Please download the dossier by clicking on the dossier button x
×

Power supply for ground fault circuit interrupter

  • US 5,510,945 A
  • Filed: 01/31/1994
  • Issued: 04/23/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A ground fault circuit interrupter, for attachment to a load and detecting a ground fault condition associated with a load in an electrical distribution system, and for disconnecting the load from the system in response thereto, comprising:

  • coupling circuit means connected to an electrical distribution system to provide a signal indicative of a ground fault imbalance in the system;

    a ground fault detector circuit connected to receive a ground fault imbalance signal, and operative in response to a power signal having specified voltage and current levels, said ground fault triggering circuit providing a ground fault trigger signal when the imbalance exceeds a certain level indicative of a ground fault in a load in the system;

    a regulated power supply circuit connected to the electrical distribution system for generating and supplying to said ground fault interruption circuit a power signal having the specified voltage level at a regulated constant current level; and

    a power disconnector including circuit breaker contacts for disconnecting the load from the system in response to receipt of a ground fault trigger signal;

    wherein the power supply circuit comprises a start up and storage portion, and a constant current supply portion; and

    wherein the start up and storage portion comprises a transistor having its collector connected to receive a rectified pulse signal, its base connected to a voltage reference source and first capacitor, and its emitter connected to a storage capacitor, to provide a charging path to charge the storage capacitor with a regulated voltage.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×