DEVICE FOR PROVIDING PROTECTION AGAINST ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARDS INVOLVING TWO CIRCUIT CONDUCTORS
First Claim
1. An apparatus for protecting against faults in electrical loads connected to a power supply, the apparatus comprising:
- a memory;
a signal processing device comprising logic for measuring the load characteristics of a load connected to the power supply, logic for determining if the load characteristics of the load connected to the power supply substantially match one or more load characteristics previously stored in the memory, and logic for selectively generating a control signal in response to whether the load characteristics of the electrical load substantially match the load characteristics stored in the memory; and
a switch coupled to the signal processing device for selectively interrupting the supply of power from the power supply in response to the control signal generated by the signal processing device.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a device that protects against electrical shock hazards involving two circuit conductors. The device continuously evaluates the load characteristics of electrical equipment and automatically provides feedback on status and changes of such equipment. The device has a “learning mode” wherein it stores the load characteristics of loads connected to the device. The device also has an “protection mode” (or “normal mode”) wherein the devices compares connected load characteristics to stored load characteristics, and based on this comparison determines if an electrical fault is present. If the device determines that an electrical fault is present, the device then takes action to protect against electrical shock, such as by disconnecting the system from power.
15 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for protecting against faults in electrical loads connected to a power supply, the apparatus comprising:
-
a memory; a signal processing device comprising logic for measuring the load characteristics of a load connected to the power supply, logic for determining if the load characteristics of the load connected to the power supply substantially match one or more load characteristics previously stored in the memory, and logic for selectively generating a control signal in response to whether the load characteristics of the electrical load substantially match the load characteristics stored in the memory; and a switch coupled to the signal processing device for selectively interrupting the supply of power from the power supply in response to the control signal generated by the signal processing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. An apparatus for protecting against faults in electrical equipment connected to a power supply, the apparatus comprising:
-
a memory; means for measuring the load characteristics of an electrical load connected to the power supply; comparison means for determining if the load characteristics of the electrical load substantially match the load characteristics stored in the memory; means for generating a control signal based on the comparison of the load characteristics of the electrical load to the load characteristics stored in memory; and means for interrupting the supply of power from the power supply in response to the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method for protecting against faults in electrical equipment coupled to a power supply, the method comprising:
-
measuring the load characteristics of a load connected to the power supply; determining if the load characteristics of the load connected to the power supply substantially match one or more load characteristics previously stored in a memory; interrupting the supply of power from the power supply in response based on determination of whether the load characteristics of the load connected to the power supply substantially match one or more load characteristics previously stored in the memory. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A method for protecting against faults in electrical equipment coupled to a power supply, the method comprising:
-
creating a library of load characteristics of electrical loads that may be connected to the power supply; measuring the load characteristics of an electrical load connected to the power supply; determining if the measured load characteristics substantially match one or more of the load characteristics in the library of load characteristics; and selectively interrupting the supply of power from the power supply in response to the determination of whether the measured load characteristics substantially match one or more of the load characteristics in the library of load characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (25)
-
Specification