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--- astra_conv:conversion:isolation_check:isolation_check [2014/03/13 23:51]
richard created
+++ astra_conv:conversion:isolation_check:isolation_check [2014/04/29 11:06] (current)
richard
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{indexmenu_n>057}}
+====== isolation check ======
-=== isolation check ===
-This circuit continuously checks whether traction grid and 12V grid are isolated against each other.
+This circuit continuously checks whether traction grid and 12V grid are isolated against each other. ECE R-100 does not even require such a device for an EV vehicle, but TUEV in spite did require it. I also support this requirement because the existence of an isolation fault needs to be detected immediately to avoid dangerous "double fault" situations. Only then, one can rely that an isolation fault between traction circuit and car chassis will not have hazardous consequences.
-The 22k resistor on the top left connects to a tap at the "electrical" center of the traction battery's cell chain. If the isolation is flawless, this point will be kept at 0V, referred to the 12V grid's ground. The traction battery is then "balanced", with the positive rail at around +50V, and the negative rail at -50V referred to 12V grid ground.
+For the isolation check, TUEV had following requirements:
-In case of an isolation fault, the center tap will be forced to a potential different from 0V. This results in a current across the 22k resistor. This current is smoothed by a capacitor and rectified, and will eventually trigger the solid state relay on the top right of the diagram. Currently, the relay will be triggered at around 12V offset of the center tap.
+* The device is not allowed to reduce the isolation resistance to a value lower than specified by R-100. Since the car has an AC motor, the harsher requirement of 500 Ohms/Volt applies - i.e. in this case 50kOhms.
-The output of the relay enables a simple oscillator, that drives a beeper at around 4 beeps per second.
+* The device must be able to detect an isolation fault regardless to which point (e.g. positive or negative rail, or e.g. right in the center of the battery's cell chain) within the traction circuit.
-Below a view of the circuit board. The photos are intentionally shrunk because it grew so ugly.
+* Besides an audible alarm, an isolation fault condition must also trigger the immobilizer, so that the car cannot be taken into operation any more. It is admissible that the immobilizer checks the fault condition at the time of turning on the ignition only, and ignores it if it occurs during driving.
-{{:astra_conv:conversion:wiring:p1100043_isol_check.jpg?250|}} {{:astra_conv:conversion:wiring:p1100044_isol_check.jpg?250|}}
+* In case the isolation check creates interference, it must be possible to deactivate the device so that the "true" isolation resistance can also be measured (by an external appliance as specified in R-100).
-The "isolation check" circuit is continuously powered (i.e. not dependent on ignition). It's function can always be verified by a test button at the rear side of the rear battery box, that simulates a slight isolation fault (see chapter "rear traction battery box" below).
+Currently, there seems to be only one product on the market that is designed for EV application. This device offers a very high isolation resistance and the manufacturer claims that it is particularly immune against electrical distortions that are typical for an EV traction circuit. The drawbacks of this device however are its extreme price (around €500.- incl VAT) and its slow response time (specified up to 20 seconds). I therefore asked for permission to use a self-made isolation check device.
+The first device, that I initially had installed, did not yet meet above requirements. An "AC coupling" based approach failed to deliver sufficient noise immunity, so my "dynamic DC coupling" device described in the following was already the third version I made.
+Below the schematics of the isolation check circuit.
+{{ :astra_conv:conversion:wiring:isol_check_dcd_13_check.jpg |}}
+The device alternatingly establishes high-impedance connections to two different taps on the traction battery cell chain. In case a noticeable current is flowing, this will quickly (within fractions of a second) create an intermittent warning beep. If this condition persists, after some seconds an "isolation fault" alarm will be raised, which is fed to the immobilizer latch.
+The tap inputs can be seen at the bottom left of the diagram. Each of the two yellow tap wires also has an additional 22k series resistor close to the tap, for safety reasons. The two LCA110 solid state relays alternatingly connect them to chassis ground, over some more resistors and the two SFH617 optocouplers. With the 56k + 22k series resistors, the total isolation resistance sums up to a total of 100kOhms, which is safely above the required 50k. The LM2903 on the top left derives  the control signals for the solid state relays  from a sawtooth signal produced by a simple 555 oscillator.
+If either of the two optocouplers' output transistors gets conductive, the voltage at the low-pass stage below will rise. Another LM2903 will trigger and create the warning signal, if a certain threshold is exceeded. The 555 timer in the following stage will trigger if this condition persists for a few seconds.
+The device has two outputs (active low and active high) for the "isolation check failed" alarm.
+Front and rear view of the unit.
+{{ :astra_conv:conversion:wiring:p1110470.jpg?550 |}}{{ :astra_conv:conversion:wiring:p1110471.jpg?550 |}}
+The "isolation check" circuit is continuously powered (i.e. not dependent on ignition). It's function can always be verified by a test button at the rear side of the rear battery box, that simulates a slight isolation fault (see chapter "rear traction battery box").
+{{actionlink>top|*** back to top of this page ***}}

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