Circuit protection devices, systems and methods for explosive environment compliance
AssigneeEaton Intelligent Power Limited
InventorsJoseph Michael Manahan, Adam Ledgerwood, Andrew Butler, Graig DeCarr, Edmund Leubner
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Abstract
Solid state and hybrid circuit protection devices include improved chemical, static discharge and impact resistant housing construction, arc-free switching operation, secure terminal assemblies and thermal management features. The solid state and hybrid circuit protection devices are ignition protected and avoid possible explosions and therefore obviate a need for conventional explosion-proof enclosures to ensure safe operation of an electrical power system in a potentially explosive environment.
Claims20
An ignition protected switch device for an explosive environment, the ignition protected switch device comprising:
- a housing that is fabricated to exhibit chemical resistance in the explosive environment;
- a line-side terminal and a load-side terminal coupled to the housing and being enclosed to provide ignition protected terminations in the explosive environment;
- a bus structure in the housing and including at least one solid state switching element operable in an arc-free manner to connect the load-side terminal to the line-side terminal and disconnect the load-side terminal from the line-side terminal;
- whereby the ignition protected switch device is compliant for use in the explosive environment without requiring a separately provided explosion-proof enclosure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.