Method and apparatus for detecting electrical faults and isolating power source from the electrical faults
First Claim
1. Circuit breaker circuitry, comprising:
- (a) control circuitry that connects a power supply to a load, comprising;
a control relay, a circuit breaker connected to the control relay, and resistive contacts having a low electrical resistance;
(b) sensor circuitry that detects one or more of transient, arc, and ground faults, comprising;
an optocoupler emitting diode, an optocoupler detecting diode that detects electromagnetic waves emitted from the optocoupler emitting diode, and an AND gate that receives a signal from the optocoupler detecting diode as an input;
(c) counting circuitry that determines a count of the one or more transient, arc, and ground faults detected; and
(d) triggering circuitry that triggers the control circuitry to isolate the power supply;
wherein the counting circuitry signals the triggering circuitry when the count exceeds a predetermined number during a preset time interval.
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Abstract
The present invention is a method and apparatus for protecting a power supply from electrical faults. The present invention operates substantially independently of the current drawn by the load. In addition, the present invention includes a time delay circuitry for preventing false detection of ground faults when the power source is connecting to the load. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention includes a control circuitry for connecting the power supply to the load. The apparatus also preferably includes a sensor circuitry for detecting electrical faults, including ground, transient, and arc faults, and triggering the control circuitry to disconnect the power source from the electrical faults when electrical faults are detected. Thus, the present invention can protect wiring and load connections from improper operation and fire hazards that may be caused by electrical faults. Finally, the apparatus preferably includes a fault protection condition indicator to indicate whether the circuit breaker circuitry is working properly.
33 Citations
14 Claims
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1. Circuit breaker circuitry, comprising:
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(a) control circuitry that connects a power supply to a load, comprising;
a control relay, a circuit breaker connected to the control relay, and resistive contacts having a low electrical resistance;
(b) sensor circuitry that detects one or more of transient, arc, and ground faults, comprising;
an optocoupler emitting diode, an optocoupler detecting diode that detects electromagnetic waves emitted from the optocoupler emitting diode, and an AND gate that receives a signal from the optocoupler detecting diode as an input;
(c) counting circuitry that determines a count of the one or more transient, arc, and ground faults detected; and
(d) triggering circuitry that triggers the control circuitry to isolate the power supply;
wherein the counting circuitry signals the triggering circuitry when the count exceeds a predetermined number during a preset time interval. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14)
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13. Circuit breaker circuitry, comprising:
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(a) control circuitry that connects a power supply to a load;
(b) sensor circuitry that detects one or more of transient, arc, and ground faults;
(c) time delay circuitry that shields the sensor circuitry from current spikes generated when the power supply is connecting to the load, wherein the time delay circuitry comprises a time delay relay;
(d) counting circuitry that determines a count of the one or more transient, arc, and ground faults detected; and
(e) triggering circuitry that triggers the control circuitry to isolate the power supply when the count exceeds a predetermined number.
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Specification