Device for and method of detecting residual current with resistive shunts
AssigneeDelta Electrical Limited
InventorsRobert Charles Skerritt, Mark David Crosier, Martin Anthony Murray, Brian Martin Reeder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A residual current detection device comprising a plurality of resistive shunts for connection in respective ones of a plurality of lines though which current can flow to and from a load, and detector means sensitive to the voltage developed across each of the shunts to detect any imbalance between the currents flowing though the shunts.
Claims16
A residual current detection device for continuously monitoring to detect imbalances between currents flowing to a load in one or more phase lines and from said load in a neutral line, comprising:
- a plurality of resistive shunts, each connected in series with one of said phase lines and said neutral line;
- and
- circuitry for continuously monitoring to detect an imbalance between said currents flowing through the resistive shunts, said circuitry comprising:
- an analog-to-digital converter provided for each of the resistive shunts, said analog-to-digital converter for sensing a voltage developed across a corresponding one of the resistive shunts and generating digital signals indicative of the current flowing through the corresponding one of the resistive shunts, said analog-to-digital converter being included in an integated circuit mounted on and electrically connected to the corresponding one of the resistive shunts.
A method of monitoring to detect current imbalance in a residual current detection device between one or more phase lines and a neutral line through which currents respectively flow to and from a load, said method comprising the steps of:
- employing a plurality of resistive shunts;
- placing each of the resistive shunts in series with a corresponding one of said phase lines and said neutral line;
- measuring the current flowing through each of the resistive shunts, said measuring comprising for each of the resistive shunts;
- providing an analog-to-digital converter for a corresponding one of the resistive shunts.
- employing said analog-to-digital converter for sensing a voltage developed across the corresponding one of the resistive shunts and generating digital signals indicative of the current flowing through the corresponding one of the resistive shunts, and
- including said analog-to-digital converter in an integrated circuit mounted on and electrically connected to the corresponding one of the resistive shunts;
- and
- continuously monitoring the measured currents to detect an imbalance between the currents flowing through the resistive shunts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.