518results about "Emergency protection for supplying operative power" patented technology

A power scavenging device attaches to an overhead power cable and a support pole. The power scavenging device includes a non-conducting outer body and a first capacitor and a second capacitor that are connected in series forming a voltage divider. A voltage source converter is electrically connected to the output of the power scavenging device. The voltage source converter outputs a regulated power.

An arc fault detector system detects arcing faults in an electrical distribution system by monitoring one or more conductors and producing an input signal representing one or more electrical signal conditions in the circuit to be monitored. This input signal is processed to develop signals representing the electrical current flow through the monitored circuit and broadband noise signal components. The system analyzes these signals to determine whether an arcing fault is present, and if so, outputs a trip signal which may be used directly or indirectly to trip a circuit breaker or other circuit interruption device.

A system for producing a simulated ground fault when arcing is present in an electrical circuit includes a sensor which monitors the electrical circuit. An arcing fault detection circuit determines whether an arcing fault is present in response to the sensor and produces a trip signal in response to a determination that an arcing fault is present in the electrical circuit. A ground fault simulator circuit produces a simulated ground fault in response to the trip signal.

An arc fault circuit interrupter system for use with an electrical circuit includes an arcing fault detector which monitors the electrical circuit and a controller which generates a trip signal in response to the detection of arcing faults. The controller may also generate one or more communication signals corresponding to information relating to the operation of the arcing fault circuit interrupter. The system may also include one or more of the following: a communication port which communicates to a user the information relating to operation of the arc fault circuit interrupter in response to the communication signals; a memory for retaining predetermined information related to the condition and operation of the arcing fault circuit interrupter, with or without a backup memory; and a combined self-test / reset switch.

An electrical fault detector system detects electrical faults in an electrical distribution system by monitoring one or more conductors and producing an input signal representing one or more electrical signal conditions in the circuit to be monitored. This input signal is processed to develop a first signal representing the electrical current flow through the monitored circuit and a second signal representing signal components in a selected frequency range typical of arcing faults, and which exceed a predetermined threshold. The system also detects ground faults in the circuit being monitored.

A circuit breaker (such as a miniature circuit breaker) that wirelessly communicates state and fault information to a main energy monitoring module. The wireless circuit breaker includes a transceiver and a power supply that harvests energy inductively from the line current conductor without the need for a connection to a neutral conductor. The wireless circuit breaker can be implemented in the same package as existing circuit breakers, eliminating the need to replace the panel when upgrading to a system that employs a main energy monitoring module. The wireless circuit breaker can also include an energy storage device for supplying power to the circuit breaker after it has tripped, allowing the circuit breaker to transmit information after a trip. The main energy monitoring module includes a processor and a gateway for evaluating and transmitting information received from the circuit breaker to other applications, such as webpages and smartphones.

A system for determining whether arcing is present in an electrical circuit includes a sensor for monitoring a current waveform in the electrical circuit, and an arc fault detection circuit which determines whether an arc fault is present in response to the sensor. The arc fault detection circuit includes a controller which produces a trip signal in response to a determination that an arcing fault is present in the electrical circuit, and an inhibit / blocking function for preventing the production of the trip signal under one or more predetermined conditions.

A system for monitoring a circuit breaker that includes a monitoring device in electronic communication with the circuit breaker and a receiving device located separately from the monitoring device. The monitoring device receives data from the circuit breaker and wirelessly transmits at least a portion of the data such as one or more phase currents measured from a network which the circuit breaker protects, an ambient temperature within the circuit breaker, and / or data relating to a trip condition of the circuit breaker. The receiving device receives the transmitted data and displays all or a portion thereof. The monitoring device also includes a display that displays all or a portion of the data.

The on-vehicle electronic control device includes a main power supply circuit fed with power from an on-vehicle battery through an output contact of a power supply relay and a main power supply terminal of a connector to supply a stabilized control voltage to a microprocessor. When contact failure occurs in the main power supply terminal, the main power supply circuit is fed with bypass power from the output contact through a first electrical load and a commutation diode to perform the one of the report of the abnormality and the storage of the abnormality occurrence history information. A bypass power fed state is detected when an input voltage to the main power supply circuit is lower than a power supply voltage of the on-vehicle battery.

