Arc fault detector with diagnostic indicator
First Claim
1. A device for detecting an electrical fault in a power line having electrical faults, comprising:
- detection means for detecting a category and location of an occurring fault; and
output means for outputting a unique code associated with each different fault category and location detected.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A protection device for an electrical circuit having a load includes a sensor operatively associated with the electrical circuit to sense current changes and voltage fluctuations in the electrical circuit. A detector receives input from the sensor and compares the input to known arc fault signatures and arc fault mimicking signatures to determine what category of arc fault or mimicked arc fault occurs. The detector then produces an encoded output signal indicative of the category of arc fault or mimicked arc fault. Categories of arc faults include upstream or downstream series, downstream parallel, downstream line to line, and downstream line to ground.
83 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A device for detecting an electrical fault in a power line having electrical faults, comprising:
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detection means for detecting a category and location of an occurring fault; and
output means for outputting a unique code associated with each different fault category and location detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A protection device for an electrical circuit having a load, comprising:
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a sensor operatively associated with said electrical circuit which senses current changes and voltage fluctuations in said electrical circuit; and
a detector which receives input from said sensor and compares said input to known arc fault signatures to determine what category of arc fault occurs;
wherein said detector produces an encoded output signal indicative of said category of arc fault. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
an arc fault detector housing; and
a monitoring port integral to said arc fault detector housing;
wherein said remote monitoring device receives said encoded output signal via said monitoring port.
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28. A device according to claim 26, further comprising a modem for communicating said encoded output signal from said detector to said remote monitoring device.
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29. A device according to claim 26, wherein said encoded output signal includes a pulse train whose pattern is discernable by said remote monitoring device.
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30. A device according to claim 26, wherein said encoded output signal includes a pulse whose pulse width is discernable by said remote monitoring device.
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31. A device according to claim 14 in which said sensor is a current sensor that monitors the current through said load.
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32. A device according to claim 31, further comprising:
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a plurality of line terminals for connection of said device to a voltage supply of said electrical distribution system; and
a voltage sensor for monitoring a voltage across said line terminals;
wherein signals from said voltage sensor and said current sensor are interpreted by said detector to determine whether said arc fault is upstream or downstream of said device.
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33. A device according to claim 31, further comprising:
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a plurality of line terminals for connection of said device to a voltage supply of said electrical distribution system; and
a voltage sensor for monitoring a voltage across said line terminals;
wherein signals from said voltage sensor and said current sensor are interpreted by said detector to determine whether said signals are indicative of an arc-fault mimicking generator, and whether said generator is upstream or downstream of said device.
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34. A device according to claim 15, wherein said device is housed in one of a receptacle, circuit breaker, box, and plug.
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35. A plurality of arc fault protective devices protective of an electrical circuit, comprising:
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an array of sensors disposed at at least two different locations in said electrical circuit for sensing a variety of arc fault signatures;
an array of detectors operatively associated with said array of sensors for detecting what category of arc faults are indicated by said sensed arc fault signature;
wherein said array of detectors produces encoded output signals indicative of said category of arc fault. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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38. A protection device for an electrical circuit having a load, comprising:
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a sensor operatively associated with said electrical circuit which senses current changes and/or voltage fluctuations in said electrical circuit; and
a detector which receives input from said sensor and compares said input to known arc fault mimicking signatures to determine what category of mimicked arc fault occurs;
wherein said detector produces an encoded output signal indicative of said category of mimicked arc fault.
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39. A protection device for an electrical circuit having a load, comprising:
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a sensor operatively associated with said electrical circuit which senses ranges of current to ground; and
a detector which receives input from said sensor, wherein said detector produces encoded output signals unique to each range. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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- 41. A testing device for testing an electrical circuit having a load and an electrical protector therein that protects said electrical circuit from a variety of arc faults, wherein said testing device is equipped to receive encoded signals from said electrical protector for identifying a category of arc fault.
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46. A protection device for an electrical circuit having a load, comprising:
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a sensor operatively associated with said electrical circuit which senses current and/or voltage fluctuations in said electrical circuit; and
a detector which receives input from said sensor for detecting signatures associated with glowing connections, wherein said detector produces a unique encoded output signal indicative of said glowing connection. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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48. A testing device for testing an electrical circuit having a load and an electrical protector therein responsive to arc faults and/or arc mimicking faults, wherein said testing device is equipped to receive encoded signals from said electrical protector for identifying an upstream or downstream location of said arc or arc-mimicking fault.
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49. A method for detecting an electrical fault in an electrical circuit, comprising the steps of:
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sensing current changes and voltage fluctuations in at least one location in said electrical circuit;
detecting what category of fault occurs by comparing said current changes and voltage fluctuations to known arc fault signatures; and
outputting a unique code associated with each different fault detected. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification