Power cable arcing fault detection system
AssigneeBell Communications Research, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey Boksiner, Michael Parente
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for detecting an arcing fault in a telephone central office DC power distribution conductor repeatedly measures the current flow in the distribution line, as with an inductive coupling, and derives a Fourier transform analysis spectrum from such measurements. The power values at intervals across the frequency spectrum are compared with recorded threshold template values encompassing the spectrum typical of an arcing event and an alarm condition is established when such threshold levels are exceeded.
Claims13
A method of detecting the occurrence of an arcing event in an electrical circuit which comprises:
- a) establishing a template of threshold frequency domain power values encompassing at least a portion of a reference frequency domain spectrum of measurements of an electrical parameter in such a circuit during an arcing event;
- b) continually obtaining test measurements of said electrical parameter in said electrical circuit;
- c) deriving frequency domain test spectra of said test measurements;
- d) comparing said frequency domain test spectra with said threshold template;
- and
- e) providing an arc detection signal when one or more of said frequency domain test spectra deviates beyond said template.
A system for detecting the occurrence of an arcing event in a electrical circuit which comprises:
- a) means for storing a template of threshold frequency domain power values encompassing at least a portion of a reference frequency domain spectrum of measurements of an electrical parameter in such a circuit during an arcing event;
- b) means for continually obtaining test measurements of said electrical parameter in said electrical circuit;
- c) analyzer means for deriving frequency domain test spectra of said test measurements;
- and
- d) means for comparing said frequency domain test spectra with said threshold template and providing an arc detection signal when one or more of said frequency domain test spectra deviates beyond said template.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.