Built-in testing of an arc fault/transient detector
First Claim
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1. A method of verifying correct functioning of an arc fault/transient detector, the method comprising:
- providing an electrical power supply system, which includes;
a circuit having;
a power source for providing electric power to a load;
a breaker switch provided in an electrically conductive path between the power source and the load, the breaker switch having an open position, a closed position, and an output; and
a test switch provided between the output of the breaker switch and a ground to form a short circuit loop in the circuit, the test switch having an open position for breaking electrical continuity of the short circuit loop to the ground and a closed position for providing electrical continuity of the short circuit loop to the ground; and
an arc fault/transient detector operable to monitor for a rate of change in one or both of a current or a voltage in the circuit, the detector co-operable with the breaker switch to trip the breaker switch from the closed position to the open position if the sensed rate of change exceeds a predetermined value;
selectively switching the test and breaker switches so as to;
(a) provide electrical continuity of the short circuit loop to the ground thereby establishing a short circuit between the output of the breaker switch and the ground, and thereafter either or both of;
(b) inject a flow of current from the power source into the short circuit; and
/or(c) terminate an injected flow of current from the power source into the short circuit;
monitoring, using the arc fault/transient detector, a rate of change of either or both of a transient current or a transient voltage in the short circuit loop induced by the injecting/terminating of the flow of current from the power source into the short circuit; and
determining a functional status of the detector based upon the monitoring, wherein faulty functioning of the detector corresponds to the following condition being met;
the detector failing to detect the induced rate of change during the monitoring.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to built-in testing of detectors for the detection of electrical arc faults or transients, where the detector is integrated into or electrically coupled to an electrical power supply system.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of verifying correct functioning of an arc fault/transient detector, the method comprising:
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providing an electrical power supply system, which includes; a circuit having; a power source for providing electric power to a load; a breaker switch provided in an electrically conductive path between the power source and the load, the breaker switch having an open position, a closed position, and an output; and a test switch provided between the output of the breaker switch and a ground to form a short circuit loop in the circuit, the test switch having an open position for breaking electrical continuity of the short circuit loop to the ground and a closed position for providing electrical continuity of the short circuit loop to the ground; and an arc fault/transient detector operable to monitor for a rate of change in one or both of a current or a voltage in the circuit, the detector co-operable with the breaker switch to trip the breaker switch from the closed position to the open position if the sensed rate of change exceeds a predetermined value; selectively switching the test and breaker switches so as to; (a) provide electrical continuity of the short circuit loop to the ground thereby establishing a short circuit between the output of the breaker switch and the ground, and thereafter either or both of; (b) inject a flow of current from the power source into the short circuit; and
/or(c) terminate an injected flow of current from the power source into the short circuit; monitoring, using the arc fault/transient detector, a rate of change of either or both of a transient current or a transient voltage in the short circuit loop induced by the injecting/terminating of the flow of current from the power source into the short circuit; and determining a functional status of the detector based upon the monitoring, wherein faulty functioning of the detector corresponds to the following condition being met;
the detector failing to detect the induced rate of change during the monitoring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electrical power supply system comprising:
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a circuit including; a power source for providing electric power to a load; a breaker switch provided in an electrically conductive path between the power source and the load, the breaker switch having an open position, a closed position, and an output; and a test switch provided between the output of the breaker switch and a ground to form a short circuit loop in the circuit, the test switch having an open position for breaking electrical continuity of the short circuit loop to the ground and a closed position for providing electrical continuity of the short circuit loop to the ground; an arc fault/transient detector operable to monitor for a rate of change in one or both of a current or a voltage in the circuit, the detector co-operable with the breaker switch to trip the breaker switch from the closed position to the open position if the sensed rate of change exceeds a predetermined value; wherein the test and breaker switches are selectively switchable for; (a) providing electrical continuity of the short circuit loop to the ground to thereby establish a short circuit between the output of the breaker switch and the ground, and thereafter either or both of; (b) injecting a flow of current from the power source into the short circuit; and
/or(c) terminating an injected flow of current from the power source into the short circuit; wherein the detector is operable to monitor a rate of change of either or both of a transient current or a transient voltage in the short circuit loop induced by the injecting/terminating of the flow of current from the power supply into the short circuit; wherein the system is operable to determine a functional status of the detector based upon the monitoring, wherein faulty functioning of the detector corresponds to the detector failing to detect the induced rate of change during monitoring. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification