Grounding and ground fault detection circuits
First Claim
1. In an AC electric power distribution system including an AC voltage source having a pair of terminals respectively corresponding to service voltage and neutral with a voltage applied therebetween, the service voltage terminal being at a potential to ground on the order of the applied voltage, a grounding and ground fault detection circuit connected between neutral and ground and comprising, in series, current limiting means, AC blocking means for preventing capacitive leakage current flow between ground and neutral through said circuit and for permitting DC current flow between ground and neutral through said circuit in the event of a ground fault, and means for generating a control signal in response to said DC current flow.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In an AC electric power system including a voltage source having a live conductor and a neutral, a grounding and ground fault detection circuit connected between the neutral and ground potential and comprising, in series, a current limiter, a rectifier, and a signal generator for providing a control signal in response to a ground fault current.
56 Citations
13 Claims
- 1. In an AC electric power distribution system including an AC voltage source having a pair of terminals respectively corresponding to service voltage and neutral with a voltage applied therebetween, the service voltage terminal being at a potential to ground on the order of the applied voltage, a grounding and ground fault detection circuit connected between neutral and ground and comprising, in series, current limiting means, AC blocking means for preventing capacitive leakage current flow between ground and neutral through said circuit and for permitting DC current flow between ground and neutral through said circuit in the event of a ground fault, and means for generating a control signal in response to said DC current flow.
- 7. A grounding and ground fault detection system comprising, in combination, a transformer and a grounding and ground fault detection circuit, the transformer including a secondary winding having a pair of connection points respectively corresponding to service voltage and neutral with a voltage applied therebetween, the service voltage connection point being at a potential to ground on the order of said applied voltage, the grounding and ground fault detection circuit being connected between neutral and ground and including, in series, current limiting means, AC blocking means for preventing capacitive leakage current flow between ground and neutral through said circuit and for permitting DC current flow between ground and neutral through said circuit in the event of a ground fault, and means for generating a control signal in response to said DC current flow.
Specification