217 results about "Arc-fault circuit interrupter" patented technology

An arc fault detector for detecting electric power lines includes a sensor for sensing the derivative of the current on the electric power line, a converter circuit for converting the derivative of the line current into first and second signals, the first signal responsive to positive step transitions of arc fault current, and the second signal responsive to negative step transitions of arc current, and a temporal detector for signaling the presence of an arc fault when one of the first and second signals follows the other within a predetermined time, or window, and in which a sequence of one of the signals following the other signal occurs in a second predetermined interval of time.

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 arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) detects arc faults by identifying the various signature patterns of arc fault noise while rejecting arc mimicking noise from normal load phenomena.

A method of detecting arcing conditions includes sensing current and HF signals therefrom; bandpass filtering the HF signals and providing filtered signals; detecting peak signals and envelopes from the filtered signals; counting occurrences of the envelopes exceeding a first value; maintaining temporary values corresponding to the peak signals; determining a trip time as a function of the current; determining if any peak signal is greater than a second value, and responsively increasing a temporary value and, otherwise, decreasing the temporary value; determining if a predetermined function of the temporary values is greater than a fifth value, and adding the temporary values to an accumulator, and otherwise, decreasing the accumulator; and tripping open the power circuit if: a difference between the occurrences of current and immediately previous half cycle having the same polarity is at least two, the accumulator is greater than a seventh value, and the trip time is reached.

A ground fault circuit interrupting device detects an end-of-life condition. A ground fault detecting circuit detects a fault condition and controllably operates a switching device to energize a circuit interrupting device. An end-of-life detecting circuit detects a failure of the circuit interrupting device to open after detection of the fault condition, and activates a secondary circuit to energize the circuit interrupting device.

A combined arc fault circuit interrupter and leakage current detector interrupter. A current sensor, amplifier, and comparator are employed to detect the presence of leakage current in alternating current power conductors. Upon the detection of an amount of current leakage beyond a threshold level, a relay is opened, disconnecting a source of AC power from a power conductor being monitored, such as an appliance line cord. An arc sensor, envelope detector, amplifier, and microcontroller are employed to detect the presence of an arc fault in the alternating current power conductors. The arc fault detection algorithm implemented by the microcontroller is capable of discriminating between high frequency noise which is not caused by a parallel or series arc fault, with high frequency anomalies which are the result of arcing.

A ground fault circuit interrupter against RCE suitable for various electrical instruments, equipments and systems fed by electrical power supply is characterized in that an erroneous reverse connection mechanism is included in its load end and the reset button comprises a reverse trip mechanism. When electric power is mistakenly connected to the load ends, the reset button will be always in trip situation and the socket on its upper lid will be kept free of electricity even the reset is attempted unless the error connection is corrected. As compared to prior art, the circuit interrupter of this invention has a simple mechanical trip structure which can effectively prevent equipment damage and personal hazard caused by reverse connection. Of course, it had successfully passed the 6 KV/3 KA electric surge test and is highly anti-moist and anticorrosive.

The present invention relates to a reverse wiring protection device for ground fault circuit interrupter that includes a tripper and control circuit. The tripper comprises: a pull rod with flat, a L-shaped latch, a balance frame coupled with the latch moving up and down with the pull rod, a trip coil, a plunger and a contact switch (K) which is capable of energizing and de-energizing the trip coil. The reset can't be depressed when an installer or user miswires the line and the load. GFCI can only be operating normally when it is installed properly

A control circuit of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), includes a load connection circuit used to connect power end and load end while transferring AC thereof, a creepage detection circuit, a trip control circuit and a trip circuit, and further includes a self-diagnosis current generation circuit, a self-diagnosis display circuit and a first switch duct. When the input AC in positive half-cycle, one of the said trip circuit and the self-diagnosis display circuit is electrically connected, while another should be electrically connected while the input AC in negative half-cycle, so without manpower-provided simulated signal, the control circuit of GFCI can be self diagnosed of creepage protection function, for the feedback of the stand or fall circs in time.

An arc fault circuit interrupter includes separable contacts, a neutral conductor, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, at least one current sensor structured to sense current flowing through the separable contacts and output a sensed current value; and a processor. The processor includes a first routine structured to provide parallel arc fault detection, a second routine structured to provide series arc fault detection, and a third routine structured to enable the first routine and disable the second routine for a predetermined time when the sensed current value is greater than a predetermined value and to enable the second routine and disable the first routine for the predetermined time when the sensed current value is less than the predetermined value.

A testing system includes a hand-held transmitter that plugs into a receptacle electrically coupled to a selected branch circuit. The transmitter includes a circuit effective to test an arc fault circuit interrupter electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a first pulse on the branch circuit that is effective to trip the arc fault circuit interrupter. The transmitter can perform at least one additional test including: determining whether the receptacle is wired properly; determining a location of a circuit interrupting device electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a second pulse on the branch circuit that can be sensed by a receiver located proximately to the respective circuit interrupting device and broadly tuned about a frequency of the second pulse; and testing a ground fault circuit interrupter electrically coupled to the branch circuit by creating a third pulse on the branch circuit that is effective to trip the ground fault circuit interrupter.

An arc fault and/or ground fault circuit interrupter includes an operating mechanism structured to open and close separable contacts, a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts, a test button structured to test the operating mechanism, an indicator, and a controller structured to configure a setting of the circuit interrupter and operate the indicator to indicate the setting in response to an actuation of the test button.

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) includes a GFCI controller configured to detect for ground faults and to periodically perform a self test. The self test may be performed during a positive half cycle of an AC line voltage coupled to a load by the GFCI. The self test may include testing of a critical component of the GFCI without opening load contacts coupling the AC line voltage to the load. The self test may further include testing of monitoring coils in the GFCI.

The washing machine flood prevention system provides an interruptible power supply to a washing machine. In the event of potential flooding by the washing machine, power to the washing machine is interrupted and an alarm is delivered to the user. The washing machine flood prevention system includes a control box housing a control circuit. The control circuit includes at least one alarm and a power outlet adapted for receiving the electrical plug of the washing machine. A water level sensor, such as a float switch, is in communication with the control circuit. A ground fault circuit interrupter is in electrical communication with the control circuit. The ground fault circuit interrupter provides interruptible electrical power to the control circuit and the washing machine. The electrical power is interrupted if a control signal is generated by the water level sensor responsive to a flood.