Arc fault detector with circuit interrupter
US6433978B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 10, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 10, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/334
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) device functions to provide protection from potentially dangerous arc faults. The arc fault detector can be used stand alone or in combination with circuit interrupting devices such as IDCIs and ALCIs. The AFCI device detects both AC line frequencies and high frequencies associated with arcing. Both average and instantaneous values of both AC line frequency and high frequency arcing signals are processed to generate an arc fault signal. The trip mechanism of the device trips on the occurrence of either an arc fault or a ground fault. The device allows the arc detector to differentiate between destructive high level arcing and low level arcing such as generated by typical household appliances and equipment. This serves to decrease the occurrence of false tripping. The device also includes a timer circuit, which permits the user to temporarily disable the arc detector, and includes communication means to permit the device to communicate the occurrence and location of the arc fault to a centralized monitoring station.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.