Sherlock Breaker Circuit Breaker Finder

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Sherlock BreakerCircuit Breaker Finder
ECE Senior Design I Midterm PresentationMonday,
October 4, 2004
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Sherlock Breaker Team Members
Kevin Fernandes (Team Leader)WebsiteDocumentatio
nSimulations
Joel McCownReceiver HardwareDocumentationSimula
tions
Natalie GilmoreDocumentationMS
ProjectTransmitter Hardware
Derek IrbyReceiver SoftwareDocumentationSimulat
ions
Dr. Noel Schulz Faculty Advisor
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Circuit Breaker Basics
Safety Provide protection against excessive line
current Convenience During maintenance, remove
power from only one line Inconvenience
Unreadable or non-existent labels
A solution exists!
Photo Courtesy of HowStuffWorks.com
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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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Todays Products

• Older Technology
• Inexpensive ( lt 80 )
• Discrete Components
• Manual Sensitivity Control

• Newer Technology
• Expensive ( 80 )
• Integrated Circuits
• Automatic Sensitivity Control

However, none of these products allows a user to
test multiple wall outlets simultaneously.
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Circuit Breaker Finders Common Features

• 120 VAC
• Over-Current Protection
• 20-120F
• Handheld Receiver

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Sherlock BreakerMotivated to Provide a Better
Solution

• Receiver Operates on 2 AA Batteries
• Multiple Transmitters (Faster Circuit Breaker
  Identification)
• Works on Transmission Lines up to 300
  feet in length
• Automatic Sensitivity Control
• Integration of Older and Newer Technology

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Transmitter Signal Flow
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SIDAC(Silicon Diode for AC)
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Transmitter Circuit
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Transmitter PSpice Simulation
Sample output for one pulse cycle
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Transmitter Prototype Results
2us Pulse Width _at_ 20A
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Transmitter Pulse Combinations
Transmitter(s) on the circuit A B C AB BC AC ABC
Pulses receivedat breaker 120 60 40 180 100 160 220
Individual Transmitter Configuration
A 120 pulses per secondB 60 pulses
per second C 40 pulses per second
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Receiver
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PIC Calibration Flowchart
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PIC Pulse-Counting Flowchart
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Estimated Product Cost
3 Transmitters _at_ 4 each 121 Receiver _at_
8 8 Total Parts Cost 20 Suggested
Retail Price 80
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Who Needs Sherlock Breaker?

• Contractors
• Homeowners
• Maintenance Crews

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Summary

• Sherlock Breaker has several advantages over
  similar products
• Multiple Transmitters
• Automatic Sensitivity Control
• Longer Battery Life Using 2 AA batteries
• Successful Integration of Older and Modern
  Technology

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Acknowledgements

• Dr. Noel Schulz
• Dr. Lori Bruce
• Dr. Herb Ginn
• Dr. Raymond Winton

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Questions?