Apparatus for detecting arc faults
US7190561B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H1/04
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for detecting arc faults that have reduced susceptibility to nuisance tripping. The apparatus includes a current sensor, an input sense circuit, an arcing sense circuit, a power supply, a tripping (firing) circuit, a processor, and an electromechanical interface. The current sensor monitors a power input comprising an AC current, and provides high frequency components of the. AC current to the input sense circuit. The input sense circuit filters and rectifies the AC signal, and provides the rectified signal to the arcing sense circuit. The arcing sense circuit provides a voltage level accumulated over a predetermined time period, and digital signals indicative of possible electrical arcing occurring during the sampling period, to the processor. The processor measures the voltage level, stores information relating to measured voltages and the digital signals, and processes the stored information using one or more algorithms, thereby determining whether the signals resulted from an arc fault or a nuisance load. In the event the signals resulted from an arc fault, the processor activates the firing circuit to trip the electromechanical interface, thereby interr…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.