Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080204949 | ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND METHOD OF PARALLEL AND SERIES ARC FAULT DETECTION - An arc fault circuit interrupter includes separable contacts, a neutral conductor, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, at least one current sensor structured to sense current flowing through the separable contacts and output a sensed current value; and a processor. The processor includes a first routine structured to provide parallel arc fault detection, a second routine structured to provide series arc fault detection, and a third routine structured to enable the first routine and disable the second routine for a predetermined time when the sensed current value is greater than a predetermined value and to enable the second routine and disable the first routine for the predetermined time when the sensed current value is less than the predetermined value. | 08-28-2008 |
20080204950 | ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND SERIES ARC FAULT DETECTION METHOD USING PLURAL HIGH FREQUENCY BANDS - A circuit interrupter includes band pass filters cooperating with a current sensor to output bands having different, non-overlapping ranges of frequencies, peak detectors cooperating with the filters to detect corresponding peak current values, envelope detectors cooperating with the filters to detect corresponding occurrences from the bands being within corresponding predetermined magnitude ranges, a counter counting the occurrences, and a processor providing and disabling series arc detection when sensed current is greater than a first predetermined value. The processor determines tallies responsive to peak current values exceeding corresponding thresholds, determines series arcing from sensed current being less than the first predetermined value for a predetermined time, the tally for a current half-cycle being nonzero, and a count for the current half-cycle being different than the count for an immediately previous half-cycle of like polarity by at least a second predetermined value. A series chaos accumulator is increased responsive to series arcing. | 08-28-2008 |
20080212244 | Electronic breaker system - A system, method, and device for a circuit breaker used in residential and commercial panels are disclosed. The exemplary circuit may have an overload protection device causing a disruption in a circuit when the circuit is overloaded. One or more sensors may detect a condition of the circuit and transmit a signal associated the detected condition to an integrated circuit via sensor ports. The integrated circuit may cause a disruption in a circuit when the signal of the detected condition is out of predetermine limit. The integrated circuit may also determine if a sensor is coupled to a sensor port. | 09-04-2008 |
20080239595 | ELECTRONIC GROUND DETECTION APPARATUS FOR USE ON GROUND DETECTOR RING OF POWER GENERATING SYSTEM - A ground detection apparatus for use in a power generating system including an excitation circuit and a driven rotatable shaft. A ground detector ring is disposed on the rotatable shaft of the power generating system. A ground detection transmitter is mounted on the ground detector ring and in electrical communication with the excitation circuit of the power generating system. The ground detection transmitter is utilized to detect ground faults in the excitation circuit of the power generating system and to send a signal associated with ground faults detected by the ground detection transmitter. A ground detection receiver is associated with a stationary portion of the power generation system and is in communication with the ground detection transmitter for receiving the signal associated with ground faults detected and sent by the ground detection transmitter. | 10-02-2008 |
20080239596 | Systems and Methods for Testing Ground Fault Detection Circuitry - A circuit tests the health of a ground-neutral transformer within a ground fault circuit interrupter. This test can include testing both the ground-to-neutral detection circuitry and the differential current detection circuitry. The test circuit provides a conductive path through the respective cores of a differential transformer and the ground-neutral transformer of the GFCI device. A closed loop induces current from the differential transformer, which creates a current imbalance through the differential transformer. In a properly working device, the circuit breaker will trip, confirming the health of the ground-neutral transformer portion of the GFCI. | 10-02-2008 |
20080278871 | METHOD OF DETECTING A GROUND FAULT AND ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE SAME - A circuit breaker includes for each neutral and phase power conductor, a current sensor sensing an alternating current flowing in a corresponding power conductor, a comparator determining whether the sensed alternating current is positive or negative, a rectifier rectifying the sensed alternating current to provide a rectified current value, and an analog-to-digital converter converting the rectified current value to a signed digital value having a positive sign. A processor cooperates with the comparators and the analog-to-digital converters and includes a routine that changes the positive sign of the signed digital value to a negative sign if the sensed alternating current is negative, adds the signed digital value for each power conductor to provide a sum, and employs the sum to determine whether to output a ground fault signal. The processor further cooperates with an operating mechanism to trip open separable contacts responsive to the ground fault signal. | 11-13-2008 |
20080291590 | ARC DETECTION CIRCUIT - An arc detector comprising a voltage generator for detecting a voltage and an integrator for integrating said voltage with respect to time and generating an output signal corresponding to said integration. The arc detector also includes a discharge controller for controlling said output signal of said integrator, an amplifier for amplifying said output signal from said integrator and outputting an amplified signal; and a comparator for comparing said amplified output signal to a reference voltage and generating a detection signal based on said comparison. | 11-27-2008 |
20080304190 | AIRCRAFT APPLICABLE CIRCUIT IMBALANCE DETECTION AND CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND PACKAGING THEREOF - The aircraft applicable current imbalance detection and circuit interrupter interrupts an electrical circuit when a current imbalance is sensed. The current imbalance detection and circuit interrupter includes a housing, power supplies, a sensor system for sensing a current imbalance at the line side of the electrical circuit, a logic controller and a power controller including a power relay having contacts capable of surviving carry-break and make-carry-break types of ground fault conditions at anticipated current levels. At power up, the device performs a test to confirm that none of the relay contacts have failed in a closed position, and to check whether a switching FET which controls the relay coil has shorted. | 12-11-2008 |
20080310058 | MEMS MICRO-SWITCH ARRAY BASED CURRENT LIMITING ARC-FLASH ELIMINATOR - The present invention comprises MEMS enabled apparatus for the detection of arc-faults and the elimination of arc-flash conditions. The apparatus comprises an arc-flash detection component and a current limiting component. The current limiting component comprises a logic circuit in communication with the user interface, an MEMS protection circuit in communication with the logic circuit, and a switching circuit in communication with the MEMS protection circuit. The switching circuit comprises a plurality of micro-electromechanical system switching devices and a voltage limiting device, wherein the voltage limiting device is configured to prevent an over voltage event during a current limiting operation. | 12-18-2008 |
20080316658 | AIRCRAFT APPLICABLE CIRCUIT IMBALANCE DETECTION AND CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND PACKAGING THEREOF - The aircraft applicable current imbalance detection and circuit interrupter interrupts an electrical circuit when a current imbalance is sensed. The current imbalance detection and circuit interrupter includes a housing, power supplies, a sensor system for sensing a current imbalance at the line side of the electrical circuit, a logic controller and a power controller including a power relay having contacts capable of surviving carry-break and make-carry-break types of ground fault conditions at anticipated current levels. At power up, the device performs a test to confirm that none of the relay contacts have failed in a closed position, and to check whether a switching FET which controls the relay coil has shorted. | 12-25-2008 |
20090015973 | Increased Voltage Vehicle Electrical System - A residual current protective circuit is integrated into a vehicle electrical system, in particular on the high-voltage side of a multiple-voltage vehicle electrical system, and operates without current measurement. The residual current is determined in an evaluation logic system by evaluating two voltages. These two voltages are voltages that drop at two high-impedance resistors, each of which being connected to ground between a connection between the battery and the generator. If the evaluation logic system detects a residual current, it opens both connections between the battery and the generator or the vehicle electrical system. In conjunction with a dual-voltage vehicle electrical system having two sub-systems connected by a DC voltage converter, a voltage-dependent circuit may be connected in parallel to the DC voltage converter, the parallel circuit grounding the high-voltage side in the event of a fault. | 01-15-2009 |
20090040665 | ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND METHOD OF DETECTING AND INTERRUPTING A RESISTIVE SERIES ARC OF A POWER CIRCUIT - An arc fault circuit interrupter includes line and load terminals, separable contacts in series between the terminals, a neutral conductor, and an operating mechanism opening and closing the contacts and tripping open the contacts in response to a trip signal. A current transformer senses current flowing through the contacts. A voltage sensor detects voltage zero crossings between the load terminal and the neutral conductor. A processor detects a resistive series arc in series with the contacts. A processor routine determines, for each half cycle, samples of the sensed current, an offset value from an average of sensed current samples proximate the voltage zero crossings for the corresponding half cycle, adjusted sensed current samples as adjusted by the offset value, a profile corresponding to a resistive series arc as a function of the sensed current samples and the adjusted samples, and the trip signal in response to occurrences of the profile. | 02-12-2009 |
20090040666 | CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER INCLUDING TEST CIRCUIT - A circuit interrupter includes separable contacts, a neutral conductor, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and a plurality of current sensors structured to sense at least current flowing through the separable contacts. Each of the current sensors includes a primary winding and a secondary winding, the primary winding being electrically connected in series with the separable contacts. A trip mechanism is structured to cooperate with the secondary winding of the current sensors and the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. A test circuit tests the current sensors and the trip mechanism. The test circuit is structured to apply a test signal directly to the secondary winding of each of the current sensors. | 02-12-2009 |
20090040667 | CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC TEST - Resettable circuit interrupting devices having self-test and non-resettable or limited resettable power interrupting systems are provided. The permanent power interrupting system activates when a circuit interrupting device is no longer capable of operating in accordance with applicable standards governing such devices or the device is no longer capable of operating in accordance with its design characteristics. | 02-12-2009 |
20090046400 | Fault Protection Device with Group Trip Delay and Method - A reclosing fault protection device detects a partial bypass state. Upon detecting the partial bypass state, the fault protection device implements a ground trip delay operating state. The ground trip delay operating state provides a delayed ground trip response characteristic. | 02-19-2009 |
20090052098 | CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICE WITH REVERSE WIRING PROTECTION - Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independent trip portions and/or a reset lockout portion are provided. The reverse wiring protection operates at both the line and load sides of the device so that in the event line side wiring to the device is improperly connected to the load side, fault protection for the device remains. The trip portion operates independently of a circuit interrupting portion used to break the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. The reset lockout portion prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in open conductive paths if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists. | 02-26-2009 |
20090059448 | RISK OF SHOCK PROTECTION CIRCUIT - A risk of shock (ROS) protection circuit is disclosed, which comprises a capacitor that charges whenever there is a voltage between a ground on a lamp ballast and earth ground. If the capacitor exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage, the capacitor causes a gate to shunt current away from a tertiary winding in a control circuit, which in turn reduces impedance reflected by the tertiary winding back on to primary and secondary windings in the ballast circuit. The reduced reflected impedance causes the operating frequency of the ballast to increase, reducing the voltage between the ballast ground and earth ground until it is safe for human contact. In this manner, a human replacing a lamp connected to the ballast can be protected from shock despite a failure to disconnect the power to the lamp ballast prior to lamp replacement. | 03-05-2009 |
20090059449 | Series arc fault current interrupters and methods - A circuit interrupter for interrupting current on a line conductor is provided. The circuit interrupter includes separable contacts, a trip mechanism, a bimetal, a microprocessor, a series arc detection sequence, a low-pass filter circuit, and a high-pass filter circuit. The trip mechanism selectively opens the separable contacts when activated. The series arc detection sequence is resident on the microprocessor and includes a plurality of series fault detection algorithms. The low-pass filter circuit provides a low-pass signal to the series arc detection sequence. The high-pass filter circuit provides a high-pass signal to the series arc detection sequence. The sequence selects a particular algorithm from the plurality of algorithms based on the low-pass signal. The sequence calculates a plurality of statistical features from the high-pass signal and sends an output signal to activate the trip mechanism based on a comparison of the plurality of statistical features to the particular algorithm. | 03-05-2009 |
20090067102 | SHUTOFF SYSTEM FOR POOL OR SPA - A control system for a bathing installation which has one or more electrically powered devices. A line voltage service is connected through a GFCI to power the electrically powered devices, the GFCI adapted to interrupt the service upon detection of a ground fault. A trip circuit may induce a ground fault and trip the GFCI in response to a trip signal, thereby disabling application of electrical power to the electrically powered devices. An electronic circuit is responsive to a fault condition for generating the trip signal. | 03-12-2009 |
20090080127 | TECHNIQUE FOR HIGH-IMPEDANCE GROUND FAULT DETECTION AT THE COMMON DC BUS OF MULTI-AXIS DRIVES - Systems and methods for detecting ground fault at the common DC bus in a high impedance ground system. A fault detection component can detect characteristics of an electrical signal including phase number (n) and fundamental frequency (H). A fast Fourier transform is performed at (n×H) and (2n×H), and the two values are compared. A healthy system (no ground fault) can display a large difference between (n×H) and (2n×H), while in an unhealthy system the difference can be minimal. A system and method of detecting variable phase number and fundamental frequency can be used in the calculation to perform the ground fault detection when these characteristics are variable. | 03-26-2009 |
20090086387 | CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER - A circuit breaker includes separable contacts; a load conductor; a neutral conductor; and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. An arc fault trip circuit cooperates with the operating mechanism and trips open the separable contacts responsive to detection of an arc fault condition associated with current flowing through the separable contacts. A ground fault trip circuit cooperates with the operating mechanism and is structured to trip open the separable contacts responsive to detection of a ground fault condition associated with current flowing through the separable contacts, the load conductor and the neutral conductor. The arc fault trip circuit includes an integration capacitor, and the ground fault trip circuit includes an output to the integration capacitor. | 04-02-2009 |
20090086388 | CONTROL METHOD FOR PREVENTING MALFUNCTION OF OVER CURRENT GROUND RELAY DUE TO REVERSE POWER - A control method for preventing malfunction of an over current ground relay is disclosed. The control method includes: determining directions of per-phase power flows by measuring the magnitudes and phases of per-phase voltages and currents in an electric power system; checking occurrence of a load fault or a power source fault using the determined directions of per-phase power flows; and controlling an over current ground relay (OCGR) or an over current relay (OCR) to transmit a trip signal to a circuit breaker, after, upon occurrence of a load fault, checking occurrence of a ground fault and checking occurrence of a short circuit fault, and, upon occurrence of a power source fault, checking occurrence of a short circuit fault without checking occurrence of a ground fault, by turning on or off the OCGR or the OCR according to occurrence of a ground fault or a short circuit fault. | 04-02-2009 |
20090086389 | Circuit interrupting device with end-of life testing, reverse wiring and high voltage surge capability - The present invention provides a circuit interrupting device, preferably a ground fault circuit interrupter, which provides a quick and reliable connection/disconnection of electrical continuity through a combined use of a reset spring and a quick trip spring; an innovative circuit interrupting assembly containing a pair of input flexible metal pieces, a pair of user accessible load flexible metal pieces, and two pairs of fixed contacts on the load terminals; an automatic end-of-life testing mechanism by way of a simulated leakage current metal piece assembly; a reverse wiring protection by way of a reset start switch; an electrical surge protection through a power discharge mechanism; and a periodical end-of-life testing using a timer chip. | 04-02-2009 |
20090091868 | Vehicle AC Ground Fault Detection System - A vehicle ground fault detection system for detecting a ground fault includes a fault detection circuit having a resistance element. The resistance element has one side connected to a supply voltage. An electrical switching circuit is connected to the resistance element for selectably coupling the other side of the resistance element to a secondary ground. The fault detection circuit further includes a fault detection sense line connected to a junction between the other side of the resistance element and the electrical switching circuit. A controller selectably couples the resistance element to the secondary ground. The controller is coupled to the fault detection sense line to receive a voltage signal for detecting the ground fault prior to a start-up of the AC step-up power transformation. The controller determines a ground fault based on a comparison responsive to the voltage signal and a predetermined comparative value. | 04-09-2009 |
20090091869 | Circuit interrupting device with automatic components detection function - The present invention provides a circuit interrupting device which contains four pairs of contacts to electrically connect/disconnect to an input power source to a user accessible load and an output power end. The present invention also provides a simulated leakage current generating switch, which is capable of automatically generating a simulated current to test the circuit interrupting device when the power lines are properly wired and in a tripped state. The present invention further provides a reset switch which allows reset when the power lines are properly wired and the reset button is depressed. In addition, the present invention provides a dual-functioned test button which can manually generate a simulated leakage current when a first-level test button is depressed, and can perform a mechanical trip when a second-level test button is depressed. | 04-09-2009 |
20090147413 | ELECTRIC APPLIANCE AND HEATING COOKING DEVICE - A purpose of the present invention is to avoid either earth leakage or an electric shock, and is to reduce power consumption during a standby mode. | 06-11-2009 |
20090147414 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION IN AN UNGROUNDED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - An ungrounded electrical power distribution system may experience a single line to ground fault. Such a fault may not disrupt operation of the system, but its presence may raise a risk of additional problems if left uncorrected. A system for progressively grounding the ungrounded system may be initiated when a line to ground fault is suspected. As grounding through successively lower impedance proceeds, fault current may increase and detection of severity of the line to ground fault may be more readily achieved, thus facilitating localization of the fault. | 06-11-2009 |
20090147415 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION AND LOCALIZATION IN AN UNGROUNDED OR FLOATING DC ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - An ungrounded or floating DC electrical power distribution system may experience a single line to ground fault. Such a fault may not disrupt operation of the system, but its presence may raise a risk of additional problems if left uncorrected. A system for progressively grounding the ungrounded system may be initiated when a line to ground fault is suspected based on the voltage difference measured to a common chassis point. As grounding through successively lower impedance proceeds, fault current may increase and detection of severity of the line to ground fault may be more readily achieved, thus facilitating localization of the fault. Localization may be achieved through an analysis of direction of capacitive currents in isolatable zones of the system. | 06-11-2009 |
20090147416 | GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER - A ground fault circuit interrupter which comprises a main body structure, a low friction mechanical means, an electrical circuit, a low current utilizing solenoid, all of which are located in the main body structure for (1) interrupting the flow of electrical current in the interrupter when current flows from a live or neutral line to ground, (2) indicating an end-of-life condition in the interrupter, and (3) providing protection from reverse wiring of the interrupter. | 06-11-2009 |
20090147417 | GFCI with miswire protection having unitary receptacle and load conductors after proper installation - An improved GFCI device prevents miswiring. Load conductors are electrically isolated from receptacle conductors. Normally closed contacts are held open by a miswire prevention mechanism, such that if power is connected to the load contacts, power cannot be delivered to the GFCI device, the receptacle conductors or the line conductors. Once power is properly connected to the line conductors, a proper wiring detection circuit activates the miswire prevention mechanism to release the normally closed contacts, thereby electrically connecting the receptacle conductors and the load conductors. After proper installation, the receptacle conductors are preferably permanently connected to the load conductors. The device is preferably shipped in the reset state. | 06-11-2009 |
20090154033 | Electrical Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter Apparatus and Method - In all electrical circuits, various arcing conditions can arise, however, there are primary ones are series arcing (low current arcing), and, parallel arcing (high current arcing). An arc fault circuit interrupter (“AFCI”) that protects for both series and parallel arcing is called a combination type. An AFCI is a device that controls the effects of electrical arcing by opening a circuit through a tripping mechanism that isolates the load from the supply line upon detection of an arcing condition. In this invention, this arc fault is detected by a Hall-Effect sensor (“HES”), a HES integrated circuit, and microprocessor. When circuit fluctuation starts, the microprocessor logs this from its first occurrence then compares it to a pre-determined threshold time to determine an arcing condition. Continued fluctuation beyond this threshold time is considered an arcing condition for safety the microprocessor then executes a command to activate the tripping mechanism. | 06-18-2009 |
20090161270 | INDUSTRIAL ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND METHOD OF DETECTING ARCING CONDITIONS - A method of detecting arcing conditions includes sensing current and HF signals therefrom; bandpass filtering the HF signals and providing filtered signals; detecting peak signals and envelopes from the filtered signals; counting occurrences of the envelopes exceeding a first value; maintaining temporary values corresponding to the peak signals; determining a trip time as a function of the current; determining if any peak signal is greater than a second value, and responsively increasing a temporary value and, otherwise, decreasing the temporary value; determining if a predetermined function of the temporary values is greater than a fifth value, and adding the temporary values to an accumulator, and otherwise, decreasing the accumulator; and tripping open the power circuit if: a difference between the occurrences of current and immediately previous half cycle having the same polarity is at least two, the accumulator is greater than a seventh value, and the trip time is reached. | 06-25-2009 |
20090161271 | Novel circuit interrupting device with interconnecting reset and test buttons - The present invention provides a novel circuit interrupting device, preferably a ground fault circuit interrupter, which contains a reset button that is capable of interacting with a test button to perform an end-of-life-component test on the circuit interrupting device. The circuit interrupting device also contains a reset switch coupled to the reset button which is capable of disallowing reset if the device is miswired and/or fails the end-of-life-component test. Only when the circuit interrupting device is properly wired, in a tripped state, and all of the key components in the circuit interrupting device are working properly, the depression of the reset button allows the device to be reset. | 06-25-2009 |
20090168277 | SERIES ARC FAULT CURRENT INTERRUPTER APPARATUS - A circuit interrupter for interrupting alternating current electrical signal on a line conductor of a circuit feeding a load, including: an electrical contact in operatively connected in series with the line conductor; a trip mechanism for selectively opening the electrical contact when activated; a current sensor connected in series with the line conductor for obtaining a sample alternating current electrical signal from the circuit feeding the load; a microprocessor in electrical communication with the trip mechanism and comprising a series arc fault detection program resident thereon; the series arc detection program comprising a discrete wavelet transform for determining the presence of a series arc fault current in the circuit feeding the load; wherein, when the discrete wavelet transform determines the presence of a series arc fault, the microprocessors signals the trip mechanism to activate and open the electrical contact in operatively connected in series with the line conductor. | 07-02-2009 |
20090180221 | Ground fault circuit interrupter control circuit - A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) control circuit for providing an indicator or trip at the end of life. A GFCI with a monitor circuit added, in addition to common functions, is intended to automatically detect and indicate an abnormity of the circuit. Once any abnormity occurs to the elemental parts, the control circuit will indicate the malfunction or trip directly and stop the flow of electricity. | 07-16-2009 |
20090190275 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GROUND FAULT DETECTION AND INTERRUPTION - A ground fault detector and interrupter for a photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion system, method and apparatus are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes first and second inputs adapted to couple to a first and second rails of a PV array. An inverter is configured to convert DC power generated from the PV array to AC power. A ground fault detector and interrupter, which is coupled to the first and second rails and to the inverter, is configured to detect ground fault conditions in the PV array and to decouple the PV array from the remaining portion of the PV energy conversion system upon such detection. A known signal is coupled to the input of the ground fault detector and interrupter, and then sensed at the output of the ground fault detector and interrupter to determine whether components of the ground fault detector and interrupter are operating properly. | 07-30-2009 |
20090207535 | ARC FAULT DETECTOR - An arc fault detector, as a stand alone device or in combination with a circuit interrupting device such as a ground fault interrupter (GFCI), protects from potentially dangerous arc fault conditions. The device utilizes a line side or load side series connected inductance having an air or magnetic core to generate the derivative di/dt signal of the arc current in the conductor. The derivative signal is fed to an arc fault detector where it is analyzed for the presence of arcing. The device can have two series connected inductors inductively coupled to each other such that the signal from one inductor is inductively coupled into the other inductor for coupling to the arc fault detector. | 08-20-2009 |
20090219655 | Method and device for preventing fire caused by defects in electric circuits and arrangements - A method for preventing fire in electric circuits and arrangements includes measuring an electric current of a controllable section, separating a high frequency component therefrom, amplifying and rectifying a first harmonic signal, determining a spark current value, forming the first harmonic signal from a measured current signal range, measuring short-circuit and/or overload and/or a leak, and/or measuring the electric circuit voltage, in forming a warning and/or switching off signal of the controllable section. The signal amplitudes and/or other parameters including a spark striking-suppression cycle are measured for determining a spark current. The fire preventing device includes a unit for forming a signal of first and higher harmonics, a unit for determining a spark current quantity, a unit for measuring short-circuit and/or overload and/or leak currents, and/or electric circuit voltage measuring currents, units for forming a warning and/or switching off the controllable section signal. The spark current quantity determining unit has devices for measuring signal amplitudes and/or other parameters including a spark striking-suppression cycle. | 09-03-2009 |
20090219656 | High voltage ground fault detection system - A ground fault detection system for an electrical system is disclosed. The electrical system may have a first and a second electrical component and a controller, and the second electrical component may be coupled to the controller. The ground fault detection system may include a ground fault detection module integrated in the first electrical component. The first electrical component may be isolated from the second electrical component. The ground fault detection system may further include a data link configured to establish a data communication between a controller and the ground fault detection module. The ground fault detection module may be configured to activate a mode of operation for the first electrical component if a ground fault associated with the first electrical component is identified. | 09-03-2009 |
20090244794 | Switching Circuit - A switching circuit, e.g. an RCD, comprises a pair of mechanical contacts (M) in an alternating current electricity supply (N, L) and circuit means (SCR) for opening the contacts to cut off the supply in response to a switching signal (S). The switching circuit includes further circuit means (Rs, Cs, D | 10-01-2009 |
20090251832 | Over heating detection and interrupter circuit - An over heating detection circuit and an interrupter circuit are disclosed for interrupting electrical power from a power source receptacle to a load upon the detection of an over heating condition of an electrical plug. A heat sensitive device monitors the temperature of the electrical plug. The over heating detection circuit is connected to the heat sensitive device for detecting an over heated condition in the electrical plug. The interruption circuit includes a disconnect switch connected to the over heating detection circuit for disconnecting electrical power upon the detection of the over heated condition in the electrical plug. | 10-08-2009 |
20090257156 | METHOD OF SETTING A GROUND FAULT TRIP FUNCTION FOR A TRIP UNIT AND A TRIP UNIT HAVING A DEFINED TRIP FUNCTION FOR GROUND FAULT PROTECTION - A method of setting a trip ground fault trip function for a trip unit includes enabling a ground fault protection mode for the trip unit, and setting one of a plurality of a trip functions for the trip unit. At least one of the plurality of trip functions being an Î4t inverse time function that establishes a trip characteristic to interrupt current upon sensing a ground fault indication. The method further includes monitoring an electrical circuit for a ground fault. | 10-15-2009 |
20090257157 | CIRCUIT BREAKER HAVING SEPARATE RESTRAINED AND UNRESTRAINED ZONE SELECTIVE INTERLOCK SETTING CAPABILITY - A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features with separate restrained and unrestrained setting capability is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event of a fault condition. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the tripping response of the second circuit breaker to a restrained mode. The circuit breakers include features enabling the user to modify and adjust both the restrained and unrestrained trip curves associated with both the restrained and unrestrained modes of operation. | 10-15-2009 |
20090257158 | CIRCUIT BREAKER ZONE SELECTIVE INTERLOCK FOR DIFFERENTIATED FAULTS AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event a first or second fault condition is detected. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the response of the second circuit breaker depending on whether the first or second fault condition has been detected. | 10-15-2009 |
20090262470 | GFCI that cannot be reset until wired correctly on line side and power is applied - An apparatus and method for preventing the miswiring of a protection device. The protection device includes line terminals and load terminals. The protection device further includes a latching mechanism, adapted to move between a closed state which establishes electrical contact between said line and load terminals, and an open state which prevents electrical contact between said line and load terminals; and an initial reset prevention mechanism, adapted to prevent said latching mechanism from being set in said closed state until power is applied to said line terminals. | 10-22-2009 |
20090262471 | Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) Support - An Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter support system and program, having a plurality of sequenced individual loads arranged in scenes or groups, which sequenced individual loads when activated together form a cumulative total of 800 watts or more; and one or both of a delay between each sequenced individual load to prevent the cumulative wattage from creating a nuisance Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter breaker trip, and a plurality of pre-heat pulses provided to individual loads with individual wattages of 800 watts or more prior to applying a full current to the individual load. | 10-22-2009 |
20090262472 | Protective Device with an Auxiliary Switch - The present invention is directed to a protective device that includes a housing having a plurality of line terminals, a plurality of load terminals, and a plurality of user-accessible terminals accessible via apertures disposed in a front major surface of the housing. A fault detection assembly is coupled to the plurality of line terminals, the fault detection circuit being configured to provide a fault detection output in response to detecting a fault condition. A circuit interrupter is coupled to the fault detection assembly. The circuit interrupter includes a first set of interrupting contacts configured to provide electrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the plurality of user-accessible terminals in a reset state. The first set of interrupting contacts are decoupled in response to the fault detection output to enter a tripped state such that the plurality of line terminals are decoupled from the plurality of load terminals and the plurality of user-accessible terminals. An auxiliary switch is coupled to the fault detection assembly. The auxiliary switch includes a second set of contacts configured to decouple at least a portion of the fault detection assembly from a source of electrical power in the tripped state. The second set of contacts being self-biased toward a predetermined switch position when no force is applied thereto. A latch block assembly is coupled to the circuit interrupter. The latch block assembly includes a first latch block portion and a second latch block portion. The first latch block portion is configured to drive the first set of contacts to close when transitioning from the tripped state to the reset state. The second latch block portion is configured to overcome the self bias of the second set of contacts to thereby drive the second set of contacts open when transitioning from the reset state to the tripped state. | 10-22-2009 |
20090279217 | Building Service Ground Fault Interrupter - A ground fault interrupter to be used by utility company while effecting repairs to the electrical service for a building is positioned to interrupt the power supply to the building in case of a detected ground fault and utilizes a sensor for detecting the fault current at the service entrance to a building; a contact switch, selectively movable between open and closed positions, mounted for temporary use in series with said power supply to the building; and a microprocessor based circuit for measuring and evaluating fault current detected by the sensor and controlling the selective movement of the contact switch between its open and closed positions. | 11-12-2009 |
20090296288 | BI-DIRECTIONAL GFCI - A bi-directional fault circuit interrupter comprising a first connection interface, a second connection interface, at least one fault circuit, and at least one switch which is movable from at least one first position to at least one second position to selectively electrically connect the fault circuit to either the first connection interface or the second connection interface. There are also a plurality of conductors configured to electrically connect the first connection interface to the switch and the second connection interface to the switch. | 12-03-2009 |
20090303642 | Leakage current detection and interruption circuit with improved shield - A circuit is disclosed for disconnecting a power source upon the detection of a leakage current comprising a power cable having an insulated first and a second wire. The power cable has a conductive shield surrounding the first and second wires with a drain wire electrically contacting the conductive shield. A disconnect switch is interposed between the power source and the power cable. A primary circuit controls the disconnect switch. A secondary circuit is connected to the drain wire for sensing a leakage current between the conductive shield and one of the first and second wires. An optical switch interconnects the primary circuit and the secondary circuit for opening the disconnect switch upon the secondary circuit sensing a leakage current. | 12-10-2009 |
20090316312 | EARTH LEAKAGE CIRCUIT BREAKER - The present invention relates to an Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) used as an electric switch for an electrical circuit which employs a double breakage method of determining whether leakage occurs based on total leakage voltage of a total leakage current detected by a zero-phase current transformer | 12-24-2009 |
20090323233 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DETERMINING INSULATION RESISTANCE IN AN UNGROUNDED MOBILE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL BUS SYSTEM - An insulation resistance detection system for use with a vehicle having a chassis. The system includes an electrical power source, an electrical system, and a detection circuit. The electrical system is electrically isolated from the chassis. The detection circuit is powered by the power source. The detection circuit includes a resistor electrically connected to the chassis. The detection circuit measures the voltage across the resistor to thereby determine insulation resistance between the electrical system and the chassis. | 12-31-2009 |
20100014197 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF DETECTING AND COMPENSATING FOR DC RESIDUAL FAULT CURRENTS ON ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS - This invention relates to a method and apparatus of detecting and compensating for DC residual fault currents on electrical systems. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus which is capable of accurately detecting one or more parameters of the fault current waveform and generating a compensation factor which compensates for specific pulsed DC fault components present. In this way, trip sensitivity is optimised for all types of fault current waveforms. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention operates by detecting one or more parameters of the encoded fault current waveform and generating a measure of symmetry comparing the mean squared values of negative and positive sections of said encoded fault current waveform. In use, various bands of the ratio of the mean squared sum of the positive and negative sections of said encoded fault current wave-form are obtained, and a compensation factor is determined from a look-up table stored in a processing means. | 01-21-2010 |
20100020451 | ARC DETECTION USING DISCRETE WAVELET TRANSFORMS - An apparatus to perform series and parallel arc fault current interruption (AFCI). The apparatus includes a resistive element configured to sense a load from which a current signal is generated, a first detection unit configured to output a first signal based on the current signal, and a microcontroller configured to decompose at least the first signal via discrete wavelet transforms to thereby obtain discrete wavelet coefficients, and to generate a trip signal when the discrete wavelet coefficients indicate that a threshold condition for trip signal generation are satisfied. | 01-28-2010 |
20100020452 | Leakage current detection and interruption circuit powered by leakage current - A circuit is disclosed for disconnecting a power source upon the detection of a leakage current from one of a first and a second wire connected to the power source. A sensing conductor is located adjacent to one of the first and second wires for sensing a leakage current from one of the first and second wires. A disconnect switch is interposed within the first and second wires connected to the power source. A disconnect switch control circuit is connected to the sensing conductor for opening the disconnect switch upon the presence of a leakage current from the sensing conductor. The disconnect switch control circuit operates solely from the leakage current from the sensing conductor. | 01-28-2010 |
20100020453 | Modular Circuit Breaker - The present invention relates generally to a circuit breaker. More particularly, the invention encompasses a modular circuit breaker. The present invention is also directed to a novel a modular circuit breaker with a trip bar. The inventive two pole residential circuit breaker includes an Arc Fault and Ground Fault electronic detection system. The modular breaker design includes an electronic system used for tripping a designated mechanism pole which in turn trips the secondary mechanism pole. Electronic components are included that sense the continuous current flow through each mechanism pole simultaneously to determine when a trip event is needed. The electronic system of this invention includes a self diagnostic system with electronic visual indicators that display the method of which trip condition occurred. | 01-28-2010 |
20100046126 | CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND RECEPTACLE INCLUDING SEMICONDUCTOR SWITCHING DEVICE PROVIDING PROTECTION FROM A GLOWING CONTACT - A receptacle includes a housing, an input connection, an output connection, separable contacts structured to electrically connect the input connection and the output connection, an operating mechanism structured to open the separable contacts responsive to a trip signal, and a trip circuit. The trip circuit is structured to generate the trip signal responsive to current flowing to or from the output connection. The trip circuit includes a trip detection circuit and a semiconductor switching device. The semiconductor switching device is mounted within the housing and is located within about 0.25 inch of the input connection or the output connection. The semiconductor switching device is structured to generate the trip signal responsive to the trip detection circuit and responsive to overheating of the input connection or the output connection, respectively. | 02-25-2010 |
20100046127 | RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE - A residual current device comprises a circuit (CT, | 02-25-2010 |
20100046128 | LEAKAGE CURRENT DETECTION INTERRUPTER WITH FIRE PROTECTION MEANS - A leakage current detection interrupter with fire protection means comprising: (i) a movable assembly housing; (ii) two fixed contact holders each having a fixed contact point; (iii) ) two movable contact holders each having a fixed end and a movable end with a movable contact point; (iv) a movable assembly that moves between a first position and a second position; (v) a resetting component; (vi) a resetting component spring; (vii) an electromagnetic tripping component, which, when energized, which is responsive to a fault condition, causes the movable assembly to be in the second position from the first position; (viii) an leakage current protection circuit assembled on a printed circuit board for detecting the fault condition; and (ix) a set of three electrical wires: a first wire, a second wire, and a third wire to an appliance, wherein the first wire and the second wire are protected by a plurality of protective shields. | 02-25-2010 |
20100053826 | Electrical Wiring Device - The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a plurality of line terminals including a line hot terminal and a line neutral terminal, and a plurality of load terminals including a load hot terminal and a load neutral terminal. An interrupting contact assembly includes four sets of interrupting contacts configured to provide electrical continuity at least between the line hot terminal and the load hot terminal and the line neutral terminal and the load neutral terminal in a reset state. The four sets of interrupting contacts are open in a tripped state. A miswire prevention arrangement is configured to prevent the interrupting contact assembly from maintaining the reset state when the load hot terminal and the load neutral terminal are connected to a source of AC power. | 03-04-2010 |
20100061025 | LED module for sign channel letters and driving circuit - An LED module for use in sign letter channel lights comprises a substrate, a reflector mounted on the substrate, an LED mounted within the reflector on the substrate and a Zener diode shunt element connected in parallel across the LED, a printed circuit board on the substrate, wherein the LED is mounted on the printed circuit board, and an insulating cover. The module may be entirely encapsulated. An LED driving protection circuit provides ground fault protection for a plurality of series connected LED modules. | 03-11-2010 |
20100067153 | System utilizing a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) as a remote controlled protection device - A system utilizing a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) as a remote controlled protection device includes: a sensor adapted to detect a problem in the load; a switch adapted to generate an electrical signal when the sensor detects the problem; and an electrical interconnection adapted to provide the electrical signal to the ground fault circuit interrupter. In response to the electrical signal, the ground fault circuit interrupter initiates the trip function, thereby protecting the load. | 03-18-2010 |
20100073829 | Systems and Methods for Reducing Electrically-caused Fires in Wiring Devices - Systems and methods that provide improved detection of series fault conditions are described. The systems provide an increased range of response possibilities upon detection of such conditions. Solid-state temperature sensors are utilized and may be connected to a printed circuit board integrated with supply wire terminals, thus providing electronic circuitry controlling the response to over-temperature events while simultaneously keeping the temperature sensors in close proximity with the location of potential over-heating events. Electronic sensors in accordance with implementations of the present invention detect overheating conditions at temperatures more quickly because of the close proximity of the sensors to locations of potential overheating, thereby improving the safety of electrical wiring devices and fixtures. Additionally, the threshold temperature for response can more easily be selected or controlled to be at a variety of temperatures to improve safety. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073830 | SECURE ARC FLASH DETECTION - An intelligent electronic device (IED) may be configured to detect arc flash events within a power system using stimulus measurements acquired by detection devices communicatively coupled to the power system. An arc flash event may be detected using a time-intensity comparison metric, such as an inverse time-over-stimulus metric, a cumulative stimulus metric, or the like. The stimulus may include electro-optical (EO) radiation produced in the vicinity of the power system, current measurements, or the like. The IED may detect an arc flash event if one or more of the stimulus types are indicative of an arc flash event. Responsive to detecting an arc flash event, the IED, or other protective element, may take one or more protective actions, such as issuing trip commands, or the like. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073831 | PROTECTIVE DEVICE WITH METERING AND OSCILLOGRAPHY - A device, such as an intelligent electronic device (IED), provides a monitoring and protective function for a power system. The protective function uses stimulus acquired from the power system to detect power system conditions and to take one or more protective actions responsive thereto. The device may detect arc flash events in the power system based upon electro-optical and/or current stimulus measurements obtained therefrom. The stimulus measurements may be recorded to use in metering, validation, identifying detector misoperation, and/or event oscillography. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073832 | POWER CUTOFF DEVICE AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED UPON OCCURRENCE OF SPARK ON ELECTRIC WIRE - The present invention provides a power cutoff device automatically operated upon the occurrence of a spark on an electric wire. The power cutoff device of the present invention automatically cuts off power supply to an earth leakage breaker or an electronic switch according to a control signal transmitted by detecting an electromagnetic wave due to an electric spark generated on an electric wire by an abnormal state such as a connection failure of an electrical device, thus preventing a disaster such as an electrical fire caused by the electric spark (flame). According to the present invention, since the power cutoff device provides an intrinsic function of the earth leakage breaker that operates in a state of an overload or electric leakage and the earth leakage breaker is operated by detecting the electric spark generated on the electric wire, it is possible to effectively prevent a disaster such as an electrical fire caused by the electric spark. | 03-25-2010 |
20100085669 | ARC FAULT DETECTION USING FUZZY LOGIC - An arc fault detector which includes a filter which receives an input signal and filters the input signal, an amplifier which amplifies a signal output from the filter, an analog-to-digital converter disposed to receive the amplified signal from the amplifier and convert the amplified signal into a digital signal, and a processing unit responsive to computer executable instructions when executed thereon that receives samples of data associated with the digital signal and performs an arc detection algorithm on the data using fuzzy logic. | 04-08-2010 |
20100085670 | PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE MONITORING SYSTEM - Embodiments of apparatuses, systems, articles, and methods related to a photovoltaic module monitoring system are disclosed. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. | 04-08-2010 |
