Hazardous location compliant circuit protection devices having enhanced safety intelligence, systems and methods
AssigneeEaton Intelligent Power Limited
InventorsJoseph Michael Manahan, Adam Ledgerwood, Andrew Butler, Graig DeCarr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Compliant electrical circuit protection devices are described for use in hazardous environments without presenting ignition risks for potentially explosive environmental conditions. Sensing features and systems may evaluate wiring limits and user selected settings for compatibility, detect loose connections and operating parameters to ensure safe operation of the device, and to intelligently diagnose and manage issues of concern for the circuit protection devices as well as the larger electrical power system.
Claims21
A configurable and compliant circuit protection system for an explosive environment, the system comprising:
- at least one switch device comprising:
- a housing;
- a line-side terminal and a load-side terminal coupled to the housing;
- 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;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- receive a selected one of a plurality of different settings for operation of the at least one solid state switching element to protect a connected electrical load;
- and
- determine whether the received selected one of the plurality of different settings exceeds a wiring limit for the explosive environment;
- whereby the switch device is compliant for use in the explosive environment without requiring a separately provided explosion-proof enclosure;
- wherein the controller is further configured to:
- accept a temperature input;
- and
- operate the at least one solid state switching element in response to the temperature input to maintain a surface temperature of the housing at or below a rated temperature for the explosive environment, thereby precluding the housing from being an ignition source in the explosive environment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.