Arc detection circuit

A method for protecting a circuit from electrical arcing, comprising:

• providing a voltage generator for detecting a voltage and generating a voltage;
• providing an integrator for integrating said voltage with respect to time and generating an output signal corresponding to said integration;
• providing a discharge controller for controlling said output signal of said integrator;
• providing an amplifier for amplifying said output signal from said integrator and outputting an amplified signal;
• and
• providing a comparator for comparing said amplified output signal to a reference voltage and generating a detection signal based on said comparison.

A method for monitoring an electrical signal and for distinguishing arc currents from normal inrush currents comprising:

• providing a voltage generator including a current sensing resistor for detecting a voltage and generating a voltage;
• providing an integrator for integrating said voltage with respect to time and generating an output signal corresponding to said integration;
• providing a discharge controller for controlling said output signal of said integrator;
• providing an amplifier for amplifying said output signal from said integrator and outputting an amplified signal;
• and
• providing a comparator for comparing said amplified output signal to a reference voltage and generating a detection signal based on said comparison, wherein said arc detector breaks current flow within 5 milliseconds when a short is detected.

A method for in flight distinguishing arc currents from normal inrush currents in an electrical system in an airplane comprising:

• providing a voltage generator including a current sensing resistor for detecting a voltage and generating a voltage;
• providing an integrator for integrating said voltage with respect to time and generating an output signal corresponding to said integration;
• providing a discharge controller for controlling said output signal of said integrator;
• providing an amplifier for amplifying said output signal from said integrator and outputting an amplified signal;
• and
• providing a comparator for comparing said amplified output signal to a reference voltage and generating a detection signal based on said comparison, wherein said arc detector breaks current flow within 5 milliseconds when an arc current is detected.

A method for monitoring an electrical system and allowing normal inrush currents to pass, while extinguishing arc currents, comprising:

• providing a voltage generator that generates a voltage that is proportional to a voltage across a load, the voltage generator having a current sensing resistor;
• providing an integrator, that integrates said voltage with respect to time and generates an output signal corresponding to an integration, wherein the integrator includes a second resistor, a diode, and a capacitor and wherein a time constant for said integration can be adjusted by changing the resistance of said second resistor and the capacitance of said capacitor;
• providing a discharge controller, including a third resistor and said diode, that controls the discharge rate of the capacitor and ensures that said current flows through said integrator in only one direction;
• providing an amplifier that receives said output signal from said integrator and puts out an amplified signal;
• and
• providing a comparator that compares said amplified output signal to a reference voltage and generates a signal indicating a detected arc event based on said comparison, wherein said detector breaks current flow within 5 milliseconds when an arc fault is detected.