Differential arc fault detection
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for detecting arc faults, said apparatus comprising:
- a master node for digitally detecting a current signal and a voltage signal at a first point in a wiring system;
a slave node for digitally detecting a current signal and a voltage signal at a second point in said wiring system; and
a detection unit for detecting an arc fault in said wiring system by comparing said current signals from said master node and from said slave node and comparing said voltage signals from said master node and from said slave node by;
monitoring a time variation of said current signal from said master node,monitoring a time variation of said voltage signal from said slave node,calculating a difference between said current signals from said master node and from said slave node, when said time variation of said current signal has an abnormal value, andcalculating a difference between said voltage signals from said master node and from said slave node, when said time variation of said voltage signal has an abnormal value.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus detect arc faults. The method and apparatus may digitally detect current and voltage signals at a master node (111) positioned at a first point in a wiring system (131). At a second point in the wiring system (131), a slave node (122) may digitally detect current and voltage signals. An arc fault that develops between the first and second points in the wiring system (131) may be detected by comparing the current signals from the master node (111) and from the slave node (122), and comparing the voltage signals from the master node (111) and from the slave node (122).
47 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting arc faults, said apparatus comprising:
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a master node for digitally detecting a current signal and a voltage signal at a first point in a wiring system; a slave node for digitally detecting a current signal and a voltage signal at a second point in said wiring system; and a detection unit for detecting an arc fault in said wiring system by comparing said current signals from said master node and from said slave node and comparing said voltage signals from said master node and from said slave node by; monitoring a time variation of said current signal from said master node, monitoring a time variation of said voltage signal from said slave node, calculating a difference between said current signals from said master node and from said slave node, when said time variation of said current signal has an abnormal value, and calculating a difference between said voltage signals from said master node and from said slave node, when said time variation of said voltage signal has an abnormal value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for detecting arc faults, said apparatus comprising:
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a master node for detecting a current signal and a voltage signal at a first point in a wiring system; a slave node for detecting a current signal and a voltage signal at a second point in said wiring system, wherein an arc fault is detected in said wiring system by comparing said current signals from said master node and from said slave node, and comparing said voltage signals from said master node and from said slave node; said master node samples said voltage and current signals at said first point, monitors a time variation of its current signal to capture an abnormal current occurrence and calls for current signal data from said slave node when an abnormal current occurrence is observed; said slave node samples said voltage and current signals at said second point, monitors a time variation of its voltage signal to capture an abnormal voltage occurrence, and informs said master node when an abnormal voltage occurrence is observed; and a communication pathway for data and timing communication between said master node and said slave node. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of detecting arc faults, said method comprising:
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detecting a current signal and a voltage signal at a first point in a wiring system; detecting a current signal and a voltage signal at a second point in said wiring system; detecting an arc fault in said wiring system by comparing said current signals at said first and second points, and comparing said voltage signals at said first and second points; communicating data and timing information between said first point and said second point; wherein said step of detecting a current signal and a voltage signal at said first point includes sampling said voltage and current signals at said first point, and monitoring a time variation of said current signal at said first point to capture an abnormal current occurrence, wherein said step of detecting a current signal and a voltage signal at said second point includes sampling said voltage and current signals at said second point, and monitoring a time variation of said voltage signal at said second point to capture an abnormal voltage occurrence, and wherein said communication of data and timing information includes calling for current signal data from said second point when an abnormal current occurrence is observed, and calling for voltage signal data from said first point when an abnormal voltage occurrence is observed. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification