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.
Claims20
A controller including a processor and a memory accessible by the processor, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor implement a method, comprising:
- receiving a selected one of a plurality of different settings for operation of at least one solid state switching element to protect a connected electrical load;
- determining whether the received selected one of the plurality of different settings exceeds a wiring limit for an explosive environment in which the solid state switching element is situated;
- accepting a temperature input;
- and
- outputting control signals to operate the at least one solid state switching element in response to the temperature input to maintain a surface temperature of a housing containing the at least one solid state switching element at or below a rated temperature for the explosive environment, thereby precluding the housing from being an ignition source in the explosive environment.
A method, comprising:
- providing a bus structure including at least one solid state switching element that is operable in an arc-free manner to connect a load-side terminal to a line-side terminal and disconnect the load-side terminal from the line-side terminal, wherein the bus structure is located in a housing and the load-side terminal and the line-side terminal are coupled to the housing;
- receiving 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;
- determining whether the received selected one of the plurality of different settings exceeds a wiring limit for an explosive environment;
- accepting a temperature input;
- and
- operating 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.