METHODS AND APPARATUS TO FACILITATE GROUND FAULT PROTECTION AND SELF TEST WITH A SINGLE SWITCH

• US 20080106833A1
• Filed: 10/24/2007
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Teggatz, Ross, Cosby, Thomas Edward, Lewinski, Artur J.
• Application Number:
  US11/923,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20080106833A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/49
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/335 the main function being self testing of the device

Abstract

Methods and apparatus to facilitate ground fault protection and self test with a single switch are disclosed. An example ground fault detection device includes a ground fault detector to receive a signal indicative of current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor, and a single switch to simulate a fault during a self test and to cause a relay to activate in response to at least one of a real fault or a failed self-test. An example method to self-test a ground fault detection device includes monitoring a self-test indicator for an indication to initiate the self-test, and when the indication to inititate the self-test is true, activating a switch to cause at least one fault diode to conduct for a predetermined self-test duration. The example method also includes monitoring at least one of a sense coil or the switch for a signal indicative of the self-test.

Claims

1. A ground fault detection device comprising:

a ground fault detector to receive a signal indicative of current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor; and

a single switch to simulate a fault during a self test and to cause a relay to activate in response to at least one of a real fault or a failed self-test.

2. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a sense coil to generate the signal indicative of the current in response to detecting a difference in current between the line conductor and the neutral conductor.

4. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a switch driver to drive the single switch at a plurality of conduction levels to at least one of simulate the fault or to cause the relay to activate.

5. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a relay coil to activate the relay in response to the real fault, and to permit the relay to be deactivated during the self test.

3. (canceled)

6. A ground fault detection device comprising:

a sense coil to detect current in at least one of a line conductor or a neutral conductor;

a ground fault detector connected to the sense coil to monitor a current in the line conductor and the neutral conductor;

a switch to conduct a fault simulation current in at least one of the line conductor or the neutral conductor, the switch fault simulation current to simulate a fault signal detected by the sense coil; and

a relay coil connected to the switch to at least one of allow at least one of the line conductor current or the neutral conductor current during the fault simulation, to disconnect at least one of the line conductor current or the neutral conductor current to a load during a real ground fault, or to allow at least one switch test.

7. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 6, further comprising a switch driver to drive the switch at a plurality of conduction levels.

8. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 7, wherein the plurality of conduction levels comprise at least one of off, partially on, or fully on.

12. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 6, further comprising:

a first diode connected in series with the relay coil between one of the line conductor or the neutral conductor; and

a second diode connected in series with the relay coil between the other of the neutral conductor or the line conductor, the first and second diodes to allow current flow through the relay coil during at least one of a first half or a second half of a power-line cycle.

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

13. A method to self-test a ground fault detection device comprising:

monitoring a self-test indicator for an indication to initiate the self-test;

when the indication to initiate the self-test is true, activating a switch to cause at least one fault diode to conduct for a predetermined self-test duration; and

monitoring at least one of a sense coil or the switch for a signal indicative of the self-test.

14. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein the self test duration comprises at least one of detecting a time expiration or detecting a predetermined number of zero-cross cycles.

16. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein monitoring the at least one sense coil or the switch for the signal indicative of the self test further comprises activating a power-line break relay when the signal indicative of the self-test is absent.

18. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein monitoring the sense coil for the signal indicative of the self test comprises comparing the signal indicative of the self-test with a predetermined current threshold.

19. A method as defined in claim 18, further comprising activating a power-line break relay when the predetermined current threshold is exceeded.

15. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

20-28. -28. (canceled)

29. A ground fault detection device comprising:

a sense coil to detect current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor, the line conductor and the neutral conductor passing through the sense coil at a first location, and a ground fault detector circuit connected to the sense coil;

a first power tap connected to the line conductor and the neutral conductor at a second location preceding the first location to provide power to the ground fault detector circuit;

a second power tap connected to the line conductor and the neutral conductor at a third location after the first location to provide power to the ground fault detector circuit;

a first fault tap connected to the second location; and

a second fault tap connected to the third location.

30. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 29, wherein the first fault tap comprises a first fault diode having a first end connected to one of the line conductor or the neutral conductor, and the second fault tap comprises a second fault diode having a first end connected to the other of the neutral conductor or the line conductor.

31. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 30, further comprising a switch having a first end connected to a second end of the first and second fault diodes, and a second end connected to the ground fault detector circuit.

32. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 31, further comprising a switch driver to control a conductance of the switch, the switch to allow the first fault diode to conduct during a negative power cycle and allow the second fault diode to conduct during a positive power cycle.

33. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 32, further comprising a detector connected to the switch to detect a current value therethrough.

34. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 33, further comprising a predetermined setpoint, the detector to determine whether the detected conduction value exceeds the predetermined threshold.

35. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 32, further comprising a differential amplifier connected to the sense coil to detect conduction of at least one of the first fault diode or the second fault diode via a current imbalance.

36. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 32, further comprising at least one of a controller or a self-test module to activate a self-test on at least one of a scheduled or periodic basis, the self-test causing the switch to conduct to simulate a fault.

38. A ground fault detection device defined in claim 36, wherein the at least one of the controller or the self-test module comprises a timer to execute the self test for a predetermined amount of time.

39. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 36, further comprising a zero-cross detector to count power-line cycles, the self test to execute for a predetermined number of power-line cycles.

40. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 32, wherein the first fault diode, when conducting, comprises a current bypass path from one of the line conductor or the neutral conductor at the second location and a current return path to the other of the neutral conductor or the line conductor at the third location, the current return path passing through the sense coil.

41. A ground fault detection device as defined in claim 32, wherein the second fault diode, when conducting, comprises a current path from one of the neutral conductor or the line conductor at the third location and a current bypass path to the other of the line conductor or the neutral conductor at the second location, the current path passing through the sense coil.

37. (canceled)