Integrated arc fault and ground fault current sensing package
AssigneeSchneider Electric USA, Inc.
InventorsRandall J. Gass, Jason Potratz, Dennis W. Fleege
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The line power and neutral conductors for an arc fault sensing circuit interrupter such as in a miniature circuit breaker are arranged as a rigid conductor surrounding and holding an insulated flexible conductor when passing through the Ground Fault Interrupter current transformer. Voltage metering takes place across the rigid conductor to enable arc fault detection and ground fault detection in the miniature circuit breaker within the space of a single current transformer.
Claims9
A dual function circuit interrupter device with line power and neutral return power current paths, and an apertured current transformer for the detection of ground fault current anomalies, comprising:
- a rigid conductor surrounding and holding a flexible conductor;
- the rigid conductor and the flexible conductor passing through the aperture of the current transformer inside of the miniature circuit breaker;
- and
- a voltage meter measuring a voltage drop across the rigid conductor and reporting the voltage drop measurements to Arc Fault Detector electronics within the breaker.
A miniature circuit breaker of the arc fault sensing type comprising:
- a) a current transformer with an apertured magnetic core;
- b) a printed circuit board with electronics for detection of ground fault events;
- c) first and second primary conductors extending through the core;
- d) the first primary conductor being a substantially rigid conductor with a tubular portion located inside the core and further having nontubular second and third portions outside the core extending at angles to the tubular portion, one of the second or third portions secured to the printed circuit board;
- e) the second primary conductor being a flexible wire held inside the tubular portion of the first primary conductor in a substantially coaxial arrangement;
- f) the current sensor further having a secondary winding comprising a plurality of turns on the core;
- g) a trip circuit responsive to sensed signals on the secondary winding;
- and
- h) a voltage meter connected across the substantially rigid conductor for detection of arc fault currents.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.