Apparatus for testing protection of an electric power distribution circuit by an arc fault circuit breaker
US6084756A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H1/0015
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A tester for an arc fault circuit breaker plugs into a socket in the protected branch circuit. An actuator includes a first spring biasing a moveable contact carried by a pivoted contact arm away from a fixed contact and a momentary closer for momentarily closing the contacts. The momentary closer includes a push button and a second spring coupling the push button to the pivoted contact arm to close the contacts when actuated. Closing of the contacts completes a circuit across the branch circuit resulting in a current producing a magnetic repulsion force which blows the contacts open thereby striking an arc. The arc, which should trip the arc fault circuit breaker is visible through a translucent or transparent section of the molded tester housing. A fuse interrupts any overcurrent and a test light verifies initial energization of the protected circuit and operation of the arc fault circuit breaker.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.