Arc-fault detecting circuit-breaker system with status indicator structure
US7126445B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H71/04
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An arc-fault detecting circuit-breaker system is used in conjunction with a protected electrical circuit whose current flow is to be interrupted upon the occurrence of an overcurrent fault or an arc fault. The arc-fault detecting circuit breaker system includes a normally closed circuit breaker, an arc-fault detector of the occurrence of an arc fault in the protected electrical circuit, and a circuit-breaker activating element operable responsive to the detector. The circuit-breaker activating element opens the circuit breaker in the event that the detector detects an arc fault in the protected electrical circuit. A status indicator structure, preferably in the form of a two-part pop-up button, has a first status indicator element which indicates the opening of the circuit breaker due to the overcurrent fault, and a second status indicator element which indicates the opening of the circuit breaker due to the arc fault.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.