Frequency-selective circuit protection arrangements
US6437955B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/334
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A conventional ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is modified to provide frequency-selective current protection. A control element is connected in series with the line path (or return path) of the GFCI, and a bypass element is connected in parallel with the combination of the control element and the line path (or return path) of the GFCI. Under normal conditions, little or no current flows through the bypass element. However, frequency response characteristics of the control and/or bypass elements are such that a frequency-selective component of the current (i.e. high-pass, low-pass or band-pass) is diverted through the bypass element. When the magnitude of the frequency-selective component reaches a predetermined value, the bypass current flow causes sensing of a resulting current imbalance and tripping of the GFCI.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.