Low cost high frequency sensor for arc-fault detection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020185902-A1
Application number	US-201816213582-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 7, 2018
Priority date	Dec 7, 2018
Publication date	Jun 11, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

Example embodiments of the invention include a powdered core bead body configured to become an inductive impedance to current signals with high frequencies in a power wire threaded through the powdered core bead body. The signals are detectable by a high frequency voltage sensor that is configured to output an arc fault tripping indication to an arc fault tripping circuit in response to an occurrence of high frequency current signals in the power wire.

First claim

1 . A high frequency sensor for arc fault detection, comprising:
a powdered core bead body having a magnetic permeability, configured to become an inductive impedance in response to current signals with high frequencies in a power wire passing through the bead and to provide an arc fault tripping indication in response to an occurrence of high frequency current signals in the power wire, the powdered core bead body having a generally cylindrical shape with a centralized circular aperture through the bead body, with a first portion of the power wire passing into a first end of the aperture and through the bead body and a second portion of the power wire passing out of a second end of the aperture; and a high frequency voltage sensor having a first input terminal coupled to the first portion of the power wire and a second input terminal coupled to the second portion of the power wire, configured to provide an arc fault tripping indication in response to an occurrence of high frequency current signals in the power wire.

2 . The high frequency sensor for arc fault detection of claim 1 , further comprising:
an arc fault tripping circuit coupled to the high frequency voltage sensor, configured to interrupt electrical current in the power wire, if an output is received from the high frequency voltage sensor indicating that an arc-fault is detected.

3 . The high frequency sensor for arc fault detection of claim 1 , wherein the powdered core bead body is configured to become an inductive impedance to current signals in the power wire with frequencies between 1 MHz to 40 MHz.

4 . The high frequency sensor for arc fault detection of claim 1 , wherein the powdered core bead body is composed of a ferromagnetic material.

5 . A high frequency sensor for arc fault detection, comprising:
a powdered core bead body having a magnetic permeability, configured to become an inductive impedance in response to current signals with high frequencies in a power wire passing through the bead and to provide an arc fault tripping indication in response to an occurrence of high frequency current signals in the power wire, the powdered core bead body having a generally cylindrical shape with a centralized circular aperture through the bead body, with the power wire passing into a first end of the aperture and through the bead body and passing out of a second end of the aperture; a sensing wire positioned to pass once through the aperture of the bead body, the sensing wire having a first portion passing into the first end of the aperture and through the bead body and a second portion passing out of the second end of the aperture, the sensing wire configured sense an occurrence of high frequency current signals in the power wire and to provide an arc fault tripping indication in response to an occurrence of high frequency current signals in the power wire; and a high frequency voltage sensor having a first input terminal coupled to the first portion of the sensor wire and a second input terminal coupled to the second portion of the sensor wire, configured to sense an occurrence of high frequency current signals in the power wire and to provide an arc fault tripping indication in response to an occurrence of high frequency current signals in the power wire.

6 . The high frequency sensor for arc fault detection of claim 5 , further comprising:
an arc fault tripping circuit coupled to the high frequency voltage sensor, configured to interrupt electrical current in the power wire, if an output is received from the high frequency voltage sensor indicating that an arc-fault is detected.

7 . The high frequency sensor for arc fault detection of claim 5 , wherein the powdered core bead body is configured to become an inductive impedance to current signals in the power wire with frequencies between 1 MHz to 40 MHz.

8 . The high frequency sensor for arc fault detection of claim 5 , wherein the powdered core bead body is composed of a ferromagnetic material.

Assignees

• Schneider Electric Usa Inc

Inventors

• Jakupi Andi
• Scott Gary W

Classifications

• G01R31/12

  Testing dielectric strength or breakdown voltage {; Testing or monitoring effectiveness or level of insulation, e.g. of a cable or of an apparatus, for example using partial discharge measurements; Electrostatic testing (G01R31/08, G01R31/327 and G01R31/72 take precedence; measuring in plasmas G01R19/0061; measuring dielectric constants G01R27/2617; ESD, EMC or EMP testing of circuits G01R31/002)} · CPC title

• G01R31/083 Primary

  in cables, e.g. underground · CPC title

• H01F17/04

  with magnetic core · CPC title

• H03H7/38

  Impedance-matching networks · CPC title

• G01R19/165

  Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values · CPC title