US 10,483,055 B2 · Programmable arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI)

Abstract

A programmable arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) is provided. The programmable AFCI includes a dual resistive shunt array for developing inputs to an analog front end which in turn develops trigger quantities for input to a programmable processor. The programmable processor determines if the trigger quantities, singularly, or in the aggregate, exceed predetermined thresholds. Determining the predetermined thresholds are exceeded the processor issues a trigger command to momentarily energize a delatching coil, thus removing AC mains power from a load.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A programmable Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (PAFCI) for disengaging alternating current (AC) power from a load, the PAFCI comprising:

a relay switch disposed between the AC power and the load;
a trigger circuit for actuating the relay switch;
a plurality of sensing devices disposed between the AC power and the load;
at least one sensing circuit connectable to the plurality of sensing devices, wherein the sensing circuit determines at least one circuit parameter;
and
a processor circuit connectable to the trigger circuit, wherein the processor circuit determines from the at least one circuit parameter if an arcing condition exists;
and
wherein the PAFCI does not include toroidal devices for sensing arcing conditions.

5 more elements

A programmable Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (PAFCI) for classifying arcing parameters according to a connected load and detecting parallel or series arcing in accordance with the arcing parameters, the PAFCI comprising:

a sensing circuit;
a processor circuit connectable to the sensing circuit, wherein the processor circuit comprises:
a microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller comprises:
a non-transitory program storage medium readable by the microcontroller, wherein the program storage medium tangibly embodies a first program of instructions executable by the microcontroller to classify the arcing parameters according to the connected load;
a non-transitory program storage medium readable by the microcontroller, wherein the program storage medium tangibly embodies a second program of instructions executable by the microcontroller to determine a parallel arcing condition;
the non-transitory program storage medium readable by the microcontroller, wherein the program storage medium tangibly embodies a third program of instructions executable by the microcontroller to determine a series arcing condition;
and
wherein the PAFCI does not include toroidal devices for sensing series or parallel arcing conditions.

5 more elements

A method for detecting arc faults based upon connected load dependent arcing threshold parameters, the method comprising:

classifying the dependent arcing threshold parameters according to the connected load and wherein classifying the dependent arcing threshold parameters according to the connected load further comprises:
determining the following circuit parameters according to the connected load;
CLVinst=instantaneous Current leads voltage in units of samples;
FSWinst=Instantaneous Flat Spot Width in units of samples;
CLVflt=low Pass Filtered CLVinst in units of samples;
FSWflt=Low Pass Filtered FSWinst in units of samples;
CLV′flt=low Pass Filtered CLVinst Variance;
FSW′flt=low Pass Filtered FSW Variance;
CLV″flt=CLV′inst−CLV′flt;
and
FSW″flt=Low Pass Filtered Derivative of FSW Variance;
and
determining if an arcing condition exists based upon the dependent arcing threshold parameters.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

15/643,293Filed 6 Jul 2017 · continuation in part

Priority

26 Nov 2016

Published

US 2018/0151311 A131 May 2018

Granted

19 Nov 2019

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

G01R 31/52
Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections: testing…
G01R 31/14
Testing dielectric strength or breakdown voltage ; Testing or monitoring effectiveness or level of insulation, e.g. of a cable or of an…
H01H 9/50
Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00: means for detecting the presence of an arc or discharge
H01H 9/54
Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00: circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the…

Programmable arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI)

Life of this patent

Programmable arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI)

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19