Arc fault circuit interrupter
First Claim
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1. An arc fault circuit interrupter, comprising:
- a high-frequency sensor configured to detect high frequency components of a differential electrical current flow between a phase conductive path and a neutral conductive path, wherein the high frequency sensor is configured to provide a first signal representative of the high frequency components;
a current sensor configured to measure the electrical current flow and provide a second signal representative of the electrical current measurement;
a processor including;
an input structure configured to receive a third signal representative of a filtered version of the first signal and a fourth signal representative of a filtered version of the second signal;
logic configured to determine based on the third signal and the fourth signal that an arc fault has occurred; and
an output structure configured to generate a trigger signal; and
a reset lockout circuit configured to;
receive the trigger signal;
in response to the trigger signal, cause a circuit interrupt switch to open; and
prevent the circuit interrupt switch from closing until a reset signal is received from the processor.
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Abstract
An arc fault circuit interrupter is disclosed. This arc fault circuit interrupter can include any one or more of three different sensors such as a high frequency sensor, and any one of lower frequency sensors such as a current sensor or a differential sensor. The arc fault circuit interrupter can be configured as an in line arc fault circuit interrupter installed in a wall box. In addition, the arc fault circuit interrupter can include a processor configured to determine any one of a series arc fault, or a parallel arc fault.
217 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An arc fault circuit interrupter, comprising:
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a high-frequency sensor configured to detect high frequency components of a differential electrical current flow between a phase conductive path and a neutral conductive path, wherein the high frequency sensor is configured to provide a first signal representative of the high frequency components; a current sensor configured to measure the electrical current flow and provide a second signal representative of the electrical current measurement; a processor including; an input structure configured to receive a third signal representative of a filtered version of the first signal and a fourth signal representative of a filtered version of the second signal; logic configured to determine based on the third signal and the fourth signal that an arc fault has occurred; and an output structure configured to generate a trigger signal; and a reset lockout circuit configured to; receive the trigger signal; in response to the trigger signal, cause a circuit interrupt switch to open; and prevent the circuit interrupt switch from closing until a reset signal is received from the processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A circuit interrupter, comprising:
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a detector circuit configured to detect an arc fault and provide an indication of the arc fault; a processing circuit configured to receive the indication of the arc fault and generate a trigger signal in response to the indication; an interruption circuit configured to receive the trigger signal and cause an interruption signal in response to the indication; and a switch circuit configured to open two closed switches in response to the interruption signal, wherein the two switches when open electrically isolate a pair of load side conductors from a corresponding pair of line side conductors; wherein the detector circuit includes a high-frequency detector and a low-frequency detector, wherein the low frequency detector is configured to detect a non-differential current, and wherein the high-frequency detector is a differential high frequency detector arranged to detect a differential electrical current flow between a phase conductive path and a neutral conductive path. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification