Fault detection apparatus
View Patent ↗There is provided a fault detection apparatus including an open/close unit configured to open/close an electric path to pass a direct current forward, a reverse-current detector configured to detect a reverse current running through the electric path backward, and an opening unit configured to open the open/close unit when the reverse current is detected by the reverse-current detector.
1. A connector that connects in parallel direct-current power supplies connected to an input side and connects the direct-current power supplies to a circuit on a load side connected to an output side, the connector comprising:
open/close units configured to respectively open/close electric paths located between the direct-current power supplies and a parallel connection point which connects the direct-current power supplies in parallel;
a reverse-current detector configured to detect a reverse current running through one of the electric paths from the output side to the input side;
an abnormal current detector configured to detect an abnormal current of a current value that is higher or lower, by a predetermined value or a predetermined ratio, than an average current value determined based on current values of currents running through all of the electric paths; and
an opening unit configured to open the open/close unit which opens/closes the electric path where the reverse current is detected, when the reverse current is detected by the reverse-current detector, and to open the open/close unit which opens/closes the electric path where the abnormal current is detected, when the abnormal current is detected by the abnormal current detector.
2. The connector according to claim 1 , further comprising an overcurrent detector configured to detect an overcurrent running through the electric path,
wherein the opening unit opens the open/close unit which opens/closes the electric path where the overcurrent is detected, when the overcurrent is detected by the overcurrent detector.
3. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the direct-current power supplies generate power by receiving light.
4. A power converter that connects in parallel direct-current power supplies connected to an input side to supply alternating-current power to a circuit on a load side connected to an output side, the power converter comprising:
a power conversion circuit configured to convert direct-current power supplied from the direct-current power supplies connected in parallel to alternating-current power to be supplied to the circuit on the load side;
open/close units configured to respectively open/close electric paths located between the direct-current power supplies and a parallel connection point which connects the direct-current power supplies in parallel;
a reverse-current detector configured to detect a reverse current running through one of the electric paths from the output side to the input side;
an abnormal current detector configured to detect an abnormal current of a current value that is higher or lower, by a predetermined value or a predetermined ratio, than an average current value determined based on current values of currents running through all of the electric paths; and
an opening unit configured to open the open/close unit which opens/closes the electric path where the reverse current is detected, when the reverse current is detected by the reverse-current detector, and to open the open/close unit which opens/closes the electric path where the abnormal current is detected, when the abnormal current is detected by the abnormal current detector.
5. The power converter according to claim 4 , further comprising an overcurrent detector configured to detect an overcurrent running through the electric path,
wherein the opening unit opens the open/close unit which opens/closes the electric path where the overcurrent is detected, when the overcurrent is detected by the overcurrent detector.
6. The power converter according to claim 4 , wherein the direct-current power supplies generate power by receiving light.
7. A power generation system comprising:
direct-current power supplies connected in parallel;
a power conversion circuit configured to convert direct-current power supplied from the direct-current power supplies to alternating-current power to be supplied to a circuit on a load side;
open/close units configured to respectively open/close electric paths located between the direct-current power supplies and a parallel connection point which connects the direct-current power supplies in parallel;
a reverse-current detector configured to detect a reverse current running from the load side to the direct-current power supplies through the electric paths located between the direct-current power supplies and the parallel connection point;
an abnormal current detector configured to detect an abnormal current of a current value that is higher or lower, by a predetermined value or a predetermined ratio, than an average current value determined based on current values of currents running through all of the electric paths; and
an opening unit configured to open the open/close unit which opens/closes the electric path where the reverse current is detected, when the reverse current is detected by the reverse-current detector, and to open the open/close unit which opens/closes the electric path where the abnormal current is detected, when the abnormal current is detected by the abnormal current detector.
8. The power generation system according to claim 7 , further comprising an overcurrent detector configured to detect an overcurrent running through the electric path,
wherein the opening unit opens the open/close unit which opens/closes the electric path where the overcurrent is detected, when the overcurrent is detected by the overcurrent detector.
9. The power generation system according to claim 7 , wherein the direct-current power supplies generate power by receiving light.