Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of ground fault protection are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a power switch being structured to receive a load current from a power source at a source-side and selectively output the load current from a load-side to a load; a first voltage measuring device structured to measure a first voltage of the source-side while the power switch is conducting the load current; a second voltage measuring device structured to measure a second voltage of the load-side while the first voltage measuring device is measuring the first voltage; and a controller structured to determine a source-side-to-ground voltage based on the first voltage, determine a load-side-to-ground voltage based on the second voltage, determine a ground fault is occurring, and determine a direction of the ground fault relative to the power switch by comparing the source-side-to-ground voltage and the load-side-to-ground voltage.

A compensation device (20) for compensating for a discharge current has a compensation current generation device (28), a potential generation device (150), active conductor terminals (61, 62, 63, 64) and a PE conductor terminal (65), which active conductor terminals (61, 62, 63, 64) have a first active conductor terminal (61) and a second active conductor terminal (62; 64), which potential generation device (150) is interconnected with the first active conductor terminal (61) and has a potential generation device terminal (155), which potential generation device (150) is designed to provide a potential at the potential generation device terminal (155) which at least temporarily differs from the potential at the first active conductor terminal (61), and which compensation current generation device (28) is designed to effect a compensation current (I_COMP) between the potential generation device terminal (155) and the PE conductor terminal (65).

Grounding devices, systems, and associated methods and kits for grounding electrical equipment are described herein. An example embodiment of a grounding device includes a main body that has a main body first end, a main body second end, a main body top, a main body bottom, a main body first surface, a main body second surface, and defines a first passageway, a slot, and a track. The slot extends into the main body from the main body second end toward the main body first end to the track. The track has a track first end, a track second end, a track first portion, and a track second portion. The track first portion extends from the slot and away from the main body top. The track second portion extends from the track first portion, away from the main body first end and the main body top, to the track second end.

Grounding devices, systems, and associated methods and kits for grounding electrical equipment are described herein. An example embodiment of a grounding device includes a main body that has a main body first end, a main body second end, a main body top, a main body bottom, a main body first surface, a main body second surface, and defines a first passageway, a slot, and a track. The slot extends into the main body from the main body second end toward the main body first end to the track. The track has a track first end, a track second end, a track first portion, and a track second portion. The track first portion extends from the slot and away from the main body top. The track second portion extends from the track first portion, away from the main body first end and the main body top, to the track second end.

The invention relates to a novel approach for the protection of electrical circuits from ground faults and parallel and series arc faults in a fully solid-state circuit configuration. Solid-state circuits and methods of use are described that provide the key functions of low-voltage DC power supply, mains voltage and current sensing, fault detection processing and high voltage electronic switching.

The invention relates to a novel approach for the protection of electrical circuits from ground faults and parallel and series arc faults in a fully solid-state circuit configuration. Solid-state circuits and methods of use are described that provide the key functions of low-voltage DC power supply, mains voltage and current sensing, fault detection processing and high voltage electronic switching.

A system includes a dry contact with a first pair of switchable electrodes, a wet contact with a second pair of switchable electrodes, an arc suppressor, and a controller circuit operatively coupled to the arc suppressor and the first and second pairs of switchable electrodes. The controller circuit is configured to detect a failure of the wet contact and determine a stick duration associated with the first pair of switchable electrodes. The stick duration is based on a duration between an instance when a coil of the dry contact is deactivated and an instance of separation of the first pair of switchable electrodes during deactivation of the coil. The controller circuit generates, in-situ and in real-time, health assessment for the first pair of switchable electrodes based on a comparison of the determined stick duration with an average stick duration associated with a window of observation.

An apparatus includes a mechanical switch and a solid-state switch, such as a diamond switch or antiparallel-connected thyristor pair, coupled in series between an AC source and the load, such as a substation input transformer. The control circuit may be configured to connect the AC power source to the load by closing the mechanical switch and turning on the solid-state switch thereafter. The control circuit may be configured to interrupt a connection of the AC source to the load by turning off the solid-state switch and closing the mechanical switch thereafter. Operations of the switches may be coordinated with a fuse coupled in series with the solid-state switch to address different types of fault conditions.

An apparatus includes a mechanical switch and a solid-state switch, such as a diamond switch or antiparallel-connected thyristor pair, coupled in series between an AC source and the load, such as a substation input transformer. The control circuit may be configured to connect the AC power source to the load by closing the mechanical switch and turning on the solid-state switch thereafter. The control circuit may be configured to interrupt a connection of the AC source to the load by turning off the solid-state switch and closing the mechanical switch thereafter. Operations of the switches may be coordinated with a fuse coupled in series with the solid-state switch to address different types of fault conditions.

Ground-fault circuit interrupter positioned between energy controlled supply circuit and load circuit which includes fault detection circuit that senses ground path current leakage to the load circuit, fault processing circuit that detects presence of fault and generates fault output signal when fault detected, and control circuit switch connected to fault processing signal output, wherein control circuit switch is opened by presence of fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from supply circuit. Preferably fault processing circuit and control circuit are optically linked, such that when fault is detected, control circuit switch is opened by optical fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from the supply circuit. Circuit interrupter may couple another circuit interrupter via power distribution control unit, optionally manageable remotely via automated control interface.