Leakage current protection device adapted to a wide variety of domestic and international applications
US6381113B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 12, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 30, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/347
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A leakage current protection device, such as a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), is provided that can be used in single phase or polyphase systems, with a range of input voltages from 70 to 264 volts AC, frequencies of 50 or 60 hertz, and ground fault trip currents of 6 to 30 milliamperes. A leading power factor circuit is connected to the secondary winding of the GFCI differential transformer to permit the magnetic circuit to respond to pulsating DC signals. Provision is made for continuing to provide GFCI protection in the event of an open neutral lead, with a timing circuit to prevent current flow to the ground lead until current flow in the neutral lead is completely discontinued. Various types of circuit interrupting devices, such as a circuit breaker or a power converter, may be selectively utilized.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.