20100085671 | ARC MONITOR - An arc monitor for tripping a circuit breaker in the event of an arc occurrence, the arc monitor including at least one arc detector and arranged to be operatively connected to at least one circuit breaker. The arc monitor includes a base unit and at least one extension unit with at least one arc detector input terminal, the at least one arc detector being connectable to the at least one arc detector input terminal, and the base unit includes a control unit. The extension unit is operatively connectable to and arranged to send an arc occurrence signal to the control unit, which is arranged to send a trip signal for tripping the at least one circuit breaker, in the event of an arc occurrence. Also an electrical installation including an arc monitor, and the use of an arc monitor as a supervision and safety equipment in an electrical installation. | 04-08-2010 |
20100091418 | SOLID STATE CIRCUIT PROTECTION SYSTEM THAT WORKS WITH ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER - An electric circuit includes a load, a solid state device, and a control for opening the circuit such that current will not flow through the solid state device, and for facilitating flow of current to bypass said solid state device and provide a current path to an arc fault circuit interrupter. A bypass includes a normally opened switch which is closed to provide current to the arc fault circuit interrupter. | 04-15-2010 |
20100097733 | ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER, SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND METHODS OF DETECTING AND INTERRUPTING ELECTRICAL FAULTS - In all electrical circuits, various arcing conditions can arise, however, the primary ones are series arcing (low current arcing), and, parallel arcing (high current arcing). An arc fault circuit interrupter (“AFCI”) that protects for both series and parallel arcing is called a combination type. An AFCI is a device that controls the effects of electrical arcing by opening a circuit through a tripping mechanism that isolates the load from the supply line upon detection of an arcing condition. In this invention, this arc fault is detected by a circuit employing a Hall-Effect sensor (“HES”) integrated circuit, and a microprocessor among other components. | 04-22-2010 |
20100103568 | AFCI DEVICE - An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) device prevents malfunction of an electric circuit and checks the state of the circuit and connection state of lines. One of a phase conductor line and a neutral conductor line is wound around a transformer which converts a current difference flowing in the AC line into voltage to detect 1a whether an arc fault occurs, and a voltage induced by the wound line is rectified into direct-current and is converted into constant voltage to obtain power for the AFCI. An arc wave generator includes a rectifier to generate a rectified signal; a drop resistor which drops the voltage of the rectified signal to generate a voltage-dropped signal; and a mono-stable multivibrator which adjusts a voltage level and a pulse width of the voltage-dropped signal and generates a pulse signal that is used to generate a false arc for testing the AFCI. | 04-29-2010 |
20100103569 | RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE - A residual current device for an AC electricity supply comprises a housing ( | 04-29-2010 |
20100118449 | NULLING CURRENT TRANSFORMER - This invention relates to a nulling current transformer. More particularly, this invention relates to a nulling current transformer for accurately detecting current and giving an improved response, accuracy and stability using toroidal current transformer technology along with active components. This invention finds particular application in switchgear devices such as residual current devices and metering operations. The nulling current transformer is implemented in a closed magnetic core having at least one primary winding inductively coupled thereto. A secondary winding is also inductively coupled to said magnetic core, the secondary winding being responsive to any magnetic flux generated in said magnetic core. A separate tertiary winding is also inductively coupled to said magnetic core, the tertiary winding being responsive to any magnetic flux generated in the magnetic core. A nulling means is also provided for receiving the output of said tertiary winding and nulling the received output, the nulled output of the nulling means being connected to the input of said secondary winding such that it serves to cancel the magnetic flux in the magnetic core. | 05-13-2010 |
20100118450 | DIFFERENTIAL-CURRENT SWITCH - A differential-current switch includes a first unit arranged in an electric power supply network for detecting a differential current and outputting an analog differential current signal, an analog-to-digital converter receiving the outputted analog differential current signal and converting the outputted analog differential current signal to a digital differential current signal, a first digital signal processing unit receiving the digital differential current signal, a second unit for disconnecting circuit breaker contacts in the electric power supply network, and first means connected upstream of the analog-to-digital converter for adjusting the analog differential current signal. Adjustment of the analog differential current signal provides favorable resolution of a differential current signal over a wide dynamic range. | 05-13-2010 |
20100123981 | Multiple Pole Arc-Fault Circuit Breaker Using Single Test Button - A multiple pole arc-fault circuit breaker includes a first pole assembly, a second pole assembly, a microprocessor, and a single test button. At least one of the first pole assembly and the second pole assembly has a trip mechanism. The microprocessor is electrically coupled to the first pole assembly and to the second pole assembly, and, in response to receiving a single test signal, is operative to perform electrical tests for both the first pole assembly and the second pole assembly. In response to successful completion of the electrical tests, the microprocessor is further operative to actuate the trip mechanism. The single test button is mounted to the housing and includes a single test position which causes the sending of the single test signal for initiating the electrical tests. | 05-20-2010 |
20100123982 | PROTECTIVE DEVICE HAVING A THIN CONSTRUCTION - The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a front cover member having a front major surface and a back cover member having a back major surface substantially in parallel with the front major surface. The housing further includes an electrically isolating member disposed between the front cover member and the back cover member such that a front interior region is formed between the front cover member and the electrically isolating member and a rear interior region is formed between the back cover member and the electrically isolating member. The user accessible reset button assembly establishes a plane normal to the major front surface and subdividing the rear interior region into a first rear interior region portion and a second rear interior region portion. The interrupting contact assembly is configured to provide electrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals and the plurality of receptacle terminals in a reset state. The plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals and the plurality of receptacle terminals are decoupled in a tripped state. A protective electrical assembly includes a sensor assembly coupled to the plurality of line terminals and a solenoid assembly coupled to the interrupting contact assembly. The sensor assembly and the solenoid assembly are substantially disposed in the first rear interior region portion. The sensor assembly includes at least one toroidal transformer having a toroidal axis and the solenoid assembly including a solenoid coil having a solenoid coil axis. The toroidal axis and the solenoid coil axis are substantially parallel to one another. | 05-20-2010 |
20100134932 | Circuit interrupting device with reset lockout and reverse wiring protection and method of manufacture - Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independent trip portions and/or a reset lockout portion are provided. The reverse wiring protection operates at both the line and load sides of the device so that in the event line side wiring to the device is improperly connected to the load side, fault protection for the device remains. The trip portion operates independently of a circuit interrupting portion used to break the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. The reset lockout portion prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in open conductive paths if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists or if the device is reverse wired. Methods for ensuring a reset lockout state before shipment are provided. | 06-03-2010 |
20100134933 | ARC DETECTION CIRCUIT - An arc detector comprising a voltage generator for detecting a voltage and an integrator for integrating said voltage with respect to time and generating an output signal corresponding to said integration. The arc detector also includes a discharge controller for controlling said output signal of said integrator, an amplifier for amplifying said output signal from said integrator and outputting an amplified signal; and a comparator for comparing said amplified output signal to a reference voltage and generating a detection signal based on said comparison. | 06-03-2010 |
20100142103 | Compact Secondary Substation Comprising A Fault Protection System, A Method For Fault Protection In A Compact Secondary Substation, And A Control Unit For Performing The Method - A Compact Secondary Substation including a fault protection system and a method for fault protection in Compact Secondary Substations (CSS). The CSS includes a Ring Main Unit (RMU), a transformer and a Low Voltage (LV) switchgear. The CSS includes a number of detectors, which detectors can be placed at least in one of the RMU, the transformer or in the LV switchgear, which detectors can be connected to a control unit, which control unit by fault detection by the detectors can activate a fast operating switch for grounding. By using the fast operating grounding switch and controlling this on the basis of the detectors placed inside the CSS, an active arc fault protection is achieved. The control unit also controls the fast operating grounding switch so that it works as a working grounding switch. | 06-10-2010 |
20100149700 | POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS EMPLOYING A FILTER TRAP CIRCUIT TO PROVIDE ARC FAULT TRIP COORDINATION - An electrical switching apparatus comprises: a first terminal; a second terminal; separable contacts electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal; an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts; and an arc fault trip circuit cooperating with the operating mechanism and structured to trip open the separable contacts responsive to an arc fault condition. An inductor is electrically connected in series between the first terminal and the second terminal. A capacitor includes a first lead electrically connected between the inductor and the second terminal, and a second lead electrically connected to a ground or neutral conductor. The inductor and the capacitor are structured to cooperate with a power circuit impedance downstream of the second terminal to form a filter trap circuit. | 06-17-2010 |
20100157488 | ARC DETECTION USING DETAILED AND APPROXIMATE COEFFICIENTS FROM DISCRETE WAVELET TRANSFORMS - An apparatus for facilitating interruption of current in an electrical circuit is provided and includes a current sensing device in the electrical circuit to service an electrical load, the current sensing device being productive of an output signal representative of a load current passing therethrough, a detection unit, in signal communication with the current sensing device such that the output signal is received by the detection unit, the detection unit being configured and disposed to output a secondary signal based on the output signal, and a microcontroller to receive and to decompose the secondary signal into detailed and approximate coefficients, and to generate a trip signal for use in interrupting an operation of the electrical circuit when a current of the sensed load is above a predetermined threshold and the detailed and approximate coefficients cooperatively indicate that threshold conditions for trip signal generation are satisfied. | 06-24-2010 |
20100157489 | Method and Apparatus for Moving Material - An apparatus and method for providing ground fault protection to a lifting device utilizing an electromagnet and powered by a generator. The apparatus and method rectifies an AC voltage emanating from the generator source and monitors unsafe operating conditions of the generator's circuit wherein operation of the lifting device is ceased when predetermined electrical operating parameters are exceeded. | 06-24-2010 |
20100157490 | LEAKAGE CURRENT PROTECTION DEVICE - A leakage current protection device with a single laminated magnetic core transformer that is formed by punch pressing an amorphous metal material, or a nanocrystalline soft metal material, in a high punch velocity press to form the ring laminations for the magnetic core. In a ground fault circuit interrupter, the single laminated magnetic core transformer serves as the input sensor for both the current imbalance detection circuitry and the low impedance ground fault protection circuitry. | 06-24-2010 |
20100165520 | Method and Apparatus For Tripping Circuit Breaker - An apparatus for monitoring a circuit breaker includes an electronics unit, the electronics unit being configured to generate a re-occurring signal, and a self-test trip unit in signal communication with the electronics unit and being configured to receive the re-occurring signal and effect tripping of the circuit breaker. | 07-01-2010 |
20100165521 | PARALLEL ARC DETECTION USING DISCRETE WAVELET TRANSFORMS - An apparatus to perform parallel arc fault current interruption (AFCI). The apparatus includes a current sensing device disposed in the electrical circuit to sense an electrical load, the current sensing device configured to produce an output signal representative of a load current passing therethrough, a detection unit, in signal communication with the current sensing device and configured to receive the output signal produced by the current sensing device, the detection unit being configured and disposed to output a secondary signal based on the output signal, and a microcontroller coupled to the detection unit, being responsive to computer executable instructions which, when executed by the microcontroller, cause the microcontroller to receive and to decompose the secondary signal via discrete wavelet transforms to thereby obtain discrete wavelet coefficients, and to compute a sum of the discrete wavelet coefficients, and to compare the sum of the discrete wavelet coefficients to a predetermined threshold, and to generate a trip signal when the sensed load current is above a predetermined threshold and the sum of the discrete wavelet coefficients cooperatively indicate that predetermined threshold conditions for trip signal generation are satisfied | 07-01-2010 |
20100208396 | EARTH LEAKAGE CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH FUNCTION FOR DETECTING REVERSE LEAKAGE CURRENT - An earth leakage circuit breaker (ELCB) with a function of detecting a leakage current which backflows while cutting off an electric leakage is disclosed. The ELCB includes: a breaker portion for detecting an occurrence of an electric leakage to cut off electrical power; and a leakage current detecting portion electrically connected in parallel with the breaker portion between an input terminal and an output terminal of the breaker portion and detecting a leakage current which backflows from the output terminal after electrical power is cut off by the breaker portion. | 08-19-2010 |
20100214703 | POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM USING SOLID STATE POWER CONTROLLERS - Solid state power controllers are described that include a switch controlled by a microcontroller and communication contacts. In one aspect of the invention, the microcontroller is galvanically isolated from the communication contacts using magnetoresistive isolation. In another aspect of the invention a number of solid state power controllers are connected to an external microcontroller to form a power distribution array. In addition, messages exchanged between the external microcontroller and the solid state power controllers can be used to configure the solid state power controllers and provide a user interface. | 08-26-2010 |
20100226053 | DETECTING AND SENSING ACTUATION IN A CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICE - A circuit interrupting device configured to cause electrical discontinuity along a conductive path upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition is disclosed. The device includes a fault sensing circuit detecting the predetermined condition and generating a circuit interrupting actuation signal, and a coil and plunger assembly actuatable by the circuit interrupting actuation signal so that, upon detecting the predetermined condition, the plunger will move in a fault direction from a non-actuated to an actuated configuration a distance sufficient to cause disengagement of at least one set of contacts from each other to cause electrical discontinuity along the conductive path; and a test assembly causing the plunger to move in a test direction, from a pre-test configuration to a post-test configuration, a distance insufficient to disengage the at least one set of contacts from each other. Analogous methods of testing the circuit interrupting device are also disclosed. | 09-09-2010 |
20100238596 | DETECTING SUB-SYSTEM - A computerized electricity system for connecting loads to a power source, including: (a) an arc fault detecting sub-system having at least one module including: (i) a relay unit, electrically associated with a particular load, for connecting and disconnecting to a power source; (ii) a current sensor for measuring a current being delivered from the power source to the load, to produce a current measurement; (iii) an analog circuit for receiving the current measurement from the current sensor, and for producing an analog signal based on the current measurement, and a second signal for indicating a potential arc fault event, and (iv) a digital circuit for receiving the second signal from the analog circuit and producing data, and (b) a processing unit connected to each module, so as to receive data corresponding to the analog signal, and the data from the digital circuit, the processing unit for identifying the arc faults, and wherein the processing unit is configured to command the relay unit to disconnect the current in response to identifying the arc faults, and wherein the processing unit is configured to provide this command only if several pre-determined conditions are met, (I) after detection of the potential arc fault event, the current measurement remains substantially unchanged, and (II) after a detection of at least one additional potential arc fault event, the arc fault events are found to be acyclic. | 09-23-2010 |
20100238597 | Self testing ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) with end of life (EOL) detection that rejects false EOL information - A self test (ST) ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) provides improved end of life (EOL) detection by rejecting false EOL information. A processing device receives fault detection signals indicating when faults are detected, and input signals indicating when contacts used to interrupt power to a load are closed. The processing device rejects the fault detection signals when they fail to meet a selected condition and the contacts are closed, and declares end of life (EOL) when the selected condition is met. The fault detection signals can correspond to pulses at an output of a gated device between the processing device and a GFCI chip, and the selected condition can be a selected integer number of pulses. | 09-23-2010 |
20100254049 | CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER DEVICE - A circuit interrupter device includes a first, a second and a third electrical conductive path, a fault detection circuit for generating a fault detection signal based on a fault detected in at least the first electrical conductive path, a first disconnect mechanism connected to the fault detection circuit, for disconnecting the first electrical conductive path and the second electrical conductive path based on the fault detection signal, and a second disconnect mechanism connected to the first electrical conductive path, for connecting or disconnecting the second electrical conductive path and the third electrical conductive path based on a wiring condition of the circuit interrupter device. | 10-07-2010 |
20100290162 | Systems, Methods, and Devices For Controlling A Serial Arc Fault In An Electrical Circuit - Methods, systems, and devices for controlling a serial arc fault in an electrical circuit are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include the following: a. measuring a current in the circuit; b. determining whether the current is below a predetermined value; c. if the current is below ten percent of the predetermined value, determining whether a countdown timer value indicated by a cell pointer value is equal to zero; d. if the countdown timer value is equal to zero, starting a countdown timer, advancing the cell pointer value by one, and restarting the method at step a.; e. if the countdown timer value is not equal to zero, determining whether the interruptions in the current are periodic; f. if the interruptions in the current are not periodic, checking whether an arc event countdown timer is running; and g. if the arc event countdown timer is running, tripping a circuit breaker. | 11-18-2010 |
20100290163 | GROUND-FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER WITH REVERSE WIRING PROTECITON FUNCTION - A ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) power receptacle with reverse wiring protection. The GFCI power receptacle has a circuit board assembled in a housing; a pair of resilient movable conducting arms attached to the circuit board, each having a movable contacts at its free end, a pair of stationary conducting arms each having a stationary contact at one end, and a pair of output face terminals each having a contact. The movable contacts can contact the stationary contacts and the output face terminal contacts to establish electrical connection between the input and output terminals of the power receptacle. The power receptacle has a simple structure where one movable contact can connect or disconnect the load in various working conditions, which can be used in various types of power receptacles. | 11-18-2010 |
20100296206 | EARTH LEAKAGE DETECTION METHOD - It is judged whether the abnormal current is due to the electric leakage or not by a detection step detecting the abnormal current by the leakage current detection board and comparing a threshold value of predetermined items stored in a storing unit and actual values corresponding to the items at the time of when a compressor is stopped by detecting the abnormal current in the detection step. Specifically, the abnormal current is recognized as the electric leakage to be displayed on a display unit when at least one of the operating time at the time of detecting the abnormal current, the inner pressure of a motor, and a discharge pipe temperature is lower than the corresponding threshold value. | 11-25-2010 |
20100302692 | SHORT-CIRCUIT PROTECTION FOR SWITCHED OUTPUT STAGES - Short-circuit protection in switched output stages is described to protect switching output stages from excessive output current in short-circuit conditions which may cause device damage. Design techniques to attain this goal include measuring currents in switching transistors by placing a scaled transistor in parallel thereto, combined with circuitry for making drain voltages substantially equal. The various techniques for short-circuit protection comprise (a) using a transistor and an operational amplifier in combination, (b) using a single transistor in place of the operational amplifier, (c) using a circuit to generate over-current detection signals, (d) providing over-current detection signals to a driver in order to reduce the output current, (e) using an inverter to feedback regulate output current, (f) using a switch to bypass the current regulator during normal operation, and (g) automatically opening this switch in an over-current situation. | 12-02-2010 |
20100309591 | IMPEDANCE-BASED CURRENT SENSOR - Arc fault detection method and apparatus employ an impedance-based current sensor to provide a sensing signal indicative of current through a conductor. The impedance-based current sensor diverts high frequency components of current through the conductor and converts the high frequency components into an arc fault signal. | 12-09-2010 |
20100321838 | ARC FLASH DETECTION SYSTEM - An apparatus to detect arc is presented. The apparatus includes a fiber sensor to detect characteristics of an arc flash and a processor to process at least two characteristics of the arc flash. The processor is further configured to generate an arc fault signal. A protective device is configured to mitigate the arc flash based on the arc fault signal. | 12-23-2010 |
20100328824 | Arc Flash Detection - An arc flash detector includes a light sensor, a light attenuating filter in communication with the light sensor, a housing disposed to support the light attenuating filter and the light sensor, and a logic circuit in communication with the light sensor. The logic circuit is disposed to receive an output of the light sensor and disposed to produce an output signal responsive to a predetermined intensity of light received by the light sensor. The light attenuating filter is disposed to reduce the intensity of light received by the light sensor. The housing is also disposed to retain the light sensor and the light attenuating filter at a fixed orientation. | 12-30-2010 |
20110002071 | LEAKAGE PROTECTIVE PLUG - A leakage protective plug comprises a case and electric contacts. A protective cap is fixed on the top of the case and includes a reset button protective cap and a test button protective cap. The reset button protective cap is interiorly provided with a reset button connected with a push rod which in order penetrates an electric contact upper panel, an upper spring, an electric contact lower panel and a lower spring. The electric contact upper panel is provided at a right side thereof with a locking member linked with a brake connecting rod which is linked with a brake plate. The brake plate is located at a lower right side of the locking member. Below the brake plate are disposed an electromagnet pole shoe, an electromagnet coil, and an electromagnet core. The test button protective cap is provided with a test button having a test electric contact. | 01-06-2011 |
20110013322 | AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE CHARGE PORT WITH FAULT INTERRUPT CIRCUIT - An automotive vehicle includes a charge port integrated with the vehicle. The charge port includes electrical contacts configured to receive electrical power from an electric grid, and a fault interrupt circuit electrically connected with the electrical contacts. | 01-20-2011 |
