Circuit interrupter with arcing fault protection and PTC (positive temperature coefficient resistivity) elements for short circuit and overload protection
First Claim
1. A circuit protection apparatus for interrupting the flow of electrical current in a line in response to any of a plurality of different types of fault conditions on the line, said apparatus comprising:
- a set of contacts connected in series with the line, and having an open position and a closed position;
a device coupled to the contacts, adapted to be actuated by a trip signal, to move the contacts from the closed position to the open position;
an element having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTC) connected in series with the contacts, said PTC element being connected to said device to provide said trip signal to the device in response to overload or short circuit conditions in the line;
a switching element operatively coupled with said device for providing said trip signal to said device in response to an actuating signal; and
a circuit adapted for detecting an arcing fault in the line and producing said actuating signal when the arcing fault is detected.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A circuit protection apparatus employs a PTC element for overload and/or short circuit protection and an arcing fault interruption arrangement. The circuit protection apparatus may be employed in a ground fault receptacle for interrupting the flow of electrical current in a line in response to any of a plurality of different types of fault conditions on the line. The circuit protection apparatus may include a set of contacts connected in series with the line, and having an open position and a closed position, a trip device coupled to the contacts, adapted to be actuated by a trip signal, to move the contacts from the closed position to the open position and an element having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTC) connected in series with the contacts. The PTC element is connected to the trip device to provide the trip signal to the device in response to overload or short circuit conditions in the line. A switching element is operatively coupled with the trip device for providing the trip signal to said device in response to an actuating signal. An arcing fault circuit is adapted for detecting an arcing fault in the line and producing the actuating signal when the arcing fault is detected.
88 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A circuit protection apparatus for interrupting the flow of electrical current in a line in response to any of a plurality of different types of fault conditions on the line, said apparatus comprising:
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a set of contacts connected in series with the line, and having an open position and a closed position; a device coupled to the contacts, adapted to be actuated by a trip signal, to move the contacts from the closed position to the open position; an element having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTC) connected in series with the contacts, said PTC element being connected to said device to provide said trip signal to the device in response to overload or short circuit conditions in the line; a switching element operatively coupled with said device for providing said trip signal to said device in response to an actuating signal; and a circuit adapted for detecting an arcing fault in the line and producing said actuating signal when the arcing fault is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21)
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14. A ground fault receptacle having a circuit protection apparatus for interrupting the flow of electrical current in a line in response to any of a plurality of different types of fault conditions on the line, said receptacle comprising:
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a set of contacts connected in series with the line, and having an open position and a closed position; a device coupled to the contacts, adapted to be actuated by a trip signal, to move the contacts from the closed position to the open position; an element having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTC) connected in series with the contacts, said PTC element being connected to said device to provide said trip signal to the device in response to overload or short circuit conditions in the line; a switching element operatively coupled with said device for providing said trip signal to said device in response to an actuating signal; and a circuit adapted for detecting an arcing fault in the line and producing said actuating signal when the arcing fault is detected. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification