Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Self-Test Module Fault Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) cannot detect faults in the self-test circuit, leading to inadequate monitoring of the leakage protection function and potential safety risks due to undetected faults.
Innovation Solution
A GFCI system incorporating a sensor module, leakage protection module, and self-test module that generates and responds to specific signals to differentiate between detection and non-detection stages, allowing for the automatic detection of faults in both the leakage protection and self-test modules, thereby enhancing safety by preventing false tripping and ensuring timely fault detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automatic detection is implemented for both leakage protection and self-test modules, then comprehensive fault detection is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the self-test module to serve multiple functions: generating detection signals, monitoring trip driving signal generation, and determining faults in both the leakage protection module and itself. This multi-functional design achieves comprehensive fault detection without adding separate dedicated components for each detection function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the detection functions for the leakage protection module and the self-test module into a unified detection system. The self-test module combines signal generation, monitoring, and fault determination functions that work together to detect faults throughout the system. This merging approach achieves comprehensive coverage while avoiding the complexity of separate independent detection systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A ground fault circuit interrupter is provided, including a sensor module, a leakage protection module, a self-test module and a tripping module. The sensor module is configured to generate a sensor current according to a detection signal. The leakage protection module is configured to: generate a trip driving signal in a detection stage according to the sensor current; and generate a trip driving signal in a non-detection stage after the self-test module has a fault. The self-test module is configured to generate the detection signal in the detection stage, and determine that the leakage protection module does not have a fault if the leakage protection module generates the trip driving signal. The tripping module is configured to respond to the trip driving signal generated in the non-detection stage to disconnect a load from a power supply circuit, and not respond to the trip driving signal generated in the detection stage.