US 2014/0192458 A1 · POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF OPERATING A POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM INCLUDING ARC FLASH DETECTION

Abstract

An arc flash relay system is described for use in a power distribution system including an arc flash sensor, a first circuit protection device, and a second circuit protection device. The arc flash relay system includes a first input configured to receive a detection signal from the arc flash sensor, a second input configured to receive a blocking signal from the first circuit protection device, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine that an arc flash has occurred based, at least in part, on the detection signal. The controller activates the second circuit protection device in response to the determination that an arc flash has occurred when the controller is not receiving the blocking signal, and delays activation of the second circuit protection device in response to the determination that an arc flash has occurred when the controller is receiving the blocking signal.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A power distribution system comprising:

a first distribution bus operatively disposed within a cavity defined by an enclosure;
an arc flash sensor configured to detect an arc within the cavity and generate a detection signal;
an arc flash relay system communicatively coupled to said arc flash sensor, said arc flash relay system comprising a controller configured to determine an arc flash has occurred based, at least in part, on the detection signal;
and
a first circuit protection device disposed within the cavity, said first circuit protection device comprising:
a trip mechanism configured to interrupt a current flowing through said first distribution bus;
and
a trip unit operatively coupled to said trip mechanism, said trip unit configured to:
determine when a current on said first distribution bus exceeds a protection threshold;
and
output a blocking signal to said arc flash relay system and output a trip signal to said trip mechanism upon determining that a current on said first distribution bus exceeds the protection threshold.

8 more elements

An arc flash relay system for use in a power distribution system including an arc flash sensor, a first circuit protection device, and a second circuit protection device, said arc flash relay system comprising:

a first input configured to receive a detection signal from the arc flash sensor;
a second input configured to receive a blocking signal from the first circuit protection device;
and
a controller configured to:
determine an arc flash has occurred based, at least in part, on the detection signal;
activate the second circuit protection device in response to the determination that an arc flash has occurred when said controller is not receiving the blocking signal;
and
delay activation of the second circuit protection device in response to the determination that an arc flash has occurred when said controller is receiving the blocking signal.

5 more elements

A method for use by an arc flash relay system in a power distribution system including a first circuit protection device configured to output a blocking signal, and a second circuit protection device configured to provide arc flash protection, said method comprising:

determining an arc flash has occurred within a cavity occupied by the power distribution system;
activating the second circuit protection device in response to the determination that an arc flash has occurred when the arc flash relay system is not receiving the blocking signal from the first circuit protection device;
and
delaying activation of the second circuit protection device in response to the determination that an arc flash has occurred when the arc flash relay system is receiving the blocking signal from the first circuit protection device.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Power distribution systems and methods of operating a power distribution system including arc flash detection

Life of this patent

Power distribution systems and methods of operating a power distribution system including arc flash detection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20