Arc fault circuit interrupter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10367347-B2
Application number	US-201715400854-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 6, 2017
Priority date	Jul 29, 2011
Publication date	Jul 30, 2019
Grant date	Jul 30, 2019

Abstract

An arc fault circuit interrupter is disclosed. This arc fault circuit interrupter can include any one or more of three different sensors such as a high frequency sensor, and any one of lower frequency sensors such as a current sensor or a differential sensor. The arc fault circuit interrupter can be configured as an in line arc fault circuit interrupter installed in a wall box. In addition, the arc fault circuit interrupter can include a processor configured to determine any one of a series arc fault, or a parallel arc fault.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A circuit interrupter, comprising:
a first conductive path and a second conductive path;
a first arc fault detection circuit including a low frequency sensor, wherein the first conductive path passes through the low frequency sensor, the low frequency sensor including a first coil;
a second arc fault detection circuit including a high frequency sensor wherein the first and second conductive paths pass through the high frequency sensor and the high frequency sensor is configured to sense a difference in magnitude of currents respectively flowing in the first and second conductive paths, the high frequency sensor including a second coil and a third coil; and
a test block configured to perform a test of the high frequency sensor, the test block including:
a current supply configured to provide flow of a test current through the third coil;
a measuring circuit configured to measure a current flowing through the second coil;
logic configured to determine, based on the current flowing through the second coil, that the test current was detected by the second coil; and
an indicator configured to indicate a result of the test.

2. The circuit interrupter of claim 1 , wherein the low frequency sensor further comprises a fourth coil, wherein the test current is a first test current, and the current supply is further configured to provide flow of a second test current through the fourth coil.

3. The circuit interrupter of claim 1 , wherein the low frequency sensor is co-axially aligned with the high frequency sensor along at least one conductor.

4. The circuit interrupter of claim 1 , wherein one of the second coil and the third coil is disposed within and substantially concentric with the other of the second coil and the third coil.

5. The circuit interrupter of claim 1 , wherein one of the second coil and the third coil include windings traversely wound around a substantially annular air core, and the other of the second coil and the third coil is disposed within the air core.

6. The circuit interrupter of claim 5 , wherein the second coil includes windings traversely wound around the air core, and the second coil is configured to sense arcing signals within a frequency range of 1 megahertz (MHz) to 10 MHz.

7. The circuit interrupter of claim 5 , wherein the low frequency sensor is configured to sense arcing signals at a power line frequency.

8. The circuit interrupter of claim 5 , wherein the air core further comprises a dielectric support member, and the dielectric support member is configured to provide electrical isolation between the second coil and the third coil.

9. The circuit interrupter of claim 1 , wherein the test is initiated by a processor in the circuit interrupter.

10. The circuit interrupter of claim 1 , wherein the test is periodically initiated by a processor in the circuit interrupter.

11. The circuit interrupter of claim 1 , wherein the test is initiated external to a processor in the circuit interrupter.

12. A circuit interrupter, comprising:
a first arc fault detection circuit including a first coil and a second coil;
a second arc fault detection circuit including a third coil and a fourth coil; and
a test block configured to perform a test of the first arc fault detection circuit and the second arc fault detection circuit, the test block including:
a current supply configured to provide flow of a first test current through the first coil and a flow of a second test current through the fourth coil;
a measuring circuit configured to measure a current flowing through the second coil and a current flowing through the third coil;
logic configured to determine, based on the current flowing through the second coil and the current flowing through the third coil, that conditions satisfying criteria related to an arc fault exist; and
an indicator configured to indicate a result of the test.

13. The circuit interrupter of claim 12 , wherein the third coil is co-axially aligned with the second coil along at least one conductor.

14. The circuit interrupter of claim 12 , wherein one of the second coil and the third coil include windings traversely wound around a substantially annular air core, and the other of the second coil and the third coil is disposed within the air core.

15. The circuit interrupter of claim 12 , wherein the test is initiated by a processor in the circuit interrupter.

16. The circuit interrupter of claim 12 , wherein the test is initiated external to a processor in the circuit interrupter.

17. A circuit interrupter, comprising:
a first arc fault detection circuit including a first coil and a second coil;
a second arc fault detection circuit including a third coil; and
a test block configured to perform a test of the first arc fault detection circuit and the second arc fault detection circuit, the test block including:
a current supply configured to provide flow of a test current through the first coil;
a measuring circuit configured to measure a current flowing through the second coil and a current flowing through the third coil;
logic configured to determine, based on the current flowing through the second coil and the current flowing through the third coil, that conditions satisfying criteria related to an arc fault exist; and
an indicator configured to indicate a result of the test,
wherein one of the second coil and the third coil is disposed within and substantially concentric with the other of the second coil and the third coil.

18. The circuit interrupter of claim 17 , wherein the third coil is co-axially aligned with the second coil along at least one conductor.

19. The circuit interrupter of claim 17 , wherein one of the second coil and the third coil include windings traversely wound around a substantially annular air core, and the other of the second coil and the third coil is disposed within the air core.

20. The circuit interrupter of claim 17 , wherein the test is initiated by a processor in the circuit interrupter.

21. The circuit interrupter of claim 17 , wherein the test is initiated external to a processor in the circuit interrupter.

Assignees

• Leviton Mfg Company
• Leviton Manufacturing Co

Inventors

• Ostrovsky Michael
• Libretto John
• Jansen Ronald
• Kamor Michael
• Kevelos Adam

Classifications

• G08B21/185

  Electrical failure alarms · CPC title

• H02H1/0015

  Using arc detectors · CPC title

• H02H3/044

  Checking correct functioning of protective arrangements, e.g. by simulating a fault (for differential current circuit breakers H02H3/335) · CPC title

• H02H3/16 Primary

  responsive to fault current to earth, frame or mass (with balanced or differential arrangement H02H3/26 {; monitoring earth connection H02H5/105}) · CPC title

• G01R31/025

  Physics · mapped topic