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US 6,421,214 B1Granted
Arc fault or ground fault detector with self-test feature
AssigneePass & Seymour, Inc.
InventorsThomas N. Packard, James P. Romano
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-testing arc fault or ground fault detector includes arc fault detecting circuitry and components. The detector includes a testing circuit which tests at least part of the circuitry and components and generates a recurring signal when the test completes successfully. If the test does not complete successfully, the signal is lost. This loss of signal is signaled by an indicator connected to the testing circuit. In one version, the loss of signal activates a circuit interrupter which disconnects the load side of the detector from the line side.
Claims85
A self testing arc fault detector comprising:
- a transformer coupled to an electrical circuit and responsive to an arcing condition in the circuit for generating a signal;
- a detector responsive to the signal for indicating the presence of an arcing condition;
- a clock generating periodic timing signals, and
- a test generator connected to the transformer and the clock for periodically applying a test signal to the transformer for producing a first signal if the transformer is not operational,
- a fault detector connected to the transformer and the clock for generating a fault signal unless a first signal is received within a predetermined time after receipt of a timing signal.
2 more elements
A self testing arc fault detector comprising:
- a plurality of arc fault detecting components
- a disconnect device;
- a testing circuit for testing at least one component and generating a recurring signal when the at least one component is operating normally;
- and
- an indicator connected to the testing circuit for providing an indication if the recurring signal is lost.
2 more elements
A self testing arc fault detector comprising:
- a plurality of arc fault detecting components
- a disconnect device;
- a testing circuit for testing at least one component and generating a recurring signal when the at least one component is operating normally;
- and
- a detector connected to the disconnect device and to the testing circuit for activating the disconnect device if the recurring signal is lost.
2 more elements
A self-testing ground fault detector comprising:
- a transformer coupled to an electrical circuit and responsive to a ground fault condition in the circuit for generating a signal;
- a detector responsive to the signal for indicating the presence of a ground fault condition;
- a clock generating periodic tinting signals, and
- a test generator connected to the transformer and the clock for periodically applying a test signal to the transformer for producing a first signal if the transformer is not operational,
- a fault detector connected to the test generator and the clock for generating a fault signal unless the first signal is received within a predetermined time after receiving a timing signal.
2 more elements
A self-testing ground fault detector comprising:
- a plurality of ground fault detecting components
- a disconnect device;
- a testing circuit for testing at least one component and generating a recurring signal when the at least one component is operating normally;
- and
- a detector connected to the disconnect device and to the testing circuit for activating the disconnect device if the recurring signal is lost.
2 more elements
A self testing ground fault detector comprising:
- a plurality of ground fault detecting components
- a disconnect device;
- a testing circuit for testing at least one component and generating a recurring signal when the at least one component is operating normally;
- and
- an indicator connected to the testing circuit for providing an indication if the recurring signal is lost.
2 more elements
An arc fault detector comprising:
- a power supply;
- an arc fault sensor;
- an arc signal detector, connected to the arc fault sensor and to the power supply;
- a processor, connected to the arc signal detector and to the power supply;
- a clock generating a recurring signal, connected to the processor;
- the processor arranged to respond to the operation of the arc signal detector upon each recurring clock signal, and
- an indicator connected to the processor for displaying the condition of the arc fault detector.
4 more elements
A self-testing, combination arc fault and ground fault detector comprising:
- a plurality of arc fault detecting components;
- a plurality of ground fault detecting components;
- a disconnect device responsive to the arc fault detecting components and the ground fault detecting components for disconnecting an electrical circuit in the event of a fault;
- a testing circuit connected to at least one of the ground fault detecting components, and at least one of the arc fault detecting components for generating a recurring signal when the at least one ground fault detecting component and the at least one arc fault detecting component is operating normally;
- and
- a detector connected to the disconnect device and to the testing circuit for activating the disconnect device if the recurring signal is lost.
3 more elements
A ground fault circuit interrupter comprising:
- a power supply,
- a ground fault sensor generating a signal in response to a ground fault,
- a ground fault detector connected to the ground fault sensor generating an output signal in response to a ground fault,
- a processor connected to the ground fault detector, and responsive to the output signal for generating a disconnect signal,
- a trip mechanism connected to the processor and having interrupting contacts,
- and responsive to the disconnect signal for disconnecting an electrical signal,
- a clock connected to the processor for generating a recurring signal,
- a test circuit connected to the clock for determining the operation of the ground fault circuit interrupter upon each clock signal,
- and an indicator connected to the test circuit for displaying the results of the test.
6 more elements
A protective device comprising:
- at least one signal detector;
- a processor connected to the signal detector;
- a clock for generating a recurring signal
- the processor connected to the clock for initiating a periodic test of the protective device on each clock cycle;
- a manually operable test button connected to said processor for manually initiating a test said manually initiated test overriding the test initiated by said recurring signal.
2 more elements
A protective device comprising:
- first and second electrical conductors adapted to be connected in series circuit relationship between power line and neutral conductors and an electrical load for delivering voltage to the electrical device;
- at least one signal detector coupled to the electrical conductors for detecting a condition;
- a processor connected to the signal detector;
- a power line carrier interface connected to the processor and the electrical conductors for sending data over power lines to a remote monitoring station;
- a clock for generating a recurring signal;
- a test circuit responsive to the recurring signal for initiating a periodic test of one or more components of the protective device;
- wherein the test outcome of is communicated on at least one of the conductors by the power line;
- carrier interface to a remote monitoring station.
5 more elements
A protective device comprising:
- first and second electrical conductors adapted to be connected in series circuit relationship between power line and neutral conductors and an electrical load for delivering voltage to the electrical device;
- at least one signal detector within the device for detecting a condition;
- a processor connected to the signal detector;
- a power line carrier interface connected between the processor and one of the first and second electrical conductors;
- a remote master control unit separate from the protective device, and connected to the protective device solely by an electrical power circuit;
- a clock in the remote master control unit for generating a recurring signal for initiating a periodic test of the protective device;
- a signal transmitter connected to the clock and to a power line for transmitting the recurring signal to the protective device for initiating a periodic test of the protective device.
4 more elements
A protective device comprising:
- at least one power conductor;
- at least one signal detector coupled to the power conductor for detecting a condition;
- a processor connected to the signal detector;
- a computer operating properly stage connected to the processor;
- a trip mechanism connected to the computer operating properly stage;
- interrupting contacts controlled by the trip mechanism connected in series circuit relationship with said at least one-power conductors;
- a clock connected to the processor for generating a recurring signal for initiating a processor test of the protective device;
- wherein said processor generates a second signal in response to an acceptable test;
- wherein, said computer operating properly stage generates a third signal to the trip mechanism for opening the interrupting contacts if the second signal is lost for a predetermined time interval.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.