inadvertently can take an excessively close position in the operation zone of the lighting system.
Landscapes
- Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
- Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITBO980156 | 1998-03-13 | ||
| IT98BO000156A IT1299901B1 (it) | 1998-03-13 | 1998-03-13 | Dispositivo di sicurezza per impianti di illuminazione costituiti da una pluralita' di carichi collegati in serie. |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP0944295A2 EP0944295A2 (en) | 1999-09-22 |
| EP0944295A3 EP0944295A3 (en) | 2000-08-23 |
| EP0944295B1 true EP0944295B1 (en) | 2004-01-07 |
Family
ID=11343027
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP99104798A Expired - Lifetime EP0944295B1 (en) | 1998-03-13 | 1999-03-11 | Safety device for lighting systems formed by a plurality of lamps connected in series |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0944295B1 (da) |
| AT (1) | ATE257639T1 (da) |
| DE (1) | DE69914008T2 (da) |
| DK (1) | DK0944295T3 (da) |
| ES (1) | ES2213304T3 (da) |
| IT (1) | IT1299901B1 (da) |
| PT (1) | PT944295E (da) |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1994018811A1 (en) * | 1993-02-04 | 1994-08-18 | O.C.E.M. S.P.A. | Method for feeding a plurality of discharge or fluorescent lamps connected in series, and apparatus that carries out such method |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5849996B2 (ja) * | 1980-03-13 | 1983-11-08 | 株式会社東芝 | 直列点灯回路の断芯検出装置 |
| FR2490349A1 (fr) * | 1980-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | Aerospatiale | Dispositif pour la verification automatique d'une pluralite de voyants electriques |
| IT1211687B (it) * | 1987-07-29 | 1989-11-03 | Vitroselenia S P A In El Ingeg | Sistema di rilevamento dei guasti sui circuiti d'illuminazione con alimentazione in serie, particolarmente idoneo per aeroporti |
| DE3852701T2 (de) * | 1988-03-25 | 1995-09-28 | Nippon Signal Co Ltd | Anordnung zum ausschaltnachweis von birnen. |
| EP0768810A1 (en) * | 1995-10-09 | 1997-04-16 | Adb-Alnaco, Inc. | Ground fault detection and measurement system for airfield lighting system |
-
1998
- 1998-03-13 IT IT98BO000156A patent/IT1299901B1/it active IP Right Grant
-
1999
- 1999-03-11 PT PT99104798T patent/PT944295E/pt unknown
- 1999-03-11 ES ES99104798T patent/ES2213304T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-03-11 AT AT99104798T patent/ATE257639T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-03-11 DK DK99104798T patent/DK0944295T3/da active
- 1999-03-11 EP EP99104798A patent/EP0944295B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-03-11 DE DE69914008T patent/DE69914008T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1994018811A1 (en) * | 1993-02-04 | 1994-08-18 | O.C.E.M. S.P.A. | Method for feeding a plurality of discharge or fluorescent lamps connected in series, and apparatus that carries out such method |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| PT944295E (pt) | 2004-04-30 |
| DE69914008T2 (de) | 2004-11-11 |
| ATE257639T1 (de) | 2004-01-15 |
| IT1299901B1 (it) | 2000-04-04 |
| DE69914008D1 (de) | 2004-02-12 |
| DK0944295T3 (da) | 2004-05-03 |
| EP0944295A3 (en) | 2000-08-23 |
| ES2213304T3 (es) | 2004-08-16 |
| EP0944295A2 (en) | 1999-09-22 |
| ITBO980156A1 (it) | 1999-09-13 |
| ITBO980156A0 (it) | 1998-03-13 |
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