A time-synchronized trip implementation for a motor circuit protector (MCP) having a reconfigurable microcontroller. The microcontroller causes a power supply to, be charged for an initial time period during a charging mode. An onboard comparator is configured for a predetermined self-protection level of the MCP, and fault currents that exceed the comparator's threshold will directly drive a solenoid to trip the MCP. The microcontroller reconfigures the comparator's threshold to both measure and charge the power supply toward a stored energy trip voltage, which will charge quickly when high fault currents are present. As a result, self-protection is not compromised. After the trip voltage is reached, the microcontroller reconfigures the onboard comparator's threshold for self-protection trip levels. When a trip event occurs in this mode, stored energy trip activation occurs. The MCP includes user-selectable trip settings, and the microcontroller reconfigures the comparator threshold levels for user-selectable self-protection levels.

The invention relates to a novel approach for the protection of electrical circuits from ground faults and parallel and series arc faults in a fully solid-state circuit configuration. Solid-state circuits and methods of use are described that provide the key functions of low-voltage DC power supply, mains voltage and current sensing, fault detection processing and high voltage electronic switching.

The invention discloses a leakage circuit breaker which has a simple and small structure of a test circuit and can simultaneously perform accurate leakage tests. As a power supply circuit for supplying power to the leakage detection circuit in the leakage circuit breaker, a power supply circuit with a constant current circuit that converts the AC current supplied from the main circuit into a DC current and supplies a constant DC current to the leakage detection circuit is used, and the test resistance The elements are arranged in series in the circuit connecting the main circuit and the AC input end of the current stabilizing circuit, and the test coil of the zero-phase converter is connected to both ends of the resistance element through a test switch to form a leakage test circuit.

A system for monitoring a circuit breaker that includes a monitoring device in electronic communication with the circuit breaker and a receiving device located separately from the monitoring device. The monitoring device receives data from the circuit breaker and wirelessly transmits at least a portion of the data such as one or more phase currents measured from a network which the circuit breaker protects, an ambient temperature within the circuit breaker, and / or data relating to a trip condition of the circuit breaker. The receiving device receives the transmitted data and displays all or a portion thereof. The monitoring device also includes a display that displays all or a portion of the data.

The present invention is directed to current interrupting devices with overcurrent protection. In one embodiment, a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is disclosed having both ground fault and overcurrent protection. The GFCI has a current detection circuit that includes a switch connected across the load phase terminal and the line neutral terminal of the device. A comparator compares a predefined threshold voltage to a sensed voltage based on a current through the line and load neutral terminals of the device. If the sensed voltage exceeds the predefined threshold, the comparator causes the switch to conduct thereby tripping the device, disconnecting the load from the line terminals and preventing the overcurrent condition from causing damage to the device and / or load.

The present invention disclosed herein is an electric leak breaker for self-test. The electric leak breaker for self-test comprises power supply lines for connecting a power source supply with a load; a zero-phase current transformer installed on the power supply lines and for sensing a current difference between the power supply lines; a leakage current detecting unit connected to the zero-phase current transformer for detecting whether a leakage current occurs to generate a detection signal; a driving unit for making the power supply lines broken when a critical voltage or a voltage higher than the critical voltage is provided; and a self-test unit for periodically inducing the leakage current at the power supply lines to test whether the leakage detecting unit is normally operating, and for providing a lower voltage than the critical voltage to the driving unit to test whether the driving unit is normally operating in a self-test operation. According to the present invention, it is possible to periodically test the electric leak breaker as well as to overcome an inconvenience to push a reset button.

Circuit interrupter positioned between supply circuit and load circuit includes fault detection circuit that senses wave forms to the load circuit, fault processing circuit that detects presence of fault and generates fault output signal when fault detected, and control circuit switch connected to fault processing signal output, wherein control circuit switch is opened by presence of fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from supply circuit. Preferably fault processing circuit and control circuit are optically linked, such that when fault is detected, control circuit switch is opened by optical fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from the supply circuit. Circuit interrupter may couple another circuit interrupter via power distribution control unit, optionally manageable remotely via automated control interface.

