Microprocessor controlled fault indicator having inrush restraint circuit
First Claim
1. A fault indicator for indicating the occurrence of a fault in an electrical conductor, comprising:
- a housing;
a battery;
a fault sensor for sensing the occurrence of a fault on said electrical conductor;
at least one light emitting diode operable from said battery and viewable from the exterior of the housing;
a microprocessor in communication with said fault sensor to determine when a fault has occurred on said electrical conductor, to enable the supply of power from said battery to said at least one light emitting diode upon determining that a fault has occurred, to cease enabling power from said battery to said at least one light emitting diode at a predetermined time after determining that a fault occurred and to reset said fault indicator around said predetermined time; and
inrush restraint circuitry for sensing an inrush condition on said electrical conductor.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fault indicator for indicating the occurrence of a fault in an electrical conductor has a housing, a high capacity battery, at least one light emitting diode (LED) visible from the exterior of the fault indicator upon the occurrence of a fault and which may be automatically reset to a non-fault indicating position a predetermined time after the occurrence of the fault, and electronic circuitry for sensing a fault, for actuating the LEDs to indicate a fault and for resetting the LEDs to a non-fault indicating condition a predetermined time after the fault has occurred. The electronic circuitry conserves energy by drawing insubstantial current from the high capacity battery during non-fault conditions. The electronic circuitry may also include in-rush restraint to avoid false tripping of the fault indicator during surges. An inrush restraint circuit has an output signal that is logically combined with a fault indicator signal to disable the fault indicator during inrush conditions. An improved electrostatic sensor senses the electromagnetic field associated with a monitored conductor, provides less susceptibility to affects from adjacent conductors and provides operating power to the inrush restraint circuitry.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A fault indicator for indicating the occurrence of a fault in an electrical conductor, comprising:
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a housing; a battery; a fault sensor for sensing the occurrence of a fault on said electrical conductor; at least one light emitting diode operable from said battery and viewable from the exterior of the housing; a microprocessor in communication with said fault sensor to determine when a fault has occurred on said electrical conductor, to enable the supply of power from said battery to said at least one light emitting diode upon determining that a fault has occurred, to cease enabling power from said battery to said at least one light emitting diode at a predetermined time after determining that a fault occurred and to reset said fault indicator around said predetermined time; and inrush restraint circuitry for sensing an inrush condition on said electrical conductor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A fault indicator for indicating the occurrence of a fault in an electrical conductor, comprising:
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a housing; a battery; a fault sensor for sensing the occurrence of a fault on said electrical conductor; at least one indicator capable of being illuminated by power from said battery and viewable from the exterior of the housing; a microprocessor in communication with said fault sensor to determine when a fault has occurred on said electrical conductor, to enable the supply of power from said battery to said at least one indicator upon determining that a fault has occurred, to cease enabling power from said battery to said at least one indicator at a predetermined time after determining that a fault occurred and to reset said fault indicator around the predetermined time after determining that a fault occurred; and inrush restraint circuitry for sensing an inrush condition on said electrical conductor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification