Leakage current detection and protection device and power connector employing the same

A leakage current detection and protection device coupled between an input end and an output end of power lines, the device comprising:

• a first switching module and a second switching module, wherein each of the first and second switching modules is coupled on the power lines between the input end and the output end and is operable to connect or disconnect an electrical connection between the input and output ends;
• a leakage current detection module configured to detect a leakage current signal on the power lines and to generate a leakage fault signal in response to detecting the leakage current signal;
• a self-test module configured to detect a fault of the leakage current detection module and to output a self-test fault signal when the fault in the leakage current detection module is detected;
• a first drive module, coupled to the self-test module and the first switching module, and configured, in response to the self-test fault signal, to control the first switching module to disconnect the electrical connection between the input and output ends;
• and
• a second drive module, coupled to the leakage current detection module and the second switching module, and configured, in response to the leakage fault signal, to control the second switching module to disconnect the electrical connection between the input and output ends,
• wherein the second switching module includes a second switch, the second drive module includes a second solenoid and a second semiconductor device coupled in series with the second solenoid, the second switch is coupled with the second solenoid, a control electrode of the second semiconductor device is coupled to the leakage current detection module, wherein
• either the second semiconductor device is configured to become conductive in response to receiving the leakage fault signal at its control electrode, the second solenoid is configured to generate a magnetic field in response to the second semiconductor device becoming conductive, and the second switch is configured to disconnect the electrical connection in response to the magnetic field being generated in the second solenoid,
• or the second solenoid is configured to generate a magnetic field in response to the second semiconductor device becoming a short circuit, and the second switch is configured to disconnect the electrical connection in response to the magnetic field being generated in the second solenoid.

A leakage current detection and protection device coupled between an input end and an output end of power lines, the device comprising:

• a first switching module and a second switching module, wherein each of the first and second switching modules is coupled on the power lines between the input end and the output end and is operable to connect or disconnect an electrical connection between the input and output ends;
• a leakage current detection module configured to detect a leakage current signal on the power lines and to generate a leakage fault signal in response to detecting the leakage current signal;
• a self-test module configured to detect a fault of the leakage current detection module and to output a self-test fault signal when the fault in the leakage current detection module is detected;
• a first drive module, coupled to the self-test module and the first switching module, and configured, in response to the self-test fault signal, to control the first switching module to disconnect the electrical connection between the input and output ends;
• and
• a second drive module, coupled to the leakage current detection module and the second switching module, and configured, in response to the leakage fault signal, to control the second switching module to disconnect the electrical connection between the input and output ends,
• wherein the second switching module includes a second switch, the second drive module includes a second solenoid and at least two semiconductor devices, the second switch is coupled to the second solenoid, the least two semiconductor devices are coupled in parallel with each other and then coupled in series with the second solenoid, and a control electrode of each of the at least two semiconductor devices is coupled to the leakage current detection module, wherein
• either at least one of the at least two semiconductor devices is configured to become conductive in response to receiving the leakage fault signal at its control electrode, the second solenoid is configured to generate a magnetic field in response to the at least one of the at least two semiconductor devices becoming conductive, and the second switch is configured to disconnect the electrical connection in response to the magnetic field being generated in the second solenoid,
• or the second solenoid is configured to generate a magnetic field in response to the at least one of the at least two semiconductor devices becoming a short circuit, and the second switch is configured to disconnect the electrical connection in response to the magnetic field being generated in the second solenoid.