The invention discloses a boosting converter, a controller for the boosting converter and a short circuit protection circuit; the boosting converter comprises a short circuit protection switch and a switch tube; when the boosting converter is started, the switch tube is conducted to provide a control voltage to the short circuit protection switch, so the short circuit protection switch is gradually conducted; whether the current flowing by the switch tube is larger than a preset value is judged, if the current is larger than the preset value, the switch tube is disconnected, and timing is performed at the same time; after the timing is performed for a certain period, whether the boosting converter is subjected to the output short circuit is detected, if the boosting converter is subjected to the output short circuit, the short circuit protection switch is disconnected, and protection is provided for the boosting converter.

The present invention is directed to current interrupting devices with overcurrent protection. In one embodiment, a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is disclosed having both ground fault and overcurrent protection. The GFCI has a current detection circuit that includes a switch connected across the load phase terminal and the line neutral terminal of the device. A comparator compares a predefined threshold voltage to a sensed voltage based on a current through the line and load neutral terminals of the device. If the sensed voltage exceeds the predefined threshold, the comparator causes the switch to conduct thereby tripping the device, disconnecting the load from the line terminals and preventing the overcurrent condition from causing damage to the device and / or load.

A circuit breaker system for providing thermal protection to a conductor conducting current from a power source to a load. While the power source is connected to the load, a microcontroller is powered by the current passing through the conductor to thermally model the temperature of the conductor. If the microcontroller determines that the temperature of the conductor has risen to an undesirable or unsafe level, the circuit breaker disconnects the power source from the load and the current no longer passes through the conductor. With no current passing through the conductor, the microcontroller no longer receives power from the conductor. Instead, the microcontroller continues to model the temperature of the conductor as the conductor cools to an ambient temperature by receiving power from an energy storage device. Accordingly, the microcontroller continuously models the temperature of the conductor until the temperature of the conductor cools to the ambient temperature.

A power controller is positioned within a current path between the line side and the load side of an electrical circuit. The power controller closes the current path in the presence of a control supply and opens the current path in the absence of the control supply. A power supply electrically connected to the current path provides the control supply. A sensor system receives power from the power supply, monitors the current in the current path and outputs a sensor signal indicative of a current condition within the current path. A logic controller also receives power from the power supply, receives the sensor signal and removes the control supply from the power controller when the sensor signal does not satisfy an established criteria. The sensor system may include one or both of an imbalance sensor for monitoring the current balance among two or more electrical lines and over-current sensors for monitoring current in individual lines.

The invention relates to an anti-interference electricity module in a bypass mode and a control method of the anti-interference electricity module. The anti-interference electricity module comprises a single-chip microcomputer, an electromagnetic relay, a solid-state relay, an energy storage capacitor set, an AC / DC switching power supply, a DC / DC power supply, a voltage conversion chip, an alternating voltage sampler and a state detector, wherein two ends of the alternating voltage sampler and two ends of the state detector are respectively in signal connection with a grid and the single-chip microcomputer. The input end and the output end of the AC / DC switching power supply are respectively and electrically connected with the grid and the energy storage capacitor set, and the output end of the energy storage capacitor set is electrically connected with the single-chip microcomputer and a contactor respectively through the voltage conversion chip and the DC / DC power supply. A normally closed contact of the electromagnetic relay is arranged on the grid, and a normally open contact of the electromagnetic relay and a normally open contact of the solid-state relay are connected in series on a direct current power supply loop. The anti-interference electricity module can supply alternating current and direct current to the contactor respectively in the normal running process and the electricity interference process, the defects of starting of pulsating direct current are overcome, and pull-in of the contactor is maintained, so the reliability is high and operational requirements of a continuous production line can be met.

A circuit protection device includes a trip mechanism and at least one capacitor configured to store electrical energy and to provide the electrical energy to the trip mechanism. The circuit protection device also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one capacitor and configured to measure a charge property of the at least one capacitor, compare the measured charge property to a threshold, and output a signal indicative of the comparison.

An electrical power supply system firstly includes a power cable electrically connected to a power source. The power cable has a power line and a first conductor; the first conductor is isolated from the power line and acts as a sensing line. The power cable also has a second conductor and the second conductor is isolated from the sensing line and acts as a neutral line; the power line, the sensing line and the neutral line are electrically connected to the power source. The system further includes an arc fault circuit interrupter including a sensing circuit in electrical connection with the sensing line for detecting an arc fault and a voltage source being in electrical connection with the sensing line. The voltage of the voltage source is designed to be below the hazardous voltage according to the electrical safety rules.

A method and system for supply voltage regulation in a motor circuit protector (MCP) that includes a current transformer coupled to a rectifier and a stored energy circuit. A solenoid is actuated by that circuit when a sufficient voltage is present. A controller having a configurable input is coupled to the stored energy circuit. Upon startup of the motor circuit protector, the controller causes the stored energy circuit to be charged to a startup voltage level via secondary current from the current transformer. The controller periodically interrupts the charging to measure the secondary current to detect fault levels. During startup, the configurable input is set to a comparator input for rapid current measurements. During run mode, the configurable input is set to an A / D input for accurate measurements. The controller measures the voltage of the stored energy circuit while charging it to a power level sufficient to actuate the solenoid.

A backup power system for household or structural appliances that normally receives power from a primary power source, and is not an uninterruptible power system. Included are batteries, a battery charger, a power interface interconnecting the primary power source and the backup power system, power relays that comprise a switching matrix of individually operating relays that connect and disconnect the sources and appliances one and only one at a time, sensing devices to monitor the currents and voltages, conversion of the DC voltage of the batteries to AC voltage for backup power to the appliances, circuitry for preventing peak power demands by delivering sequentially selected appliances, one and only one at a time and only when power is demanded by each individually selected appliance, thereby prolonging the operating lifetime of fully charged batteries. Short circuit protection is provided to protect the backup power system from appliance short circuits, and to protect the batteries in the event of a short circuit within the system.

A device for powering one or more electric / electronic devices operatively associated with a low-voltage circuit breaker takes energy from a power supply line. An electronic regulator receives the energy collected as an input and delivering as an output to the electric / electronic device a power supply voltage (Vout) having a value within a preset range with respect to a reference voltage (VR). The electronic regulator includes an energy storage device chargeable by the energy collected, at the terminals of which a voltage (VCL) is established that is indicative of the power supply voltage (Vout) delivered to the electric / electronic device. A circuit enables / disables the charging of the storage device, and a feedback circuit receives a signal indicative of the voltage (VCL) at the terminals of the storage device and sends a signal to the enabling / disabling circuit to trigger the disabling or enabling of the charging process in order to keep the value of the voltage at the terminals of the storage device within a preset range. The feedback circuit enables the charging phases so as to power the storage device continuously up until the value of the voltage at their terminals comes within the preset range.

A method and system to improve efficiency and performance of a power supply by providing a consistent voltage level into a multiple-pole circuit breaker (10) to improve efficiency, reduce heat generation and increase the speed and consistency of “turn-on” times. A power supply (14) for changing waveform comprises circuitry for receiving at least one waveform having first and second components. Circuitry is provided for changing the first component and means for outputting a waveform comprising the outputs from the changing circuitry are also provided.

A management device (1) of the causes of tripping in an electronic trip device enabling operation to take place in efficient and dependable manner by means of an architecture with three microcontrollers. The first microcontroller (3), second microcontroller (4) and third microcontroller (5), connected to one another, perform analysis and storage of characteristics typical to the electric power system (2) measured by the first microcontroller (3). Depending on the power supply situations and the analyzed events, one, two or three microcontrollers can be active to reduce the electric power requirements of the device (1). Storage of the data concerning the electric power system (2) is at least partially performed in redundant manner.

There is disclosed a controller for power protection. The controller may comprise a switch for activating a power converter. The controller may comprise a circuit coupled with the switch. The circuit may open the switch when an input voltage decreases below a first voltage. The circuit may close the switch when the input voltage increases above a second voltage. The second voltage may be greater than the first voltage.

A trip device is for an electrical power breaker, for tripping on a short-circuit. It is embodied as an analogue electrical circuit. The circuit components and devices necessary for tripping on a short circuit form a discrete module, completely independent of other trip devices on the power breaker. A direct current is provided by transformers together with rectifiers which flows through a power semiconductor switched to conduct in the normal operating state of the power breaker. A measurement and control circuit is controlled by way of a voltage generated across a measuring resistance through which the direct current flows and closes the power semiconductor when a threshold value is exceeded. The current is then commutated from the power semiconductor to the trip magnet which opens the switch contacts with a particularly small delay.