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.
17 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