Sensor-based remote condition monitoring device and method for disconnector devices

1. A protection disconnector system comprising:

a surge arrestor;

the surge arrestor being connectable to a power distribution or transmission grid;

a disconnector device;

the disconnector device being connected in series to the surge arrester between a phase of the power distribution or transmission grid and ground;

the disconnector device being configured for disconnecting, upon activation of the disconnector device, the surge arrester in case of an overload condition of the surge arrestor;

a connection status monitoring device;

the connection status monitoring device being operatively connected to the disconnector device for monitoring an electrical connection status of the disconnector device;

the connection status monitoring device comprising a determining section and a wireless communication section;

the determining section being configured to determine whether the disconnector device has been activated and to generate connection status indicator data, indicative of whether the disconnector device has been activated;

the wireless communication section being adapted to connect to a wireless communication infrastructure using a wireless communication protocol, and to transmit the connection status indicator data over the wireless communication infrastructure;

the disconnector device comprising an indicator element which is movable;

the determining section comprising an interaction element;

the indicator element being moved in response to the disconnector device being activated;

the interaction element interacting with the indicator element and generating a signal in response to a movement of the indicator element; and

the determining section determining that the disconnector device has been activated in response to receiving the generated signal.

2. The protection disconnector system according to claim 1 , whereby the disconnector device is provided as a consumable fuse element, adapted to change from an unconsumed state to a consumed state in an operating state of the disconnector device and the fuse element is provided as an explosive fuse or as a fuse having a wire as conductor element, whereby the wire has a defined melting temperature that melts upon experiencing an overcurrent.

3. The protection disconnector system according to claim 1 , further comprising an energy supply such as a battery or an energy harvesting system.

4. The protection disconnector system according to claim 1 , further adapted to establish a multi-hop network with a neighbouring connection status monitoring device.

5. The protection disconnector system according to claim 1 , wherein the interaction element is of the group of: an electrical switch, an acceleration sensor, a photoelectric barrier, wherein the interaction element is adapted for interacting with the disconnector device upon activation of the disconnector device.

6. The protection disconnector system according to claim 1 , further comprising a position detection system adapted to detect a geographic position of the connection status monitoring device, and wherein the wireless communication section is further adapted to transmit a position data indicative of the detected position to the wireless communication infrastructure.

7. The protection disconnector system according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication section is further adapted to communicate with at least one node of the wireless communication infrastructure.

8. The protection disconnector system according to claim 1 , further adapted to determine further data, indicative of at least one selected from a status and an event, and wherein the wireless communication section is adapted to transmit the further data over the wireless communication infrastructure.

9. The protection disconnector system according to claim 1 , wherein

the wireless communication section is adapted to transmit the connection status indicator data with a transmission energy use of at least 1 μWh and/or at most 1 mWh per transmission; and/or

the wireless communication section is adapted to transmit the connection status indicator data with a bit rate of at least 50 Bit/s and/or at most 1 Mbit/s; and/or

the wireless communication section is adapted to transmit the connection status indicator data a) in predetermined time intervals, in particular at least once a day and at most once an hour, b) upon an event, c) upon a change in status, or d) any combination of a-c.

10. The protection disconnector system according to claim 1 , wherein the surge arrestor is provided as pole-mounted equipment.

11. The protection disconnector system according to claim 1 , comprising a central control unit connected to the wireless communication infrastructure using the wireless communication protocol and adapted to receive the connection status indicator data, transmitted by the wireless communication section.

12. The protection disconnector system according to claim 1 , whereby the disconnector device is provided as a consumable fuse element, adapted to change from an unconsumed state to a consumed state in an operating state of the disconnector device and the fuse element is provided as an explosive fuse or as a fuse having a wire as conductor element, whereby the wire has a defined melting temperature that melts upon experiencing an overcurrent;

wherein the fuse element is coupled with the indicator element to come in physical contact with the interaction element in the determining section and, when the interaction element is dislocated, configured for signalizing the connection status monitoring device that the disconnector device has changed its status from “connected” to “disconnected”.

13. The protection disconnector system according to claim 1 , wherein the surge arrester is electrically connected, through the disconnector device, between a line of the power distribution or transmission grid and ground.

14. A method for remotely monitoring an electrical connection status of a disconnector device, the method comprising:

connecting the disconnector device in series to a surge arrester between a phase of a power distribution or transmission grid to ground;

activating the disconnector device in case of an overload condition of the surge arrestor, thereby disconnecting the surge arrester;

determining, by a determining section of a connection status monitoring device, whether the disconnector device has been activated;

generating, by the determining section, connection status indicator data indicative of whether the disconnector device has been activated;

connecting the connection status monitoring device to a wireless communication infrastructure;

transmitting, by a wireless communication section of the connection status monitoring device, the connection status indicator data over the wireless communication infrastructure using a wireless communication protocol

wherein the disconnector device comprises an indicator element which is movable;

wherein the determining section comprises an interaction element;

wherein the indicator element is moved when the disconnector device is activated;

wherein the interaction element interacts with the indicator element and generates a signal when the indicator element is moved; and

determining, by the determining section, that the disconnector device has been activated in response to receiving, by the determining section, the generated signal.