Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Safety and protection of systems and devices – Ground fault protection
Reexamination Certificate
2007-09-11
2007-09-11
Sherry, Michael (Department: 2836)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Safety and protection of systems and devices
Ground fault protection
C361S044000
Reexamination Certificate
active
11103118
ABSTRACT:
An arc fault circuit interrupter includes separable contacts electrically connected between line and load terminals, and a current sensor adapted to sense current flowing between the terminals and through the contacts. An arc fault detection circuit is adapted to collect a plurality of samples of the sensed current for a line cycle, determine a first slope of the sensed current at about a zero crossing of a line voltage, determine a magnitude of one of the samples at about the zero crossing, determine a second slope of the sensed current at another one of the samples having about the magnitude, with the first slope being opposite in polarity with respect to the second slope. The arc fault detection circuit calculates a difference between the slopes, and generates a trip signal as a function of the difference. An operating mechanism is adapted to open the contacts responsive to the trip signal.
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Elms Robert T.
Parker Kevin L.
Eaton Corporation
Morgan Martin J.
Nguyen Danny
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