Patent · US Active

Arc wave generator for testing an arc-fault circuit interrupter

US7652566B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
1References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 1, 2007
Grant dateJan 26, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 30, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01R31/3272
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus includes an arc wave generator for testing an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) for use in a test system for testing whether or not an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) is operating normally, in which a false arc is generated for use in testing the arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI). The arc wave generator includes a rectifier which receives a commercial power source as an input source and rectifies alternating-current voltage of the commercial power source to generate a rectified signal. A drop resistor drops the voltage of the rectified signal to generate a voltage-dropped signal. A mono-stable multivibrator adjusts a voltage level and a pulse width of the voltage-dropped signal and generates a pulse signal which is used to generate a false arc for testing the arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI). Thus, a false arc is generated with a simple circuit to accurately test the actions of the arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI).

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