| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20080197855 | Insulation Resistance Drop Detector and Failure Self-Diagnosis Method for Insulation Resistance Drop Detector - An insulation resistance drop detector includes a pulse generator that applies a pulse signal to a series circuit in which a detecting resistor, a coupling capacitor, and an insulating resistance are serially connected. In a state where the pulse signal is applied to the series circuit, control circuit detects a pulse-like divided voltage occurring at a node by a voltage detecting circuit via a bandpass filter, to thereby sense a drop of an insulation resistance. Further, the control circuit senses a failure of the insulation resistance drop detector itself when the voltage detected by the voltage detecting circuit is maintained at least at a prescribed voltage exceeding a plurality of cycles of the pulse signal. Thus, the insulation resistance drop detector having a failure self-diagnosis function is realized by a simple configuration. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080231286 | WIRE ABNORMALITY DETECTING DEVICE - A sensor switch | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080238436 | Method and system to identify grounding concerns in an electric power system - A method and system to detect and evaluate improper grounding/grounded bonds in an electrical power system is disclosed. An example method is detecting improper grounding in an electrical power system having a plurality of monitoring devices coupled to a grounded conductor and a grounding conductor. Data of the voltage between the grounded conductor and the grounding conductor is received from the plurality of monitoring devices. The spatial orientation of the data from the plurality of monitoring devices is determined within a hierarchy of the electrical power system. The voltage data received from the plurality of monitoring devices is compared to determine a bond (or lack of a bond) between the grounded conductor and the grounding conductor. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20090001993 | Systems and methods for detecting a faulty ground strap connection - Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting a faulty ground strap connection for a machine hosting a high voltage system. In one embodiment, a fault detection and compensation system includes a ground strap, a DC power supply electrically referenced to a machine frame, a leakage detection switch connected to the machine frame, a current source controlled by the leakage detection switch, and a voltage measuring device that measures an offset voltage. The fault detection and compensation system further includes a leakage detection and compensation controller that compensates for the unbalanced fault condition by controlling the leakage detection switch and the current source, and determines whether the ground strap is properly connected to the machine frame. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090045818 | POWER-OVER-ETHERNET ISOLATION LOSS DETECTOR - An AC generator has a first terminal coupled through an Isolation Loss Detect (ILD) capacitor to the positive bus of a Power-Over-Ethernet (POE) system, and has a second terminal coupled through the primary of a transformer to earth ground. AC current flowing between earth ground and the positive bus causes a corresponding AC voltage to be developed across the secondary of this transformer. The secondary of the transformer is coupled to an AC detector, the output of which is coupled to a comparator. The threshold of the comparator is set such that when AC current flow through the ILD capacitor exceeds a value set by this threshold, an ISOLATION FAULT output is generated at the output of the comparator. In normal operation, isolation between earth ground and any conductor in the POE system coupled to the positive bus is high, so little or no AC current flows through the ILD capacitor. When an isolation loss occurs such as a short circuit between earth ground and any conductor in the POE system coupled to the positive bus, the AC current in the ILD capacitor and transformer increase significantly, causing the output of the AC detector to exceed the threshold of the comparator, and causing an ISOLATION FAULT output. A high level of galvanic isolation is maintained even with the added ILD circuit because the DC leakage current of the ILD capacitor is negligible. In an embodiment wherein distributed bypass capacitance exists from the positive and negative buses to earth ground, the known nominal AC current caused to flow in the ILD capacitor by this distributed capacitance allows a self-check function of the ILD system. A second comparator is coupled to the output of the AC detector, and a second threshold is set which is above zero but below the voltage caused by this nominal AC current flow. If the AC generator or AC detector fails, causing the detector output to drop significantly, this second comparator changes state to show a failure of the ILD circuit. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090085573 | DIFFERENTIAL-MODE-CURRENT-SENSING METHOD AND APPARATUS - Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed, including a ground-fault sensor that has a plurality of conductors each disposed one inside of another except for an outer conductor and a field sensor configured to sense an electric field, a magnetic field, or both. In some embodiments, the field sensor is disposed adjacent the outer conductor. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090085574 | Method for locating phase to ground faults in DC distribution systems - A method for locating phase to ground faults in DC distribution systems. The method includes utilizing wavelet analysis using Multi-Resolution Analysis (MRA) as a signal processing tool for recognition of characteristic features in the voltage signal. The voltage signal contains characteristic information in the high frequency range above the switching frequencies of the PE converters which allows for localization of the fault. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090102488 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION CIRCUIT FOR USE IN HIGH VOLTAGE MOTOR DRIVE APPLICATIONS - An integrated ground fault detection circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a shunt resistor provided on a positive rail of a DC bus, a high voltage pocket including a sensory circuit connected to the shunt resistor and operable to detect a fault condition indicating a short circuit and a transmitter section operable to continuously transmit a fault condition signal indicating the fault condition and a low voltage pocket including a receiver operable to receive the fault condition signal from the sensory circuit and a logic unit, connected to the receiver, and operable to provide a fault output signal indicating the presence of a fault condition based on the fault condition signal. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090160453 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING GROUND FAULT - Method and apparatus for detecting a ground fault, the apparatus comprising means arranged to monitor a sum current of output phases of a frequency converter, means arranged to detect a ground fault, if the sum current exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and means for performing the initial setting of the threshold value, the means being arranged to determine the value of the sum current when the frequency converter starts up and to set the threshold value so that it is greater than the predetermined value of the sum current. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090160454 | Ground Fault Detection - The present invention relates to a ground fault detection arrangement for a synchronous three-phase electrical machine, and an electrical system comprising a ground fault detection arrangement and a synchronous three-phase electrical machine. The ground fault detection arrangement injects an off-nominal frequency voltage between a neutral point of the synchronous three-phase electrical machine and ground and measure resultant currents to detect a ground fault. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090167314 | Method and Device for Detecting Ground Faults in a Supply Cable - A method for detecting a ground fault of a multi-phase energy supply cable carrying alternating current includes determining an average potential of the energy supply cable, entering the average potential or a variable derived therefrom into an evaluation unit, and comparing the average potential or the variable derived from the average potential with a threshold value in the evaluation unit. Ground faults are detected reliably and less expensively by presuming a ground fault if the comparison indicates that the value of the average potential or the variable derived therefrom has fallen below the threshold. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090278547 | GROUND-FAULT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES WITH A HIGH-VOLTAGE POWER NET - A ground-fault detection system and method for detecting loss of electrical isolation in a vehicle or other system that uses a high voltage (HV) power net. The loss of electrical isolation may be determined by charging HV capacitors, then connecting them at different times between the power-net HV wires and the ground (or vehicle chassis), and measuring their remaining charge after a fixed period. The HV system can be regarded as properly isolated from ground or not as a function of the energy lost by the aforementioned capacitors during their connection to the HV power net. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090295401 | LEAK DETECTING CIRCUIT - A leak detecting circuit includes: a current path having one end connected to a conductor housing a device supplied with a direct-current voltage from a direct-current power source, and having another end connected to a negative electrode of the direct-current power source; the current path including a limiting resistance for limiting a current, a switch element having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a control electrode, conduction between the first electrode and the second electrode being controlled, a detecting resistance for detecting a current flowing through the current path, and a variable direct-current power source allowing a plurality of leak detecting reference voltages for detecting a leak to be selected, and having a negative electrode connected to the negative electrode of the direct-current power source; an amplifier for amplifying a voltage across the detecting resistance; and a constant-voltage circuit for making constant a potential difference between a voltage of the control electrode of the switch element and a voltage of a positive electrode of the variable direct-current power source; wherein a leak between the conductor and the direct-current power source is detected on a basis of the voltage across the detecting resistance, the voltage across the detecting resistance being amplified by the amplifier. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20100013491 | Device, System and Method For Automatic Self-Test For A Ground Fault Interrupter - A self-test circuit is provided that includes a signal circuit adapted to periodically output a circuit inhibitor signal to inhibit a breaking signal from a ground fault detector. The signal circuit is also adapted to periodically output a test signal simulating a ground fault. The self-test circuit also includes an alarm circuit adapted to receive an output signal from the ground fault detector in response to detecting the ground fault, and adapted to output an alarm when the ground fault detector is not operative. The signal circuit may be further adapted to periodically output a second test signal simulating a grounded neutral condition. A ground fault circuit interrupter system and a method are also provided. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100134117 | Method and Device for Capturing a Fault in an Electrical Supply Grid - A method for detecting a ground fault in an electrical supply system includes using a combination of components and their connections within the supply system to form virtual components, allowing presetting of fault indicators for incoming and outgoing supply lines to individual components. A fault index can be determined for each virtual component in conjunction with a respective association of a correlation coefficient with fault indicators and a subsequent normalization over all fault indicators using a correlation coefficient. Comparison of the indices of all virtual components of the supply system permits a determination of that virtual component in which the highest fault index occurs, and therefore in which there is the highest probability of a fault. The fault search in a supply system can therefore be determined quickly and easily independently of power supply system geometry and configuration. An apparatus performing the method and computer program product, are also provided. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100207634 | ROBUST AC CHASSIS FAULT DETECTION USING PWM SIDEBAND HARMONICS - A method, apparatus and computer program for detecting an AC chassis fault on one or more DC/AC converters having a load is disclosed, including receiving a chassis voltage V | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100207635 | FAULT DETECTION METHOD FOR DETECTING LEAKAGE PATHS BETWEEN POWER SOURCES AND CHASSIS - A method of detecting a ground fault condition between a direct current power system and the chassis ground of an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle is provided. The method includes sequentially opening and closing a first switch connected between a positive node of the direct current power system and the chassis ground of the vehicle and a second switch connected between a negative node of direct current power system and the chassis ground. The sequential opening and closing of the first and second switches charges and discharges an inherent capacitance present between the metal components of the direct current power system and the chassis. First and second currents are created as the inherent capacitance is charged and discharged. Measurements of the created first and second currents are then used to determine whether a ground fault condition exists between the direct current power system and the vehicle chassis ground. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100219838 | METHOD OF DETECTING THE WET ARC FAULT IN THE AC POWER DISTRIBUTION APPLICATIONS - Methods for detecting wet arc faults are based on the direct current (DC) signature analysis and pattern matching pertaining to wet arc characteristics. While magnifying some wet arc fault signatures, it may be found that the wet arc current signal itself resembles a normal current signal in both time and frequency domains. The change in magnitude or high frequency behavior found may not be enough to distinguish a wet arc fault signature from a normal signature. Embodiments of the present invention may look at the magnitude change in the DC content per cycle of the wet arc current signal, which may be more positive in one cycle while, in the next cycle, it may be negative in a relative manner. A particular number of these changes may be determinative of a wet arc fault. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100271037 | DIFFERENTIAL-MODE CURRENT SENSOR - Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed, including a ground-fault sensor that has a plurality of conductors each disposed one inside of another except for an outer conductor and a field sensor configured to sense an electric field, a magnetic field, or both. In some embodiments, the field sensor is disposed adjacent the outer conductor. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100271038 | DIFFERENTIAL-MODE CURRENT SENSOR METHOD - Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed, including a ground-fault sensor that has a plurality of conductors each disposed one inside of another except for an outer conductor and a field sensor configured to sense an electric field, a magnetic field, or both. In some embodiments, the field sensor is disposed adjacent the outer conductor. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100315091 | Detecting a Short Circuit in an Inductive Load Current Path - A method detects a short circuit in a load current path that includes an inductive load. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20110006777 | ELECTRICAL LEAK DETECTING APPARATUS FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - The present invention relates to an electrical leak detecting apparatus for an electric vehicle, which is capable of not only detecting an electrical leak generated when a vehicle body is connected to the maximum potential or minimum potential of a battery pack, but also detecting which portion of the battery pack the vehicle body is connected to when an electrical leak is generated through the connection of the vehicle body and an intermediate potential of the battery pack. The electrical leak detecting apparatus for an electric vehicle according to the present invention includes: first and second switches connected to each other in series between a maximum potential terminal and a minimum potential terminal; a detection resistor having one end connected to a common contact of the first and second switches; and first and second measured potential supply units which are connected to each other in parallel between the other end of the detection resistor and the vehicle body, and which selectively provide first and second measured potentials, of different potential, to the battery pack. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110012606 | INSULATION STATE DETECTOR - An insulation state detector detects an insulation state with respect to a ground potential portion of a DC power source on the basis of a charging voltage of a flying capacitor. The insulation state connector includes a detecting section that detects the insulation state of the DC power source by defining the charging voltage of the flying capacitor in the ground fault state as a charging voltage, in an unbalanced state where voltages across both ends of the positive-side Y capacitor and the negative-side Y capacitor are not equal to voltages obtained by dividing the voltage of the DC power source according to a voltage division ratio of the positive-side ground fault resistor and the negative-side ground fault resistor. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110025341 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION - A ground fault detection system detects an earth fault or ground fault in a network device. The network device may be used in a fire alarm network. The ground fault detection system includes a power device that electrically isolates the ground fault detection system. A controller sequences a series of switches or relays to charge an energy storing element, such as a capacitor, with the isolated power supply. The capacitor is placed in communication with each port of the network device one at a time. If the connected port includes an inadvertent connection to ground, a detection circuit will detect the bias on the earth ground. The detection circuit may then output an indication of the inadvertent connection to ground to either a workstation or a fire alarm control panel. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110057660 | CURRENT LEAKAGE DETECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINE - In a construction machine in which a motor is driven by battery power through an inverter in accordance with operation of an operating lever, current-leakage detection signal output means applies a voltage signal, which is adapted for detection of a current leakage, between DC buses connected to the battery and a body of the machine. The applied signal voltage is detected by signal detection means, and the occurrence or non-occurrence of a current leakage is determined based on a crest value of the detected voltage signal. When the operating lever is operated during the determination, the determination is suspended to prevent erroneous detection. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110068802 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION DEVICE - A device and method to determine the presence of a ground fault that distinguishes between the capacitive portion of the currents to ground, and the resistive portion of the currents to ground by ascertaining aspects of the voltage and residual current waveforms. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110080177 | GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND METHOD - A method and circuit for determining a circuit element parameter in a ground fault circuit interrupter circuit. An electrical signal provided to a first node is used to generate another electrical signal at a second node. The electrical signal at the second node is multiplexed with a modulation signal to generate a modulated signal that is then filtered and converted into a digital representation of a portion of the circuit element parameter. The electrical signal at the second node is multiplexed with the modulation signal after it has been phase shifted to produce a modulated signal that is filter and converted into a digital representation of another portion of the circuit element parameter. In another aspect, a slope based solenoid self-test method is used for self-testing in a GFCI circuit. Alternatively, a method for determining a wiring fault is provided using a digital filter. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110267070 | Ground Fault Detection For An Electrical Subsea Control System - A ground fault detection circuit for detecting ground faults in electrical subsea conductor lines including a first electrical conductor line, a second electrical conductor line, a first ground fault detection line, and a second ground fault detection line. The ground fault detection circuit further includes a first resistor operatively connected to a voltage source and the first ground fault detection line, a second resistor operatively connected to the voltage source and the second ground fault detection line, and a voltage detection device configured to detect the voltage at an output end of the first resistor to determine the presence of a ground fault in at least one of the first and second conductor lines. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110285399 | DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING LINES OF GROUNDING ELECTRODES - Device, system and method for monitoring lines of grounding electrodes, this invention deals with a system and a device for monitoring lines of grounding electrodes in transmission systems of electric power in direct current. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110298467 | Subsea Line Monitoring Device - A subsea line monitoring device comprising a diagnostic unit adapted to be deployed, in use, in a subsea location and having a first connector, the diagnostic unit being operable, in use, to output a signal indicative of the integrity of a line or device connected to the first connector. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110298468 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING A PHASE-TO-EARTH FAULT - A method and an apparatus for detecting a phase-to-earth fault on a three-phase electric line of an electric network, the apparatus determining a neutral admittance based on a ratio of a difference between zero sequence currents on the three-phase electric line and a difference between zero sequence voltages in the electric network before an earth fault and during the earth fault. The apparatus also compares the determined neutral admittance, to a predetermined operation characteristic to detect a phase-to-earth fault on the three-phase electric line. The predetermined operation characteristic, when presented on an admittance plane, defines a closed area such that the center of the closed area is offset from the origin of the admittance plane towards a negative susceptance direction and/or towards a negative conductance direction. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110298469 | ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR MONITORING GALVANIC ISOLATION OF FUEL CELL DEVICE - A method is disclosed for monitoring galvanic isolation of a fuel cell device. At least one stack of fuel cells and at least one load circuit for fuel cells are arranged to an electrically freely floating configuration towards at least one structure near fuel cells. A controlled switching is performed via at least two switching points to at least one measurement element having known impedance in connection to the at least one structure. Measurements are performed from the measurement element to form voltage information. The voltage information and at least voltage information between switching points are processed to check floatages of fuel cells in relation to said at least one structure. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110304339 | ELECTRICAL ISOLATION DETECTION WITH ENHANCED DYNAMIC RANGE - A bus terminal is isolated from ground potential during normal operation of the vehicle. A first current is applied to the bus terminal. A current level detector is arranged to detect a first level of the first current, or a corresponding observed voltage level, that exists or flows from the bus terminal to ground. A compensator is configured to compensate for a range in the detected first level by applying a corresponding compensating voltage level to a first resistor coupled to the current level detector. An electronic data processor is capable of estimating a first isolation level between the bus terminal and ground based on the detected first level. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20120025840 | APPRATUS FOR MEASURING GROUND LEAKAGE CURRENT IN AN UNGROUNDED DIRECT CURRENT POWER SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR SAME - Provided a ground leakage current measurement apparatus in an ungrounded DC power system including main and auxiliary electric lines includes: a switching unit configured to perform switching to supply measurement power to a main ground resistor and an auxiliary ground resistor by using power of the electric lines; a measurement unit connected between the switching unit and the ground and configured to measure at least one of main and auxiliary ground leakage currents; and a control unit configured to control the switching unit to discriminate a main ground leakage current operation and an auxiliary ground leakage current operation of the measurement unit. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120074951 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CURRENT-BASED PLASMA EXCURSION DETECTION - A system and method for the detection of plasma excursions, such as arcs, micro-arcs, or other plasma instability, during plasma processing by directly monitoring RF current just prior to reaching an RF power electrode of a plasma processing chamber is provided. The monitored RF current may be converted to an RF voltage and then passed through a succession of analog filters and amplifiers to provide a plasma excursion signal. The plasma excursion signal is compared to a preset value, and at points where the plasma excursion signal exceeds the preset value, an alarm signal is generated. The alarm signal is then fed back into a system controller so that an operator can be alerted and/or the processing system can be shut down. In one embodiment, the RF current amplified and converted to a digital signal for digital filtering and processing. In certain embodiments, multiple processing regions can be monitored by a single detection control unit. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120086458 | SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF A GROUND FAULT IN A HIGH RESISTANCE GROUND NETWORK - A method is provided for detection of a ground fault in a high resistance network in a voltage source power conversion circuit comprising a power converter that converts incoming AC power to DC power applied to a DC bus and an inverter that converts DC power from the DC bus to output AC power. The method includes detecting a midpoint-to-ground voltage between a low side of the DC bus and a ground potential and detecting the presence of a ground fault in a high resistance network based upon the detected midpoint-to-ground voltage. