Patent · US Expired

Ground fault of arc fault circuit breaker employing first and second separable contacts and plural actuating mechanisms

US6477022B1 · kind B1 · utility

32Cited by
13References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 12, 2000
Grant dateNov 5, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 23, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH02H1/0015
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A miniature circuit breaker incorporating ground fault protection and arc fault protection includes main separable contacts. An operating mechanism actuated by a trip mechanism opens the main separable contacts in response to predetermined current conditions. Auxiliary separable contacts are disposed in series with the main separable contacts. A solenoid having a movable plunger opens and closes the auxiliary separable contacts in response to a remote external signal. A ground fault trip circuit detects a ground fault, and an arc fault trip circuit detects an arc fault. An actuator mechanism, energizable by the ground fault trip circuit and the arc fault trip circuit, actuates the plunger to open the auxiliary separable contacts.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.