Arcing fault detector
First Claim
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1. An arcing fault detection system for an electrical equipment enclosure having vents to an ambient atmosphere comprising:
- means for monitoring the temperature of the atmosphere within said electrical equipment enclosure;
means for comparing the pressure of said ambient atmosphere to the pressure of the atmosphere within said electrical equipment enclosure;
means for determining from the output of said monitoring means and said comparing means based upon predetermined temperature and pressure differential criteria whether an arcing fault is present; and
means for tripping a circuit breaker when said arcing fault is detected by said determining means.
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Abstract
An arcing fault detector used the thermodynamic conditions created by an arcing fault within a vented electrical equipment enclosure to quickly activate a protective device which causes tripping of the supply circuit breaker(s). A plurality of temperature sensors are located within the enclosure near the top, and a differential pressure sensor is located in the external wall of the enclosure approximately midway between the vents to compare internal and external pressure. The intelligence from the sensors is processed by a fault protector which controls the tripping of the circuit breaker(s).
186 Citations
6 Claims
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1. An arcing fault detection system for an electrical equipment enclosure having vents to an ambient atmosphere comprising:
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means for monitoring the temperature of the atmosphere within said electrical equipment enclosure; means for comparing the pressure of said ambient atmosphere to the pressure of the atmosphere within said electrical equipment enclosure; means for determining from the output of said monitoring means and said comparing means based upon predetermined temperature and pressure differential criteria whether an arcing fault is present; and means for tripping a circuit breaker when said arcing fault is detected by said determining means. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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2. An arcing fault detection system as recited in claim 10 wherein said temperature monitoring means comprises:
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means for sensing said temperature within said enclosure and for converting said temperature to an electrical signal; and means for amplifying and for buffering said electrical signal prior to input to said determining means. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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Specification