Arc fault protection for vehicles

A method of arc fault detection system for vehicles, the method comprising:

• supplying power from at least one vehicle battery to at least one vehicle electrical load via a power distribution circuit, the power distribution circuit including at least one switch;
• detecting, by a current sensor, a current value through the power distribution circuit;
• periodically comparing, by a vehicle control module, a change in a current value to a specified current change threshold value, according to a first time period, and increase a first count value each time the change in the current value exceeds the specified current change threshold value according to the first time period;
• periodically comparing the change in the current value to the specified current change threshold value, according to a second time period different than the first time period, and increase a second count value each time the change in the current value exceeds the specified current change threshold value according to the second time period;
• comparing the first count value and the second count value to a specified arc onset threshold indicative of an onset of an arc flash phase of an arc fault;
• and
• opening the at least one switch of the power distribution circuit in response to the first count value and the second count value reaching or exceeding the specified arc onset threshold, to mitigate the arc fault.

An arc fault detection system for vehicles, the arc fault detection system comprising:

• a power distribution circuit configured to supply power from at least one vehicle battery to at least one vehicle electrical load, the power distribution circuit including at least one switch;
• a sensor configured to detect a current value through the power distribution circuit;
• and
• a vehicle control module configured to:
• periodically compare a change in the current value to a specified current change threshold value, according to a first time period, and increase a first count value each time the change in the current value exceeds the specified current change threshold value according to the first time period;
• periodically compare the change in the current value to the specified current change threshold value, according to a second time period different than the first time period, and increase a second count value each time the change in the current value exceeds the specified current change threshold value according to the second time period;
• compare the first count value and the second count value to a specified arc onset threshold indicative of an onset of an arc flash phase of an arc fault;
• and
• open the at least one switch of the power distribution circuit in response to the first count value and the second count value reaching or exceeding the specified arc onset threshold, to mitigate the arc fault, without executing a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis on the current value.