Ground fault protection system
US4044395A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 2, 1976 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 2, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/338
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A conventional residential ground fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) device is utilized to control a traditional circuit interrupter in protecting a large power distribution circuit against ground faults. The GFCI device is connected in an energization circuit for a solenoid operable to open the interrupter contacts. A sensor responds to ground faults on the distribution circuit by impressing the current signal on one side of the energization circuit, thus creating a current imbalance effective to trip the GFCI device. Interruption of the energization circuit causes the solenoid to initiate opening of the interrupter contacts. In an alternative embodiment, the GFCI device is adapted to initiate opening of the interrupter contacts upon degradation of ground circuit continuity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.