Ground fault apparatus and protection system
US4233640A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 26, 1979 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/347
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A unique ground fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) device is utilized to control either an industrial circuit breaker or a contactor in protecting a large power distribution circuit against ground faults. The GFCI device is equipped with plural sets of switch contacts which are actuated incident with tripping of the GFCI device. The particular switch contacts are selected to control energization of an actuator adapted to the circuit breaker or contactor, depending on the actuator type. A ground fault sensor responds to ground faults on the distribution circuit by injecting a current imbalancing signal into the GFCI device, causing it to trip. The consequent switch contact actuation initiates operation of the circuit breaker or contactor to interrupt the distribution circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.