Arc fault detector apparatus, means and system
US6031699A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/44
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A sputtering arc fault detector (10) for a system having an electrical conductor (14) carrying current to a load. The sputtering arc fault detector includes a current monitor (64) coupled to the conductor for generating a variable signal responsive to behavior of the current in the conductor. A level detector (58) is coupled to the monitor and generates a first pulse when the variable signal exceeds a first level. A step detector (62) is coupled to the monitor and is responsive to rapid step increases of the variable signal. The step detector generates a second pulse when the variable signal exceeds a second level. An arc verifier (48), which is coupled to the level detector and the step detector, combines the first and second pulses, and generates a fault signal when the combined pulses exceed a third level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.