Apparatus for protecting electrical and electronic equipment and associated method
US5923516A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H9/04
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A protection apparatus includes a relay being switchable between a protected state and an operating state, and a controller for permitting a user to switch the relay to the operating state, and for switching the relay to the protected state responsive to a disturbance. Accordingly, the apparatus protects the electrical equipment from disturbances carried by the external electrical conductors. The apparatus preferably includes a housing which also serves to mount a plurality of electrical connectors for interfacing between the electrical equipment and the external electrical conductors. In one embodiment, the apparatus also preferably includes a lightning sensor for switching the relay to the protected state responsive to sensing of lightning. Alternately, or in addition, the apparatus may also include a power loss sensor for sensing a loss of power from the power source to the electrical equipment and for switching the relay immediately to the protected state responsive to sensing a loss of power. Multiple devices may be protected, and one or more timers may be used to switch the devices to the protected state. Surge suppression is preferably provided on the incoming AC power line …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.