Method for detecting arc faults
First Claim
1. A method of detecting arc faults, comprising the steps of:
- sensing a signal associated with a power input by an input sense circuit, the sensed signal being indicative of at least one potential arcing event;
receiving a representation of the sensed signal by an amplifying circuit;
generating a respective pulse corresponding to the at least one potential arcing event by the amplifying circuit;
receiving the respective pulses by an accumulating circuit;
generating an accumulated signal over a predetermined time period by the accumulating circuit;
receiving the accumulated signal and the respective pulses by a processor;
generating first data representative of the accumulated signal and second data representative of the respective pulses by the processor; and
processing at least one of the first and second data in accordance with at least one algorithm by the processor, thereby determining whether the at least one potential arcing event is indicative of an arc fault or a nuisance condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for detecting arc faults that have reduced susceptibility to nuisance tripping. The apparatus includes a current sensor, an input sense circuit, an arcing sense circuit, a power supply, a tripping (firing) circuit, a processor, and an electromechanical interface. The current sensor monitors a power input comprising an AC current, and provides high frequency components of the. AC current to the input sense circuit. The input sense circuit filters and rectifies the AC signal, and provides the rectified signal to the arcing sense circuit. The arcing sense circuit provides a voltage level accumulated over a predetermined time period, and digital signals indicative of possible electrical arcing occurring during the sampling period, to the processor. The processor measures the voltage level, stores information relating to measured voltages and the digital signals, and processes the stored information using one or more algorithms, thereby determining whether the signals resulted from an arc fault or a nuisance load. In the event the signals resulted from an arc fault, the processor activates the firing circuit to trip the electromechanical interface, thereby interrupting the power output to the load.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of detecting arc faults, comprising the steps of:
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sensing a signal associated with a power input by an input sense circuit, the sensed signal being indicative of at least one potential arcing event; receiving a representation of the sensed signal by an amplifying circuit; generating a respective pulse corresponding to the at least one potential arcing event by the amplifying circuit; receiving the respective pulses by an accumulating circuit; generating an accumulated signal over a predetermined time period by the accumulating circuit; receiving the accumulated signal and the respective pulses by a processor; generating first data representative of the accumulated signal and second data representative of the respective pulses by the processor; and processing at least one of the first and second data in accordance with at least one algorithm by the processor, thereby determining whether the at least one potential arcing event is indicative of an arc fault or a nuisance condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification