Embodiments of the present invention include a test-boost electric power recloser that limits the duration of the test current imposed on the power line to less than two electric power cycles, and preferably less than one electric power cycle, when attempting to reclose into a fault. The test-boost recloser sends a test pulse causing a non-latching close followed by a boost pulse causing a latching close if waveform analysis based on the test close indicates that the fault has likely cleared. The test-boost approach can typically be implemented through a software and calibration upgrade to a conventional single-coil recloser, accomplishing results comparable to a dual-actuator recloser at a much lower cost. The recloser may perform iterative and feedback learning feedback processes to automatically improve its operation over time in response to measured fault and non-fault conditions and its success in predicting whether faults have cleared.

Fault interrupting devices and methods for controlling the same are disclosed. The fault interrupting devices may include a switch on an electrical power line and a controller configured to operate the switch. The methods for controlling fault interrupting devices may include gathering data, determining from the data that a fault has occurred, opening the fault interrupting device to interrupt the fault, analyzing the data, and determining whether the fault interrupting device can be reclosed based at least partially on the analysis of the data.

In one example, a ground fault circuit interrupter is provided. It may include a current imbalance detection circuit configured to provide a leakage signal and a main processing circuit including a processor. The leakage signal may correspond to a current imbalance between a supply path and a return path. The processor may be configured to receive the leakage signal, analyze a time pattern of the leakage signal, determine whether a ground fault exists based on analysis of the time pattern, and generate a first trigger signal if the ground fault is determined to exist. The ground fault circuit interrupter may further include a back-EMF detection circuit configured to provide a back-EMF detection signal. Methods for detecting and responding to a ground fault are also provided.

In one example, a ground fault circuit interrupter is provided. It may include a current imbalance detection circuit configured to provide a leakage signal and a main processing circuit including a processor. The leakage signal may correspond to a current imbalance between a supply path and a return path. The processor may be configured to receive the leakage signal, analyze a time pattern of the leakage signal, determine whether a ground fault exists based on analysis of the time pattern, and generate a first trigger signal if the ground fault is determined to exist. The ground fault circuit interrupter may further include a back-EMF detection circuit configured to provide a back-EMF detection signal. Methods for detecting and responding to a ground fault are also provided.

An arc detection apparatus is provided. The arc detection apparatus detects an arc using an electrical energy, eliminates the possibility of a false arc detection caused by noise due to a power environment, increases accuracy of arc detection, and prevents fires that may occur in a home or an industrial site due to an arc occurrence.

An arc detection apparatus is provided. The arc detection apparatus detects an arc using an electrical energy, eliminates the possibility of a false arc detection caused by noise due to a power environment, increases accuracy of arc detection, and prevents fires that may occur in a home or an industrial site due to an arc occurrence.

The object of the invention is a device for detecting an overcurrent, having a current meter, a first counter, and a switch, wherein the current meter measures a current through the device, with the switch being capable of interrupting a current flow through the device, wherein, if the current meter measures a current that exceeds a first current threshold, the first counter is changed by a first increment in a first direction, wherein, if the current meter measures a current that exceeds a second current threshold, the first counter is changed by a second increment in the first direction, with the second current threshold being quantitatively greater than the first current threshold, and with the second increment being quantitatively greater than the first increment, wherein, after a change in the counter, the first counter is compared with a first counter threshold, and if the counter threshold has been reached or exceeded, the switch is actuated continuously such that the current flow is interrupted, and otherwise the switch is actuated for a predetermined time such that the current flow is interrupted.

Devices and methods comprising a switch and an overload detection are disclosed. When an overload detection is detected, a first retry scheme followed by a second retry scheme different from the first retry scheme may be applied. If the overload condition persists, the switch may be disabled.

Devices and methods comprising a switch and an overload detection are disclosed. When an overload detection is detected, a first retry scheme followed by a second retry scheme different from the first retry scheme may be applied. If the overload condition persists, the switch may be disabled.

Automatic reclosing of a fault interrupting device is overridden by establishing communication with a control system for a fault interrupting device operable to open responsive to a fault on an electric distribution system and automatically reclose after a predetermined time delay, and analyzing data for the electric distribution system by an apparatus separate from the fault interrupting device control system and having higher performance than the fault interrupting device control system, to determine whether to block the automatic reclosing of the fault interrupting device before the fault interrupting device automatically recloses. An autoreclosing block command is generated by the apparatus if the apparatus determines the automatic reclosing of the fault interrupting device should be blocked. The autoreclosing block command is sent from the apparatus to the fault interrupting device control system to prevent the automatic reclosing of the fault interrupting device after the predetermined time delay.