초록 ▼

A power distribution system is provided which includes: a plurality of power outlets connected to the supply conductors of the system and enabling the connection of a corresponding plurality of electrical loads to the system; and a control unit connected by control conductors to the power outlets an

A power distribution system is provided which includes: a plurality of power outlets connected to the supply conductors of the system and enabling the connection of a corresponding plurality of electrical loads to the system; and a control unit connected by control conductors to the power outlets and arranged to monitor both the power suppliable by the system and the power required by the electrical loads for their operation. Each power outlet includes a switching arrangement with two operating states. In its first state, the switching arrangement enables a load connected to the power outlet to be measured by the control unit, this switching arrangement being thereafter switched into its second state by the said control unit to enable the load to be supplied with the power required for its operation only if this power does not exceed the yet-unused electric power capacity of the system. In one embodiment, each power outlet is arranged to disconnect its associated load on command by the control unit when the system is at the point of becoming overloaded.

대표청구항 ▼

An electric power distribution system comprising: two power supply conductors; a plurality of power outlet units connected to said two supply conductors whereby to enable the connection to the system of a corresponding plurality of electrical loads; control conductor means; a control unit connected

An electric power distribution system comprising: two power supply conductors; a plurality of power outlet units connected to said two supply conductors whereby to enable the connection to the system of a corresponding plurality of electrical loads; control conductor means; a control unit connected by said control conductor means to each said power outlet unit and adapted: (a) to carry out, at the moment of connection of a said load to a said power outlet unit, a measurement indicative of the increase in power which would need to be supplied by the system to power this load, this measurement being effected in such a manner as to avoid appreciable overloading of the system; (b) to effect a comparison of the result of said measurement with a measure of the additional power suppliable by the system, and (c) to provide a comparison-indicative signal indicative of the result of said comparison; each said power outlet unit including a switching arrangement having two operational states, in the first of which the connection of a said load to said power outlet unit results in the load being inserted between said control conductor means and one of the said supply conductors whereby to enable the control unit to carry out said measurement for that load and effect said comparison, and in the second of which the said switching arrangement connects the load across the two said supply conductors; change over from said first to said second state occurring only when the comparison-indicative signal provided by the control unit indicates that the power required for the operation of this load will not result in the maximum power suppliable by the system being exceeded, said control conductor means include a primary control conductor emanating from said control unit and a plurality of further control conductors branching from said primary control conductor and each connected to a respective said power outlet unit, and each said power outlet unit comprising: first and second input terminals connected respectively to said first and second power supply conductors of the distribution system; a third input terminal connected to the corresponding said further control conductor; first and second output terminals to which, in use, an electrical load can be connected; first and second fixed electrical contacts; a relay including an excitation winding and a movable contact member, said movable contact member being connected to the said first output terminal and being movable between a working position and a rest position in which it is in contact, respectively, with said first and second contacts, and the said excitation coil of the relay being connected between the third input terminal and the said second contact, and a hold-on coil connected between said first input terminal and said first fixed contact and operative to maintain the said movable contact member in its working position for the entire period of time during which a said load connected to the power outlet unit is supplied by the said electric power distribution system.