Circuit breaker for detecting overload
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A circuit breaker for detecting overload of a circuit, comprising:
- a current detector configured to detect current flowing through a conductor and to output a current detection signal, the conductor being configured to electrically connect a source and a load in the circuit;
a rectifier configured to rectify the current detection signal and to output a rectified signal;
an overload indicative signal generator configured to integrate the rectified signal and to generate an overload indicative signal based on the rectified signal;
an arc fault detector configured to detect whether an arc fault has occurred in the circuit based on the rectified signal; and
a first discharge controller configured to control the overload indicative signal generator based on the detected arc fault such that the integrated signal is discharged,wherein the overload indicative signal generator comprises;
an integrator configured to integrate the rectified signal, wherein the integrator comprises a resistor and a capacitor that is charged with the rectified signal;
a reference voltage generator configured to generate a predetermined reference voltage; and
a comparator configured to compare the reference voltage with the integrated signal to thereby generate the overload indicative signal,and wherein the first discharge controller comprises a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) turned on when the arc detection signal is input to the gate terminal of the SCR so that the capacitor is coupled to the ground.
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Abstract
A circuit breaker for detecting overload is disclosed. The circuit breaker detects an overload condition electrically without using bimetal. The circuit breaker for detecting overload includes an arc fault detector and a discharge controller. If arc fault occurs, the discharge controller discharges voltage charged in a capacitor. Therefore, the circuit breaker does not trip the circuit when arc fault occurs although high current flows on a conductor. Further, the circuit breaker for detecting overload includes a charging time constant controller so that charging time is varied according to current flowing on the conductor.
27 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A circuit breaker for detecting overload of a circuit, comprising:
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a current detector configured to detect current flowing through a conductor and to output a current detection signal, the conductor being configured to electrically connect a source and a load in the circuit; a rectifier configured to rectify the current detection signal and to output a rectified signal; an overload indicative signal generator configured to integrate the rectified signal and to generate an overload indicative signal based on the rectified signal; an arc fault detector configured to detect whether an arc fault has occurred in the circuit based on the rectified signal; and a first discharge controller configured to control the overload indicative signal generator based on the detected arc fault such that the integrated signal is discharged, wherein the overload indicative signal generator comprises; an integrator configured to integrate the rectified signal, wherein the integrator comprises a resistor and a capacitor that is charged with the rectified signal; a reference voltage generator configured to generate a predetermined reference voltage; and a comparator configured to compare the reference voltage with the integrated signal to thereby generate the overload indicative signal, and wherein the first discharge controller comprises a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) turned on when the arc detection signal is input to the gate terminal of the SCR so that the capacitor is coupled to the ground. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A circuit breaker for detecting overload of a circuit, comprising:
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a current detector configured to detect current flowing through a conductor and to output a current detection signal, the conductor being configured to electrically connect a source and a load in the circuit; a rectifier configured to rectify the current detection signal and to output a rectified signal; an overload indicative signal generator configured to integrate the rectified signal and to generate an overload indicative signal based on the rectified signal; an arc fault detector configured to detect whether an arc fault has occurred in the circuit based on the rectified signal; a first discharge controller configured to control the overload indicative signal generator based on the detected arc fault such that the integrated signal is discharged; and a second discharge controller configured to discharge the integrated signal when the conductor is interrupted by electrical faults including an overload, an arc fault and a ground fault.
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16. A circuit breaker for detecting overload of a circuit, comprising:
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a current detector configured to detect current flowing through a conductor and to output a current detection signal, the conductor being configured to electrically connect a source and a load in the circuit; a rectifier configured to rectify the current detection signal and to output a rectified signal; an overload indicative signal generator configured to integrate the rectified signal and to generate an overload indicative signal based on the rectified signal; an arc fault detector configured to detect whether an arc fault has occurred in the circuit based on the rectified signal; a first discharge controller configured to control the overload indicative signal generator based on the detected arc fault such that the integrated signal is discharged; and a charging time constant controller configured to change a charging time constant according to an amplitude of the rectified signal, wherein the charge time constant controller comprises a plurality of Zener diodes connected in parallel with one another and resistors.
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Specification