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120112757 | Ground Fault Detection and Location System and Method for Motor Drives - A motor drive system provides for analysis of current flow in the DC bus to identify ground faults and their locations. Low-frequency positive polarity and negative polarity current differences indicate ground faults from the positive DC bus and negative DC bus respectively. High-frequency signals indicate ground faults in the motor windings and connecting leads. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120112758 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GROUND FAULT DETECTION AND LOCATION IN UNGROUNDED ELECRICAL SYSTEMS - The present invention is implemented by deploying an enhanced ground fault detection and location apparatus and by using the apparatus in conjunction with specific circuit analysis methods, using the information generated by the ground fault detection and location apparatus. The ground fault detection and location apparatus comprises the functionality of a voltmeter, an ammeter, a phase angle meter, a frequency generator, and a variable power supply, thereby providing for a variety of signals and analyses to be performed on a unintentionally grounded circuit in an ungrounded AC or DC power distribution system. The ground fault detection and location apparatus is capable of operating in six different modes, with each mode providing a different capability or opportunity for detecting, analyzing, and locating one or more unintentionally grounded circuits in an normally ungrounded AC or DC power distribution system. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120119751 | MULTI-POLE ARCING FAULT CIRCUIT BREAKER INCLUDING A NEUTRAL CURRENT SENSOR - A fault detection system is provided for a power distribution system having at least first and second line conductors carrying AC currents that are out of phase with each other from a source to a load, and a common neutral conductor. The system includes an arcing fault current sensor comprising a coil wound on a hollow core and coupled to both of the line conductors in a manner that the electrical currents in the line conductors flow in opposite directions inside the hollow core, thus inducing in the coil an output signal that is a function of the difference of the electrical currents in the line conductors. A neutral current sensor produces an output signal representing the magnitude and phase direction of current in the neutral conductor. An arcing fault detection circuit includes a processor programmed to (1) respond to a change in the first output signal to analyze the second output signal to determine whether the change in the first output signal is attributable at least in part to current in a line-to-line circuit, (2) if the answer is affirmative, determine a scaling factor to be used to adjust the value of the first output signal, and (3) analyze the adjusted first output signal to determine whether an arcing fault has occurred and produce a trip signal in response to the detection of an arcing fault. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120146655 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SENSING GROUND LEAKAGE AND AUTOMATED SELF TESTING THEREOF - Methods and apparatus provide for: measuring leakage current from a source of AC power, which provides power to at least one load circuit; and comparing the measured leakage current values against one or more predetermined thresholds to establish status therefor; and automatically performing self tests to determine whether the leakage current sensing and comparing operations are operative. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120146656 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ABNORMALITY OF HIGH VOLTAGE CIRCUIT - Disclosed are abnormality detecting apparatus and method for a high-voltage circuit (A), in which: a square wave pulse is outputted to a measuring point (p | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120182024 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION CIRCUIT AND GROUND FAULT DETECTION APPARATUS - A ground fault detection circuit includes: a first switch circuit that connects/disconnects a first path between a positive bus bar and a ground potential section, the positive bus bar being connected to positive electrodes of secondary battery units through a field-effect transistor including a parasitic diode; a second switch circuit that connects/disconnects a second path between a negative bus bar and a ground potential section, the negative bus bar being connected to negative electrodes of the secondary battery units; and a ground fault detection unit that detects a ground fault of the positive bus bar or the negative bus bar based on an electric current flowing through the first path or the second path. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120194200 | FUSE CONTINUITY DETECTION - Systems, methods, and circuits are disclosed for detecting continuity of a fuse or other current protection device in a circuit. For example, a signal is generated and coupled onto a closed circuit in which the continuity of the fuse closes the circuit. The signal is then coupled from the closed circuit to a signal detector, which detects the presence of the signal and provides an output indicative of the presence of the signal. If the fuse blows, the circuit is opened, prohibiting the signal from being coupled to the signal detector, in which case the signal detector provides an output indicative of the absence of the signal. This example, however, are not exhaustive. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120206148 | Method and device for determining a maximum leakage current - The invention relates to a method and a device for determining a maximum leakage current in unearthed power supply networks with a plurality of conductors. The method comprises the steps of: feeding of a measurement signal U | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120206149 | Method and Apparatus for Ground Distance Protection - The invention relates to a ground distance protection method, which comprises: measure local source impedance based on fault component at both ends (M, N) of the transmission line in the case of a ground distance fault has occurred. Send the measured local source impedance from a first end to a second end. Adjust a protection criterion at the second end based on the measured impedance. And, judge the ground fault as an internal fault or an external fault according to the adjusted protection criterion. The invention also relates to a controller, a piece of software and an apparatus for implementing the same function. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120249154 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION SYSTEM - The present application describes, among other things, a ground fault detection system. The system includes an optocoupler, a current sink, and a first voltage source connected in series. The first voltage source can connect to a negative terminal of a battery unit. Upon connection between a positive terminal of the battery unit and a first node at a ground zero reference level, current can flow through the optocoupler and the current sink to cause the optocoupler to output a ground fault detection signal. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120262183 | INSULATING STATE DETECTION UNIT HAVING FAILURE DETECTOR - An insulating state detection unit is configured to perform failure detection for switches, which connect a flying capacitor to a sample hold circuit for acquiring a charge voltage and a ground potential, by using a failure determination threshold value according to a variable value. That is to say, the insulating state detection unit is configured to decide the failure determination threshold value by taking, as a reference, a charge voltage of a capacitor of the sample hold circuit charged with electric charge amount corresponding to a charge voltage of the flying capacitor when the flying capacitor is charged with electric charge amount corresponding to an output voltage of a DC power supply. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120299598 | Systems and Methods for Determining Electrical Ground Faults - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for determining electrical ground faults. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided determining ground leakage electrical faults. The method includes providing a voltage source having a positive lead in communication with a first contact conductor and a negative lead in communication with a second field conductor, wherein the first contact conductor is connected to a ground through a first resistor Rp, and wherein the second field conductor is connected to the ground through a second resistor Rn; monitoring a first voltage potential associated with the first contact conductor; and determining a condition associated with the first contact conductor, based at least in part on the monitored first voltage potential. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120299599 | ELECTRIC LEAKAGE SENSING APPARATUS - An electric leakage sensing apparatus includes a pulse generator that supplies a pulse to a coupling capacitor, a voltage detector that detects a voltage at the coupling capacitor, an electric leakage determination unit that compares the voltage detected by the voltage detector to a threshold and determines existence or non-existence of an electric leakage of a DC power supply based on a comparison result, a pre-check circuit that puts the DC power supply into a pseudo electric leakage state, a diagnostic unit that diagnoses whether the electric leakage determination unit determines that the electric leakage exists when the DC power supply is put into the pseudo electric leakage state, and terminals to which cables are connected. A current route from the pulse generator to the pre-check circuit through the coupling capacitor and the cables is formed when the DC power supply is put into the pseudo electric leakage state. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20130043878 | COMMUNICATION LINE DRIVER PROTECTION CIRCUITRY, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Embodiments relate to fault detection comparator circuitry and methods that can operate in conjunction with a power-on-reset (POR) scheme to put a chip into a reliable power-down mode upon fault detection to avoid disrupting the communication bus link such that other connected chips and the host can continue to operate. Power-on of the affected chip can then be carried out when the connection with that chip is restored. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130043879 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING EARTH FAULT - A method and an apparatus for detecting an earth fault on a three-phase electric line are provided. The apparatus includes means for determining a neutral admittance on the basis of a residual current and a residual voltage, means for comparing the determined neutral admittance to a predetermined operation characteristic to detect an earth fault on the three-phase electric line, and means for determining one or more harmonic components of the residual current and one or more harmonic components of the residual voltage. The harmonic components have frequencies n*fn such that n≧2 and fn is a fundamental frequency. The means for determining a neutral admittance are configured to use at least one of the determined one or more harmonic components of the residual current and at least one of the determined one or more harmonic components of the residual voltage for determining the neutral admittance. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130043880 | Determination of the Fault Current Component of a Differential Current - For the purpose of determining a fault current component of a differential current which is measured as a current sum over a plurality of lines carrying a current of an AC current generator, an electric signal which depends on generator voltages present at the AC current generator with respect to earth potential and which is in phase with a leakage current component of the differential current is generated. The electric signal is scaled by multiplying it by a scaling factor; and the scaled electric signal is subtracted from the differential current to obtain a remainder. The scaling factor is repeatedly updated such that the effective value of the remainder reaches a minimum at the present value of the scaling factor. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130063152 | ELECTRIC LEAKAGE SENSING APPARATUS - An electric leakage sensing apparatus includes a coupling capacitor having one end connected to a DC power supply, a pulse generator that supplies a pulse to the other end of the coupling capacitor, a voltage detector that detects a voltage at the coupling capacitor charged by the pulse, an electric leakage determination part that compares the voltage detected by the voltage detector to a threshold value, and makes a determination of existence or non-existence of an electric leakage of the DC power supply based on a comparison result, and a booster circuit that applies a boosted pulse voltage to the coupling capacitor. The pulse generator converts an output voltage of the booster circuit into the pulse voltage. The voltage detector includes an offset voltage generating circuit that generates an offset voltage. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130082714 | METHOD FOR INSULATION FAULT MONITORING WITH DYNAMIC RESPONSE CHARACTERISTIC - A method and device for insulation fault monitoring in ungrounded electrical networks. The method includes the following steps: measuring an insulation resistance, determining a responding value for the insulation resistance, and triggering a warning signal if the measured insulation resistance falls below the responding value, wherein the responding value is determined dynamically as a momentary responding value in a warning value establishment process downstream of the insulation resistance measurement. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130082715 | INSULATION STATE DETECTION CIRCUIT FOR UNGROUNDED POWER SOURCE - An insulation state detection circuit includes a first charging circuit, a second charging circuit and a third charging circuit. A charging resistance value in the case that a capacitor is charged in the first charging circuit coincides with a charging resistance value in the case that the capacitor is charged in the second charging circuit when a resistance value of the ground fault resistor of a negative terminal side of a DC power source is a ground fault alarm threshold value for an insulation state of an alarm level. The charging resistance value of the first charging circuit coincides with a charging resistance value in the case that the capacitor is charged in the third charging circuit when a resistance value of the ground fault resistor of the positive terminal side is a ground fault alarm threshold value for an insulation state of an alarm level. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130088239 | FAULT-TYPE IDENTIFICATION FOR ELECTRIC POWER DELIVERY SYSTEMS - Disclosed herein are systems and methods for identifying a fault type in an electric power delivery system using an angle difference between a total zero-sequence current and a total negative-sequence current and a comparison of phase-to-phase currents against a threshold. The angle difference falls into one of a number of predetermined angle difference sectors. Each sector is associated with a phase-to-ground fault type and a phase-to-phase-to-ground fault type or two phase-to-phase-to-ground fault types. The phase-to-phase current(s) of the indicated phase-to-phase-to-ground fault type(s) associated with the sector are compared with a threshold to determine which of the fault types of the sector is the actual fault type. The threshold may be a multiple of a maximum phase-to-phase current. | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130088240 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING AN INSULATION RESISTANCE IN GROUNDED IT SYSTEMS - The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining an actual insulation resistance R | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130134984 | OSCILLATION CIRCUIT AND TEST CIRCUIT - Disclosed herein is an oscillation circuit including: a control transistor changing an electric potential at an output terminal thereof by proceeding to one of a conduction state and a non-conduction state in accordance with an electric potential at an input terminal thereof; a transistor as an object of a measurement having a polarity of a channel identical to that of the control transistor, and connected in series with the control transistor between a power source and a ground; a capacitor delaying the change in the electric potential at the output terminal in accordance with a value of a leakage current leaked from the transistor as an object of a measurement when the control transistor proceeds from the conduction state to the non-conduction state; and an inversion circuit inverting the electric potential at the output terminal, thereby feeding the inverted electric potential back to the input terminal. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130141110 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS GROUND FAULT SELF-TEST - Methods and apparatus for continuous ground fault self-test are disclosed. An example ground fault detection device includes a sense coil to detect current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor, the sense coil comprising a winding influenced by a current difference between the line conductor and the neutral conductor. The example ground fault detection device also includes a current bypass to facilitate a continuous current imbalance detected by the sense coil, and a ground fault detector circuit to detect at least one of the continuous current imbalance in the sense coil or a ground fault current imbalance. | 06-06-2013 |
| 20130147491 | METHOD FOR DETECTING INSULATING STATE OF FLOATING POWER SUPPLY, AND DEVICE THEREFOR - When, in a state where an AC ground fault occurred on the secondary side of a three-phase inverter circuit, a flying capacitor reaches a continuous charging state while forming a charge circuit including a ground fault resistance due to an AC ground fault, the ground fault resistance due to an AC ground fault is obtained using the same method as that for a positive-side ground fault resistance or a negative-side ground fault resistance due to a DC ground fault. Even if, in the state where the flying capacitor reaches the continuous charging state, a switching duty ratio of respective semiconductor switches of the three-phase inverter circuit varies, a value of a ground fault resistance due to an AC ground fault can be accurately obtained without using the data of the switching duty ratio of respective semiconductor switches of the three-phase inverter circuit. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130154660 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GROUND FAULT DETECTION AND FAULT TYPE EVALUATION - The embodiments disclose a circuit for detecting and determining a type of ground fault in a security system. An operational amplifier (OA) having positive and negative inputs and an output may receive AC input signals having different frequencies, f | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130169284 | UTILITY GROUND DETECTION - In an embodiment, a missing utility ground detection circuit includes a pair of balanced resistors each connected to receive utility voltage from a different one of a pair of utility power lines, the balanced resistors being connected together at a summing node to be capable of summing the voltages from the pair of utility power lines. It includes an unbalance resistor connected to shunt voltage from one of the utility power lines. It has a summing amplifier with an input coupled to the summing node and to a reference voltage, and an input coupled to a second reference voltage. It has an averaging circuit connected at the output of the summing amplifier. A comparator is provided having an input connected to the averaging circuit an input connected to a threshold voltage. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130169285 | LEAKAGE CURRENT SENSOR FOR SUSPENSION TYPE INSULATOR - A sensor apparatus for detecting leakage current in a suspension-type insulator of an electrical power system is disclosed. The sensor apparatus includes a housing having a leakage current sensor contained therein, a door pivotally connected to the housing and adapted to move between an open position where a grounded end fitting of the insulator is received by the sensor apparatus and a closed position, and a clamping mechanism connected to the housing. The leakage current sensor is adapted to detect a leakage current along the insulator. The clamping mechanism is adapted to clamp the sensor apparatus to the grounded end fitting of the insulator. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130169286 | LEAKAGE CURRENT SENSOR FOR POST TYPE INSULATOR - A sensor apparatus for detecting leakage current in a post-type insulator of an electrical power system includes: a sensor unit having a housing, the sensor unit including: a sensor assembly operable to generate an analog signal proportional to a received leakage current; an electronics module operable to covert the analog signal to a digital value; and a communications system operable to wirelessly transmit the digital value to an external receiver; a collection band adapted to be connected to an exterior surface of the insulator; and a transfer lead interconnecting the sensor assembly and the collection band, the transfer lead operable to transfer leakage current from the insulator from the collection band to the sensor assembly. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130221975 | LEAKAGE CURRENT DETECTOR FOR AC AND DC SYSTEMS - A leakage current detector for an electricity supply comprising a plurality of supply conductors supplying a load, the leakage detector comprising a connection from each supply conductor to a common conductor, a circuit for detecting a differential current flowing in the connections, and a circuit arranged to provide an output signal when the differential current reaches a predetermined magnitude. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130221976 | MONITORING A POWER SUPPLY LINE SUPPLIED AT ONE END FOR GROUND FAULTS - A method and a protective device for monitoring a power supply line supplied at one end in a three-phase electrical power supply system with regard to the presence of a ground fault. The power supply line is connected, at the end thereof remote from the supply, to a transformer operated in a star-delta connection. When a coupling effect according to Bauch's paradox occurs, the ground fault is reliably and selectively disconnected by determining the phase currents in the individual phase conductors of the power supply line and the zero phase sequence system current at a measuring point which is at that end of the power supply line remote from the supply. A suspected ground fault signal is generated if the individual phase currents and the zero phase sequence system current are substantially of the same magnitude and are in phase. The suspected ground fault signal is used during further monitoring with regard to the presence of the ground fault. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130229189 | Defect Detection on Characteristically Capacitive Circuit Nodes - A test circuit for detecting a leakage defect in a circuit under test includes a test stimulus circuit operative to drive an otherwise defect-free, characteristically capacitive node in the circuit under test to a prescribed voltage level, and an observation circuit having at least one threshold and adapted for connection with at least one node in the circuit under test. The observation circuit is operative to detect a voltage level of the node in the circuit under test and to generate an output signal indicative of whether the voltage level of the node is less than the threshold. The voltage level of the node being less than the threshold is indicative of a first type of leakage defect, and the voltage level of the node being greater than the threshold is indicative of a second type of leakage defect. | 09-05-2013 |
| 20130234722 | HIGH SENSITIVITY DIFFERENTIAL CURRENT TRANSFORMER FOR INSULATION HEALTH MONITORING - A current transformer is provided. The current transformer comprises an inner magnetic core having a central opening, an outer sense core circumscribing the inner magnetic core, at least one pair of conductors extending through the central opening and positioned symmetrically with respect to a center point of the inner magnetic core, and one or more coils disposed on the inner magnetic core, the outer sense core, or both, in a magnetically balanced configuration relative to a magnetic neutral axis of the inner magnetic core | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130249564 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO DETECT A SHORT TO GROUND OF AN EXTERNAL SENSOR RETURN LINE - A controller, a system, and a method to detect a short to ground condition of a return line of an external sensor that outputs a sensor signal relative to the return line. A ground switch that electrically connects the return line to a ground potential when the ground switch is in the closed state is momentarily opened, and one or more sensor signals are checked to determine if the sensor signals change as expected when the ground switch is opened. If a value change of a sensor signal is less than a threshold value when the ground switch is switched from the closed state to the open state, then a short to ground condition of the return line is indicated. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130285669 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION CIRCUIT - A ground fault detection circuit includes an AC power supply and a plurality of resonance circuits. The plurality of resonance circuits are connected between at least one current path formed of a plurality of loads and the AC power supply. Each of the plurality of resonance circuits has the same resonance frequency as the frequency of the AC power supply. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130300428 | Determination of a Stray Capacitance of an AC Current Generator - For the purpose of determining a stray capacitance of an AC current generator a differential current is measured as a current sum over a plurality of lines carrying a current of the AC current generator, an electric signal which depends on generator voltages present at the AC current generator with respect to earth potential and which is in phase with a leakage current component of the differential current is generated. The electric signal is scaled by multiplying it by a scaling factor; and the scaled electric signal is subtracted from the differential current to obtain a remainder. The scaling factor is repeatedly updated such that the effective value of the remainder reaches a minimum at the present value of the scaling factor. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130307556 | Abnormality Detection Architecture and Methods For Photovoltaic Systems - One aspect of the inventive technology disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, may involve the determination of at least one measured, instantaneous intra-string current difference for each of the power generating string, and the use of such determinations to assess the existence of leakage current, a frequent ground fault predecessor, thereby enabling preclusion of a ground fault that would otherwise result. Certain methods and detection architecture may enable precise abnormality location, e.g., enabling the identification of which solar module assembly in particular is faulty. Another aspect relates generally, in certain embodiments, to detection circuit architecture operable to sequentially impress a leakage current inducing voltage upon each rail of a photovoltaic system. Another relates generally, in certain embodiments, to the use of at least one current interrupter at each end of a string to preclude flow therethrough in the event of e.g., unintended field reversal. