H02H3/044

Methods and systems for identifying a malfunctioning current sensor

A method for identifying a malfunctioning current sensor in an electrical apparatus, in which an electrical power supply of the electrical apparatus is at least partly supplied by a switched-mode electrical power supply circuit connected to at least one current sensor which samples an electrical current in a phase conductor of an electrical installation, the power supply circuit delivering a regulated electrical voltage, the method including: determining a switching duty cycle of a power switch of the switched-mode electrical power supply; analysing the determined switching duty cycle; and identifying a failure condition if the behaviour of the switching duty cycle is representative of a malfunctioning of at least one of the current sensors.

Robust Safe Switch
20170373681 · 2017-12-28 ·

The Robust Safe Switch and Control Device is an “Internet of Things” end effecter that provides a minimally dissipating, robust switch tightly integrated with circuit, life and property automated safety features. The device enables extended sensing and monitoring capabilities that enable the effective management of the “Internet of Things.”

ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BOX
20170365991 · 2017-12-21 ·

An electrical junction box has a switch connected between a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal to which a fuse is mounted, and a control circuit configured to perform opening/closing control of the switch, has a storage unit for storing a standard resistance value in an initial state of the fuse and an amount of change in a resistance value of the fuse over time, and detects a first terminal voltage at the first connection terminal and a second terminal voltage at the second connection terminal. The control circuit opens the switch at a time of startup based on a control signal, calculates the resistance value of the fuse, calculates a reference resistance value, determines whether the fuse is correct by comparing the calculated resistance value of the fuse with the calculated reference resistance value, and outputs a first error signal if the fuse is incorrect.

RESIDUAL CURRENT DETECTING (RCD) AND GROUND IMPEDANCE MONITORING TRANSFORMER AND CONTROL METHODS
20170350927 · 2017-12-07 ·

Systems, devices, and methods for a transformer including: a first drive winding (206) wound on a first core; a second drive winding wound on a second core; a sense winding wound across the first and second cores; and a compensation winding wound across the first and second cores; where one or more utility lines are threaded through a middle of the first and second cores, a common mode current in the one or more utility lines causes one or more pulses to appear on the sense winding, a current on the compensation winding is adjusted until the one or more pulses on the sense winding are cancelled out, and the common mode current on the one or more utility lines is the adjusted current on the compensation winding multiplied by a turn ratio between the compensation winding and the sense winding.

AGING PROTECTION TECHNIQUES FOR POWER SWITCHES
20230188129 · 2023-06-15 ·

The present disclosure provides techniques for predicting failure of power switches and taking action based on the predictions. In an example, a method can include controlling the at least two parallel-connected power switches via a first driver and a second driver, the first a second driver responsive to a single command signal, measuring a failure characteristic of a first power switch, and disabling a first driver of the first power switch when the first failure characteristic exceeds a failure precursor threshold.

Self-testing ground fault circuit interrupter and associated method
09829539 · 2017-11-28 · ·

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) including separable contacts, a ground fault detection circuit structured to detect a ground fault based and to output a trip signal in response to detecting the ground fault, a trip circuit structured to trip open the separable contacts in response to the trip signal, a test button structured to be actuated by a user, a test unit structured to sequentially perform a GFCI self-test sequence and a ground fault test sequence in response to actuation of the test button, wherein the test unit is structured to determine whether the GFCI passed the GFCI self-test sequence and to output in an alarm signal in response to determining that the GFCI failed the GFCI self-test sequence, and an indicator structured to receive the alarm signal and to provide a visual or audible indication in response to receiving the alarm signal.

Monitoring and triggering of electrical fuses

The invention relates to a circuit arrangement (12) for monitoring and triggering an igniter (5) of an active electrical fuse (6). The arrangement comprises: a control and evaluation unit (1), an alternating current generating unit (2) activated by the control and evaluation unit (1), an alternating current transmission unit arranged between the igniter (5) and the alternating current generating unit (2), the control and evaluation unit (1) being designed and programmed, in a first operational state, to determine the electrical resistance of the igniter (5) from a current detected on the primary side and a voltage detected on the primary side, the value of the resistance being a measure for tripping of the igniter (5), and, in a second operational state, to trigger the igniter (5) by means of the alternating current generating unit (2). The invention further relates to an associated method, to a computer program product which carries out the method and a computer-readable medium, and to a converter and to an aircraft having such a circuit arrangement.

FAULT CURRENT LIMITER HAVING FAULT CHECKING SYSTEM FOR POWER ELECTRONICS AND BYPASS CIRCUIT
20170331282 · 2017-11-16 ·

A fault current limiter may include a current limiting leg to transmit a first current and a control leg in parallel with the current limiting leg, the control leg to transmit a second current. The control leg may include a plurality of power electronic modules arranged in electrical series with one another, and a bypass power electronic module arranged in electrical series with the plurality of power electronic modules. The control leg may further include a plurality of current monitors arranged electrically in series with the plurality of power electronic modules and the bypass power electronic module, and at least one triggering circuit, wherein the plurality of current monitors is electrically coupled to the at least one triggering circuit, and wherein the at least one triggering circuit is coupled to at least one of: the plurality of power electronic modules, and the bypass power electronic module.

SELF-TEST MECHANISMS FOR END-OF-LIFE DETECTION AND RESPONSE FOR CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER DEVICES
20230170173 · 2023-06-01 ·

A circuit for a circuit interrupter is provided. The circuit may in include a first SCR configured to receive a first trigger signal at a gate of the first SCR, a second SCR configured to receive a second trigger signal at a gate of the second SCR, and a third SCR configured to receive a third trigger signal at a gate of the third SCR. A cathode of the first SCR may be connected to an anode of the third SCR. A cathode of the second SCR and a cathode of the third SCR may be connected to a ground. Methods of operating a circuit interrupter and a circuit are also provided.

Self-test module of electronic circuit breaker

A self-test module of an electronic circuit breaker includes a power supply assembly with a rechargeable battery, a self-test enablement assembly, an induced power supply assembly, a boost power supply, and a micro control unit (MCU). The self-test enablement assembly is connected to the rechargeable battery and includes an enablement button, a capacitor and a first power chip connected in series. The induced power supply assembly includes a buck chip. The boost power supply includes a second power chip and a boost chip connected in series. The MCU includes a plurality of pins that are connected to the first and second power chips, the buck chip, and the boost chip. The self-test module has two working modes; the electronic circuit breaker may be provided with or without a load current. The MCU operates the self-test procedure, indicates the self-test status, and maintains the indication for a period of time.