Patent classifications
H02H3/334
Universal ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) device incorporating a water and flame barrier button assembly
A water and flame barrier button assembly is incorporated into an electrical enclosure such as a GFCI housing to provide water and flame resistant set and reset buttons. The buttons are contained within flexible sealing frames that allow one end of the buttons to extend through the top portion of the GFCI housing while the opposite end of the button is exposed within the base portion of the sealing frame. The base portion of the sealing frame attaches to the interior of the housing with the exposed button end positioned inward of the sealing frame base. The base of the sealing frame contacts the GFCI circuit board while providing a rebound force to return either the set or reset button exposed end from a position depressed and in contact with the circuit board to a position not in contact with the circuit board and returning inward of the sealing frame base.
Conductor Temperature Detector
Various implementations described herein are directed to a method for detecting, by a device, an increase in temperature at certain parts of an electrical system, and taking appropriate responsive action. The method may include measuring temperatures at certain locations within the system and estimating temperatures at other locations based on the measurements. Some embodiments disclosed herein include an integrated cable combining electrical conduction and heat-detection capabilities, or an integrated cable or connector combining electrical conduction with a thermal fuse.
Leakage current protection device for power plug
A leakage current protection plug includes a body formed by a top cover and a base, a moving assembly disposed in the body, and output wires. The moving assembly includes a control circuit board, and a detector assembly and a trip assembly disposed on the control circuit board, wherein power input insertion plates and power output moving contact arms are assembled with the moving assembly. Each output moving contact arm is formed integrally and fixed to the detector assembly, and the output ends of the output moving contact arms are directly connected to the output conductor wires. The device has a simple overall structure and can be reliably assembled. By using integrally formed output moving contact arms to directly couple the input and output, it improves the accuracy of the leakage current detection parameters, reduces internal transfers and solder points, and reduces the size and cost of the plug.
ELECTRIC CIRCUIT DEVICE FOR DETECTING A CLOSED SWITCH CONTACT AS WELL AS A PROTECTION GROUND CONDUCTOR INTERRUPTION IN A ONE OR MULTIPHASE ELECTRIC SUPPLY LINE
An electric circuit device and method is for recognizing a closed switch contact as well as a protective ground conductor interruption in a one- or multiphase electric supply line. A control of a residual current monitoring device (RCMB control) includes one fault current control unit for generating a control signal pattern including a series of switching-on impulses forwarded to a first electronic switch unit to activate a possible artificial passive fault current on one or more active conductors and the protective ground conductor (as a return conductor), this fault current actually flowing, being recognized, and evaluated in a closed circuit in a closed switch contact to be tested and an intact protective conductor. Owing to control signal patterns varying during monitoring, a reliable detection of the artificial passive fault current is ensured even in large dynamic disturbance levels while the electric installation (supply line) to be monitored is in operation.
Liquid system tool having an integrated residual current device
Disclosed herein is a liquid system tool having an integrated residual current device, RCD. The liquid system tool comprises a current circuit having a power input for receiving an alternating electrical current, AC, a rectifier for rectifying the AC into a direct current, DC, a voltage booster for increasing a DC voltage and a motor unit connected to an output of the voltage booster for driving the liquid system tool. The RCD comprises a sensor element connected to an output of the rectifier and an input of the voltage booster and being configured to collect an analog current signal and an analog to digital, A/D, converter configured to convert the analog current signal into a digital current signal. The integrated RCD further comprises a logic unit connected to the A/D converter, wherein the logic unit is configured to evaluate the digital current signal and compare it to a current requirement, and wherein if the logic unit determines that the digital current signal does not fulfill the current requirement, it is further configured to break the current circuit so that no current can flow in the liquid system tool. Also disclosed is a method for detecting residual current in a liquid system tool, and a computer program product.
GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER USING FREQUENCY RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT
A wiring device including an interrupting device, a fault detection circuit, and a testing circuit. The interrupting device is electrically connecting one or more line terminals to one or more load terminals. The fault detection circuit is configured to detect a fault condition and generate a fault detection signal in response to detecting the fault condition. The fault detection signal being provided to the interrupting device to place the interrupting device in a tripped condition. The testing circuit is configured to determine a frequency of an input voltage at the one or more line terminals, filter the frequency of the input voltage, determine whether the filtered frequency is within a predetermined range, and when the filtered frequency is within the predetermined range, perform a test of the wiring device.
Conductor temperature detector
Various implementations described herein are directed to a method for detecting, by a device, an increase in temperature at certain parts of an electrical system, and taking appropriate responsive action. The method may include measuring temperatures at certain locations within the system and estimating temperatures at other locations based on the measurements. Some embodiments disclosed herein include an integrated cable combining electrical conduction and heat-detection capabilities, or an integrated cable or connector combining electrical conduction with a thermal fuse.
Method and device for detecting a direct-current fault current
The invention relates to a method for detecting a direct-current fault current in an electrical alternating-current circuit, wherein a rectifier unit (14) is connected to an alternating-current network (34) by means of a primary side (13) and provides a direct current on a secondary side (15) and wherein the alternating-current network (34) is protected by means of a fault-current circuit breaker (38), which interrupts the circuit if an alternating-current fault current greater than a specified alternating-current tripping threshold occurs. A direct-current fault current on the primary side (13) is measured and is compared with a specified direct-current tripping threshold. An alternating-current fault current is produced if the direct-current fault current lies above the tripping threshold. The invention further relates to a device (10) for detecting a direct-current fault current and to a charging apparatus (12) comprising such a device (10).
Circuit interrupter with ground fault current transformer
A circuit interrupter including a first set of separable contacts, a second set of separable contacts, a first operating mechanism structured to open the first set of separable contacts, a second operating mechanism structured to open and close the second set of separable contacts, and an electronic trip unit including a routine structured to detect a fault condition and a type of the fault condition, to control the second operating mechanism to open the second set of separable contacts in response to detecting a first type of fault condition, and to control the second operating mechanism to close the second set of separable contacts a predetermined amount of time after controlling the second operating mechanism to open the second set of separable contacts.
Integrated arc fault and ground fault current sensing package
The line power and neutral conductors for an arc fault sensing circuit interrupter such as in a miniature circuit breaker are arranged as a rigid conductor surrounding and holding an insulated flexible conductor when passing through the Ground Fault Interrupter current transformer. Voltage metering takes place across the rigid conductor to enable arc fault detection and ground fault detection in the miniature circuit breaker within the space of a single current transformer.