20110075303 | CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND RECEPTACLE INCLUDING IMPROVED CONTACT CONFIGURATION - A circuit interrupter includes first, second and third electrical conductors, a planar conductive member having first, second and third contacts, and an operating mechanism structured to move the planar conductive member toward the electrical conductors to electrically connect the first, second and third electrical conductors to the respective first, second and third contacts, and to move the planar conductive member away from the electrical conductors to electrically disconnect the electrical conductors from the contacts upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition, such that the electrical conductors are electrically isolated from each other. When one of the electrical conductors is welded to one of the contacts, the operating mechanism and the planar conductive member cooperate to electrically disconnect the other two of the electrical conductors from the other two of the contacts upon the occurrence of the predetermined condition. | 03-31-2011 |
20110080677 | PROTECTIVE DEVICE - The present invention is directed to a protective device that includes a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals, the plurality of load terminals including a plurality of hot load terminals and a plurality of neutral load terminals. The device also includes a circuit interrupter having four sets of moveable contacts, the four sets of moveable contacts being configured to couple the plurality of line terminal to the plurality of load terminals in a reset state and to decouple the plurality of line terminals from the plurality of load terminals in a tripped state. A test circuit includes an end of life detection circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals by a switch mechanism associated with the four sets of moveable contacts. The test circuit includes a manually actuatable button and a fusible element, the fusible element assuming a permanently open state if the circuit interrupter does not enter the tripped state within a predetermined period after the manually actuatable button has been actuated. | 04-07-2011 |
20110085271 | LED Modules for Sign Channel Letters and Driving Circuit - An LED module for use in sign letter channel lights comprises a substrate, a reflector mounted on the substrate, an LED mounted within the reflector on the substrate and a Zener diode shunt element connected in parallel across the LED, a printed circuit board on the substrate, wherein the LED is mounted on the printed circuit board, and an insulating cover. The module may be entirely encapsulated. An LED driving protection circuit provides ground fault protection for a plurality of series connected LED modules. | 04-14-2011 |
20110090607 | STRING AND SYSTEM EMPLOYING DIRECT CURRENT ELECTRICAL GENERATING MODULES AND A NUMBER OF STRING PROTECTORS - A string includes direct current electrical generating modules electrically connected in series to form a first end and a remote second end. A power line is electrically connected to one DC EGM at the first end. A return line is electrically connected to another DC EGM at the remote second end. A first string protector is in the power line of the string, and a second SP is in the return line of the string at the remote second end. One of the first and second SPs includes a number of an over current protector, an arc fault protector, a reverse current protector and a ground fault protector. The other one of the first and second SPs includes a number of an over current protector, an arc fault protector, a reverse current protector, a ground fault protector, and a remotely controlled switch in series with the power or return lines. | 04-21-2011 |
20110102953 | GFCI that cannot be reset until wired correctly on line side and power is applied - An apparatus and method for preventing the miswiring of a protection device. The protection device includes line terminals and load terminals. The protection device further includes a latching mechanism, adapted to move between a closed state which establishes electrical contact between said line and load terminals, and an open state which prevents electrical contact between said line and load terminals; and an initial reset prevention mechanism, adapted to prevent said latching mechanism from being set in said closed state until power is applied to said line terminals. | 05-05-2011 |
20110110003 | WIRING DEVICE HAVING LEAKAGE DETECTION FUNCTION - In a wiring device which detects a leakage current in an electrical path connecting a commercial power supply and a load to interrupt the electrical path, the electrical leakage can reliably be interrupted even when the leakage current has a distorted waveform. A wiring device ( | 05-12-2011 |
20110116197 | CURRENT SENSOR FOR EARTH LEAKAGE MODULE - A current sensor assembly used for detecting ground faults, which includes an enclosure surrounding the current sensor for focusing the magnetic flux produced by conductors passing through the current sensor assembly away from the conductors, thereby reducing load-shift error and producing more accurate current readings for ground-fault sensing. The enclosure has two half members that are secured together to form a toroid-shaped shell that surrounds a toroidal core of the current sensor. A secondary winding and an optional test winding is wound around the toroidal core, and the ends of these windings exit one or more apertures formed in the enclosure. The half members have rounded profiles where the flat surfaces transition into different planes so that the magnetic flux does not encounter any sharp edges or transitions inside the enclosure as the flux flows away from the conductors. | 05-19-2011 |
20110134575 | Heat sensor responsive to electrical overloads - Apparatus for detecting an overheating condition at an electrical power device and automatically breaking the circuit when the temperature exceeds a setpoint value. In various configurations the device is a receptacle adapted to be used in a wall mounted box or a receptacle unit that is plugged into an existing receptacle. A temperature sensor is wired parallel to a normally open test switch on a ground fault circuit interrupter or other circuit interrupting device. The temperature switch is responsive to the temperature local to the receptacle, such as is caused by poor connections to or in the receptacle or a near-overload condition. The temperature setpoint is less than the melting temperature of the insulation of the electrical wiring. The temperature sensor is a thermistor with a negative temperature coefficient that allows current to flow thereby latching the interrupting device in a tripped position until the device is reset for reuse. | 06-09-2011 |
20110141633 | CIRCUIT BREAKERS WITH GROUND FAULT AND OVERCURRENT TRIP - A circuit breaker apparatus may be used to interrupt overcurrent and ground fault in a circuit. The circuit breaker apparatus may include an overcurrent coil for tripping the circuit breaker apparatus, a voltage coil also for tripping the circuit breaker apparatus located proximate to the overcurrent coil, ground fault electronics connected to the voltage coil and structured to detect a ground fault in the circuit when the ground fault exceeds a threshold level, and a solid state switch. The ground fault electronics can be structured to send a trip signal to close the solid state switch when a ground fault is detected, the solid state switch is configured to force a current through the voltage coil when the solid state switch is closed, the current being of sufficient magnitude to trip the circuit breaker apparatus. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141634 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL CORD REEL - A reel includes a reel drum enclosed within a housing comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a middle housing portion positioned therebetween. A spindle member has a first end connected to the first housing portion and a second end connected to the second housing portion. The spindle member extends through an opening in the drum so that the drum is rotatable about a spindle axis defined by the spindle member. The middle housing portion encircles the drum and has an aperture through which linear material can extend, the linear material of a type that may be spooled on the drum. The middle housing portion is rotatable about the spindle axis independently of the drum. In preferred embodiments, the reel is a cord reel and the linear material is electrical cord. In preferred embodiments, the middle housing portion is rotatable at least 360° about the spindle axis. In preferred embodiments, the drum is powered by an electric motor. In preferred embodiments, the housing is substantially spherical and the reel further comprises one or more support structures that include handles and are configured to prevent the housing from contacting a flat surface such as a floor or wall. In preferred embodiments, one or more temperature-sensitive switches are configured to shut off power to a spooled electrical cord in the event that a temperature of the reel exceeds a given threshold. In preferred embodiments, a solenoid is provided for locking the middle housing portion with respect to the first and second housing portions while the motor is rotating in a direction to spool the linear material onto the drum. | 06-16-2011 |
20110157753 | ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM WITH FAULT DETECTION AND INTERRUPTION - Fault detection and interruption in connection with photovoltaic technologies are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus for interrupting a photovoltaic energy conversion system that employs a bipolar photovoltaic array includes a fault detector and interrupter configured to be coupled to the first and the second rails of the photovoltaic array, the fault detector and interrupter configured to detect a condition that requires interruption of the photovoltaic energy conversion system and open a PV tie to uncouple two PV arrays of the bipolar photovoltaic array, thereby decoupling the two PV arrays; and a controller configured to, after the PV tie is opened, open a plurality of main DC contactors thereby decoupling the bipolar photovoltaic array from a remainder portion of the energy conversion system. | 06-30-2011 |
20110188160 | PROTECTIVE DEVICE HAVING A THIN CONSTRUCTION - The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a housing having a front cover member having a front major surface. The front major surface includes at least one set of receptacle openings formed in at least one end thereof. The at least one set of receptacle openings is configured to accommodate at least one plug set including a ground prong, hot plug blade and neutral plug blade. The housing further comprises a front cover member, a back cover member, and an electrically isolating separator member disposed therebetween. The electrically isolating separator member includes at least one ground compartment configured to accommodate and electrically isolate the ground prong. A protective circuit assembly is at least partially disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) that is positioned in the back cover member such that a lower spatial region is formed between the PCB and the at least one ground compartment. The lower spatial region is within a lower plane substantially parallel to the back major surface. The protective circuit assembly includes an actuator assembly and a toroidal sensor having a central toroid aperture. The actuator assembly includes a solenoid coil operatively connected to a latch block assembly. The at least one ground compartment, the toroidal sensor and the solenoid coil are substantially aligned with a central longitudinal plane normal to the front major surface. An end portion of the actuator assembly is substantially adjacent a side wall of the at least one ground compartment and the central toroid aperture is substantially disposed in the lower plane such that a distance from the interior ground strap portion and the back major surface is less than or equal to a predetermined distance. | 08-04-2011 |
20110211283 | NOVEL CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICE WITH HIGH VOLTAGE SURGE PROTECTION - The present invention provides a circuit interrupting device which is capable of providing protection against electrical surge through its innovative electrical discharge design; establishing or discontinuing electrical continuity among the input power source, output load, and user accessible load through its innovative contacts connection/disconnection design; automatic or manual testing of the condition of the key components in the circuit interrupting device by way of a simulated leakage current; and testing whether the device is properly wired by way of a reset switch. | 09-01-2011 |
20110216451 | PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRICAL SUPPLY FACILITY - The present invention is directed to a protective device configured to be disposed in an electrical distribution system between a source of electrical power and an electrical load. The electrical distribution system includes at least one line hot conductor, a line neutral conductor, and a line ground conductor. The line neutral conductor is connected to the line ground conductor at a termination point in the electrical distribution system. The electrical load includes at least one load hot conductor, a load neutral conductor, and a load ground conductor, the device comprises a conditioning circuit configured to monitor a differential current flowing through the plurality of line termination elements and configured to generate a conditioning signal in response thereto. The conditioning signal propagates in a path formed by the line neutral conductor and the line ground conductor to thereby reduce a differential current propagating in the at least one line hot conductor and the line neutral conductor. The conditioning circuit also is configured to neutralize a substantial portion of a current associated with a non-fault related electrical perturbation. | 09-08-2011 |
20110216452 | PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRICAL SUPPLY FACILITY - The present invention is directed to an electrical device configured to be disposed in an electrical distribution system between a source of electrical power and an electrical load. The electrical distribution system includes at least one line hot conductor, a line neutral conductor, and a line ground conductor. The line neutral conductor and the line ground conductor are connected to earth ground at a termination point in the electrical distribution system. The electrical load includes at least one load hot conductor, a load neutral conductor, and a load ground conductor. The device comprises a power supply coupled to the power input mechanism. The power supply comprises at least one DC voltage output terminal and a reference terminal coupled to the line ground termination element. A voltage parameter detection circuit is configured to take a first voltage reading from a first termination element of the plurality of line termination elements and a second voltage reading from a second termination element of the plurality of line termination elements to derive at least one voltage parameter therefrom. The first voltage reading and the second voltage reading are referenced to the reference terminal. The circuit interrupter is driven into the tripped state if the at least one voltage parameter does not meet a predetermined condition, the voltage parameter detection circuit being operational when the reference terminal is not at an earth ground potential. | 09-08-2011 |
20110222193 | APPARATUS FOR GROUND FAULT CURRENT INTERRUPTER WITH OVERALL END-OF-LIFE INDICATION AND SHUTDOWN PROTECTION FUNCTION - An apparatus for ground fault current interrupter with overall end-of-life indication and shutdown protection function includes a first silicon-controlled rectifier, a reverse unit, a test switch unit and a ground fault current interrupter. The ground fault current interrupter includes a second silicon-controlled rectifier, a switch unit, a switch control unit and a rectifier filter unit. When a test current leakage signal is generated, a drive power is provided to the reverse unit, and the input power supply generates a current leakage phenomenon. If the ground fault current interrupter fails, then the second silicon-controlled rectifier will not be triggered, which makes the reverse unit trigger the first silicon-controlled rectifier, such that the rectifier filter unit outputs a DC power flowing through the first silicon-controlled rectifier to interrupt a power supply of the switch control unit. Therefore, the input power supply electrically connected to the switch unit can not deliver any power to the load electrically connected to the switch unit. | 09-15-2011 |
20110222194 | Method and Apparatus for Supervisory Circuit for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt Device - An apparatus and method for a supervisory circuit for a ground fault detection device or a ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) device is disclosed in which a low voltage DC power supply is used to generate a test stimulus signal for a self test of the GFCI device. The GFCI device includes line and neutral conductors configured to connect an AC power source and a load. A differential current transformer includes a toroid, through which the line and neutral conductors pass, and a secondary winding wound on the toroid. A differential ground fault detector is electrically connected to the secondary winding of the differential current transformer to compare current generated in the secondary winding from an imbalance of magnetic flux in the toroid to a trip threshold. A wire conductor is routed through the toroid of the differential current transformer. A controller is configured to control a low voltage DC test stimulus signal to be generated in the wire conductor. | 09-15-2011 |
20110235222 | OUTPUT SHORT TO GROUND PROTECTION CIRCUIT - An output short to ground protection circuit protects an electronic device when it is short circuited to ground. The protection circuit has an NMOS transistor coupled to the output power transistor. A fixed voltage generator is connected to a gate terminal of the NMOS transistor. A first voltage clamping circuit and a second voltage clamping circuit are provided. The voltage clamping circuits are utilized so as to limit the current outputted by the output power transistor when the short circuit occurs. | 09-29-2011 |
20110242711 | PROTECTIVE DEVICE WITH IMPROVED SURGE PROTECTION - The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring protection device that includes a housing assembly having a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals. A fault detection circuit is coupled to at least one of the plurality of line terminals and configured to generate a fault detection signal in response to detecting at least one fault condition in the electrical distribution system. A circuit interrupter assembly is coupled to the fault detection circuit. The circuit interrupter assembly is configured to couple the plurality of line terminals to the plurality of load terminals to form a conductive electrical path in a reset state, and decouple the plurality of line terminals from the plurality of load terminals in response to a fault detection signal in a tripped state. A voltage transient suppression circuit is connected between the plurality of line terminals, the voltage transient suppression circuit including a movistor differentially coupled relative to the at least one sensor circuit such that one lead of the movistor is coupled to a first line conductor disposed on a line side of the at least one sensor circuit and another lead of the movistor is coupled to a second line conductor disposed on a load side of the at least one sensor circuit. A movistor protection circuit is coupled in series to the movistor, the movistor protection circuit being configured to limit an amount of electrical energy applied to the movistor as a function of at least one electrical parameter. | 10-06-2011 |
20110249369 | APPARATUS FOR PROTECTION OF ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a single clamp circuit adapted to clamp an electrostatic discharge (ESD) voltage. The apparatus further includes a supply node coupled to the single clamp circuit via one diode, and a ground node that is coupled to the supply node via another diode. The ground node is also coupled to the single clamp circuit. | 10-13-2011 |
20110249370 | ARC FAULT CIRCUIT DETECTION METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS INCLUDING DELAY - In one aspect, a method of electrical arc fault detection when high frequency (e.g., RF noise) is present is disclosed. The method includes determining if first arcing criterion is met, determining if delay criterion is met, implementing a delay for a delay period if the delay criterion is met, and determining if second arcing criterion is met. If the second arcing criterion is met, then a trip signal may be sent to trip the circuit breaker. In another aspect, the method includes determining if first arcing criterion is met, starting delay period if the first arcing criterion is met, determining if delay criterion is met, and if the delay criterion is met, determining if second arcing criterion is met. An arc fault detection apparatus adapted to carry out the methods, and systems including the arc fault detection apparatus are disclosed, as are various other aspects. | 10-13-2011 |
20110273803 | LEAKAGE DETECTION PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT - The present invention relates generally to a leakage detection protective circuit. This leakage detection protective circuit includes a rectification circuit, a current-limiting resistance, a controlled silicon rectifier (SCR), a power supply main circuit switch linked with a reset button and a tripping coil with a built-in iron core. The rectification circuit, tripping coil, and SCR are connected in series with each other, forming a circuit. The control pole of the SCR is connected, through the current-limiting resistance and the diode, to the shielding layer of the power output wires. When a leakage failure occurs, the shielding layer connected to the control pole of the controlled silicon rectifier becomes electrified, triggering the controlled silicon rectifier. A magnetic field is then generated within the tripping coil and its built-in iron core moves, causing the reset button to trip. This invention is characterized by a compact circuit and robust operation. | 11-10-2011 |
20110279931 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Disclosed is an electronic device capable of controlling a power supply interrupt according to the state of water leakage. A portable telephone ( | 11-17-2011 |
20110279932 | CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING SYSTEM WITH REMOTE TEST AND RESET ACTIVATION - The present disclosure relates to a circuit interrupting device and system capable of being tested and reset from remote locations, and in particular to circuit interrupting devices and system capable of being tested and reset from remote locations. A remote monitoring device can also be included which can be used to control an actuation device which is capable of controlling a circuit interrupting device. Alternatively the remote monitoring or control device can be used to control the device directly | 11-17-2011 |
20110279933 | CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICE WITH RESET LOCKOUT - Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independent trip portions and/or a reset lockout portion are provided. The reverse wiring protection operates at both the line and load sides of the device so that in the event line side wiring to the device is improperly connected to the load side, fault protection for the device remains. The trip portion operates independently of a circuit interrupting portion used to break the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. The reset lockout portion prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in open conductive paths if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists or if the device is reverse wired. Methods for ensuring a reset lockout state before shipment are provided. | 11-17-2011 |
20110286134 | EARTH LEAKAGE DETECTION MODULE WITH ROBUST TRANSIENT SUPPRESSION - A module for a high voltage electronic circuit breaker that includes a power supply and related circuitry for suppressing high voltage transients. The power supply receives a range of voltages, such as up to 600V, and is powered from the line current instead of through a transformer, exposing the module electronics to potential voltage transients. A large capacitor is connected to the high voltage input for absorbing the energy of a voltage transient. Transient voltage suppressors are connected in parallel to the capacitor to absorb any further energy in the transient not absorbed by the capacitor. Inductors are series-connected with the high voltage input to present an impedance and inductance to the voltage transient, reducing the transient before it reaches the power supply. Inductors in the trip coil and the indicator coils also present an impedance and inductance to the transient, further enhancing protection against transients. Fuses connected in line with the high voltage input protect the module electronics against short circuits. | 11-24-2011 |
20110299200 | ARC FLASH DETECTION APPARATUS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - An electrical system includes first, second and third power busses; a first interrupter electrically connected between the first and second power busses; a second interrupter electrically connected between the second and third power busses; at least one of a shorting apparatus operatively associated with the second power bus, and the first interrupter comprising a trip coil; a current sensor to sense a fault current of at least a predetermined magnitude flowing in the second power bus and responsively output a first signal; a number of light sensors to sense an arc flash operatively associated with a number of the second and third power busses and responsively output a second signal; and a circuit to delay and invert the first signal to provide a third signal, and to operate the at least one of the shorting apparatus and trip coil responsive to an AND of the first, second and third signals. | 12-08-2011 |
20110299201 | SSPC For Parallel Arc Fault Detection in DC Power System - A solid state power controller (SSPC) for detecting a parallel arc fault in a direct current (DC) power distribution system includes an input, the input being connected to a DC power source; a power switch connected to the input; an output connected to the power switch, the output being connected to a DC motor controller and associated capacitive load; an output current sensor; an output voltage sensor; and an SSPC controller, the SSPC controller being configured to determine the presence of a parallel arc fault in the DC power distribution system and control the power switch via a gate drive based on inputs from the output current sensor and the output voltage sensor. | 12-08-2011 |
20120014020 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING THE ISOLATION OF AN IT-GRID - For monitoring the isolation of an IT-grid with respect to ground, an inverter connecting a direct current side with an alternating current side of the IT-grid and a photovoltaic device on the direct current side of the IT-grid, at least one isolation resistance of the direct current side with respect to ground is monitored for falling below a resistance threshold value while the inverter is running, and additionally a leakage current via the inverter towards ground is monitored for exceeding a current threshold value. | 01-19-2012 |