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20130342215 | INSULATED CONDITION DETECTOR WITH FAULT DETECTION AND LOCATION - If a charge voltage of a read capacitor Ca measured by a microcomputer | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140015538 | Method of Measuring Earth Ground Resistance of a Pylon - The present disclosure relates generally to a facilitated method for accurately measuring the earth ground resistance of a ground rod, in particular a footing of a pylon acting as a ground rod or a ground rod attached to the footings of a pylon, and obtaining an overall value for the resistance of the pylon. A method of determining the earth ground resistance of two or more pylon footings is provided according to the present disclosure, comprising conducting selective measurements of each footing of a pylon consecutively and wherein true values for the resistance of each footing measured are calculated. According to the present disclosure, the testing means is connected directly to two auxiliary electrodes which are placed at predetermined distances from the pylon, and a current measurement means which is placed around a pylon footing in order to measure the current flowing along the footing. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140021962 | Subsea Deployed Apparatus and Method - An apparatus includes a voltage source, voltage measurement means and a processing means, and connects to a line to apply and monitor a voltage between the line and earth. The processing means controls the voltage source to transmit and receive communications from the line, via the voltage measurement means. The apparatus also has a first and second current measurement means. The voltage source is connectable to a wire under test to inject a predetermined test voltage on the wire. The wire extends in a first and second direction from the test location. The first current measurement means measures the leakage current from the voltage source flowing along the wire in a first direction, and the second current measurement means determines the leakage current along the wire in a second direction, and the processing means uses the current flows measured by both current measurement means to determine wire insulation properties. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140035594 | ELECTRIC LEAKAGE DETECTING APPRATUS - An electric leakage detecting apparatus is provided with: a first protective resistor in which one end is connected to the positive terminal of a battery; a first detecting resistor in which one end is connected to the other end of the first protective resistor; a second detecting resistor in which one end is connected to the other end of the first detecting resistor; a second protective resistor in which one end is connected to the other end of the second detecting resistor, and the other end is connected to the negative terminal of the battery; a chassis ground that is connected to one end of the second detecting resistor; a switch for applying a reference voltage to one end of the second detecting resistor at an arbitrary timing; and an electric leakage determining circuit that determines the presence of an electric leakage at a midpoint of the battery. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140049261 | PULSED MISSING GROUND DETECTOR CIRCUIT - In one implementation, a method is provided to detect a ground fault. This includes applying a pulsed test impedance and detecting a utility power voltage with and without the pulsed test impedance applied. It further includes detecting a test current through the pulsed test impedance to ground and determining whether a ground fault exists based on the detected test current and the detected utility power voltage with and without the pulsed test impedance applied. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140084936 | Charge Pump Based Over-Sampling ADC for Current Detection - Techniques are presented for determining current levels based on the behavior of a charge pump system while driving a load under regulation. While driving the load under regulation, the number of pump clocks during a set interval is counted. This can be compared to a reference that can be obtained, for example, from the numbers of cycles needed to drive a known load current over an interval of the duration. By comparing the counts, the amount of current being drawn by the load can be determined. This technique can be applied to determining leakage from circuit elements, such as word lines in a non-volatile memory. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140091807 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GROUND FAULT DETECTION IN A TRANSFORMER ISOLATED COMMUNICATION CHANNEL OF A NETWORK DEVICE - A system and method for non-intrusive fault detection of a ground fault in a communication channel is provided. A bias voltage may be established on a first portion of the communication channel and a second portion of the communication channel. A first voltage may be detected across a first resistor electrically connected to the first and second portions of the communication channel. Data indicative of whether the ground fault exists in the first or second portions of the communication channel may be provided based on the detecting. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140097854 | Isolation Monitoring Using a Test Signal of Variable Frequency - In monitoring an isolation of an ungrounded power grid an AC voltage source is connected to the power grid via at least one test resistor. A test signal with a periodic continuous voltage course with regard to ground and with a frequency is applied to the power grid by means of the AC voltage source. A leakage current flowing due to the test signal is measured; and an ohmic isolation resistance is determined from the leakage current. The frequency of the test signal is varied such that an active current part of the leakage current keeps a predetermined recommended value at varying leakage capacitances of the power grid. This provides for a desired level of accuracy at maximum speed of isolation or ground fault detection. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140103937 | State of Health Estimation of Power Converters - Systems, methods and devices which utilize Spread Spectrum Time Domain Reflectometry (SSTDR) techniques to measure degradation of electronic components are provided. Such measurements may be implemented while the components “live” or otherwise functioning within an overall system. In one embodiment, monitoring a power converter in a high power system is accomplished. In this embodiment, degradation of components within the power converter (e.g. metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), capacitors, insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), and the like) may be monitored by processing data from reflections of an SSTDR signal to determine changes in impedance, capacitance, or any other changes that may be characteristic of components degrading. For example, an aging MOSFET may experience an increase of drain to source resistance which adds additional resistance to a current path within a power converter. Such a change is able to be analyzed monitored upon processing the reflected test signals. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140125350 | CONNECTOR AND ELECTRICAL LEAKAGE DETECTION DEVICE - A connector includes a first terminal to which a power supply is connected, the power supply being a direct current power supply, a second terminal to which a signal ground of the direct current power supply is connected, and a third terminal connected to a frame ground, the third terminal being arranged at a location between the first terminal and the second terminal. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140132278 | Hybrid/Electrical Vehicle HV AC System Leakage and Ground Fault Detection - Apparatus and methods for detection of a ground fault on a DC side as well as on an AC side of an inverter are presented. A detection means can receive forward and reverse current and provide an induced current based on the difference between them. A parameter associated with the induced current, or a parameter associated with a voltage generated by conduction of the induced current through a device, can be used to detect a ground fault. In addition, a detection means can be configured to receive transient current, and a resulting voltage at the detection means can be used for fault detection. A detection means can be disposed at the DC side of an inverter or at the AC side of the inverter. Apparatus and methods can be configured to detect AC leakage current caused by a ground fault. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140145727 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION CIRCUIT AND GROUND FAULT DETECTION APPARATUS - A ground fault detection circuit may include a switch circuit that connects or disconnects a path between a bus bar connected to a secondary battery and a ground potential section; an I/V conversion resistance element for detecting a ground fault of the bus bar based on an electric current flowing through the path; and a resistance element connected in series to the I/V conversion resistance element. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20140167779 | Ground Fault Detection System for a Power Supply System - A ground fault detection system may include a direct current (DC) voltage source and an alternating current (AC) device. The ground fault detection system may also include an inverter, coupled to the DC voltage source, the AC device and an electrical ground, including: a positive rail, a negative rail and a plurality of switch elements, wherein each of the plurality of switch elements may be coupled to the positive rail, the negative rail and the AC device. The ground fault detection system may further include a voltage monitoring device coupled to the positive rail, the negative rail and the electrical ground and an electronic controller, coupled to the inverter and the voltage monitoring device configured to: control the plurality of switching elements, sample a voltage potential across the voltage monitoring device at predetermined time periods and determine a ground fault of the inverter based at least in part on the sampled voltage potential and the predetermined time periods. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140176151 | METHODS FOR LOCATING GROUND FAULTS AND INSULATION DEGRADATION CONDITION IN ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS - Methods for determining a ground fault or insulation degradation condition within energy conversion systems are described. A method for determining a ground fault within an energy conversion system may include, in part, a comparison of baseline waveform of differential current to a waveform of differential current during operation for a plurality of DC current carrying conductors in an energy conversion system. A method for determining insulation degradation within an energy conversion system may include, in part, a comparison of baseline frequency spectra of differential current to a frequency spectra of differential current transient at start-up for a plurality of DC current carrying conductors in an energy conversion system. In one embodiment, the energy conversion system may be a photovoltaic system. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140197843 | Plug-In Electric Vehicle Charger Validation and Test Device - A process and apparatus for performing a ground fault test of a device is disclosed. A current level may be selected from a plurality of predetermined current levels. A ground fault current may be generated between a first power line and a ground at the selected current level until a ground fault interrupter within the device trips, or until expiration of an on-time period associated with the selected current level. The ground fault current may then be set to zero for an off-time period associated with the selected current level. The process may be repeated for each of the plurality of current levels. When the ground fault interrupter within the device trips, the current level and a time interval from an onset of the ground fault current at the selected level and a time when the ground fault interrupter tripped may be recorded. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140197844 | ACTIVE CONTINUOUS DC POWER SUPPLY INSULATION MALFUNCTION DETECTION CIRCUIT - An active continuous DC power supply insulation malfunction detection circuit includes a leakage current detection unit, a positive voltage terminal compensation unit and a negative voltage terminal compensation unit respectively at a positive voltage terminal and a negative voltage terminal of the power supply system. The positive and negative voltage terminal compensation units include respectively a one-way discharger and a power source unit that are forward conducted. The invention can improve the shortcoming of the conventional detection techniques that use passive elements for detecting ground insulation deterioration by letting the power source unit discharge through the one-way discharger so that the leakage current detection unit can continuously detect and measure current variations passing through the positive and negative voltage terminals without interruption, and thereby easily obtain leakage current value and provide active and continuous detection of ground insulation deterioration. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140210484 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A CIRCUIT ELEMENT PARAMETER - A method for determining a circuit element parameter in a ground fault circuit interrupter circuit. An electrical signal provided to a first node is used to generate another electrical signal at a second node. The electrical signal at the second node is multiplexed with a modulation signal to generate a modulated signal that is then filtered and converted into a digital representation of a portion of the circuit element parameter. The electrical signal at the second node is multiplexed with the modulation signal after it has been phase shifted to produce a modulated signal that is filter and converted into a digital representation of another portion of the circuit element parameter. In another aspect, a slope based solenoid self-test method is used for self-testing in a GFCI circuit. Alternatively, a method for determining a wiring fault is provided using a digital filter. