# US 10,310,001 B2 · Short-circuit sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,310,001 B2 - Document ID: US10310001B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/306,973 - Filed: 2015-03-23 - Published: 2017-05-11 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2014-04-30 - Assignees: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG - Applicants: Phoenix Contact GmbH Co. KG - Inventors: Elmar Schaper; Peter Scholz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10310001B2 ## CPC - G01R 31/52: Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults - G01R 31/58: Testing of lines, cables or conductors (testing of electric windings G01R31/72) - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to a short-circuit sensor for detecting a short-circuit current in an electrical line. The short-circuit sensor includes an integrator, a coupling device, and a detection device. The coupling device is configured to inductively couple the integrator to the electrical line and to supply an induced signal to the integrator. The integrator is configured to integrate the induced signal to obtain an integrated signal. The detection device is configured to compare an amplitude value of the integrated signal with a prescribed threshold value and to detect the short-circuit current if the amplitude value of the integrated signal exceeds the prescribed threshold value. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A short-circuit sensor for detecting a short-circuit current in an electrical line, having: an integrator; and a coupling device configured to couple the integrator inductively to the electrical line and to feed an induced signal to the integrator; wherein the integrator is configured to integrate the induced signal to obtain an integrated signal, and wherein the integrator has a filter characteristic with a lower cut-off frequency which is above a power system frequency; and a detection device configured to compare an amplitude value of the integrated signal with a predefined threshold value and to detect the short-circuit current if the amplitude value of the integrated signal exceeds the predefined threshold value. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The short-circuit sensor according to claim 1, wherein the integrator is selected from the group consisting of: a capacitor and a resistor, wherein the capacitor and the resistor form an RC element; a processor configured to integrate the induced signal digitally; and an operational amplifier circuit comprising an RC element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The short-circuit sensor according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device comprises a first inductance for inductively coupling the coupling device to the electrical line. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The short-circuit sensor according to claim 3, wherein the integrator is connected downstream of the first inductance. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The short-circuit sensor according to claim 3, wherein the coupling device comprises a second inductance which is inductively coupled to the first inductance. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The short-circuit sensor according to claim 5, wherein the short-circuit sensor comprises terminals for connecting the electrical line to the coupling device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The short-circuit sensor according to claim 1, wherein the short-circuit sensor comprises a switch-off device for interrupting the electrical line. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The short-circuit sensor according to claim 7, wherein the detection device is configured to actuate the switch-off device in response to a detected short-circuit to interrupt the electrical line. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The short-circuit sensor according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is configured to compare a plurality of amplitude values of the integrated signal with the predefined threshold value and to detect the short-circuit current if one of the amplitude values of the integrated signal exceeds the predefined threshold value. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The short-circuit sensor according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is connected downstream of the integrator and comprises a processor, wherein the processor implements a comparator configured to compare the amplitude value of the integrated signal with the predefined threshold value. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The short-circuit sensor according to claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to output a switch-off signal in order to interrupt the electrical line if a short-circuit is detected. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The short-circuit sensor according to claim 1, further comprising an analog to digital converter configured to digitize the induced signal or the integrated signal. ### Claim 13 A method for detecting a short-circuit current in an electrical line by means of a short-circuit sensor, comprising: receiving, through a coupling device, an induced signal corresponding to a signal on an electrical line; filtering the induced signal using a lower cut-off frequency, wherein the lower cut-off frequency is above a power system frequency; integrating the induced signal to obtain an integrated signal; comparing an amplitude value of the integrated signal with a predefined threshold value; and detecting the short-circuit current if the amplitude value of the integrated signal exceeds the predefined threshold value. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, further comprising interrupting the electrical line when a short-circuit current is detected. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, further comprising: outputting a switch-off signal to interrupt the electrical line if the short-circuit current is detected. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein comparing the amplitude value of the integrated signal with the predefined threshold value comprises: comparing a plurality of amplitude values of the integrated signal with the predefined threshold value; wherein the short-circuit current is detected if one of the amplitude values of the integrated signal exceeds the predefined threshold value.