20120019964 | PHOTOVOLTAIC BIPOLAR TO MONOPOLAR SOURCE CIRCUIT CONVERTER WITH FREQUENCY SELECTIVE GROUNDING - An electrical power converter for converting power from a bipolar DC source to supply an AC load is disclosed. For one such embodiment the bipolar DC source is a photovoltaic array and the AC power is sourced into an electric power grid. The bipolar photovoltaic array has positive and negative voltage potentials with respect to earth ground. The converter is a utility interactive inverter which does not require an isolation transformer at the electric power grid interface. Embodiments of the invention include methods of detecting and interrupting DC ground faults in the photovoltaic array. | 01-26-2012 |
20120019965 | Continuous Uninterruptable AC Grounding System for Power System Protection - A continuous grounding system for use in an alternating current system including a transformer is disclosed. The system includes a switch assembly connected between a transformer neutral of a transformer and a ground, the switch assembly having an open position and a closed position, the open position disrupting the path through the switch assembly between the electrical connection and the transformer neutral, and the closed position establishing a path connecting the electrical connection to the transformer neutral through the switch assembly, wherein in normal operation of the alternating current electrical device the switch assembly remains in a closed position. The system also includes a DC blocking component positioned in parallel with the switch assembly and connected between the transformer neutral and the ground. The system further includes a control circuit configured to control the switch assembly, the control circuit including a sensor configured to actuate the switch assembly to an open position upon detection of a predetermined harmonic signal threshold at one of the transformer phases or a predetermined threshold of DC current between the transformer neutral and ground. | 01-26-2012 |
20120026631 | PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY GROUND FAULT DETECTION IN AN UNGROUNDED SOLAR ELECTRIC POWER GENERATING SYSTEM AND TECHNIQUES TO TRANSITION ONTO AND OFF THE UTILITY GRID - In an embodiment, inverter circuitry has switching devices that generate three-phase AC voltage that is supplied to a utility power grid interface transformer. A high impedance circuit as well as a ground fault monitoring circuit couple to the inverter circuit. The high impedance circuit is configured to periodically create a path to Earth ground, and thus, completes the Earth ground electrical path back to the ground fault detection circuit. A set of isolation contacts at the AC 3-phase power output connect as well as isolate this particular inverter from the utility grid interface transformer. Control components in the ground fault monitoring circuit control the operation of the isolation contacts based off a presence of a ground fault in ungrounded solar arrays that supply DC power to this ungrounded inverter circuitry when the ground fault is detected by the ground fault monitor circuit for that ungrounded inverter. | 02-02-2012 |
20120039003 | BIPOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY GROUNDING APPARATUS AND METHOD - The invention is an apparatus and method for safely disconnecting a bipolar photovoltaic array from earth ground under normal static operating conditions. The invention senses the voltage to earth on all three terminals of a bipolar photovoltaic array and uses a set of operable contacts to selectively couple or uncouple the DC neutral point of the array (the center tap) to earth ground. When all three terminals of the bipolar array are within the rated voltage capability of the photovoltaic array the DC neutral point is allowed to float. | 02-16-2012 |
20120069476 | Thermally protected resettable GFCI - An improved GFCI monitors the balance of current passing through the device, and as long as the difference between current coming in and going out stays within a given range, normally 5 ma, the device remains in the active setting. If sensed current does not remain in balance, or within the given range, a voltage source is generated, signaling the comparator/controller to trip a solenoid. A solenoid trip results in disconnection of both line and neutral on the face contacts, with power being shut off to the load, and with the load terminals disconnecting all receptacles downstream. A mechanical or electronic switch, being located across the SCR, is activated by a thermal sensor detecting abnormal temperatures, which may also trigger the solenoid, in addition to it being triggered when leakage is detected. The sensors can be placed directly on to the surfaces to be monitored for maximum heat transfer. | 03-22-2012 |
20120075755 | Electric device, electric device system, method to detect arc fault in the same - An electric device includes a plurality of loads and an arc fault detection device to output arc signal detection information when an arc signal has been input from a wire harness connected to the plurality of loads. A method includes sequentially supplying, when the arc signal detection information has been input from the arc fault detection device, Alternating Current (AC) power to each of the plurality of loads during a preset time, and detecting a load at which an arc fault has occurred from among the plurality of loads. Thus, a location (load) at which an arc fault has occurred is correctly detected, thereby appropriately coping with (repairing) the arc fault. | 03-29-2012 |
20120075756 | HIGH SENSITIVITY LEAKAGE CURRENT DETECTION INTERRUPTER - A high sensitivity leakage current detection interrupter (LCDI) includes a shielded wire, a current leakage detection unit, and a tripping mechanism. A live core and a neutral core of the shielded wire are respectively wrapped in two conductive shell wires. The current leakage detection unit includes a pair of rectifying diodes reversely connected in series between a live line and a neutral line of a power supply, a voltage dropping resistor, thyristors, and resistor-capacitor (RC) voltage dropping filter circuits. The tripping mechanism includes control units with on/off respectively controlled by the thyristors. When either of the thyristors is turned on, the corresponding control unit is turned on, and the tripping mechanism is actuated to switch off the power supply. | 03-29-2012 |
20120081819 | Leakage Protection Outlet - A leakage protection outlet includes an upper cover with jacks, an intermediate bracket, a base, a power input end, a power output end, pairs of conductive plug bushes, baffles, a baffle locking mechanism, a reset button including a reset button extension arm, a reset mechanism, and an electromagnetic tripping mechanism. The baffle locking mechanism includes a lock latch, a lock latch keeper, and a reset spring. The reset button is linked to the reset mechanism and is configured to connect the power input and output ends together when pressed. The electromagnetic tripping mechanism is configured to disconnect the power input end from the power output end in response to a leakage current. The pairs of conductive plug bushes correspond to the jacks. The baffles are positioned between the pairs of conductive plug bushes and the jacks. The lock latch rests upon the baffles and the reset button extension arm. | 04-05-2012 |
20120087050 | GROUND-FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER - A ground-fault circuit interrupter has a test circuit for generating a test fault current. The test circuit includes a test button, a first test resistor, and a regulating circuit constructed to generate a test fault current with a predetermined and substantially constant value independent of an applied voltage of an electrical network to be protected. The test button, the first test resistor and the regulating circuit are connected in series between phases of the electrical network. | 04-12-2012 |
20120120530 | GROUND FAULT DETECTING AND CONTROLLING METHOD FOR PARALLEL-STRUCTURED HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a ground fault detecting and controlling method for a parallel-structured high voltage system, and more particularly, such a ground fault detecting and controlling method for a parallel-structured high voltage system, in which it can be more precisely determined whether or not the system operation is emergently stopped based on individual insulation resistance values for respective items of the system, and it can be determined whether there is the possibility of temporary operation of the system in the emergency stop situation of the system operation. According to the present invention, a combined insulation resistance ground fault reference value is calculated based on individual insulation resistance values for respective items of the system, and the entire system is controlled by using the calculated combined insulation resistance ground fault reference value such that a high-accuracy ground fault detecting and controlling method can be provided. | 05-17-2012 |
20120134058 | METHOD FOR DETECTING ARCS IN PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS AND SUCH A PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM - The invention relates to a method for detecting arcs in a direct-current path of a photovoltaic system, wherein values of a current (I | 05-31-2012 |
20120147507 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR LEAKAGE CURRENT MASKING AND GROUND FAULT DETECTION - A leakage current masking device for use with a circuit includes at least one inductive load device coupled to the circuit and configured to supply an inductive load to the circuit, and a processor communicatively coupled to the inductive load device. The processor is configured to receive a signal representative of a current through the circuit, calculate a capacitive leakage current component of the current, and cause the inductive load device to adjust the inductive load supplied to the circuit to reduce the capacitive leakage current component. | 06-14-2012 |
20120162830 | UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS PROTECTION CIRCUIT - A universal serial bus (USB) protection circuit. The circuit includes a V+ line, a ground line, a D+ line, a D− line, a first resettable device, a second resettable device, a windowing comparator, a first switch, and a second switch. The V+ line is configured to be connected to a V+ connection of a USB cable. The ground line is configured to be connected to a ground connection of the USB cable. The D+ line is configured to be connected to a D+ connection of the USB cable. The D− line is configured to be connected to a D− connection of the USB cable. The first resettable device is coupled to the V+ line and links the V+ line to a V+ of a local device. The second resettable device is coupled to the ground line and links the ground line to a common node of the local device. The windowing comparator has a negative input coupled to the common node and a positive input coupled to the ground line. The first switch is coupled between the D+ line and a D+ of the local device, and is driven by an output of the comparator. The second switch is coupled between the D− line and a D− of the local device, and is driven by the output of the comparator. | 06-28-2012 |
20120170159 | LEAKAGE DETECTION PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT - The leakage detection protection circuit comprises power input and output ends, an induction coil, a self-excitation coil, a control chip, a controlled silicon rectifier, a commutation diode, a resistor, a current limiting resistor, a filter capacitor, a tripping coil, a pair of main circuit switches linked with a reset button, a test button, and first and second test switches. When the reset button is in a tripped state, the first test switch is open and the second test switch is closed. Additionally, when the reset button is pressed down, the first test switch changes from open to closed, the second test switch remains closed, and the neutral wire of the power input end is connected to the output end of the live wire of the power input end to enable generation of an analog leakage current. Finally, when the reset button is reset, the first and second test switches are both open. | 07-05-2012 |
20120188667 | Low Profile Electrical Device Assembly - An electrical device assembly includes an electrical device and a plug connector adapted to be received thereby. The electrical device includes a housing having a rear surface and an aperture in the rear surface. A ground strap is connected to the housing and is adapted to secure the electrical device to an electrical box. A plurality of contact blades are disposed in the electrical device and are accessible through the aperture. One of the contact blades is a ground contact blade. A conductive member extends between the ground contact blade and the ground strap. The plug connector includes a plurality of contact members adapted to engage the plurality of contact blades in the electrical device. A plurality of wires extend outwardly from the plurality of contact members such that the plurality of wires are substantially parallel to the rear surface of the electrical device when the plug connector is connected to the electrical device, thereby providing an electrical device assembly having a low profile. | 07-26-2012 |
20120188668 | PROTECTION DEVICE WITH A SANDWICHED CANTILEVER BREAKER MECHANISM - The present invention is directed to a protective electrical wiring device that includes a circuit assembly that has a fault detection circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals, the fault detection circuit being configured to detect perturbations corresponding to a fault condition or a simulated fault condition, the fault detection circuit being configured to provide a fault detection signal in response to detecting the perturbations corresponding to the fault condition or the simulated fault condition. An interrupting contact assembly is coupled to the fault detection circuit, the interrupting contact assembly including a contact assembly configured to provide electrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of feed-through load terminals, and the plurality of receptacle load terminals in a reset state, and interrupt the electrical continuity in a tripped state in response to the fault detection signal, the contact assembly including a hot contact mechanism and a neutral contact mechanism configured to move in unison between the reset state and the tripped state, the hot contact mechanism including a first hot contact disposed at an end portion of a first hot arm, a second hot contact disposed at an end portion of a second hot arm, and a third hot contact disposed at an end portion of a third hot arm, the neutral contact mechanism including a first neutral contact disposed at an end portion of a first neutral arm, a second neutral contact disposed at an end portion of a second neutral arm, and a third neutral contact disposed at an end portion of a third neutral arm. | 07-26-2012 |
20120194950 | ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION ARRANGEMENT - An arc detector comprises an analysis unit for evaluating the first measurement signal according to at least one first evaluation scheme for detecting an arc or at least one electrical effect of the arc on the electrical load network ( | 08-02-2012 |
20120206844 | VOLTAGE SENSING CIRCUITRY FOR SOLID STATE POWER CONTROLLERS - Solid state power controllers are described that include a switch controlled by a microcontroller and communication contacts. In one aspect of the invention, the microcontroller is galvanically isolated from the communication contacts using magnetoresistive isolation. In another aspect of the invention a number of solid state power controllers are connected to an external microcontroller to form a power distribution array. In addition, messages exchanged between the external microcontroller and the solid state power controllers can be used to configure the solid state power controllers and provide a user interface. | 08-16-2012 |
20120212862 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LIMITING SECONDARY ARC CURRENT OF EXTRA-HIGH VOLTAGE/ULTRA-HIGH VOLTAGE DOUBLE CIRCUIT LINES ON THE SAME TOWER - A method and a device for limiting secondary arc current of an extra-high voltage/ultra-high voltage double circuit line on the same tower. The method comprises the following steps: determining the type of a single-phase-to-ground fault when the extra-high voltage/ultra-high voltage double circuit line on the same tower has a single-phase-to-ground fault (S | 08-23-2012 |
20120229938 | SAFETY RELAY AND SAFETY-RELATED COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A safety-related communication system includes a safety relay with signal inputs of an input signal current circuit that connect the safety relay to a control device for monitoring the input signal circuit. The safety relay also includes at least two load outputs of a load current circuit for connecting to a load. Switching elements are connected in parallel and configured to switch the load current circuit on or off based on an activation signal at the input signal current circuit. A diagnostic device monitors faults in the load current circuit and/or the safety relay. A signaling device connected to the signal inputs provides an impedance for the input signal circuit. The impedance is tuned to the control device during a fault-free state and is detunable upon detection of a fault so as to signal the detected fault to the control device via the input signal current circuit. | 09-13-2012 |
20120243130 | ELECTRIC BATTERY WITH MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ENERGY GENERATING ELEMENTS - A lithium-based battery system for a vehicle includes a plurality of lithium battery cells arranged in series that provide energy to propel the vehicle. Each of the battery cells includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a plurality of lithium battery elements arranged in parallel, a plurality of disconnect switches, and a shunt switch. Each of the battery elements includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal of each of the battery elements is connected to the first terminal of the battery cell. The second terminal of each of the battery elements is connected to the second terminal of the battery cell via a corresponding one of the disconnect switches. The shunt switch is connected between the first and second terminals of the battery cell. A control module selectively opens and closes the shunt switches and the disconnect switches. | 09-27-2012 |
20120250192 | SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION FOR SENSOR - This disclosure is directed to techniques for protecting a sensor from a short to a power supply. According to one example consistent with these techniques, a circuit or device may include a sensor unit and a short protection unit. The sensor unit may generate at least one signal indicative of at least one measured property. The sensor unit may be configured to communicate the at least one generated signal via an output node coupled to the sensor unit. The short protection unit may determine whether the output node is electrically coupled to a power supply input. The short protection unit may, if the output node is electrically coupled to the power supply input, provide at least one auxiliary load between the sensor unit and the output node, and thereby protect the sensor unit to prevent the sensor unit from operating undesirably and/or to prevent the sensor unit from damage. | 10-04-2012 |
20120257314 | GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER (GFCI) MONITOR - This document discusses, among other things, a self-test (ST) ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) monitor configured to generate a simulated ground fault starting in a first half-cycle of a first cycle of AC power and extending into a second half-cycle of the first cycle of AC power, wherein the first half-cycle of the first cycle of AC power precedes the second half-cycle of the first cycle of AC power. Further, the ST GFCI monitor can detect a response to the simulated ground fault. | 10-11-2012 |
20120275070 | LOAD CONTROL AND PROTECTION SYSTEM - A control and protection system has a DC terminal (DCT), for connection to a DC bus (DCB), a load terminal (LT) for connection to a LOAD, a ground terminal (GT) for connection to an external ground bus (EGB), and an INPUT terminal for receiving ON/OFF commands. An internal ground bus (IGB) of the system is normally coupled to the EGB via the GT. But if a ground fault disconnects the GT from the EGB, the system automatically couples the IGB to the LT, thereby providing a synthetic ground that facilitates continued operation of the system and any peripheral circuits coupled between the DCB and the GT. Any peripheral circuit current passing through the system to the EGB is prevented from causing improper operation of the LOAD by automatically adjusting a series impedance that it passes through between the GT and the LT before reaching the LOAD and EGB. | 11-01-2012 |
20120275071 | ARC-FAULT DETECTION - An arc-fault circuit-interrupter includes a capability for a controller in the interrupter-circuit to be placed in a learn mode. In learn mode, the controller may change firmware to reduce the probability of false tripping or nuisance tripping. Alternatively, in learn mode, the controller may store a signature to be used as the normal signature for a dedicated load. | 11-01-2012 |
20120287537 | LEAKAGE DETECTION PROTECTION CIRCUIT - A leakage detection protection circuit comprises null and live wires in power input and power output ends. Also included are induction coil (L | 11-15-2012 |
20120300348 | CIRCUIT BREAKER PANEL - In at least some embodiments, a system includes a plurality of circuit breakers and trip control logic external to and coupled to the circuit breakers. The trip control logic enables a plurality of different tripping options to be selected for each of the circuit breakers. | 11-29-2012 |
20130003233 | ARC FAULT PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND METHOD - An arc fault protection circuit and method, provides arc fault protection in a multiphase power system by actuating a plurality of disconnect switches to disconnect the source from the load in response to detecting arcing proximate said load. As well, in response to detecting the arc, a plurality of impedances are introduced into the current path between said source and said load, with each of the impedances increasing the impedance between the source and the load along one phase, prior to the plurality of disconnect switches disconnecting the source from said load. | 01-03-2013 |
20130027819 | CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER WITH IMPROVED SURGE SUPPRESSION - A circuit interrupter, such as a GFCI or AFCI product, is provided having a suppression and protection circuit and circuit interrupter circuitry. In one configuration, a semiconductor device and a voltage clamping device or surge protector, such as a metal oxide varistor (MOV), are utilized in the circuit interrupter for handling transient surges and overvoltage conditions. The semiconductor device, such as a SIDCA and a TVS diode, is connected to a solenoid or trip coil of the circuit interrupter circuitry to limit the amount of current through the semiconductor device. The MOV is placed between phase and neutral conductors of the circuit interrupter circuitry. | 01-31-2013 |
20130033788 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY RE-ROUTING POWER - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods using an interruption device for automatically re-routing power upon the occurrence of an event. The interruption device may interrupt the flow of power to an external device upon the detection of an event, such as a circuit overload or short circuit. Interrupting the flow of power may cause power to be cut off to a receiving connector, which supplies power to the external device, by re-routing the flow of power away from the receiving connector by the use of relay switches. By interrupting and re-routing the flow of power, an electrical fire, damage to the external device or other hazard may be prevented. Once the source of the problem, such as a defective external device, has been removed or fixed, the flow of power may be re-routed back to the receiving connector. | 02-07-2013 |
20130038968 | RECEPTACLE TYPE GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER WITH REVERSE WIRE PROTECTION - A ground fault circuit interrupter comprises a reset key, a reset locking mechanism, a reset mechanism, a reset bracket, a bracket reset mechanism, a bracket homing mechanism, a reset linkage mechanism, and a reset linkage clutching mechanism. A conductive assembly is configured to selectively connect or disconnect electrical continuity between the power input side and the load side. The conductive assembly comprises pairs of short-circuit conductive strips with conductive movable contacts, power input connection assemblies with input conductive stationary contacts, wiring output assemblies, receptacle output assemblies with output stationary contacts, and a first short-circuit conductor and a second short-circuit conductor. A reverse wiring protection device comprises an electromagnetic generating device having a power supply sub-circuit and an electromagnetic actuator bracket configured to selectively close first normally open switch and second normally open switch and further configured to open first normally closed switch and second normally closed switch. | 02-14-2013 |
20130038969 | Electrical Wiring Device - The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a circuit coupled to the line terminals and configured to conduct a predetermined current flow when the line terminals are connected to a source of AC power, the predetermined current flow does not simulate a fault condition. An interrupting contact assembly includes four sets of interrupting contacts that are configured to provide electrical continuity between the line terminals, the load terminals and the at least one receptacle in a reset state and configured to interrupt the electrical continuity in tripped state. The interrupting contact assembly is energized to effect the tripped stated and substantially deenergized otherwise, the interrupting contact assembly being substantially prevented from effecting the reset state absent the predetermined current flow. | 02-14-2013 |
20130044395 | Adaptive Light Detection For Arc Mitigation Systems - A controller-based detection system configured to adaptively learn to distinguish between detected light that is indicative of an arc fault event and detected light that is not related to an arc fault event. In particular, the detection system is configured to observe the electrical power system as it is operated under various conditions to induce light events that are unrelated to arc fault events. Using the observed information about the light events that are unrelated to arc fault events, the detection system determines one or more detection algorithms. During normal operation of the electrical power system, the adaptively determined one or more detection algorithms are utilized to identify arc fault events in the electrical power system. | 02-21-2013 |
20130057988 | LEAKAGE CURRENT DETECTOR - An apparatus for detecting a leakage current flowing between at least one supply conductor of a multi-conductor electricity supply to load and non load currents carrying electrical conductor nominally insulated from the supply conductor. The apparatus includes a current transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary winding is connected between the non load current carrying conductor and at least one other supply conductor so that leakage current flowing between the at least one supply conductor and the non load current carrying conductor flows through the primary winding to the other supply conductor. An electromechanical relay has a set of normally-closed contacts in series with the electricity supply. Circuitry connecting the secondary winding of the current transformer and the relay is provided so the relay is actuated by a current induced in the secondary winding by a leakage current meeting certain criteria as to magnitude and/or duration. | 03-07-2013 |
20130057989 | METHOD FOR LIMITING THE GENERATOR VOLTAGE OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION IN CASE OF DANGER AND PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION - A protection system configured to couple between a generator that has a number of partial strings and an inverter includes a control device, and a series-connection switching device configured to selectively connect the partial strings together in series. The system also includes a parallel-connection switching device configured to selectively connect the partial strings together in parallel, wherein the series-connection switching device is actuated by the control device such that it interrupts the series connection of the partial strings in case of a hazard, and the parallel-connection switching device is actuated by the control device such that it connects the partial strings together in parallel in case of a hazard. | 03-07-2013 |
20130063842 | EARTH LEAKAGE DETECTOR WITH SUFFERED CURRENT-BLOCKING FUNCTION - A leakage detector is provided with the addition of an output control circuit that monitors a circuit wire-to-ground voltage, which is at the root of a suffered operation and produced between a transformer B-class grounding phase of a monitored circuit and a D or C-class grounding electrode or a ground structure etc. of an electrical equipment connected to the grounding electrode, execute a phase judgment of a leakage current detected by a zero-phase current transformer on the basis of the monitored voltage, and stop an output operation of the leakage detector when the leakage current is a suffered current flowing from a load side L of the detecting zero-phase current transformer toward the power side K, i.e. the transformer and when the circuit wire-to-ground voltage exceeds an appropriately-established dynamic sensitivity voltage value. | 03-14-2013 |
20130070374 | ELECTRICAL MONITORING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SAFEGUARDING THE PROTECTIVE FUNCTION OF A TYPE A RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE (RCD) - A monitoring device and a method safeguards the function of a type A residual current device (RCD) in a power supply system. The monitoring device includes a measuring current transformer circuit for detecting a DC fault current (I | 03-21-2013 |
20130094112 | PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION - A photovoltaic installation includes a photovoltaic generator, electrical connector lines, an enabling signal source, and an arc discharge detector. The generator is configured to generate a DC voltage when an enable signal is applied to the generator. The electrical connector lines connect the generator to a voltage converter for the voltage converter to receive the DC voltage from the generator. The enabling signal source is configured to apply the enable signal to the generator. The arc discharge detector is configured to detect for an arc discharge by detecting for the presence on the connector lines of an AC voltage signal having characteristics indicative of an arc discharge. The arc discharge detector is further configured to cause the enabling signal source to stop applying the enable signal to the generator when an arc discharge is detected. | 04-18-2013 |
20130100559 | Semiconductor Component and An Operating Method for A Protective Circuit Against Light Attacks - A semiconductor component includes a semiconductor substrate, and a doped well having a well terminal and a transistor structure having at least one potential terminal formed in the semiconductor substrate. The transistor structure has a parasitic thyristor, and is at least partly arranged in the doped well. The potential terminal and the well terminal are connected via a resistor. | 04-25-2013 |
20130100560 | POWER PLUG WITH LEAKAGE CURRENT PROTECTION - A power plug, including: a shell, the shell having two sides, a reset button and a test button protruding from the first side, and a live wire pin and a neutral wire pin protruding from the second side; a circuit board; a stationary contact; a movable contact; a tripping device; a cross arm; and a push block. The stationary contact is connected with the live wire pin and the neutral wire pin; the movable contact can be connected to or disconnected from the stationary contact. The tripping device includes a sliding pedestal and a sliding part and controls the connection between the movable contact and the stationary contact. An elastic member is disposed on the push block. An ejector spring is disposed on one end of the movable armature. A reset spring is disposed between the sliding part and the sliding pedestal. | 04-25-2013 |
20130114167 | SHORT PROTECTION CONTROL CIRCUITS AND RELATED CONTROL METHODS - Short protection control circuits and related control methods are disclosed. A disclosed short protection control circuit is adapted for controlling a short protection mechanism providing short protection to several LED chains. The disclosed short protection control circuit has a detection circuit, a first logic circuit and a timer. Coupled to the LED chains, the detection circuit asserts an indication signal when one of the node voltages of the LED chains is lower than an under-current reference. When the indication signal is enabled, the first logic circuit starts blocking the short protection mechanism. The timer times to provide a result when the short protection mechanism is blocked. When the result indicates that the short protection mechanism has been blocked for at least a predetermined time period, the first logic circuit resumes the short protection mechanism. | 05-09-2013 |
20130120882 | ULTRA-LOW SENSITIVITY GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER - An ultra-low sensitivity ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) device and a method for manufacturing the device is disclosed. The GFCI device detects an unbalanced current between line and return conductors that results from an unintended path to ground. The GFCI device disconnects the current source when a leakage current is detected. The GFCI device includes a current transformer that has its core wrapped with the line and return conductors. The line and return conductors are secured around the core in a fixed position. During manufacture of the GFCI device an amplifier of the GFCI can be adjusted so that the GFCI device disconnects the current source when a leakage current exceeds a desired level. | 05-16-2013 |
20130120883 | BATTERY CHARGER FOR AN ELECTRICALLY-DRIVEN VEHICLE AND METHOD OF CONFIRMING EARTH LEAKAGE APPLICABLE THERETO - A battery charger for charging an electrically-driven vehicle by connecting the electrically-driven vehicle with an external power source, the battery charger includes an earth leakage detector operable to detect earth leakage of the battery charger; an earth leakage circuit breaker operable to switch energization from the external power source; an earth leakage confirmation relay capable of forcibly causing earth leakage in a downstream circuit of the earth leakage detector; a resistor unit connected in series with the earth leakage confirmation relay and capable of being set to any one of a plurality of leakage current values; and a controller operable to switch the earth leakage circuit breaker based on a detection result of the earth leakage detector while forcibly causing earth leakage in the downstream circuit. | 05-16-2013 |
20130128395 | Short-circuit Detection Circuit and Short-circuit Detection Method - The present invention discloses a short-circuit detection circuit and a short-circuit detection method. The short-circuit detection circuit detects whether an output node is short-circuited to a first predetermined level. A first switch circuit which is controlled by a control signal is coupled between the output node and a second predetermined level. The short-circuit detection circuit includes: a determination circuit, which is coupled between the output node and the second predetermined level, wherein when the determination circuit is enabled, it generates a determination signal according to whether the output node is short-circuited to the first predetermined level; and a second switch circuit, which generates a short-circuit detection signal according to the determination signal. | 05-23-2013 |
20130141822 | Protective Electrical Wiring Device With Tamper Resistant Shutters - The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a frameless shutter assembly that is disposed in the front cover portion or in the at least one separator member between the plurality of receptacle openings and the plurality of receptacle terminals. The at least one frameless shutter assembly comprises a first shutter member and a second shutter member configured to move from a closed position to an open position when the hot and neutral blades of a plug blade set are simultaneously inserted into the receptacle openings to engage a set of receptacle terminals and remain closed otherwise. The front cover member and/or the at least one separator includes a first stop member disposed proximate the first shutter member and a second stop member being disposed proximate the second shutter member. The first stop member and the second stop member are configured to prevent a foreign object from accessing one of the plurality of receptacle terminals after being inserted into a corresponding one of the receptacle openings. | 06-06-2013 |
20130188285 | METHOD OF OPERATING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT BREAKER MODULE FOR SOLAR POWER SYSTEM - A method of operating an integrated circuit breaker module for a solar power system includes following steps: a first circuit breaker is used to provide a short-circuit trip protection; a second circuit breaker is used to provide a grounding-fault trip protection; the first circuit breaker and the second circuit breaker are integrated to form a modular structure and a linking unit is connected between the first circuit breaker and the second circuit breaker to provide a linking trip operation; and the second circuit breaker trips and the first circuit breaker is simultaneously tripped via the linking unit when a grounding fault occurs. Accordingly, a grounding fault protection, an over-current fault protection, and a short-circuit fault protection are implemented. | 07-25-2013 |
20130194706 | Photovoltaic Panel Circuitry - Circuits integrated or integrable with a photovoltaic panel to provide built-in functionality to the photovoltaic panel including safety features such as arc detection and elimination, ground fault detection and elimination, reverse current protection, monitoring of the performance of the photovoltaic panel, transmission of the monitored parameters and theft prevention of the photovoltaic panel. The circuits may avoid power conversion, for instance DC/DC power conversion, may avoid performing maximum power tracking to include a minimum number of components and thereby increase overall reliability. | 08-01-2013 |
20130194707 | SWITCHGEAR WITH SWITCHING DEVICE DRIVEN BY PROPELLANT CHARGE - A switchgear includes a switching device, which is driven by a propellant chemical charge or fast acting switch. The switchgear includes a current or fault current detection unit, and an optical sensor unit for light arc or fault light arc detection, without the need of having an auxiliary voltage applied. In order to reduce the closing time of an earthing switch, the electrical circuit of an inductive current detection unit is electrically connected in series with a light sensing switching path, and a current signal directly ignites the propellant chemical charge or fast acting switch by using a limited electronic device. | 08-01-2013 |
20130201582 | Totally Insulated Switched Mode Power Supply - A totally insulated switched mode power supply for producing a supply voltage for an electrical device, wherein the switched mode power supply includes a first and a second electrical conductor, of which one electrical conductor is for connection to a phase conductor and the other electrical conductor is for connection to a neutral conductor of a grounded AC or three-phase power supply system, and includes Y capacitors for asymmetrical interference suppression of the switched mode power supply such that measures are provided for reducing fault currents or leakage currents. | 08-08-2013 |
20130215536 | FAULT CLEARING WITHOUT A DC BACKUP POWER SOURCE - An electrical power protection system, includes a generator configured for supplying Direct Current (DC) power to a load bus, the load bus in electrical communication with a bus circuit; a generator control unit being configured for regulating the output voltage supplied by the generator; a bus contactor in serial communication with the bus circuit, the bus contactor including logic circuits configured for detecting an overcurrent in the bus circuit, the overcurrent representative of a ground fault in the bus circuit; and a capacitor bank coupled to the generator for selectively supplying an excitation voltage through a diode switch to the generator during the ground fault in the bus circuit. | 08-22-2013 |
20130215537 | 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. | 08-22-2013 |
20130215538 | LEAKAGE DETECTION BREAKER - A leakage detection breaker includes a current transformer configured to detect a leakage current, and a leakage determination unit configured to determine DC and AC leakages based on an output signal from the current transformer. The leakage detection breaker further includes a power supply cut-off unit configured to cut off a supply of DC or AC power when the current leakage determination unit determines the occurrence of the DC or AC leakage. | 08-22-2013 |
20130229734 | GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND METHOD - A method for operating a ground fault circuit interrupter. In accordance with an embodiment, an operating parameter of the ground fault circuit interrupter can be adjusted in response to an alternating current line signal and a reference signal. In accordance with another embodiment a plurality of indicator signals are generated in response to an alternating current signal. The indicator signals are used to generate one or more control signals and at least one of the control signals is used to control a control a ground fault circuit interrupter. | 09-05-2013 |
20130250458 | LEVERAGING INHERENT REDUNDANCY IN A MULTIFUNCTION IED - Disclosed herein are systems and methods for leveraging the inherent redundancy of electrical measurement inputs available to microprocessor-based intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). Specifically, an IED may receive a plurality of electrical measurements associated with an electric power delivery system, such as measurements associated with a generator. A first protection module may be configured to detect a first type of electrical disturbance using a first subset of the plurality of electrical measurements. A second protection module may be configured to detect a second type of electrical disturbance using a second subset of the plurality of electrical measurements. A first redundant protection module may be configured to verify the detection of the first type of electrical disturbance using at least a portion of the second subset of the plurality of electrical measurements. | 09-26-2013 |
20130258531 | Faulty Protective Earth Ground Circuit Detection System And Method - A system and method for detecting the presence of a voltage on a ground conductor which is coupled to a protective Earth (PE) terminal associated with a power source. The power source is used to apply a voltage to a device. The system may use a high impedance device coupled across a switch, with the switch being in communication with a portion of the device. A control system may monitor a voltage across the high impedance device and determine if the voltage across the high impedance device exceeds a predetermined threshold. Exceeding the predetermined threshold indicates that an unsafe voltage from the power source is present on the ground conductor. A natural high impedance path between the device and the Earth is used to provide an Earth connection through the device to the Earth during operation of the system. | 10-03-2013 |
20130271882 | Electric Safety Circuit for Use with an Electric Receptacle - An electric safety circuit for use with an electric receptacle includes a relay and contacts in which power from a mains is supplied through the contacts to the receptacle only when the contacts are closed; a transistor for controlling the relay to open or close the contacts; an enabling device for supplying an enabling signal to the transistor to close the contacts when a plug of an electrically connected device is inserted into the receptacle, the electrically connected device is turned on, and there is no electrical contact by a person with the power supplied to the electrically connected device; and a disabling device for supplying a disabling signal to the transistor to open the contacts when there is electrical contact by a person with the power supplied to the electrically connected device. | 10-17-2013 |
20130279049 | ENCLOSED METERING AND PROTECTIVE ELECTRICAL APPARATUS INCLUDING AN EXTERNAL DISCONNECT HANDLE - An enclosed metering and protective electrical apparatus includes an enclosure, a meter socket within the enclosure structured to input a power circuit and to engage a power meter, and a circuit interrupter within the enclosure including an operating handle and a trip mechanism. The circuit interrupter is structured to output the power circuit from the meter socket to a load and to interrupt the power circuit. A neutral current sensor within the enclosure is structured to detect a ground fault operatively associated with the power circuit and responsively cause the trip mechanism of the circuit interrupter to interrupt the power circuit. A disconnect handle substantially external to the enclosure includes linkage extending within the enclosure and cooperating with the operating handle of the circuit interrupter to open and close the circuit interrupter. | 10-24-2013 |
20130286515 | Fault Protection for Aircraft Power Systems - A system and method for protecting a power system. A generator is tripped in response to identifying a current on the generator that is greater than a first current threshold for a first time delay. The generator is also tripped in response to identifying the current on the generator that is greater than a second current threshold for a second time delay. The first current threshold is larger than the second current threshold and the first time delay is shorter than the second time delay. | 10-31-2013 |
20130293989 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ARC FAULT DETECTION - An apparatus and method for detecting an arc fault using a power conductor on a printed circuit board (PCB), which supplies power from an external power source to electrical components on the PCB by sensing a value indicative of the rate of change of current passing through the power conductor. The apparatus and method may be used for detecting arc faults both internal and external to the PCB. | 11-07-2013 |
20130301168 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING A TOUCH CURRENT AND PROTECTING AN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS AGAINST SUCH TOUCH CURRENTS - A device and method for protection of an electrical apparatus against touch currents, the device configured to be connected between a source of electrical power and a device onboard a motor vehicle, and including a circuit for detecting leakage currents and for estimating touch currents, configured to be connected to the electrical connection lines of the apparatus, a circuit measuring frame current, and a mechanism controlling operation of the apparatus according to the estimated level of the touch currents and the measured level of the frame current. The device and method can in one embodiment be used to protect against leakage currents during recharging of a hybrid or electrically driven motor vehicle. | 11-14-2013 |
20130301169 | PROTECTIVE DEVICE HAVING A THIN CONSTRUCTION - The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a front cover assembly having a front major surface. The front major surface includes a button disposed between first and second sets of receptacle openings. A test circuit is coupled to the button, and the button is coupled to an elongated switch actuator. The elongated switch actuator includes a first switch contact and a second switch contact which contact a first test circuit portion and a second test circuit portion in the switch closed position. The first switch contact contacts a first test circuit portion and the second switch contact contacts a second test circuit portion in the switch closed position, the first switch contact and the first test circuit portion forming a first air gap and the second switch contact and the second test circuit portion forming a second air gap in the switch open position. | 11-14-2013 |
20130308230 | CHARGING DEVICE - A charging device for a battery of a vehicle includes an insulation resistance detecting circuit, a charging circuit, a leak current detecting circuit and a decoupling circuit. The insulation resistance detecting circuit includes a coupling capacitor, and is disposed between the battery and a vehicle body for detecting an insulation resistance between the battery and the vehicle body. The charging circuit converts an alternating current supplied from an alternating current source into a direct current and charges the battery in a state without insulting the input terminal and the output terminal and in a state where the vehicle body is coupled to an earth. The leak current detecting circuit detects a leak current between the charging circuit and the earth. The decoupling circuit decouples the insulation resistance detecting circuit from one of the battery and the vehicle body during a charging of the battery. | 11-21-2013 |
20130314823 | Power supply circuit for on board energy source or storage device and particularly for super-capacitor storage unit - A power supply circuit for an on board energy source or storage device, and particularly for a super-capacitor storage unit having a plurality of interconnected super-capacitors and a first and a second terminal, includes a positive bus connecting the first terminal to a positive pole of a DC high voltage feeding source and a negative bus connecting the second terminal to a negative pole of the high voltage feeding source; and means for disconnecting the super-capacitor storage unit from the high voltage feeding source after detecting circulating fault currents due to insulation losses to ground, which include a high speed circuit breaker and a differential relay that are connected in series along the negative bus, between the second terminal and a grounding point, the differential relay generating an activation signal of the high speed circuit breaker in response to the circulation of a fault current. | 11-28-2013 |
20130335865 | INTERFACE UNIT HAVING OVERCURRENT AND OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION DEVICE - An interface unit that interrupts overcurrent or overvoltage resulting from a ground voltage difference between electronic products interconnected through interface devices, so as to prevent damage to the products and risk of fire. The interface unit, which connects a first electronic product and a second electronic product to each other, includes a first interface device provided in the first electronic product and connected with the second electronic product, a second interface device provided in the second electronic product and connected with the first interface device through a VCC line and a ground line, and a ground overcurrent interrupter installed on the ground line, the ground overcurrent interrupter interrupting overcurrent flowing in the ground line. | 12-19-2013 |
20130335866 | Electrical Wiring Device - The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a detection assembly coupled to a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals, the detection assembly being configured to detect a wiring state associated with the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals. The detection assembly includes a primary wiring state detection circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals, and a secondary wiring state detection circuit coupled to the plurality of load terminals. | 12-19-2013 |
20140009856 | DEVICE FOR DETECTING A FAULT IN AN AC SUPPLY - A device for detecting a fault in an AC supply comprises a circuit (CT, | 01-09-2014 |
20140043714 | SWITCHGEAR INCLUDING A CIRCUIT BREAKER HAVING A TRIP UNIT WITH AN INTERFACE TO A NUMBER OF ARC FAULT SENSORS - Switchgear includes a plurality of bus bars; and a plurality of circuit breakers. At least one of the circuit breakers includes a trip unit. The trip unit includes an interface to at least one arc fault sensor operatively associated with the switchgear. The trip unit is structured to trip at least one of a corresponding one of the at least one of the circuit breakers and a shorting switch responsive to current flowing through the corresponding one of the at least one of the circuit breakers and an arc fault signal from the at least one arc fault sensor. | 02-13-2014 |
20140049860 | EARTH FAULT DETECTION CIRCUIT AND POWER SOURCE DEVICE - An earth fault detection circuit for detecting an earth fault between a high-voltage battery and a motor includes: an A.C. signal generation portion generating an A.C. signal; a first capacitive element between the A.C. signal generation portion and one end side of the high-voltage battery; a voltage dividing circuit dividing a voltage on the one end side of the high-voltage battery; an earth fault detection portion detecting the earth fault between the high-voltage battery and the motor based on an earth fault detection signal inputted thereto; and a second capacitive element inputting an A.C. component of the voltage, on the one end side of the high-voltage battery, which is obtained by the voltage division in the voltage dividing circuit as the earth fault detection signal to the earth fault detection portion. | 02-20-2014 |
20140063662 | Solar panel, power inverter, theft and arc protection system and methods of protection - The present invention provides a system and method for individual or plural detection of the presence or absence of at least one installed solar panels whether or not the individual solar panel or the plurality of solar panel(s) operates to produce power during the detection process and whether or not the detection is conducted during the day or night, wherein the presence or absence of an individual solar panel or of a plurality of solar panels producing power during detecting comprises detecting presence or absence of one or more solar panels by an associated system that measures power output, and wherein during the detecting process insufficient voltage is produced for the associated system to measure power output. In addition, the present invention provides a means to detect a fire or arcing that may damage a power system, and can provide notification of the need for servicing the power system. | 03-06-2014 |
20140071564 | ARC FAULT DETECTOR, ELECTRICAL DEVICE HAVING THE ARC FAULT DETECTOR, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE ELECTRICAL DEVICE - An arc fault detector, an electrical device having the arc fault detector, and a method of controlling the electrical device. The arc fault detector includes a current detector to detect current flowing through a plurality of loads in an electrical device, a filter unit to pass current having a frequency equal to or higher than a predetermined cut-off frequency from the frequency of the detected current, a comparison unit to compare a voltage of the passed current with a predetermined threshold voltage and output a comparison signal based on a comparison result, and a controller to determine whether an arc fault has been generated by comparing the comparison signal with a predetermined reference arc fault signal, determine a load having the arc fault from among the plurality of loads, and control cut-off of power to the determined load. | 03-13-2014 |
20140092502 | RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE (RCD) WITH EARTH CURRENT SENSING - Safety apparatus is disclosed for use with a load circuit connectable to a power supply via an Active conductor and a Neutral return conductor and including an Earth return conductor. The apparatus comprises means for detecting a difference in load current flowing between an energized Active conductor and the Neutral return conductor; and means for disconnecting the load circuit from the power supply in response to the difference in load current, wherein the means for detecting includes means for sensing a leakage current flowing between the Earth return conductor and the Neutral return conductor. A method of operating a load circuit connectable to a power supply via an active conductor and a neutral return conductor is also disclosed. | 04-03-2014 |
20140098445 | Signal Activated Circuit Interrupter - The current invention is an automatic AC power interruption system built into a portable power strip or a portable casing or integrated into an appliances control circuitry. The invention monitors the environment for hazard alarms, for example, a T3 signal smoke detector alarm, and responds by tripping open the power supply circuit to the power strip's receptacles and thus interrupts AC power to the protected appliances the user has chosen to plug into them. One alternate form of the invention uses a portable casing that can be plugged into a power receptacle and, when a hazard alarm is detected, trip off the nearest GFCI. Other alternate forms of the invention are integrated within an individual appliance's control circuitry and may interrupt power using a built-in switch or by tripping off the nearest GFCI device. The invention's purpose is to help prevent death, injury, and property damage by preventing fires or facilitating fire suppression; more particularly, by interrupting electrical power to problematic appliances, such as toasters, space heaters, battery chargers, stoves, and motors, when a hazardous condition alarm is emitted. It further interrupts power to the problematic appliances when a detector emits an alarm indicating toxic fumes, natural gas, radon, carbon monoxide, or whatever other detector-alarm the consumer installs in the area to be protected. | 04-10-2014 |
20140098446 | Universal Ground Fault Interrupter (GFCI) Device and Printed Circuit Board Package - A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) printed circuit board (PCB) for interrupting the flow of current through a pair of lines extending between a source of power and a load. The GFCI PCB is easily adaptable to fit into a plurality of enclosure types having a plurality of load inputs operating off a single GFCI PCB. The GFCI PCB includes a stationary assembly having a load section, a GFCI circuit section, and a power source section, wherein the sections are adapted to minimize space, maintain arcing and dielectric prevention distances, and allow for peripheral load and source connections facilitating easy adaptability into a variety of GFCI enclosures. | 04-10-2014 |
20140104731 | ARC FAULT DETECTOR WITH CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER - There is here disclosed a method and apparatus for detecting the occurrence of arcing of a conductor by monitoring the current on an AC power line. The signal detected is split and directed along four separate paths to generate four signals having separate characteristics which represent the current in the line. Upon the detection of arcing, an output signal can be generated to activate a circuit interrupting mechanism, sound an audio alarm and/or alert a central monitoring station. | 04-17-2014 |
20140104732 | SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR AN AIRCRAFT, USE OF A SHIELDED SUPPLY LINE IN AN AIRCRAFT AND AN AIRCRAFT WITH A SUPPLY SYSTEM - A supply system for supplying energy in an aircraft includes at least one electrical line including at least one core connectable to a pole of a current source, an electrically conductive shield, and a detection unit having at least two electrical inputs. The shield surrounds the at least one core under a distance and creates an intermediate space between the at least one core and the shield. At least one port of the detection unit is connected to the at least one core. At least another port of the detection unit is connected to at least one of the shield and the at least one core. The detection unit is adapted for detecting a differential current over the at least one core or an absolute current between the shield and a ground potential for generating a warning signal if a predetermined threshold value for the detected current value is exceeded. | 04-17-2014 |
20140111891 | ELECTROMECHANICAL SWITCHING CIRCUIT WITH MEMORY - An electromechanical switching circuit comprises an integrated circuit (IC) having an input terminal, an output terminal and a control terminal. The IC is arranged based on a voltage transition at the control terminal, sampling the voltage level at the input terminal and supplying it at the output terminal. The output voltage level is maintained at the output terminal until a voltage transition at the control terminal. A control circuit connected to the control terminal includes a first monostable switch whose actuation causes a voltage transition at the control terminal so the voltage level applied at the input terminal is supplied at the output terminal. An output circuit includes a second, electromechanical, monostable switch whose contacts are moved to their unstable state in response to a first voltage level at the output terminal and allowed to resume their stable state in response to a second voltage level at the output terminal. | 04-24-2014 |
20140118868 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FAULT PROTECTION - Systems and methods for a fault protection are provided that can be implemented in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) to limit the magnitude of a current that flows when an AC-to-chassis fault (ACF) occurs between an AC connection and the chassis of the HEV. An electric machine having a winding, an inverter sub-module (ISM) having a first switch and a second switch, and fault protection elements (FPEs), coupled to the ISM, are provided. The winding is coupled to the ISM coupled via the AC connection. The FPEs can include, for example, first and second inductances. To limit the magnitude of the current, the current can be passed along a first current path that includes the second inductance when the first switch is closed, and can be passed along a second current path that includes the first inductance when the second switch is closed. | 05-01-2014 |
20140139955 | LEAKAGE PROTECTION PLUG - The present disclosure provides a leakage protection plug comprising a plug main body having one end connected to a load and the other end connected to an outer power supply through two inserting pieces. A transformer, a trip mechanism, and a PCB control board are arranged inside the plug main body. The transformer detects the leakage current signal between the live wire and the neutral wire and transmits the leakage current signal to the PCB control board. When the PCB control board determines that the current difference between the live wire and the neutral wire is greater than the preset value, the PCB control board outputs the control signal to the trip mechanism. The trip mechanism thus breaks the circuit connection between the power supply and the load. The reset mechanism resets the power supply and the load to connect the power supply with the load again. | 05-22-2014 |
20140146423 | DEVICE FOR DISABLING A PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL OR ARRAY AND PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - A device includes an enclosure mounted to an end portion of a photovoltaic panel and has an interior, an opening, an inclined ramp within the interior, a door pivotally disposed at the opening, and a latch mechanism. The door is on a panel surface in an open position, and blocks the opening in a closed position. The latch mechanism latches the door closed and releases the door to the open position. A flexible material blocks light from reaching panel photovoltaic cells and includes a first end coupled to the inclined ramp within the enclosure and an opposite second end coupled to a rod. The flexible material is rolled up about the rod and rests on the inclined ramp. The door's closed position blocks deployment of the material. In the open position, the material rolls down the inclined ramp and covers the panel surface. The door is automatically or manually deployed. | 05-29-2014 |
20140153141 | SHORT-CIRCUIT DETECTING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF HEATING SYSTEM FOR HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY - A short-circuit detecting apparatus and method of a heating system for a high voltage battery that includes a plurality of heaters, a short-circuited detection resistor, an A/D converter, and a Battery Management System (BMS). The plurality of heaters are connected to a high voltage battery to heat the high voltage battery. The short-circuit detection resistor is connected between the heaters to detect whether the heaters are short-circuited. The A/D converter is configured to sense a voltage applied across the short-circuit detection resistor. The BMS is configured to calculate a final operation value using the voltage applied across the short-circuit detection resistor and compare the final operation value with the value of battery pack voltage to detect whether the heaters are short-circuited. | 06-05-2014 |
20140153142 | GROUND FAULT PROTECTION - A robust ground-fault protection system is disclosed which can possess a reduced sensitivity to system noise. In a ground-fault protection system for an electrical machine such as a generator, an injection signal with an injection frequency f | 06-05-2014 |
20140153143 | PLUG TAIL SYSTEMS - The present invention is directed to a protective wiring device that includes a rear cover member having a portion substantially defining a line terminal interface region. An electric circuit assembly includes a sensor assembly coupled to a fault detection circuit. A plurality of line terminal interface contacts are disposed in the line terminal interface region, each line terminal interface contact being connected to a termination structure coupled to the rear body member. A conductive pathway is configured to interconnect the termination structure and a corresponding one of the first set of contacts via the sensor assembly. The conductive pathway includes a conductive structure disposed in the rear cover member and mounted to the at least one PCB. The line terminal interface contacts are configured to mate with a removably attachable electrical adapter connected to the plurality of AC power transmitting wires to provide AC power to the electric circuit assembly. | 06-05-2014 |
20140160603 | CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER INCLUDING SUPERVISORY FUNCTION FOR PROTECTIVE FUNCTION AND HARDWARE CIRCUIT REPETITIVE TEST FUNCTION - A circuit interrupter for a power circuit includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip circuit cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip circuit includes a number of hardware circuits having a processor with a number of routines. The routines provide a number of protective functions structured to detect a number of faults of the power circuit, a number of repetitive test functions for the number of hardware circuits, and a supervisory function cooperating with the number of repetitive test functions. The supervisory function is structured to prevent availability of protection by the number of protective functions from falling below a predetermined threshold as a result of a plurality of intermittent error conditions of the number of hardware circuits. | 06-12-2014 |
20140168828 | CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER PROVIDING GROUND FAULT PROTECTION AND SYSTEMINCLUDING THE SAME - A circuit interrupter includes a trip actuator configured to cooperate with an operating mechanism to trip open separable contacts. The circuit interrupter also includes a ground fault sensor configured to sense a difference between a current through a first electrical conductor and a current through a second electrical conductor and to output an output current based on the sensed difference and a ground fault amplifier circuit configured to convert the output current to an output voltage. The circuit interrupter also includes first and second switches configured to electrically connect the output of the ground fault sensor to the ground fault amplifier circuit and the trip actuator, respectively. The circuit interrupter also includes a processor configured to control operation of the first and second switches and, when the first switch is closed, to control operation of the trip actuator based on the output voltage. | 06-19-2014 |
20140168829 | Gate Drive Circuits that Control Electromagnetic Interference and Switching Losses and Related Methods - Gate drive circuits for use with semiconductor switching devices are provided. The gate drive circuits include a gate resistor of the semiconductor switching device; a resistance control module in series with the gate resistor of the semiconductor switching device, the resistance control module being configured to provide a first resistance that controls electromagnetic interference under normal operating conditions; and a second resistance during abnormal events; and an abnormal event detector coupled to the resistance control module, the abnormal event detector configured to detect an abnormal event and send an abnormal event signal to the resistance control module responsive to detection of the abnormal event. The resistance control module is configured to provide the second resistance by shorting the resistance provided by the resistance control module responsive to the abnormal event signal to provide increased gate drive and reduced switching losses during the abnormal event. | 06-19-2014 |
20140177109 | GROUND MONITOR CIRCUIT PROTECTION APPARATUS - An apparatus includes a resistor assembly with resistors connected in series between a first terminal and a second terminal of a pilot conductor and/or a ground return of a ground monitor. The pilot conductor injects an electrical signal in a ground of a power cable assembly. A zener diode assembly is connected between a zener connection point and the ground return. The zener connection point is the first or second terminal. The zener diode assembly includes zener diodes connected in series between the zener connection point and the ground return and is sized to clamp a voltage from the zener connection point to the ground return to a value less than a zener threshold voltage. The zener threshold voltage is set above a nominal voltage on the pilot conductor. The components of the apparatus are spaced to prevent an arcing fault current for voltages less than 3000 V. | 06-26-2014 |
20140177110 | GROUND MONITOR ACCESSORY CONNECTION - An apparatus includes an accessory module for a ground monitor that monitors current in a pilot conductor and/or a grounding conductor, which is in a power cable assembly connecting a power source and load. The pilot conductor injects a signal in the grounding conductor. The accessory module includes signal connectors that include multiple connection points. Each connection point provides access to a signal within the ground monitor. The connection points access signals for an output of a circuit monitoring current in the pilot conductor or ground return, a circuit responding to a peak current in the pilot conductor or ground return transitioning below a threshold, a circuit responding to an average current in the grounding conductor transitioning below a threshold, and/or a circuit indicating trip status of a contact in the power source. The connection point signals are in addition to signals from the ground monitor to the power source. | 06-26-2014 |
20140177111 | SAFE QUICK DISCONNECT LEAKAGE PROTECTOR - The present disclosure provides a safe quick disconnect leakage protector, including a power supply circuit, a sampling circuit, a couple of single-pole single-throws, an on and off control circuit, and a testing circuit. The sampling circuit collects the leakage current signal between the live wire and the neutral wire and outputting the leakage current signal; the main control circuit receives the leakage current signal outputted from the sampling circuit, amplifies the leakage current signal, and outputs a grounding failure control signal when the leakage current reaches the predetermined value; the on and off control circuit receives the grounding failure control signal outputted from the main control circuit and controls the single-pole single-throw switches to disconnect the load from the external power supply according to the grounding failure control signal, thereby protecting the load and improves the safety of the leakage protection of an electrical appliance. | 06-26-2014 |
20140211345 | ANNUNCIATING OR POWER VENDING CIRCUIT BREAKER FOR AN ELECTRIC LOAD - A circuit breaker for an electric load includes first and second terminals; a number of first separable contacts each electrically connected between one of the first terminals and one of the second terminals; a first mechanism to open, close or trip open the first contacts; a number of second separable contacts each electrically connected in series with a corresponding one of the first contacts; a second mechanism to open or close the second contacts; a processor to cause the second mechanism to open or close the second contacts, annunciate through one of the second terminals a power circuit electrical parameter for the electric load, receive from a number of the second terminals a confirmation from or on behalf of the electric load to cause the second mechanism to close the second contacts, and determine a fault state operatively associated with current flowing through the second contacts. | 07-31-2014 |
20140240875 | GROUND FAULT PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A ground fault protection system is disclosed. The ground fault protection system may include a controller that is configured to receive signals representing a ground fault detection voltage and a DC link voltage of the machine. Based on the ground fault detection voltage and the DC link voltage, the controller may determine a ground fault detection percentage value. Based on the ground fault detection percentage value and the DC link voltage, the controller may further determine a worst case component insulation voltage. The controller may compare an absolute value of the worst case component insulation voltage with a rated insulation voltage of a component of the machine. When the absolute value of the worst case component insulation voltage is higher than the rated insulation voltage, the controller may determine a new DC link voltage based on the rated insulation voltage and the ground fault detection percentage value, and may output a signal for operating the machine by using the new DC link voltage. | 08-28-2014 |
20140254050 | PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRICAL SUPPLY FACILITY - The present invention is directed to a protective device configured to be coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load. A ground continuity monitor is coupled to the ground conductor, the ground continuity monitor being configured to detect a ground discontinuity condition in the ground conductor. A circuit interrupter mechanism is configured to interrupt electrical continuity in a tripped state and establish electrical continuity in a reset state. A self-test circuit is coupled to the ground continuity monitor and configured to perform a simulated ground continuity test that simulates the ground discontinuity condition. The self-test circuit provides a test failure signal when the ground continuity monitor fails to provide an output signal in response to the simulated ground continuity test. The test failure signal is configured to trip the circuit interrupter mechanism. | 09-11-2014 |
20140268434 | GFCI with Voltage Level Comparison and Indirect Sampling - A circuit interrupting device having an auto-monitoring circuit for automatically testing various functions and structures of the device. The auto-monitoring circuit initiates an auto-monitoring routine which, among other things, establishes a self-test fault during either the positive or negative half-wave, or both, of an AC power cycle and determines whether the detection mechanisms within the device properly detect the self-test fault. An early detection signal indicates that the self-test fault was properly detected without interfering with the normal operation of the detection circuitry and without causing a false trip within the device. Additional functionality of the auto-monitoring circuit permits automatic verification that the device is properly wired, that is, not miswired, and determines whether the device has reached the end of its useful life. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268435 | CURRENT SATURATION DETECTION AND CLAMPING CIRCUIT AND METHOD - A method and circuit for detecting and clamping current in a ground fault circuit interrupter circuit. In accordance with an embodiment the circuit includes an amplifier connected to a switch, where in the amplifier has an input connected to a first conduction terminal of the switch through a resistor and another input connected to a second conduction terminal of the switch. An output of the amplifier is connected to a control terminal of the switch. The circuit may include a ground fault circuit interrupter engine having an input connected to the first conduction terminal of the switch and another second input connected to the second conduction terminal of the switch. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268436 | Protective Device With Non-Volatile Memory Miswire Circuit - The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a processing circuit is configured to determine the wiring state based on detecting a wiring state parameter at the plurality of line terminals during a predetermined period after the tripped state has been established. The processing circuit is configured to store a wiring state indicator in a wiring state register based on a wiring state determination. The wiring state register being preset to trip the circuit interrupter when the AC power source is applied by an installer to the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals for the first time. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268437 | GFCI SELF TEST SOFTWARE FUNCTIONAL PROGRAM FOR AUTONOMOUS MONITORING AND FAIL SAFE POWER DENIAL OPERATIONS - Software code for operating a circuit interrupting device having an auto-monitoring circuit for automatically testing various functions and structures of the device. The auto-monitoring circuit initiates the software code which includes an auto-monitoring routine which, among other things, establishes a self-test fault during the positive or negative half-wave of an AC power cycle and determines whether the detection mechanisms within the device properly detect the self-test fault. An early detection signal indicates that the self-test fault was properly detected without interfering with the normal operation of the detection circuitry and without causing a false trip within the device. Additional functionality of the software code permits automatic verification that the device is properly wired, that is, not miswired, and determines whether the device has reached the end of its useful life. | 09-18-2014 |
20140285927 | ELECTRICAL SAFETY SYSTEM WITH TIMER - An electrical safety system with an integrated timer is disclosed. The electrical safety system may have an input line connected to an output via one or more communication paths. The electrical safety system may also have a ground fault circuit interrupter module including a sensor coil for monitoring current passing from the input line to the electrical load and producing a current signal and a ground fault circuit interrupter circuit. Further, the electrical safety system may have one or more switches for opening or closing the one or more communication paths between the input line and the output, and a solenoid for operating the one or more switches. Additionally, the electrical safety system may have a timer module comprising a timer circuit configured to generate a timer signal and a selector switch in electrical communication with the timer circuit and a visual display. | 09-25-2014 |
20140285928 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING ELECTRICAL GROUND CONDITION BETWEEN A MARINE VESSEL AND A LOADING-OFFLOADING FACILITY - A Ship Board Ground Monitor System measures an antistatic bond between a ship and a loading-off-loading facility during operation and an earth ground while in the process of loading or unloading flammable materials. | 09-25-2014 |
20140285929 | Ground Power Leakage Detection for Peripheral Printed Circuit Boards - The present invention relates to an electric appliance ( | 09-25-2014 |
20140293490 | GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER (GFCI) MONITOR - This document discusses, among other things, a self-test (ST) ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) monitor configured to generate a simulated ground fault starting in a first half-cycle of a first cycle of AC power and extending into a second half-cycle of the first cycle of AC power, wherein the first half-cycle of the first cycle of AC power precedes the second half-cycle of the first cycle of AC power. Further, the ST GFCI monitor can detect a response to the simulated ground fault. | 10-02-2014 |
20140301000 | Battery System and Ground Fault Detecting Device - A first battery pack ( | 10-09-2014 |
20140321005 | PLUG-ON NEUTRAL BREAKERS AND RELATED METHODS - Plug-on neutral circuit breakers include an AFCI OR GFCI circuit breaker housing, a neutral conductor with an external end portion extending from the AFCI/GFCI circuit breaker housing, and a clip assembly attached to the neutral conductor at a specific length configured to align with the loadcenter neutral bar location. The clip assembly includes a conductive clip with downwardly extending, spaced apart legs. The legs are sized and configured to clamp against opposing sides of a neutral bar. | 10-30-2014 |
20140340797 | DIRECT CURRENT GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTER - A method, system, and computer program product for detecting and interrupting a ground fault in a direct current (DC) power circuit are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A first value of a first current flow over a first part of the DC power circuit is compared with a second value of a second current flow over a second part of the DC power circuit. A voltage is generated, wherein the voltage is proportional to a difference between the first and the second values. Responsive to the voltage exceeding the threshold voltage for a threshold time, a signal output is produced, the signal configured to cause a short-circuit in the first part of the DC power circuit. The first part of the DC power circuit is interrupted responsive to the short-circuit. | 11-20-2014 |
20140340798 | GROUND-FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER - A ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) device, including a relay for control a switch to be in an open position or a closed position, the relay including a first coil and a second coil, wherein when both the first coil and the second coil are non-conductive, the switch is caused to be in the open position. The GFCI also includes a relay start circuit connected to the first coil for causing the first coil to be conductive or non-conductive, wherein when the first coil is conductive, the first coil causes the switch to be in the closed position, but after the first coil is conductive, the coil start circuit becomes non-conductive. The GFCI further includes a relay sustain circuit connected to the second coil for causing the second coil to be conductive or non-conductive. In addition, the GFCI includes a ground fault detect circuit for causing both the relay start circuit and the relay sustain circuit to become non-conductive when a fault signal is detected, causing both the first coil and the second coil to be non-conductive, thereby causing the switch to be in the open position. | 11-20-2014 |
20140347768 | SELF-TESTING AUTO MONITOR GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER (GFCI) WITHPOWER DENIAL - A self-testing fault detector having a line side and a load side and a conductive path there between is provided. The self-testing fault detector includes an auto-monitoring circuit electrically coupled to a fault detection circuit and an interrupting device and it continuously monitors one or more signals to determine an operating state of the fault detector. At least one of the monitored signals includes a fault detection signal, wherein if said automonitoring circuit determines that the fault detection circuit is not properly driving the interrupting device, the automonitoring device converts an input-output port receiving the fault detection signal from an input to an output and drives the interrupting device into a tripped condition using the input-output port. | 11-27-2014 |
20140347769 | ELECTRIC-VEHICULAR CHARGE AND DISCHARGE DEVICE - The electric-vehicular charge and discharge device of the present invention includes a power converter, a grounding unit, a ground fault detector, and a switcher. The power converter is interposed between an external circuit and a pair of power terminals of a secondary battery unit of an electric vehicle, and is configured to convert power between the external circuit and the secondary battery unit. The grounding unit connects at least one of the pair of power terminals of the secondary battery unit to a grounding point to be connected to the power converter. The ground fault detector determines whether a ground fault has occurred in a power supply path between the power converter and the secondary battery unit. The switcher separates the secondary battery unit from the power supply path when the ground fault detector determines that a ground fault has occurred in the power supply path. | 11-27-2014 |
20140347770 | PROTECTION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATOR AGAINST SURGE VOLTAGES RELATIVE TO GROUND - For protecting a photovoltaic generator comprising photovoltaic modules, having an open circuit voltage higher than an insulation design voltage of its photovoltaic modules and being connected to an AC power grid via an inverter against a surge voltage relative to ground resulting from a ground fault and exceeding the insulation design voltage, the photovoltaic generator is surveyed for the occurrence of the ground fault or the surge voltage. Upon the actual occurrence of the ground fault or the surge voltage, at first, the photovoltaic generator is separated from an input-side intermediate link capacitance of the inverter, and the inverter is separated from the AC power grid. Then, the intermediate link capacitance is discharged via a resistor, prior to permanently closing semiconductor switches of an inverter bridge of the inverter and to reconnecting the photovoltaic generator to the input-side intermediate link capacitance of the inverter to short circuit the photovoltaic generator. | 11-27-2014 |
20150009592 | MANUAL RESET GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTOR (GFCI) WITH A QUICK CONNECT LOAD INPUT - A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) interrupts the flow of current through a pair of lines extending between a source of power and a load. The GFCI includes a circuit breaker, a relay circuit including a solenoid, a latch circuit, and a fault detecting circuit packaged in a circuit assembly. The GFCI is adaptable for a quick connect of a load input cord by a user, allowing for various configurations of cords to be utilized on site, the cord easily connected from the device being protected to the GFCI at the point of use. The GFCI circuit assembly includes a load input section having cable securement jaws for connection of the load input cable terminal ends. | 01-08-2015 |
20150009593 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING AGAINST LEAKAGE CURRENTS - Device for protecting against leakage currents, the device being intended to be wired up between a first electrical connection ( | 01-08-2015 |
20150009594 | CONTROL CIRCUIT - The control circuit includes first and second primary terminals for connection to a DC network, a secondary terminal connected in series between the first and second primary terminals and at least one auxiliary energy conversion element and an auxiliary terminal. The first and second primary terminals have a plurality of modules and a plurality of primary energy conversion elements connected in series therebetween to define a current transmission path, each module including at least one energy storage device, each energy storage device being selectively removable from the current transmission path. The plurality of modules include a first module and a second module the first module being connected in series with at least one primary energy conversion element between the first primary terminal and the secondary terminal to define a first current transmission path portion, and the second module being connected in series with at least one other primary energy conversion element between the second primary terminal and the secondary terminal to define a second current transmission path portion. The auxiliary energy conversion element is connected in series between the secondary and auxiliary terminals, the auxiliary terminal being for connection to ground. | 01-08-2015 |
20150015999 | METHOD OF TRIPPING A CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER IN A BACK FED CONFIGURATION - A method a tripping a circuit interrupter in a back fed configuration is provided, wherein the circuit interrupter has separable contacts and an actuator, such as a solenoid, operatively coupled to the separable contacts. The method includes detecting within the circuit interrupter that a fault condition exists, and subsequent to detecting that the fault condition exists, determining whether a current is flowing within the circuit interrupter between a load side of the circuit interrupter and the separable contacts, and controlling operation of the actuator based on whether the current is flowing within the circuit interrupter. | 01-15-2015 |
20150043109 | Electrical Wiring Device With Protective Features - The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes an automatic test circuit configured to commence an automatic test at a predetermined time such that a test current propagates on a test conductor. The sensor assembly provides a sensor test output responsive to the test current only if both the differential transformer and the grounded neutral transformer are operative. A fault detector circuit is configured to generate a test detection signal in response to the sensor test output only if the fault detector circuit is operable and the at least one power supply is substantially charged. A device integrity evaluation circuit includes a timer that effects a tripped state when a time measurement exceeds a threshold, the test detection signal resetting the time measurement when properly wired before the time measurement exceeds the predetermined threshold but does not reset the time measurement when miswired. | 02-12-2015 |
20150062760 | CONTROLLABLE TEST-PULSE WIDTH AND POSITION FOR SELF-TEST GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER - A circuit interrupting device having an auto-monitoring circuit for periodically testing various functions and structures of the device. The auto-monitoring circuit initiates an auto-monitoring routine which, among other things, generates a self-test fault condition and determines whether the detection mechanisms within the device properly detect the self-test fault. A test fault circuit is configured to generate one or more test pulses that cause the self-test fault condition and the test pulses are generated to occur outside of an active region of the fault detection circuit. | 03-05-2015 |
20150085405 | PORTABLE GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT BREAKER - A portable ground fault circuit breaker includes a main housing. An interior housing in which moving and static contacts are disposed is disposed inside the main housing and includes a base and a base cover. The static contacts are hung in the interior housing. The moving contacts are disposed on an unbalancing moving contact frame. A trip lock is disposed at one end of the moving contact frame and connected to a fasten lock fulfilling the separation and connection of the moving and static contacts. A lower portion of the fasten lock penetrates the base to abut on a tripping solenoid disposed at an exterior bottom of the base. The solenoid and a main control circuit on a circuit board fulfill an electrical connection. A simple structure, a small bulk, use convenience, and a humanized appearance design are the effects. | 03-26-2015 |
20150092305 | Virtual Circuit Breaker - A virtual circuit breaker having an electrical relay and a control circuit, the control circuit including a load and wire protection (“OC”) detection unit, a microprocessor and a driver. The OC detection unit is configured to monitor a power flow and the electrical relay is effective to control it. The driver is effective to cause the relay to stop the power flow upon receipt of a deactivation command. The OC detection unit is effective to cause the driver to receive a deactivation command if the OC detection unit senses that a short circuit condition or an overload condition exists. The microprocessor of the control unit is configured so as to be capable of, at least, receiving input from the OC detection unit and sending output to the driver. | 04-02-2015 |
20150092306 | Panel Device Having Electrostatic Discharge Protection - A display device includes a substrate, at least one signal circuit, a ground protection circuit, and an auxiliary protection circuit. The substrate has a first surface, wherein the first surface includes an active area and a frame area surrounding the active area. The at least one signal circuit is disposed and extending along the frame area and electrically coupled to the active area. The ground protection circuit is disposed and extending along the frame area, wherein the ground protection circuit is positioned at a side of the signal circuit facing an edge of the substrate. The auxiliary protection circuit is disposed and extending along the frame area. The auxiliary protection circuit is disposed between the signal circuit and the ground protection circuit, wherein the auxiliary protection circuit respectively has a gap with the signal circuit and the ground protection circuit, and is electrically conductive. | 04-02-2015 |
20150116872 | ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER - An arc fault circuit interrupter includes: an insulating casing, electrical input terminals and electrical output terminals, first and second electrical path connected between the electrical input terminals and electrical output terminals, and a movement mechanism. The movement mechanism includes: first and second moving contact arms, electrically coupled to the first and second electrical paths, respectively; a control circuit board; an arc detection mechanism, electrically coupled to the control circuit board, for detecting an arc signal and causing the control circuit board to generate a trip signal; a tripping mechanism, electrically coupled to the control circuit board, for receiving the trip signal to disconnect the electrical coupling between the first moving contact arm and the first electrical path and/or the electrical coupling between the second moving contact arm and the second electrical path. The device can immediately cut off the power when detecting an arc signal to prevent fire hazard. | 04-30-2015 |
20150138677 | METHOD TO PROVIDE A MORE ROBUST GFCI CIRCUIT BREAKER - A system and method include a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) supplying electricity to an appliance. The GFCI supplies direct current (DC) to an appliance upon connection to the GFCI, and the appliance automatically communicates data to the GFCI prior to startup of the appliance in response to receiving the DC, wherein the data describes maximum out of phase conditions expected during appliance startup, and the GFCI acknowledges receipt of the data. The appliance sends a status message to the GFCI indicating the appliance is ready for alternating current (AC) in response to the startup of the appliance, and the GFCI switches from supplying the low voltage direct current to supplying AC to the appliance in response to the GFCI receiving the status message. The method further comprises preventing the GFCI from tripping in response to out of phase conditions less than the maximum out of phase conditions. | 05-21-2015 |
20150318693 | Coil with Shunt Impedance for Arc Suppression using an Alternating Current Power Source or a Direct Current Power Source - A device used for preventing arcs in an electric circuit contains an output source terminal, an input load terminal, a suppressor coil, and a shunt circuit. The output source circuit can be either an alternating power source or a direct current power source. The suppressor coil is electrically connected in between the output power source and the input load terminal. In order to prevent arc formation and shape the current passing through the suppressor coil, the shunt circuit is electrically connected in parallel to the suppressor coil. The shunt circuit includes at least one resistor, at least one inductor, and at least on capacitor. The suppressor coil can be either a permeable coil or an air core coil. The design of the device allows a circuit breaker to be used in series. Moreover, the device does not require resetting after use. | 11-05-2015 |
20150326003 | Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker - An earth leakage circuit breaker is described, comprising: a main power cutoff unit connected between the main power supply line and a load; a zero phase sequence current transformer which detects earth leakage occurring in the main power line and outputs a voltage having an amplitude corresponding to the earth leakage to a first output terminal and to a second output terminal; a protective unit which limits the amplitude of the voltage supplied by the zero phase sequence current transformer to a level lower than a preset value and outputs the voltage; and an earth leakage detection unit which outputs an earth leakage detection signal for driving the main power cutoff unit so as to control the cutoff of the power being supplied to the load when there is a difference between the voltages outputted by the protective unit. | 11-12-2015 |
20150332884 | FAST SWITCH - The fast switch includes: a housing; a vacuum interrupter installed in the housing, connected to a main circuit, and configured to open and close the main circuit; a contact spring coupled to a mover of the vacuum interrupter, and configured to provide a contact force; an insulating rod connected to the contact spring; a permanent magnet actuator connected to a lower end of the insulating rod, and configured to provide a switching driving force; a first capacitor configured to provide a discharge current to a coil of the permanent magnet actuator; a driving coil connected to a lower end of the permanent magnet actuator; and a second capacitor configured to provide a discharge current to the driving coil. | 11-19-2015 |
20150333498 | Protective Wiring Device - The present is directed to a protective device that includes a separator portion disposed between a back body member and a front cover portion. The separator portion includes a reset pin aperture accessible via a first major surface facing the front cover and a reset pin guide portion disposed on an opposite second major surface facing the back body member. The device further includes a latch block assembly having a central latch block portion configured to accommodate a reset pin and a latching element. The central latch block portion includes an open side configured to accommodate the reset pin guide portion. The reset pin is substantially prevented from exiting the central latch block portion via the open side by the reset pin guide portion. | 11-19-2015 |
20150349517 | CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER WITH OVER-TEMPERATURE PROTECTION FUNCTION FOR POWER CORD - A power cord having a circuit interrupter such as a leakage current detection interrupter (LCDI) or arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI), with a detection signal conductor wire in addition to the current carrying wires between the source and the load, and a temperature controlled switch coupled to the detection signal conductor wire on the load side. The temperature controlled switch is affixed to a device under measurement which is associated with the load, and changes its open or closed state when the device overheats. This in turn changes the state of the current flowing in the detection signal conductor wire. In response thereto, the circuit interrupter, which is coupled to the detection signal conductor wire on the source end, interrupts the power supply to the load. | 12-03-2015 |
20150372475 | NEW LEAKAGE PROTECTION METHOD AND DEVICE HAVING LIVE/NEUTRAL WIRE IDENTIFICATION FUNCTION - A leakage protection method and device having a live/neutral wire identification function that identify the live wire and neutral wire of an input power source by means of a live/neutral wire identification device | 12-24-2015 |
20160003883 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING AN ELECTRIC ARC IN A PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION - Method for detecting an electric arc in a photovoltaic installation, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
| 01-07-2016 |
20160013630 | ELECTRIC LEAKAGE DETERMINATION CIRCUIT FOR ELECTRIC LEAKAGE CIRCUIT BREAKER | 01-14-2016 |
20160056589 | CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION - Connector for electrical connection includes coupler, cable, switch mechanism, failure detector and transmitter. Coupler is removably inserted in and connected to reception side connector provided in machine which is equipped with storage battery. Cable includes two or more electric wires including power line configured to be electrically connected to reception side connector via coupler. Cable is connected to device that performs at least one of supplying power to machine and receiving power from machine. Switch mechanism opens and closes electrical circuit between coupler and power line. Failure detector detects occurrence of failure of coupler. Transmitter transmits detection result of failure detector to device through at least one first electric wire of the two or more electric wires. Switch mechanism opens and closes the electrical circuit in accordance with control signal transmitted through first electric wire. | 02-25-2016 |
20160072271 | ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER WITH SURGE SUPPRESSION - An AFCI protective system includes a MOV circuit that has a plurality of line terminals comprising at least one phase conductor, a neutral conductor or a ground conductor. A MOV is coupled to a pair of line terminals through a low impedance circuit, and a response circuit configured to activate a human readable indicator when the MOV is experiencing an end of life condition. | 03-10-2016 |
20160105015 | GROUND DETECTING APPARATUS AND RELAY ACTION DETECTING APPARATUS - A ground detecting apparatus at least includes a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor and a high voltage resistor. The metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor is used to replace a photo-coupler for switching. The high voltage resistor is used for safety isolation. A relay action detecting apparatus at least includes a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor and a high voltage resistor. The metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor is used to replace a photo-coupler for switching. The high voltage resistor is used for safety isolation. | 04-14-2016 |
20160111869 | LEAKAGE CURRENT DETECTING CIRCUIT-BREAKER WITH A FLEXIBLE SHIELD CORD - The present invention discloses a leakage current detecting circuit-breaker with a flexible shield cord, which comprises a detection circuit, a trigger circuit and a tripping mechanism. The detection circuit comprises a flexible shield cord, a zero sequence current transformer and diodes connected in series. The flexible shield cord comprises a foil wrapped around outer insulating layers of a live line and a neutral line and a tinned copper wire between the outer insulating layers and the foil. The flexible shield cord senses an abnormal or fault signal of a power line, and the zero sequence current transformer amplifies the abnormal or fault signal to such an extent as to trigger the trigger circuit. The diodes comprise a fifth diode and a sixth diode; anodes of the fifth diode and the sixth diode are connected to each other, and cathodes of the fifth diode and the sixth diode are respectively connected to the live line and the neutral line. The leakage current detecting circuit-breaker is of low production cost and strong anti-interference capacity. | 04-21-2016 |
20160118783 | A COIL ACTUATOR A FOR LOW AND MEDIUM VOLTAGE SWITCHING APPARATUS AND AN ARC FAULT COIL SUPPRESSION DEVICE COMPRISING SAID COIL ACTUATOR - A coil actuator for a low and medium voltage switching apparatus comprising a coil electromagnet ( | 04-28-2016 |
20160169981 | LEAKAGE CURRENT DETECTION DEVICE WITH SELF-TESTING FUNCTION | 06-16-2016 |
20160172839 | REVERSE GROUNDING PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER | 06-16-2016 |
20160178691 | GFCI SELF TEST SOFTWARE FOR AUTONOMOUS MONITORING AND FAIL SAFE POWER DENIAL | 06-23-2016 |
20160181781 | STRING AND SYSTEM EMPLOYING DIRECT CURRENT ELECTRICAL GENERATING MODULES AND A NUMBER OF STRING PROTECTORS | 06-23-2016 |
20160187409 | ARC FAULT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD AND CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER EMPLOYING SAME - An AC arc fault detection module includes an LF current section, an LF voltage section, and an HF current section having a plurality of outputs, each output being associated with a respective one of a plurality of frequency sub-bands. The HF current section is structured to, for each of the frequency sub-bands, (i) detect a rise in energy of the frequency sub-band above a first predetermined threshold level for at least a certain amount of time and (ii) cause the associated output to indicate a rise in energy detection in response to detecting the rise in energy above the associated threshold level for at least the associated certain amount of time. The module includes a processing device structured to determine whether an AC arc fault has occurred based on the outputs from the LF and HF current and LF voltage sections. | 06-30-2016 |
20160187410 | ARC FAULT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD AND CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER EMPLOYING SAME - A DC arc fault detection module includes an LF current section, an LF voltage section, and an HF current section having a plurality of outputs, each output being associated with a respective one of a plurality of frequency sub-bands. The HF current section is structured to, for each of the frequency sub-bands, (i) detect a rise in energy of the frequency sub-band above a first predetermined threshold level for at least a certain amount of time and (ii) cause the associated output to indicate a rise in energy detection in response to detecting the rise in energy above the associated threshold level for at least the associated certain amount of time. The module includes a processing device structured to determine whether a DC arc fault has occurred based on the outputs from the LF and HF current and LF voltage sections. | 06-30-2016 |
20160202304 | METHOD TO DETECT ARCING FAULTS USING SWITCHED ELEMENTS AT OUTLET | 07-14-2016 |
20170237251 | POWER PEDESTAL INCLUDING ADJUSTABLE GROUND FAULT PROTECTION | 08-17-2017 |
20180026624 | HALF-BRIDGE DRIVER FAULT DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AND METHOD | 01-25-2018 |
20190148097 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ALARM TRIGGERED ELECTRICAL SUPPLY DISCONNECTION | 05-16-2019 |
20190148929 | DUAL USE VEHICULAR AC GENERATOR | 05-16-2019 |
20220140592 | MULTI-FREQUENCY GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHOD - A GFCI includes a current sensor system providing a current sensor signal indicating a leakage current of the AC power system. A magnitude detector is configured to provide a first channel signal indicating an RMS value of the current sensor signal. A reference signal generator is configured to provide a second channel signal indicating a trip reference value responsive to a frequency of the current sensor signal. A fault detector is configured to provide a fault trip signal indicating ground fault condition of the AC power system in response to the first channel signal and the second channel signal. A circuit breaker mechanism is configured to open a circuit of the AC power system in response to the fault trip signal. | 05-05-2022 |