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AFCI device which detects upstream and downstream series and parallel ARC faults

  • US 6,504,692 B1
  • Filed: 04/06/2001
  • Issued: 01/07/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An arc fault circuit interrupter operatively connected between a line side and a load side of an AC electric power distribution system, comprising:

  • first sensing means for sensing a line current in said AC electric power distribution system and producing a di/dt signal;

    circuit means for processing said di/dt signal and producing an output;

    tripping means for interrupting power to said load;

    processing means for processing said output to determine an existence of a downstream arc fault, said processing means including a normal algorithm and a speedy algorithm for processing said output, said processing means sending a trip signal to said tripping means upon determination of said downstream arc fault;

    second sensing means for sensing a sinusoidal load current of a fundamental frequency of said power distribution system above a first predetermined level;

    circuit means, responsive to said second sensing means, for initiating said speedy algorithm within said processing means;

    circuit means for detecting an existence of an upstream series arc, and upon detection of said upstream series arc, for signaling said processing means to send said trip signal to said tripping means; and

    circuit means for detecting an existence of an upstream parallel arc, and upon detection of said upstream parallel arc, for deactivating said processing means so that said processing means does not send said trip signal to said tripping means.

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