Composite Circuit Breaker for Arc Fault and Earth Leakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit breakers can only detect one electric danger factor at a time, leading to inadequate detection and interruption of risky situations, as they lack the ability to associate multiple danger signals, resulting in frequent malfunctions and failure to prevent arc faults, overcurrents, and earth leakage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A composite type electric circuit breaker equipped with a current transformer, zero phase current transformer, arc detector, overcurrent detectors, earth leakage detector, and a microprocessor that simultaneously monitors and interprets signals for arc faults, overcurrents, and earth leakage, generating a trip signal to interrupt the power supply when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate circuit breakers are installed to detect different electric danger factors (arc faults, overcurrent, earth leakage), then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity and installation burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple circuit breaker functions (arc fault detection, overcurrent protection, earth leakage detection) into a single integrated device. The controller unit receives signals from multiple detection units and centrally processes them, eliminating the need for multiple separate breakers and reducing installation complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The single circuit breaker is designed with multi-functional detection capabilities, incorporating arc fault detection units, overcurrent detection units, and earth leakage detection units all within one device. This universal design allows one breaker to perform the functions previously requiring multiple separate breakers
2Device complexity
If existing circuit breakers operate individually without signal association, then device simplicity is maintained, but detection accuracy and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The controller unit receives detection signals from multiple detection units, processes them collectively, and makes interruption decisions based on the combined information. This feedback mechanism allows the system to correlate signals from different sensors, improving detection accuracy by distinguishing true danger situations from false alarms that might occur with individual sensors
3Ease of manufacture
If circuit breakers detect only single electric danger factors, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but productivity in preventing electric accidents decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit breaker is manufactured with integrated multi-functional detection capabilities including arc fault detection, overcurrent detection, and earth leakage detection. This universal design allows a single device to prevent multiple types of electric accidents simultaneously, greatly improving accident prevention efficiency without requiring complex manufacturing processes for multiple separate devices
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables real-time detection and accurate interruption of multiple electric danger factors, preventing accidents and fires more effectively than conventional circuit breakers, while supporting network communication for analysis and improved electricity management.
Implementation Method 1
a current transformer (CT) and a zero phase current transformer (ZCT) which are installed between an external voltage input line and a load end
Implementation Method 2
a current transformer (CT) and a zero phase current transformer (ZCT) which are installed between an external voltage input line and a load end
Data Source
AI summary
A composite electric circuit breaker, and method thereof, is configured to detect signals regarding arc faults, overcurrent, and earth leakage. Arcs and electric currents are detected by a current transformer and earth leakage is detected by a zero phase current transformer. A variation of electric current, the number of arcs which are generated per a unit time, a present electric current value, and electric current earth leakage are combined to judge whether arc faults occur to then interrupt an electric power supply. Temperature is measured on a printed circuit board, and if temperature rise occurs, the electric power supply is interrupted, and an interruption cause is displayed. Electric accidents and occurrence of fires are prevented simultaneously and more accurately. The interruption causes can be confirmed, analyzed and externally monitored through a network, to thus maximize efficiency of electric management.