Earth leakage detection circuit

• US 8,310,210 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2008
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
• Original Assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
• Inventors: Doumae, Hiroshi, Kagimura, Sumio, Masuda, Tooru
• Primary Examiner(s): DIAO, M BAYE
• Application Number:
  US12/738,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20100213905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,534 Days
• Field of Search: 320/166, 324/127
• US Class Current: 320/166
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/347 using summation current transformers

Abstract

A zero-phase current is outputted by detecting a ground-fault current with a zero-phase-sequence current transformer. A circuit having an open collector output operates when the voltage of the zero-phase current exceeds a positive side threshold value or it falls below a negative side threshold value to discharge a capacitor. When the inter-plate voltage of the capacitor falls below a threshold value voltage, a controlling means detects electric leakage to transmit that to a control unit of an air conditioner.

Claims

1. An electric leakage detection circuit comprising:

a zero-phase-sequence current transformer outputting a zero-phase current by detecting a ground-fault current;

a capacitor;

a circuit configured to operate an operation when said zero-phase current exceeds a predetermined positive side threshold value or when said zero-phase current falls below a predetermined negative side threshold value, and to control charge and discharge of said capacitor on the basis of said operation;

high potential points; and

a first resistor provided between said high potential points and said capacitor, wherein

said circuit employs an open collector output,

an output terminal of said circuit is connected to a contact provided between said first resistor and said capacitor, one end of said capacitor is connected to said contact, and

said capacitor is charged and discharged on the basis of output of said circuit.

2. The electric leakage detection circuit according to claim 1, wherein

said circuit includes an amplifier having an open collector output or wired OR circuits in which an amplifier having a push-pull output is applied, said open collector output being configured to operate an operation when said zero-phase current exceeds a predetermined positive side threshold value or when said zero-phase current falls below a predetermined negative side threshold value;

and

second resistor connected between an output of said amplifier and said contact.

3. The electric leakage detection circuit according to claim 2, wherein

another end of said capacitor is connected to a low potential point, and

a filter circuit is connected between said contact and said low potential point in parallel to said capacitor.