H02H3/22

Lighting relay panel features for improved safety and reliability

A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.

Lighting relay panel features for improved safety and reliability

A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.

Dual mode phase-to-phase surge protective devices
11043799 · 2021-06-22 · ·

A surge protector having a first hot line, a first load line, a second hot line, a second load line, and a ground line, the surge protector including a first fuse coupled between the first hot line and the first load line; a second fuse coupled between the second hot line and the second load line; a differential mode protection circuit coupled between the first hot line and the second hot line; and a common mode protection circuit coupled to the first hot line, the second hot line and the ground line.

Dual mode phase-to-phase surge protective devices
11043799 · 2021-06-22 · ·

A surge protector having a first hot line, a first load line, a second hot line, a second load line, and a ground line, the surge protector including a first fuse coupled between the first hot line and the first load line; a second fuse coupled between the second hot line and the second load line; a differential mode protection circuit coupled between the first hot line and the second hot line; and a common mode protection circuit coupled to the first hot line, the second hot line and the ground line.

Total Shielding of electrical installations with automatic cutoff and restart
20210175701 · 2021-06-10 ·

A system is provided to eliminate risks of electric damage in buildings from irregular, abnormal currents in electrical networks, devices, and ultimately the entire building, with automatic cutoff and restart of electrical fluid, restoring proper function once electric flow is normalized. It offers protection of building electrical installations against electrical surges through sensors, continuously monitoring input conditions. When harmful voltages or currents are detected, electric flow is cut off temporarily, and then restored when conditions go back to normal. Current design uses transient suppressors, contactors, a timer, and thermomagnetic switches (FIG. 1). This concept is targeted at residential, commercial, and industrial electrical installations. It solves the vulnerability to unexpected, external, devastating electrical surges. It can be used as stand-alone safety equipment, or integrated to conventional thermomagnetic breaker systems. Design can be modified depending on desired electric-security level and availability of current or new technology in electrical components.

ELECTRICAL DEVICE WITH POWER QUALITY EVENT PROTECTION AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

An electrical device includes a first terminal structured to electrically connect to a power source; a second terminal structured to electrically connect to a load; a voltage sensor electrically connected to a point between the first and second terminals and being structured to sense a voltage at the point between the first and second terminals; a switch electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a control unit structured to detect a power quality event in the power flowing between the first and second terminals based on the sensed voltage and to control a state of the switch based on the detected power quality event.

Three Phase Surge Protection Device
20210104372 · 2021-04-08 ·

A three phase surge protection device is disclosed. In an embodiment a device include a stack comprising a first varistor, a second varistor and a third varistor, wherein the varistors are electrically connected to form a circuit and a first thermal disconnect configured to interrupt the circuit when a temperature of the first thermal disconnect exceeds a predefined temperature.

Three Phase Surge Protection Device
20210104372 · 2021-04-08 ·

A three phase surge protection device is disclosed. In an embodiment a device include a stack comprising a first varistor, a second varistor and a third varistor, wherein the varistors are electrically connected to form a circuit and a first thermal disconnect configured to interrupt the circuit when a temperature of the first thermal disconnect exceeds a predefined temperature.

Method and apparatus for adaptive AC/DC surge protection

Methods and apparatus for adaptive surge protection are disclosed. An example method comprises providing load voltage to the electric load by regulating a source voltage with a surge protection device; monitoring, via a voltage detection circuit, the source voltage from an electric source, and determining, via a wiring diagnostic circuit, whether a wiring fault is detected; monitoring, via a lightning detection circuit, for the presence of lightning within a threshold distance of the surge protection device; and breaking, with a switching device, a circuit connection to stop providing the load voltage to the electric load in response to detecting at least one of: a presence of the wiring fault, the presence of lightning within the threshold distance, an overvoltage at the source voltage; or an undervoltage at the electric source.

Method and apparatus for adaptive AC/DC surge protection

Methods and apparatus for adaptive surge protection are disclosed. An example method comprises providing load voltage to the electric load by regulating a source voltage with a surge protection device; monitoring, via a voltage detection circuit, the source voltage from an electric source, and determining, via a wiring diagnostic circuit, whether a wiring fault is detected; monitoring, via a lightning detection circuit, for the presence of lightning within a threshold distance of the surge protection device; and breaking, with a switching device, a circuit connection to stop providing the load voltage to the electric load in response to detecting at least one of: a presence of the wiring fault, the presence of lightning within the threshold distance, an overvoltage at the source voltage; or an undervoltage at the electric source.