Methods and apparatus for an IC package having an impedance detector module configured to have: a first connection to a first external energy source via a first IO pin of the IC package and a second connection to a detection component. In embodiments, the detection component is configured for connection to a first ground for the first external energy source via a second IO pin of the IC package, and to a barrier component, which is configured for connection to a second ground for a second external energy source via a third IO pin of the IC package. The impedance detector module is configured to detect a disconnection or degradation of a connection to ground.

A temporary power delivery system includes a power source, a booth stringer, and a portable GFCI device. The GFCI device is receives current from the power source by a first terminal and delivers current to the booth stringer by a second terminal. An electronic processor of the GFCI device compares a combined magnitude of current flowing through first and second phase conductors of the GFCI device to a magnitude of current flowing through a neutral conductor of the GFCI. The electronic processor also compares a first voltage between the first phase conductor and neutral conductor to a second voltage between the second phase conductor and neutral conductor. A circuit breaker of the GFCI device is opened if a difference between the combined magnitude of phase conductor current and neutral conductor current exceeds a first threshold or a difference between the first voltage and second voltage exceeds a second threshold.

A DI-circuit breaker device includes a summation current converter for detecting fault currents in a phase conductor and a neutral conductor, and a detection device for detecting fault states of a protective ground conductor. The detection device detects the presence of a phase voltage on the protective ground conductor as a fault state. The detection device has a capacitive sensor which, when touched by a user, forms an electric capacitor with an impedance relative to ground potential. The detection device further has evaluating electronics adapted to determine a phase position by connecting the sensor to the phase conductor and, separately therefrom, to the neutral conductor. The evaluating electronics determine the absence of a phase voltage on the protective ground conductor when there is no voltage between the neutral conductor and the protective ground conductor when phase is present at the phase conductor. Further, a corresponding operating method is described.

Method for the continuous insulation monitoring of an electrical conductor arrangement (12) with an active conductor (3) and a conductor structure (14) electrically insulated from the active conductor (3), wherein the quality of the conductor arrangement (12) as well as the arrangement of the active conductor (3) and the conductor structure (14) is such that almost identical propagation conditions for the active conductor (3) and the conductor structure (14) apply to a current flow against ground (E), wherein an insulation resistance measurement is being carried out, wherein an insulation monitoring unit (20) is connected between the conductor structure (14) and ground (E), which superimposes a measurement voltage onto the electrical conductor arrangement (12), which generates a measurement current proportionally to the insulation resistance of the conductor arrangement (12), which is acquired in the insulation resistance measurement unit (20) and evaluated.

Methods and apparatus for an IC package having an impedance detector module configured to have: a first connection to a first external energy source via a first IO pin of the IC package and a second connection to a detection component. In embodiments, the detection component is configured for connection to a first ground for the first external energy source via a second IO pin of the IC package, and to a barrier component, which is configured for connection to a second ground for a second external energy source via a third IO pin of the IC package. The impedance detector module is configured to detect a disconnection or degradation of a connection to ground.

A method for detecting a fault in a battery charger circuit of a vehicle includes determining, based on at least one expected voltage value of an incoming alternating current source, a first threshold. The method also includes measuring at least one line voltage value associated with the incoming alternating current source that provides power to the battery charger circuit. The method also includes determining whether the measured at least one line voltage value is greater than the first threshold. The method also includes in response to a determination that the measured at least one line voltage value is greater than the first threshold, disconnecting the battery charger circuit from and/or preventing the battery charger circuit from connecting to the incoming alternating current source after a first predetermined period.

An apparatus for smart frequency selection in a ground monitor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an energy measurement circuit that measures an energy level at a test frequency in an equipment grounding conductor between a load and a power source and an energy comparator that compares the measured energy level with an energy threshold. The apparatus includes a continuity signal circuit that injects a continuity signal with a frequency at the test frequency in the equipment grounding conductor at an energy level above the energy threshold in response to the energy comparator determining that the measured energy level is below the energy threshold. The continuity signal is an indicator for continuity of the equipment grounding conductor between the power source and load.

A circuit for detecting a status of a ground connection in an electric motor includes a rectifier, a converter, a voltage conditioning circuit, a leakage circuit, and a comparator. The rectifier couples to an AC line within the motor and generates a first DC voltage. The converter steps-down the first DC voltage to a second DC voltage. The voltage conditioning circuit couples to the converter, leakage circuit, and comparator, and generates a reference DC voltage signal and a leakage voltage from the second DC voltage. The leakage circuit includes an impedance coupled to ground, and applies the leakage voltage to the impedance and generates a measurement signal representing a leakage current through the impedance to ground. The comparator couples to the leakage circuit and generates a logic signal, indicating a status of the ground connection, based on a voltage difference between the reference DC voltage signal and the measurement signal.

A method for monitoring a polyphase network includes the steps, repeated regularly, of: acquiring voltage measurements taken by voltage sensors of an item of electrical equipment, and producing current values of electrical parameters; accessing a reference table comprising a list of connection configurations each associated with a distinct combination of reference values of said electrical parameters, the list of connection configurations comprising configurations each corresponding to a combination of connection states for each phase (P1, P2, P3) and for the neutral (N); implementing an exploratory algorithm intended to explore the reference table to identify the current connection configuration.

An apparatus for detecting an open neutral condition in a split phase power system is described. The apparatus includes two powered lines providing output electricity to an electrical distribution system and a shared neutral line providing a grounded neutral to the first and second powered lines. The apparatus is configured for detecting when an open neutral condition is present in the split phase power system by determining when a power current is present on one or both of the first and second powered lines while a return current is not present on the neutral line; and in response to detecting that the open neutral condition is present, causing an interrupter to interrupt the power supplied by the first and second powered lines or to generate a signal indicating an open condition.