Sherlock Breaker Circuit Breaker Finder

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Sherlock BreakerCircuit Breaker Finder
ECE Senior Design II Design ReviewMonday, April
25, 2005
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Sherlock Breaker Team Members
Kevin Fernandes WebsiteTransmitter Hardware
Simulations
Joel McCownReceiver HardwareDocumentationSimula
tions
Natalie GilmoreDocumentationMS Project
Derek IrbyReceiver SoftwareDocumentationSimulat
ions
Dr. Noel Schulz Faculty Advisor
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Sherlock Breaker Circuit Breaker Finder

• What is Sherlock Breaker?
• Matches circuits to their respective breakers
• Reduces circuit matching time
• Reduces the need for more than one worker
• Offers an upgraded alternative to existing
  products

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Circuit Breaker Finder Components

• Transmitter
• Plugs into 120V receptacle
• Places identifying signal on line

• Receiver
• Handheld
• Battery operated
• Finds identifying signal

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Sherlock BreakerECE4522 Goals

• To improve Sherlock Breaker prototype from
  ECE4512
• Implement peak detector for automatic
  sensitivity control
• Improve accuracy
• Reduce power consumption and case size
• Put design on PCB board

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Progress This Semester
Transmitter Changes Distinguishing multiple
transmittersUsing lower-current LEDs Using fuse
to protect user Receiver ChangesImproved
accuracy with wider detection rangeImplemented
peak detector Using On/Off switchUsing LEDs to
show power on OverallDesigned PCBs
Implemented packaging
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Transmitter Overview
Design Consideration Low-current LED for less
heat, lower power resistor, smaller packaging,
lower parts cost
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Transmitter Pulse Combinations
Transmitter(s) on the circuit A B AB
Pulses receivedat breaker 120 60 180
Individual Transmitter Configuration
A 120 pulses per secondB 60 pulses
per second
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Receiver Overview
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Receiver Calibration Flowchart
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Peak Detector Circuit
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Receiver Calibration Testing
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Receiver Pulse-Counting Flowchart
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Testing Plan
Tested at Residential and Commercial locations
Distance from receptacle to breaker box Loading
effects Single and multiple transmitter
results Receiver distinction for adjacent and
nonadjacent breakers Results compared to a
purchased product
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Testing Results
Consistent Each transmitter alone on a circuit at
L,M,H loads Both transmitters on same breaker at
L,M loads Transmitters on non-adjacent
breakers Mixed Results Both transmitters on same
breaker at heavy loads Transmitters on adjacent
breakers Both transmitters on same outlet (not
practical)
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Testing Results
Other Interesting Notes Transmitters work in
surge protectors Transmitters work in Ground
Fault Circuit Interrupters Transmitters are not
very accurate with large lighting relays
connected to the box(Purchased device also had
difficulties) Detecting a single transmitter will
work even with a microwave running (rated 1580 W)
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Prototype Parts List and Cost
1 Receiver 2 Transmitters 10.20
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PCB Layout
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Packaging Plan
Used Pre-fabricated models
Transmitter
Receiver
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Design Constraints
Constraint Met Partially Met Not Met/Untested
Applicable Line Voltages 120 V X
Transmitter Signal 20A at no more than 3 microseconds X
Environmental (power) 2 AA batteries X
Economical (cost) Less than 80 X
Multiple Transmitters X
Safety Fuses meet UL Standards X
Manufacturability (size) X
Reliability and Accuracy Tested in a variety of locations X
Signal Strength Calibration Automatic calibration X
Applicable Line Length Accurate up to 150 feet X

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ABET Aspects
EngineeringStandard Constraint Met
Economics Costs less than products with equal or fewer features (40 vs. 50-100)
Manufacturability Packaged smaller than current products
Social Invention of a new product (CBF with multiple transmitters)
Safety Fuses for applicable UL standards Efficient power on/off

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Acknowledgements

• Dr. Noel Schulz
• Dr. Lori Bruce
• Dr. Herb Ginn
• Dr. Raymond Winton
• Jean Mohammadi-Aragh
• Joel Martin
• Odie McHann

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Questions?