# US 2017/0285089 A1 · Ground fault monitoring system

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- Number: US 2017/0285089 A1
- Document ID: US20170285089A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/631,335
- Filed: 2017-06-23
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2015-03-16
- Assignees: Eaton Corporation
- Applicants: Eaton Corporation
- Inventors: PAUL DAVID SEFF; CHRISTOPHER EMMONS DRUEKE; JASON DEMETRIOS EASTON; TYLER DEVON YOUNG
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170285089A1

## CPC

- G01R 31/52: Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
- G01R 27/18: Measuring resistance to earth {, i.e. line to ground}
- G01R 31/086: {in power transmission or distribution networks, i.e. with interconnected conductors}
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)

## Abstract

A ground fault monitoring system includes a ground fault interface device including a power interface and a data interface. The ground fault interface device is structured to output power via the power interface and to receive data via the data interface. The ground fault monitoring system also includes a plurality of ground fault devices structured to detect a ground fault on an associated circuit, to output data of the detected ground fault to the ground fault interface device, and to receive power to operate the ground fault devices via power lines. The plurality of ground fault devices are electrically connected in a series connection with the ground fault interface device by data lines and power lines. Each of the ground fault devices is configured to pass through received data and power.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A ground fault monitoring system comprising:
a plurality of power lines;
a ground fault interface device including a power interface structured to connect to one of the power lines and a wireless receiver structured to receive wirelessly transmitted data, wherein the ground fault interface device is structured to output power via the power interface; and
a plurality of ground fault devices structured to detect a ground fault on an associated circuit and to receive power to operate the ground fault devices via the power lines,
wherein each of the plurality of ground fault devices includes a wireless transmitter structured to output the data of the detected ground fault to the wireless transmitter included in the ground fault interface device,
wherein the plurality of ground fault devices are electrically connected in a series connection with the ground fault interface device by the plurality of power lines, and
wherein each of the plurality of ground fault devices is configured to pass through power received via the power lines to a next one of the plurality of ground fault devices in the series connection.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ground fault monitoring system of claim 1, wherein each of the ground fault devices includes:
a power input interface structured to connect to one of the power lines and to receive power; and
a power output interface structured to connect to one of the power lines and to output power,
wherein the ground fault device is configured to pass through power received at the power input interface and to output said power at the power output interface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The ground fault monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of current sensors,
wherein each of the ground fault devices is electrically connected to a corresponding two of the current sensors, and
wherein the ground fault devices are structured to detect ground faults on the associated circuits based on outputs of the current sensors.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The ground fault monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the data of the detected ground fault includes a ground fault current level on the associated circuit.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The ground fault monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the ground fault interface device includes a display structured to display data received from the ground fault devices.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The ground fault monitoring system of claim 1, wherein each of the ground fault devices includes a trip output interface; and wherein each of the ground fault devices is configured to output a trip signal to an associated circuit breaker via the trip output interface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The ground fault monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ground fault devices includes at least three ground fault devices.