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140218044 | ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER - An arc fault circuit interrupter is disclosed. This arc fault circuit interrupter can include any one or more of three different sensors such as a high frequency sensor, and any one of lower frequency sensors such as a current sensor or a differential sensor. The arc fault circuit interrupter can be configured as an in line arc fault circuit interrupter installed in a wall box. In addition, the arc fault circuit interrupter can include a processor configured to determine any one of a series arc fault, or a parallel arc fault. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140239967 | Ground Fault Detection Circuit - A ground fault detection circuit comprising a fuse and a fuse detect circuit. The fuse and the fuse detect circuit are arranged to be coupled in parallel between a reference point and a second point of a monitored circuit for which ground faults are to be detected. The fuse detect circuit is further arranged to detect a fuse break indicative of a ground fault condition and disable at least a portion of the monitored circuit. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140239968 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION DEVICE, GROUND FAULT DETECTION METHOD, SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, AND GROUND FAULT DETECTION PROGRAM - A first predetermined point of a photovoltaic circuit insulated with respect to a ground is grounded to the ground by a first electrical ground path, a first direct current voltage value is applied to the first measurement point by a first direct current power supply, and a first current value flowing in the first electrical ground path is measured in this state. Further, a second predetermined point of the photovoltaic circuit insulated with respect to the ground is grounded to the ground by a second electrical ground path, a second direct current voltage value different from the first direct current voltage value is applied to the second predetermined point by a second direct current power supply, and a second current value flowing in the second electrical ground path is measured in this state. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140253138 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION DEVICE, GROUND FAULT DETECTION METHOD, SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, AND GROUND FAULT DETECTION PROGRAM - In a ground fault detection device, two photovoltaic strings are disconnected from a photovoltaic power generation system, measurement for one photovoltaic string is performed by a measuring instrument, and in parallel therewith, the other photovoltaic string before measurement is charged/discharged by a charging/discharging unit by executing various functions of the calculation control unit. In other words, charging/discharging of the photovoltaic string is performed in advance at the same timing as the measurement of the photovoltaic string so that the measurement can be performed immediately after the photovoltaic string is connected to the measuring instrument in a subsequent step. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140266232 | Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Ion Lens Connections - This technology is directed to a method and apparatus for monitoring or testing defects associated with an ion lens connected within a mass spectrometer. In some implementations, the testing mechanism monitors a connection of one or more ion lenses configured in the mass spectrometer to determine if voltage is effectively applied to the ion lens. The testing circuit of the present technology includes at least one Zener diode added to the voltage divider and monitoring a change in slope of the applied voltage versus the voltage at the read-back circuit. The change in slope may be easily measured. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266233 | DC HIGH POTENTIAL INSULATION BREAKDOWN TEST SYSTEM AND METHOD - Test system and method comprise a controller, which can be microprocessor derived and include operating system for programmability, to control low voltage signals and feedback for managing the test system. High potential test system can include an amplifier comprising solid-state and/or passive components amplifying lower voltage signal to produce higher voltage output signal based on signal monitoring and control provided by controller. Controlled higher voltage output signal can be injected into high voltage multiplier circuit resulting in high DC voltage output voltage up to 50 kV or higher range. The monitoring can include feedback indicative of higher voltage signal output of amplifier and/or high DC voltage output voltage of high voltage multiplier circuit. System feedback and control can be fully automated, or selectively user-controlled via a user interface providing continuous and/or selective monitoring and display of system parameters and measured signal inputs and/or outputs. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266234 | GROUNDING DETECTION DEVICE AND METHOD - There is provided a grounding detection device and method. The grounding detection device may include an insulation tester and a grounding resistance providing unit. The insulation tester may be mounted in a first cabinet, electrically connected to a positive busbar and a negative busbar to detect an equivalent busbar-to-ground resistance, and grounded via the first cabinet. The grounding resistance providing unit may be mounted at least in part in a second cabinet different from the first cabinet, electrically connected to at least one of the positive busbar and the negative busbar to provide a grounding resistance, and grounded via the second cabinet. The insulation tester may determine, based on resistance values of the equivalent busbar-to-ground resistance and the grounding resistance, whether there is a ground fault or not for the insulation tester, the first cabinet, and the second cabinet. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266235 | MEDICAL DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION THAT UTILIZE IMPEDANCE COMPENSATION - Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a control unit for determining an electrical leakage between a first electrode pad and a second electrode pad of an in vivo medical device. The first electrode pad may be spaced from the second electrode pad. The first electrode pad may have an active electrode and a spaced ground electrode. The second electrode pad may have an active electrode and a ground electrode. The ground electrode of the first electrode pad may be electrically connected to the ground electrode of the second electrode pad. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266236 | EARTHED CONNECTION DETECTION - A mechanism is described for determining whether or not a ground connection is properly earthed by determining whether or not a potential difference exists between a voltage measuring point and a ground connection. A first capacitor is connected between the ground connection and a first power line and a first duplicating capacitor (having the same capacitance as the first capacitor) is connected between the voltage measuring point and the first power line. If the determining step determines that the potential difference does not exist, then it is determined that the ground connection is not properly earthed. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140292347 | Low Cost Circuit to Detect Faults of ISC Outputs and/or HV Bus Shorted to Chassis - A low cost fault detection and protection method and embodiment circuit can detect short circuit faults between an inverter system control (ISC) circuit outputs and a chassis, an electrical machine winding and a chassis, and a DC bus and a chassis. A fault protection unit (FPU) can monitor chassis voltage with respect to a DC bus to detect the presence of a short circuit fault, and provide status output indication of whether a fault is detected. By way of example, an FPU can include a window detector and a signal transmitter. An FPU can provide status output to an ISC controller configured to terminate ISC operation when any of the aformentioned faults is present, thereby preventing damage to devices contained in the ISC circuit. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140306713 | FAULT DETECTING APPARATUS AND DETECTING METHOD OF THE SAME - There is provided a fault detecting apparatus for detecting a fault in an electric circuit including connecting circuits and an aggregating circuit. The fault detecting apparatus includes a fault detector that detects a fault when at least one of connecting circuit current detectors detects that a current flows and an aggregating current detector detects that a current does not flow. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140312917 | Method and Device for Determining a Maximum Leakage Current - The invention relates to a method and a device for determining a maximum leakage current in unearthed power supply networks with a plurality of conductors. The method comprises the steps of: feeding of a measurement signal U | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140333321 | INSULATION STATE DETECTING DEVICE - An insulation state detecting device includes a positive side input terminal connected to a positive side power line of a high voltage DC power supply, a negative side input terminal connected to a negative side power line of the high voltage DC power supply, a ground electrode, a controller that detects insulation states between the positive side power line and the negative side power line and the ground electrode based on a charge voltage of a flying capacitor, and an equilibrium state forming circuit that promotes an operation of transiting a charge state of a positive side electrostatic capacitance between the positive side power line and the ground electrode and a charge state of a negative side electrostatic capacitance between the negative side power line and the ground electrode from non-equilibrium states to equilibrium states. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20140361783 | Detecting Faults in a Two-Wire Power Line - An apparatus and method for detecting faults in a two-wire electric power line isolated from ground includes substantially identical high impedance voltage dividers connected between each of the two wires of the power line and ground, circuits for carrying the output voltages from each voltage divider, a circuit for comparing the output voltages, and outputting a fault signal indicative of a ground fault. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140361784 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION APPARATUS - A ground fault detection apparatus is an apparatus detecting a ground fault in an ungrounded AC circuit in which a single-phase three-wire AC power source is connected to a load via a U phase wire, a neutral wire, and a V phase wire, including two resistive elements having an identical resistance value, one terminals of the two resistive elements being connected to the U phase wire and the neutral wire, respectively, the other terminals thereof being connected to each other. The ground fault detection apparatus further includes a current detector detecting a value of a current flowing between the other terminals of the two resistive elements (i.e., a node N | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140368211 | Ground Leakage Detector, and Method of Detecting Ground Leakage in Electric Vehicle - A ground leakage detector for detecting a ground leakage in an electric vehicle including a battery, and a charging connector which is electrically connectable to a terminal member formed at one end of an outside electric wire through which electric power is supplied from outside to the battery, includes a connector connection section electrically connectable to the charging connector; a contactor configured to contact a vehicle body ground location in the electric vehicle; and a detecting circuit for detecting whether or not there is a ground leakage from the battery to the vehicle body ground location, based on a current flowing between the connector connection section and the contactor. | 12-18-2014 |
