Leakage current detection and interruption circuit powered by leakage current
First Claim
1. A circuit for disconnecting a power source upon the detection of a leakage current from one of a first and a second wire connected to the power source, comprising:
- a sensing conductor located adjacent to one of the first and second wires for sensing a leakage current from one of the first and second wires;
a disconnect switch interposed within the first and second wires connected to the power source;
said disconnect switch having a disconnect switch solenoid coil for opening said disconnect switch;
a threshold conduction device being conductive upon a threshold voltage applied to the threshold conduction device;
a connector connecting said disconnect switch solenoid coil in series with said threshold conduction device between one of the first and second wires and said sensing conductor; and
a threshold voltage generator comprising a capacitor connected in series with a diode between said sensing conductor and one of the first and second wires for charging said capacitor for generating said threshold voltage for said threshold conduction device upon a leakage current flow between said sensing conductor and one of the first and second wires and through said threshold voltage generator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A circuit is disclosed for disconnecting a power source upon the detection of a leakage current from one of a first and a second wire connected to the power source. A sensing conductor is located adjacent to one of the first and second wires for sensing a leakage current from one of the first and second wires. A disconnect switch is interposed within the first and second wires connected to the power source. A disconnect switch control circuit is connected to the sensing conductor for opening the disconnect switch upon the presence of a leakage current from the sensing conductor. The disconnect switch control circuit operates solely from the leakage current from the sensing conductor.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A circuit for disconnecting a power source upon the detection of a leakage current from one of a first and a second wire connected to the power source, comprising:
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a sensing conductor located adjacent to one of the first and second wires for sensing a leakage current from one of the first and second wires; a disconnect switch interposed within the first and second wires connected to the power source; said disconnect switch having a disconnect switch solenoid coil for opening said disconnect switch; a threshold conduction device being conductive upon a threshold voltage applied to the threshold conduction device; a connector connecting said disconnect switch solenoid coil in series with said threshold conduction device between one of the first and second wires and said sensing conductor; and a threshold voltage generator comprising a capacitor connected in series with a diode between said sensing conductor and one of the first and second wires for charging said capacitor for generating said threshold voltage for said threshold conduction device upon a leakage current flow between said sensing conductor and one of the first and second wires and through said threshold voltage generator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A circuit for disconnecting a power source upon the detection of a leakage current from one of a first and a second wire connected to the power source, comprising:
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a sensing conductor located adjacent to one of the first and second wires for sensing a leakage current from one of the first and second wires; a disconnect switch interposed within the first and second wires connected to the power source; said disconnect switch having a disconnect switch solenoid coil for opening said disconnect switch; a divider circuit interconnected between the first and second wires for providing a divider node; a threshold conduction device being conductive upon a threshold voltage applied to the threshold conduction device; a connector connecting said disconnect switch solenoid coil in series with said threshold conduction device between said divider node and said sensing conductor; and a capacitor connected between said divider node and said sensing conductor to provide said threshold voltage to said threshold conduction device upon a leakage current flow between said sensing conductor and one of the first and second wires. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A circuit for disconnecting a power source upon the detection of a leakage current from one of a first and a second wire connected to the power source, comprising:
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a sensing conductor located adjacent to one of the first and second wires for sensing a leakage current from one of the first and second wires; a disconnect switch interposed within the first and second wires connected to the power source; said disconnect switch having a disconnect switch solenoid coil for opening said disconnect switch; a threshold conduction device being conductive upon a threshold voltage applied to the threshold conduction device; a connector connecting said disconnect switch solenoid coil in series with said threshold conduction device between said divider node and said sensing conductor; and a capacitor connected between said sensing conductor and one of the first and second wires for charging said capacitor with a leakage current flow between said sensing conductor and one of the first and second wires to provide said threshold voltage generator to said threshold conduction device.
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21. A circuit for disconnecting a power source upon the detection of a leakage current from a wire connected to the power source, comprising:
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a sensing conductor located adjacent to the wire for sensing a leakage current from the wire; a disconnect switch interposed within the wire connected to the power source; and a disconnect switch control circuit comprising a capacitor connected to said sensing conductor for opening said disconnect switch upon said capacitor accumulating a predetermined amount of the leakage current from said sensing conductor.
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Specification