Method and system for detecting arcing faults and testing such system
First Claim
1. An arcing fault detection system for an electrical distribution network having a line and neutral conductor connected between a power source and a load, the arcing fault detection system comprising:
- a single sensor coupled to the line conductor and responsive to series arcs, line-to-neutral arcs and line-to-ground arcs for monitoring a first derivative of electrical current carried by the line conductor and generating a sensor signal representing said first derivative of electrical current; and
means for generating an arc-indicative signal in response to said sensor signal having characteristics indicative of any arcing fault producing series arcs, line-to-neutral arcs or line-to-ground arcs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for detecting arcing faults in an electrical distribution network having a line conductor carrying an electrical signal between a power source and a load, the system being capable of detecting series arcs, line-to-neutral arcs and line-to-ground arcs. The system includes a sensor coupled to the line conductor for monitoring the electrical signal and generating a sensor signal representing the electrical signal. The system generates an arc-indicative signal in response to the sensor signal having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault. The system can include a testing system in which a test wire is coupled to the sensor simultaneously with the line conductor and a test signal is periodically produced on the test line. The sensor simultaneously monitors the test signal and the electrical signal and produces a sensor signal representing both the test signal and the electrical signal when the test signal is present on the test line. The arcing fault detection system generates an arc-indicative signal in response to the sensor signal associated with either the test line or line conductor having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault. A diagnostic test integrator evaluates the status conditions of the test signal and the arc-indicative signal and generates a trip signal to trigger the interruption of the electrical signal in response to certain status conditions of the test signal and the arc-indicative signal.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. An arcing fault detection system for an electrical distribution network having a line and neutral conductor connected between a power source and a load, the arcing fault detection system comprising:
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a single sensor coupled to the line conductor and responsive to series arcs, line-to-neutral arcs and line-to-ground arcs for monitoring a first derivative of electrical current carried by the line conductor and generating a sensor signal representing said first derivative of electrical current; and
means for generating an arc-indicative signal in response to said sensor signal having characteristics indicative of any arcing fault producing series arcs, line-to-neutral arcs or line-to-ground arcs. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. In an electrical distribution network including a panelboard for receiving and distributing power from a utility source to a plurality of branch circuits each including line and neutral conductors connected to a load, the panelboard defining a framework for electrically connecting circuit protection devices to said branch circuits, a circuit protection system comprising:
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an arcing fault detection device connected to a first position in said framework, the arcing fault detection device including an internal line conductor electrically connected to the line conductor of one of the branch circuits;
a sensor coupled to the internal line conductor and responsive to series arcs, line-to-neutral arcs and line-to-ground arcs for monitoring a first derivative of electrical current carried by the internal line conductor and generating a sensor signal representing said first derivative of electrical current;
means for generating an arc-indicative signal in response to said sensor signal having characteristics indicative of any arcing fault producing series arcs, line-to-neutral arcs or line-to-ground arcs; and
a line interrupter adapted to interrupt electrical current in the line conductor in response to the arc-indicative signal. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An arcing fault detection and testing system for an electrical distribution network having a line and neutral conductor connected between a power source and a load, the system comprising:
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a single sensor coupled to the line conductor and responsive to series arcs, line-to-neutral arcs and line-to-ground arcs for monitoring a first derivative of electrical current carried by the line conductor and generating a sensor signal representing said first derivative of electrical current, a test wire coupled to said sensor;
means for producing a test signal on the test wire simulating any arcing fault producing series arcs, line-to-neutral arcs or line-to-ground arcs; and
means for generating an arc-indicative signal in response to either of said sensor signal and test signal having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault producing any of said arcs. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. In an electrical distribution network including a panelboard for receiving and distributing power from a utility source to a plurality of branch circuits each defining line and neutral conductors connected to a load, the panelboard defining a framework for electrically connecting circuit protection devices to said branch circuits, a circuit protection system comprising:
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an arcing fault detection device connected to a first position in said framework, the arcing fault detection device including an internal line conductor electrically connected to the line conductor of one of the branch circuits;
a sensor coupled to the internal line conductor and responsive to series arcs line-to-neutral arcs and line-to-ground arcs for monitoring a first derivative of electrical current carried by the internal line conductor and generating a sensor signal representing said first derivative of electrical current;
a test wire coupled to said sensor;
means for producing a test signal on the test wire simulating an arcing fault producing series arcs, line-to-neutral arcs or line-to-ground arcs;
means for generating an arc-indicative signal in response to either of said sensor signal and said test signal having characteristics indicative of any arcing fault producing series arcs, line-to-neutral arcs or line-to-ground arcs; and
a line interrupter adapted to interrupt electrical current in the line conductor in response to the arc-indicative signal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of detecting arcing faults in an electrical distribution system that includes a line conductor connected to a utility power transformer, said method comprising the steps of:
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monitoring a first derivative of electrical current carried by the line conductor with a single sensor and generating a sensor signal representing said first derivative of electrical current and responsive to series arcs, line-to-neutral arcs and line-to-ground arcs; and
generating an arc-indicative signal in response to said sensor signal having characteristics indicative of any arcing fault producing series arcs, line-to-neutral arcs or line-to-ground arcs. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A testing apparatus for an arcing fault detection system in an electrical distribution network having a line conductor carrying an electrical signal between a power source and a load, said arcing fault detection system including a sensor coupled to said line conductor for monitoring said electrical signal and generating a sensor signal representing said electrical signal, said arcing fault detection system generating an arc-indicative signal in response to said sensor signal having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault, said testing apparatus comprising:
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a test line coupled to said sensor simultaneously with said line conductor, and means for periodically producing a test signal on said test line, said sensor simultaneously monitoring said test signal and said electrical signal when said test signal is present on said test line, said sensor signal representing both said test signal and said electrical signal when said test signal is present on said test line, said arcing fault detection system generating an arc-indicative signal in response to said sensor signal associated with either of said test line or said line conductor having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A testing apparatus for an arcing fault detection system in an electrical distribution network having a line and neutral conductor carrying an electrical signal between a power source and a load, said arcing fault detection system including a sensor coupled to said line conductor for monitoring said electrical signal and generating a sensor signal representing said electrical signal, said arcing fault detection system generating an arc-indicative signal in response to said sensor signal having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault, said testing apparatus comprising:
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a test circuit removably attachable to said line and neutral conductor, said test circuit being adapted to produce a simulated arcing fault signal when attached to said line and neutral conductor, said sensor being adapted to monitor said simulated arcing fault signal and generate said sensor signal representing said simulated arcing fault signal, said arcing fault detection system generating an arc-indicative signal in response to said sensor signal associated with said simulated arcing fault signal having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault. - View Dependent Claims (37)
a first terminal removably attachable to said line conductor;
a second terminal removably attachable to said neutral conductor;
a relay comprising an electrical switch and a relay coil connected between the first and second terminals, the electrical switch rapidly opening and closing to create said simulated arcing fault signal when said first and second terminals are attached to said line and neutral conductors.
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Specification