| 20150022216 | GROUND POTENTIAL RISE WITH DEPTH SENSING - Ground Potential Rise (GPR) systems and methods with depth sensing measure the GPR between the ground grid and the remote earth. Methods and systems described herein may provide a GPR measurement to an existing distance protection. A GPR system may comprise a set of potential transformers. The set of potential transformers may be coupled to different ground rods driven into the earth at different depths, respectively. One wire of the high voltage side of the potential transformer may be coupled to the ground grid of a substation, and the second wire of the potential transformer may be coupled to an insulated wire that is coupled to a ground rod or multiple of ground rods bonded together. The low voltage side of the potential transformer is used to connect Distance Relays, Voltage Relays, DFR or Alarms. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150028883 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING SENSOR LEAKAGE - A test system for testing a sensor system includes a high-impedance resistor for forming a voltage divider with any corrosion or foreign substance that might be present between a signal conductor and a ground conductor. While a voltage is applied across the voltage divider, the voltage can be measured across the high-impedance resistor for determining whether an undesirable amount of conductance exists between the signal wire and ground. The test system also includes switching means for switching between any number of signal wires of a system undergoing testing. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150042355 | Cable System and Test Cable Therefore - An earth ground testing cable is configured to electrically couple an electrode to a measurement unit. The cable may comprise an outer surface having at least a first marking and a second marking. The first marking and the second marking define a segment of cable having a length that corresponds to a spacing distance between the electrode and at least one other electrode for performing an earth ground test. The spacing distance may be determined based on electrical interference properties of a measurement unit and the one or more electrodes. The ground earth testing cable may be part of a system and may be used to determine positioning for electrodes. The cable may also couple an electrode to the testing unit, so that an earth ground reading is determined. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150048840 | NEUTRAL GROUNDING RESISTOR MONITOR - A device for monitoring a neutral grounding resistor (NGR), including first and second NGRs electrically connected in parallel, a rectifier circuit electrically connected in series with the second NGR and a voltage source and a logic resistor electrically connected in series with the second NGR. A logic circuit measures current passing through the logic resistor and determines the resistance of the first NGR based on the measured current and the resistance of the second NGR. As such, a failed-open or failed-short condition of the first NGR may be identified based at least in part on the determined resistance of the first NGR. | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150054522 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTION AND ADAPTION TO AN END-OF-LINE RESISTOR AND FOR GROUND FAULT LOCALIZATION - An apparatus and method for detection and adaption to an end-of-line resistor in a NAC of a control panel or power booster of, for example, an alarm system and for ground fault localization in the alarm system are provided. The apparatus can include a notification appliance circuit, where the notification appliance circuit includes first and second analog input terminals, where the notification appliance circuit includes first and second external output terminals, and where the notification appliance circuit includes an end-of-line resistor. Current can be driven through the notification appliance circuit via the first and second analog input terminals, and voltage can be measured at each of the first and second external output terminals. The measured voltage can be indicative of one of a value of the end-of-line resistor or that a state of the notification appliance circuit is one of open, shorted, ground faulted, or normal. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150061688 | Vehicle High/Low Voltage Systems Isolation Testing - Systems or methods for testing performance of an isolation monitor for a vehicle having a high voltage traction battery electrical system isolated from a low voltage electrical system include a device for connecting to an isolation/leakage monitor under test. The device includes a current leakage bus, a current leakage array, and a current leakage destination with associated switching elements automatically controlled by a programmed microprocessor to introduce various leakage impedances to a second voltage source or ground and to evaluate performance of the isolation/leakage monitor under test. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150061689 | MULTI-FREQUENCY GROUND MONITOR CURRENT SENSING - A signal generation module injects a signal in a pilot conductor with a DC component and one or more AC components. Pilot conductor current is injected in a grounding conductor of power cables connecting power source to load. A current monitor module monitors current in the pilot conductor or ground return, a DC detection module determines DC current present in the monitored current, an AC detection module determines AC current corresponding to each frequency of the AC components in the monitored current, a DC minimum threshold module determines if the DC current is below a DC current minimum threshold, an AC threshold module determines if any of the AC currents is below an AC threshold, and a trip module opens a contact after determining that the DC current is below the DC current minimum threshold or that at least one of the AC currents is below an AC threshold. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150061690 | WATCHDOG CIRCUIT FOR GROUND MONITOR CURRENT SENSING - A watchdog apparatus for monitoring ground current is disclosed. A system and method also perform the functions of the apparatus. The watchdog apparatus includes a watchdog signal module that generates a watchdog signal. The watchdog signal is generated at a specific interval and includes an identifiable characteristic. The watchdog signal module is part of a device being monitored for functionality. The apparatus, in some embodiments, includes a signal monitoring module that determines if the watchdog signal includes the identifiable characteristic, and an alert module that sends and alert signal in response to the signal monitoring module determining that the watchdog signal does not include the identifiable characteristic. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150084640 | ANTENNA DIAGNOSTIS METHOD AND DEVICE - An antenna (L) diagnostic device of a resonant circuit associated with an amplifier includes a first transistor (HS | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150091582 | HRG GROUND FAULT DETECTOR AND METHOD - A HRG ground fault detector and method for detecting a ground fault in a High Resistance Ground (HRG) system are provided. The HRG ground fault detector in one example embodiment includes a first input A coupled to a first phase PH | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150091583 | METHOD FOR DETECTING AN ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY FAULT IN A NETWORK OF METALLIZATION STRIPS AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING SAME - A method and device for detecting an electrical continuity fault between a first and a second points of a network of metallization strips, including determining, from mapping, a length or a duration of a shortest path between the first and the second points, sending, at the first point, a signal in the network, detecting, at the second point, the signal sent, measuring a duration between the sending and the detection of the signal, knowing the speed of propagation of the signal in the metallization strips, determining the presence of at least one electrical continuity fault if the distance travelled calculated from the measured duration is different from the length of the shortest path determined from the mapping or if the measured duration is different from the duration to travel the shortest path determined from the mapping. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150293164 | Ground Quality Check Systems and Methods - A ground check system for checking a ground conductor of a power supply comprising at least one line conductor comprises a pulse generator and a compare circuit. The pulse generator applies a test signal to a test circuit formed at least in part by the ground conductor and the at least one line conductor when an AC voltage on the at least one line conductor is approximately zero volts. The compare circuit compares the test signal passing through the test circuit with at least one test criteria indicative of an unacceptable ground. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150301097 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR DETECTING A SHIELD STATE IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device and a method for determining a shield state in an electronic device are provided. The method includes at a detecting pad, detecting an electrical signal corresponding to a contact state of a shielding that contacts a ground or the detecting pad, and determining a shield state by the shielding based on the detected electrical signal. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150309103 | Ground Fault Detector With Self-Test - An apparatus includes an interruption circuit in a power delivery path, and a fault detection circuit configured to provide a fault signal to selectively cause the interruption circuit to interrupt power delivery, wherein the fault detection circuit includes a fault detection integrated circuit (IC) and a sensing coil configured to sense a differential current between a phase conductive path and a neutral conductive path in the power delivery path. A processor is configured to selectively control a fault simulation circuit to simulate a fault in the power delivery path, detect a response of the fault detection circuit to the simulated fault, and determine if the response of the fault detection circuit is an expected response. The processor provides an override signal to the interruption circuit to prevent the interruption circuit from receiving a fault signal from the fault detection circuit during, and for a predetermined time after, the simulated fault. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309105 | GROUND FAULT DETECTOR - An apparatus includes an interruption circuit in a power delivery path, and a fault detection circuit configured to provide a fault signal to selectively cause the interruption circuit to interrupt power delivery, wherein the fault detection circuit includes a fault detection integrated circuit and a sensing coil configured to sense a differential current between a phase conductive path and a neutral conductive path in the power delivery path. A processor is configured to selectively control a fault simulation circuit to simulate a fault in the power delivery path, detect a response of the fault detection circuit to the simulated fault, and determine if the response of the fault detection circuit is an expected response. The processor provides an override signal to the interruption circuit to prevent the interruption circuit from receiving a fault signal from the fault detection circuit during, and for a predetermined time after, the simulated fault. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309106 | INSULATION MONITORING DEVICE - An insulation monitoring device that carries out insulation monitoring of a power system or load apparatus using, for example, an Igr method includes a table in which a monitoring setting value Irref greater than a resistance component error current flowing in accordance with the sum of the electrical capacitance of a capacitor configuring a noise filter on the input side of the load apparatus and the ground insulation capacitance of the power system is set in advance in accordance with an operating schedule of the load apparatus, a monitoring setting value computing unit that outputs the monitoring setting value I | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150346258 | Method and device for monitoring a protective ground connection - A method and a device are for monitoring a protective ground of an electrical feeder using a monitoring conductor, the feeder extending between a feeding point having a grounding connection and a load-side connection, and a test current injected at the feeding point between the monitoring conductor and the grounding connection. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150346262 | MULTI-FREQUENCY GROUND MONITOR CURRENT SENSING - An apparatus includes a signal generation module that injects a signal in a pilot conductor. The signal includes two or more AC components. Current in the pilot conductor is injected in a grounding conductor of power cables connecting a power source to a load, and the grounding conductor is connected to a ground return. A current monitor module monitors current in the pilot conductor or ground return, an AC detection module determines an AC current corresponding to each of the two or more AC components present in the monitored current, and an AC threshold module determines if one or more of the AC currents is below an AC threshold. A trip module opens a contact in response to determining that at least one of the AC currents is below an AC threshold for longer than an AC current time threshold. The contact disconnects the power source from the power cables. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150346263 | FREQUENCY HOPPING GROUND MONITOR CURRENT SENSING - An apparatus includes a signal generation module that injects a signal in a pilot conductor with one or more AC components. The pilot conductor is connected to a grounding conductor of power cables connecting a power source to a load. A frequency change module periodically changes a frequency of each of the AC components, a current monitor module monitors current in the pilot conductor or ground return, an AC detection module determines an AC current for each AC component, and an AC threshold module determines if one or more of the AC currents determined by the AC detection module is below an AC threshold. A trip module opens a contact in response to determining that at least one of the AC currents is below an AC threshold for longer than an AC current time threshold. The contact disconnects the power source from the set of power cables. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150346264 | MULTI-FREQUENCY GROUND MONITOR CURRENT SENSING WITHOUT A DC COMPONENT - An apparatus includes a signal generation module that injects a signal in a pilot conductor with one or more AC components. Pilot conductor current is injected in a grounding conductor of power cables connecting a source to a load. A current monitor module monitors affected current in the pilot conductor. A DC detection module determines a DC current present in the current. A DC minimum threshold module determines if the DC current is below a DC current threshold. An AC detection module determines an AC current of each frequency of the AC components. An AC threshold module determines if any of the AC currents is below an AC threshold. A trip module opens a contact after determining that the DC current is below the DC current minimum threshold and/or determining that at least one of the AC currents is below an AC threshold. The contact disconnects the source. