Method and apparatus for detection and control of dc arc faults
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for managing arc faults, at least a portion of the method being performed by a controller comprising at least one processor, the method comprising:
- analyzing a signature of a signal of a power converter; and
determining, based on analysis of the signature, whether an arc fault exists, wherein analyzing the signature comprises (i) analyzing the signature to identify a potential arc fault, wherein the signature is based on a current of the power converter; and
(ii) comparing, upon identifying the potential arc fault, the signature with a second signature for determining an arc fault signature match that identifies the arc fault, wherein the second signature is based on a voltage of the power converter; and
determining polarity of a DC current of the power converter; and
differentiating between a series arc and a parallel arc based on the polarity.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for managing DC arc faults. At least a portion of the method is performed by a controller comprising at least one processor. In one embodiment, the method comprises analyzing a signature of a signal of a power converter and determining, based on analysis of the signature, whether an arc fault exists.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method for managing arc faults, at least a portion of the method being performed by a controller comprising at least one processor, the method comprising:
-
analyzing a signature of a signal of a power converter; and determining, based on analysis of the signature, whether an arc fault exists, wherein analyzing the signature comprises (i) analyzing the signature to identify a potential arc fault, wherein the signature is based on a current of the power converter; and
(ii) comparing, upon identifying the potential arc fault, the signature with a second signature for determining an arc fault signature match that identifies the arc fault, wherein the second signature is based on a voltage of the power converter; anddetermining polarity of a DC current of the power converter; and differentiating between a series arc and a parallel arc based on the polarity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. An apparatus for managing arc faults, comprising:
a waveform processing module, adapted for coupling to a power conversion circuit, for analyzing a signature of a signal of the power conversion circuit and determining, based on analysis of the signature, whether an arc fault exists, wherein analyzing the signature comprises (i) analyzing the signature to identify a potential arc fault, wherein the signature is based on a current of the power conversion circuit; and
(ii) comparing, upon identifying the potential arc fault, the signature with a second signature for determining an arc fault signature match that identifies the arc fault, wherein the second signature is based on a voltage of the power conversion circuit; and
wherein the waveform processing module further determines polarity of a DC current of the power conversion circuit; and
differentiates between a series arc and a parallel arc based on the polarity.- View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
17. A system for managing arc faults, comprising:
-
a photovoltaic (PV) module; a power converter coupled to the PV module, wherein the power converter comprises a waveform processing module coupled to a power conversion circuit, for analyzing a signature of a signal of the power conversion circuit, the waveform processing module for analyzing a signature of a signal of the power converter and determining, based on analysis of the signature, whether an arc fault exists, wherein analyzing the signature comprises (i) analyzing the signature to identify a potential arc fault, wherein the signature is based on a current of the power conversion circuit; and
(ii) comparing, upon identifying the potential arc fault, the signature with a second signature for determining an arc fault signature match that identifies the arc fault, wherein the second signature is based on a voltage of the power conversion circuit; and
wherein the waveform processing module further determines polarity of a DC current of the power conversion circuit; and
differentiates between a series arc and a parallel arc based on the polarity.
-
Specification