High frequency resistant nuisance tripping GFCI and with self-test and end of life (STEOL) circuits
AssigneeTower Manufacturing Corporation
InventorVictor V Aromin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A high-frequency resistant ground fault circuit interrupter (HF-GFCI) with self-test and end-of-life detection is disclosed. The invention incorporates a noise-resistant fault detection circuit, an auto-test module, and an end-of-life shutdown mechanism to ensure reliable protection. The device minimizes false tripping due to high-frequency noise and enhances safety through continuous self-monitoring. Experimental validation confirms improved immunity to leakage currents and transient voltage disturbances. The HF-GFCI also provides an LED circuit having dual functionality: an LED indicator circuit and neutral to ground detection on the load side of the HF-GFCI.
Claims15
A high frequency (HF) ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) with end-of-life self-testing for interrupting the flow of current through a pair of lines, wherein one of the pair of lines extends between a line input and a line output and the other line extends between a neutral input and a neutral output, the HF GFCI comprising:
- a first switch having a first input terminal and a first contact terminal;
- a second switch having a second input terminal and a second contact terminal;
- at least one relay circuit for controlling the first and/or second switch, wherein each switch comprises a first non-energized position and a second energized position and wherein the first switch is connected between the line input and the line output and the second switch is connected between the neural input and the neutral output;
- a fault detection circuit for detecting a ground fault in the line output, wherein the fault detection circuit comprises:
- a sense transformer for sensing the ground fault in the line output and wherein the fault detection circuit does not comprise a second sense transformer;
- a first bi-stable electronic latch circuit for deenergizing the at least one relay circuit when a fault is detected;
- a test module integrated with the HF GFCI, the test module comprising:
- a simulated ground fault generator for simulating a ground fault;
- an auto-monitoring logic module;
- a relay synchronized switch;
- an end-of-life switch for disabling the at least one relay circuit;
- a first capacitor for preventing transient high-frequency signals from falsely triggering the first bi-stable electronic latch circuit;
- a second capacitor connected to the at least one relay circuit for shunting high frequency noise to the neutral input;
- and
- a dual function LED circuit, wherein the dual function LED circuit provides LED power status and neutral to ground detection.
A high frequency resistant GFCI circuit for interrupting the flow of current through a pair of lines, wherein one of the pair of lines extends between a line input and a line output and the other line extends between a neutral input and a neutral output, the high frequency resistant GFCI circuit comprising:
- a test module for detecting an end-of-life condition, the test module comprising:
- a simulated ground fault generator for simulating a ground fault signal;
- an auto-monitoring logic module;
- a relay synchronized switch;
- and
- an end-of-life switch for disabling the high frequency resistant GFCI circuit;
- a first capacitor for preventing transient high-frequency signals from falsely triggering a first bi-stable electronic latch circuit;
- a second capacitor connected to a relay circuit for shunting high frequency noise to the neutral input;
- and
- a dual function LED circuit, wherein the dual function LED circuit provides LED power status and neutral to ground detection.
A high frequency (HF) round fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) with end-of-life self-testing for interrupting the flow of current through a pair of lines, wherein one of the pair of lines extends between a line input and a line output and the other line extends between a neutral input and a neutral output, the HF GFCI comprising:
- a first switch having a first input terminal and a first contact terminal;
- a second switch having a second input terminal and a second contact terminal,
- at least one relay circuit for controlling the first and/or second switch, wherein each switch comprises a first non-energized position and a second energized position and wherein the first switch is connected between the line input and the line output and the second switch is connected between the neural input and the neutral output and wherein the at least one relay circuit comprises at least one directional overcurrent relay;
- a fault detection circuit for detecting a ground fault in the line output, wherein the fault detection circuit comprises:
- a sense transformer for sensing the ground fault in the line output and wherein the fault detection circuit does not comprise a second sense transformer;
- a first bi-stable electronic latch circuit for dc-energizing the at least one relay circuit when a ground fault is detected;
- a test module integrated with the HF GFCI the test module comprising:
- a simulated ground fault generator for simulating a ground fault;
- an auto-monitoring logic module;
- a relay synchronized switch;
- an end-of-life switch for disabling the at least one relay circuit;
- a first capacitor for preventing transient high-frequency signals from falsely triggering the first bi-stable electronic latch circuit;
- a second capacitor connected to the at least one relay circuit for shunting high frequency noise to the neutral input;
- and
- a power supply circuit for powering the test module, the first bi-stable electronic latch circuit, the fault detection circuit, and the at least one relay circuit, wherein the power supply circuit is connected to the line input.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.