Electrical fault detection circuit with dual-mode power supply
US6532424B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 11, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/44
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An arcing fault protection assembly and a corresponding method determine whether arcing is present in electrical circuits. The assembly powers-up quickly without dissipating excessive heat while power is being supplied to the assembly. The assembly comprises a sensor, a broadband noise circuit, a controller, and a dual-mode power supply. The sensor detects a current flowing in an electrical circuit and develops a corresponding sensor signal. The broadband noise circuit determines the presence of broadband noise in the sensor signal and produces a corresponding output signal. The controller processes the sensor signal and the output signal in a predetermined fashion to determine whether an arcing fault is present in the circuit. The dual-mode power supply supplies power to the sensor, broadband noise circuit and controller using a first mode and later switching to a second mode. The first mode reaches steady state faster than the second mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.