Processor-based circuit interrupting devices

A circuit interrupting device comprising:

• a sensor configured to sense an electrical fault condition and generate a sensor signal in response to the sensed electrical fault condition, the electrical fault condition associated with current flowing through a conductor electrically coupled to a power source;
• an amplifier configured to receive the sensor signal and generate an amplified signal based on the sensor signal;
• a test circuit configured to generate a simulated fault current;
• an interrupter configured to interrupt current flow through the conductor;
• a controller configured to:
• actuate the interrupter based on an electrical fault condition sensed by the sensor, and
• control the test circuit, wherein an amplitude of the simulated fault current is greater than zero and is less than an amplitude of a fault current required to actuate the interrupter after an occurrence of an electrical fault condition;
• and
• a second signal and a third signal, the second and third signals being based on the sensor signal, wherein:
• the second signal is coupled to an input of the amplifier, and
• the third signal is coupled to another input of the amplifier.

A circuit interrupting device comprising:

• a sensor configured to sense an electrical fault condition and generate a sensor signal in response to the sensed electrical fault condition, the electrical fault condition associated with current flowing through a conductor electrically coupled to a power source;
• an amplifier configured to receive the sensor signal and generate an amplified signal based on the sensor signal;
• a test circuit configured to generate a simulated fault current;
• an interrupter configured to interrupt current flow through the conductor;
• a controller configured to:
• actuate the interrupter based on an electrical fault condition sensed by the sensor, and
• control the test circuit, wherein an amplitude of the simulated fault current is greater than zero and is less than an amplitude of a fault current required to actuate the interrupter after an occurrence of an electrical fault condition;
• and
• a gain circuit in electrical communication with the amplifier, wherein the gain circuit is configured to determine a gain of the amplifier, wherein the gain circuit comprises at least one of:
• a differentiating capacitor or a filter circuit.

A circuit interrupting device for selectively coupling a power source to a load, the circuit interrupting device comprising:

• a first sensor configured to sense an electrical fault condition and generate a first sensor signal in response to the sensed electrical fault condition, the electrical fault condition associated with current flowing through a conductor electrically coupled to a power source;
• a frequency dependent gain circuit in electrical communication with the first sensor, wherein the frequency dependent gain circuit is configured to output a second signal;
• an amplifier in electrical communication with the frequency dependent gain circuit, wherein a gain of the amplifier is determined based on the second signal;
• and
• a controller configured to determine that an actual fault has occurred based on the first sensor signal and the gain of the amplifier.