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150355258 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE COAL MINE LEAKAGE TEST - Provided are a method and apparatus for remote coal mine leakage test. The remote leakage test method comprising: installing and connecting a leakage test device ( | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150355260 | GROUND-LOSS DETECTION CIRCUIT - A ground-loss detection circuit for an integrated circuit, (IC) device including a first dynamic threshold metal oxide semiconductor (DTMOS) device operably coupled between a first ground plane of the IC device and at least one further ground plane of the IC device, at least one of the first and at least one further ground planes comprising an external ground connection of the IC device, at least one further DTMOS device operably coupled between the first and at least one further ground planes of the IC device in an opposing manner to the first DTMOS device, and at least one ground-loss detection component operably coupled to at least one of the first and at least one further DTMOS devices and arranged to detect a ground-loss for at least one of the first and at least one further ground planes based at least partly on a drain current of the at least one of the first and at least one further DTMOS device(s). | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150355262 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC GROUND FAULT LOCATION DETERMINATION IN HIGH RESISTANCE GROUNDED MOTOR DRIVE SYSTEM - Methods an apparatus are presented for identifying ground fault locations in multi-drive systems in which individual drives perform self-diagnosis for detected faults based on an identified fault signal frequency while the system drives continue operation, and a ground fault location system identifies suspected drives and individually confirms or exonerates individual drives by selective command speed adjustment while the drives remain operational within system tolerance ranges. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20160018454 | LEAKAGE CURRENT DETECTION DEVICE, INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE HAVING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF DETECTING LEAKAGE CURRENT IN NONVOLATILE MEMORY DEVICE - A leakage current detection device includes a drive voltage generation circuit, a reference voltage generation circuit, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a comparator, and a latch circuit. The drive voltage generation circuit provides a drive voltage to a test line in response to a charge control signal to charge the test line. The reference voltage generation circuit generates a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage, and provides the first reference voltage to a detection node in response to a switch control signal. The first capacitor is coupled between the test line and the detection node. The second capacitor is coupled between the detection node and a ground voltage. The comparator outputs a comparison signal by comparing a voltage of the detection node with the second reference voltage. The latch circuit latches the comparison signal, and outputs the latched comparison signal as a test result signal. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160025794 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING LEAKAGE CURRENT - Provided is an apparatus and method for detecting leakage current in DC applications, capable of separately operating depending on leakage current patterns of a human body and a facility in a TN grounding system. The apparatus for detecting the leakage current is a leakage current detector in a DC distribution system of the TN grounding manner and includes a leakage current detecting unit configured to detect a current flow between a DC power unit and a load to detect whether the leakage current is generated and a level of the leakage current and a leakage current determining unit configured to determine that the cause of the leakage current is either an electric shock to a human or a facility ground fault according to a rate of hourly change in the level of the leakage current detected in the leakage current detecting unit. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160041216 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING AND LOCATING SINGLE-PHASE GROUND FAULT ON LOW CURRENT GROUNDED POWER-DISTRIBUTION NETWORK - A method and system for detecting and locating a single-phase ground fault on a low current grounded power-distribution network, comprising: respectively testing and picking up the voltage signals and current signals at multiple positions on each phase feeder ( | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160054370 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION BASED ON CAPACITIVE SENSING - A ground fault detection system based on capacitive sensing suitable for use in detecting a ground fault condition in electronic equipment (such as a PCBA) with a circuit ground electrically isolated from an isolation ground (such as chassis ground). The capacitive sensing system includes a capacitive sensor capacitively coupled to the system isolation ground, and a capacitance/data converter that captures sensor capacitance measurements for conversion to sensor data representative of a ground short. In one embodiment, the capacitive sensor includes a sensor electrode capacitively coupled to the system isolation ground by one of projected capacitance and a floating capacitor (such as 33 pf), and the CDC unit further includes sensor excitation circuitry configured to drive the sensor electrode, such that a sensor capacitance (projected or floating capacitance) is representative of an electrical condition of the system isolation ground. For sensing by projected capacitance, the capacitive sensor can include a driven shield. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20160061872 | NON-DESTRUCTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT TESTING FOR ELECTRICALLY OPERATED CIRCUIT BREAKERS - A testing assembly includes a power supply and at least one circuit phase corresponding to a circuit phase of a motor branch circuit assembly. The circuit phase includes a current detector, a transistor, and an isolating unit. The testing assembly also includes a switch selecting between a RUN mode and a TEST mode. The testing assembly is connected to the motor branch circuit assembly. Prior to placing the motor branch circuit assembly into operation, the testing assembly can provide low voltage testing on the circuit phases of the motor branch circuit assembly. The testing assembly can check for ground faults and line-to-line faults in the motor branch circuit assembly when placed into the Test mode. In this manner, faults destructive to the motor branch circuit assembly can be avoided and corrected. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160077128 | AUTOMATIC PROBE GROUND CONNECTION CHECKING TECHNIQUES - A test system can include a probe suitable to be coupled between a test measurement device and a device under test (DUT). The probe can include a signal input to receive an active signal from the DUT and a signal output to provide the active signal to the test measurement device. The probe can also include an input ground to connect to the DUT ground and an output ground to connect to the test measurement device ground. A probe ground connection checking device can automatically determine whether the probe ground connections to the DUT ground and test measurement device ground are solid. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160091554 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GROUND FAULT DETECTION - Method and apparatus for determining a ground fault impedance. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a voltage divider and a ground fault detection module for (i) determining a first voltage based on at least one voltage measurement of the voltage divider while the voltage divider is coupled between the first AC line and the DC line; (ii) determining a second voltage based on at least one voltage measurement of the voltage divider while the voltage divider is coupled between the second AC line and the DC line; (iii) determining a differential voltage based on at least one voltage measurement between the first AC line and the second AC line; and (iv) computing the ground fault impedance based on the first voltage, the second voltage, and the differential voltage. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160109500 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING ELECTRICAL LEAKAGE IN A VEHICLE - A vehicle includes a battery pack, an electric motor, and a contactor to electrically connect the pack and motor. The contactor is configured with a control circuit to electrically connect the pack and motor. The control circuit includes a leak detection sensor. The vehicle further includes a controller to output a leakage resistance associated with the pack. The leakage resistance is based on a voltage of the pack and a leak voltage detected by the sensor while the contactor is closed. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160139192 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELF-TESTING A GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER - Self-test circuitry for testing a circuit interrupter includes an active element coupled to an operating mechanism, a first sub-circuit for temporarily disabling the active element, a second sub-circuit structured to generate a simulated ground fault condition, and a processing unit coupled to the ground fault detection circuitry. The first sub-circuit and the second sub-circuit, the processing unit being structured and configured to control the first sub-circuit to temporarily disable the active element and to control the second sub-circuit to generate the simulated ground fault condition when the active element is disabled. Also, self-test circuitry that includes a sub-circuit structured to generate a simulated ground fault condition and a processing unit structured and configured to control the sub-circuit to generate the simulated ground fault condition only during a predetermined portion of a half cycle of energy passing through the circuit interrupter. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160146874 | SHORT CIRCUIT DETECTION MODULE - A microelectronic short circuit detection module is disclosed that locates and distinguishes among different types of short circuits in touch screen panels. Individual short circuit detection circuits are coupled to force and sense lines throughout a wire matrix within the touch screen. If the line is shorted to a neighboring line or any other line carrying an opposite logic state, its logic state will be corrupted by the short and will be held at a value opposite that of the intended input signal. Comparing the input and the output therefore provides an indicator of a short circuit to another force or sense line in the wire matrix. A pair of pull up/down stages is engaged to detect whether the short is coupled to power or ground. A threshold resistor can be varied to adjust detection sensitivity. By conducting a serial test, matrix coordinates of the short circuit can be identified. | 05-26-2016 |
| 20160154046 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING GROUND FAULT IN A DC SYSTEM | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160161540 | MEDICAL DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION THAT UTILIZE IMPEDANCE COMPENSATION - Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a control unit for determining an electrical leakage between a first electrode pad and a second electrode pad of an in vivo medical device. The first electrode pad may be spaced from the second electrode pad. The first electrode pad may have an active electrode and a spaced ground electrode. The second electrode pad may have an active electrode and a ground electrode. The ground electrode of the first electrode pad may be electrically connected to the ground electrode of the second electrode pad. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160161542 | LOAD DRIVE APPARATUS - When a voltage applied to a heater assumes a low-level potential, a control section of a load drive apparatus instantaneously supplies an anomaly judgment current to the heater, and computes the electrical resistance of the heater on the basis of the anomaly judgment current. The control section judges whether or not any of anomalous states of the heater, including at least a deteriorated state of the heater and wiring anomalous states of the heater, has occurred on the basis of the electrical resistance of the heater. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160178689 | MATRIX CIRCUIT DETECTING FAILURE LOCATION IN COMMON SIGNAL | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160202305 | LOAD DRIVE APPARATUS | 07-14-2016 |
| 20160252557 | LEAKAGE CURRENT DETECTION DEVICE FOR APPLIANCES | 09-01-2016 |
| 20160380589 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION DEVICE - When a ground fault detection device detects a ground fault of a photovoltaic string, for example, while a power conditioner is in operation, a great current may be flowing in a switching section from the photovoltaic string, so that components resistant to a great current have been used for the switching section. A ground fault detection device includes a stop determination unit configured to determine whether a power converter for converting electric power from a solar battery is in stoppage, and a ground fault detector configured to detect a ground fault of the solar battery in a state where the solar battery and the power converter are electrically disconnected from each other by a disconnection unit arranged between the solar battery and the power converter when the stop determination unit determines that the power converter is in stoppage. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20180024179 | GROUND FAULT DETECTOR | 01-25-2018 |
| 20190146021 | APPARATUS FOR DETERMINATION OF A GROUND FAULT AND ASSOCIATED METHOD | 05-16-2019 |
| 20190146022 | MANUAL AND AUTOMATED NON-DESTRUCTIVE PRE-STARTUP TESTING FOR SHORT-CIRCUIT AND GROUND FAULT CONDITIONS IN MOTOR BRANCH CIRCUITS | 05-16-2019 |
