Abstract:
A system for testing an arcing fault detection system including a sensor (21a) coupled to the line conductor for monitoring the electrical signal and generating a sensor signal representing the electrical signal. The sensor simultaneously monitors the test signal and the electrical signal when the test signal is present on the test line. The arcing fault detection system generates an arc-indicative signal in response to the sensor signal associated with either the test line or line conductor having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault. A diagnostic test integrator evaluates the status conditions of the test signal and the arc-indicative signal and generates a trip signal to trigger the interruption of the electrical signal in response to certain status conditions of the test signal and the arc-indicative signal.
Abstract:
An alternating current sensing apparatus comprises at least two coils (18, 20), each comprising a plurality of turns of wire around a core (22, 24) which defines a linear axis. The coils are mounted in spaced relation on a support surface (16) so as to define an intermediate space (25), and said coils being electrically coupled additively in series. The coils produce a detectable signal in response to an alternating electrical current passing through a conductor (30) which extends through the intermediate space (25).
Abstract:
A system for detecting arcing faults in an electrical distribution network having a line conductor (16) carrying an electrical signal between a power source (14) and a load, is capable of detecting series arcs, line-to-neutral arcs and line-to-ground arcs. The system includes a sensor (21) coupled to the line conductor (16) for monitoring the electrical signal and generating a representative sensor signal. The system generates an arc-indicative signal (10) in response to the sensor signal having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault. A test wire is coupled to the sensor simultaneously with the line conductor and a test signal is periodically produced on the test line. The sensor (21) also monitors the test and produces a sensor signal representing both the test signal and the electrical signal when the test signal is present on the test line. The arcing fault detection system (10) generates an arc-indicative signal in response to the sensor (21), signal associated with either the test line or line conductor (16) having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault. A diagnostic test integrator (72) generates a trip signal to trigger the interruption (22) of the electrical signal in response to certain status conditions of the test signal and the arc-indicative signal.
Abstract:
A system for testing an arcing fault detection system in an electrical distribution network having a line conductor carrying an electrical signal between a power source and a load, the arcing fault detection system including a sensor coupled to the line conductor for monitoring the electrical signal and generating a sensor signal representing the electrical signal, the arcing fault detection system generating and arc-indicative signal in response to the sensor signal having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault. The testing system couples the sensor to a test line simultaneously with the line conductor and periodically produces a test signal on the test line. The sensor simultaneously monitors the test signal and the electrical signal and produces a sensor signal representing both the test signal and the electrical signal when the test signal is present on the test line. The arcing fault detection system generates an arc-indicative signal in response to the sensor signal associated with either the test line or line conductor having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault. A diagnostic test integrator evaluates the status conditions of the test signal and the arc-indicative signal and generates a trip signal to trigger the interruption of the electrical signal in response to certain status conditions of the test signal and the arc-indicative signal.
Abstract:
A programmable control system includes a control module having one or more inputs to which an external sensor device may be connected, and one or more outputs to which an external actuator device capable of manual override and providing a status feedback signal may be connected. One or more signal inputting devices are provided which a human operator. can utilize to enter a learn mode A display can be used to indicate a mode of the control system, and a memory can be used to store the characteristics of an external sensor device connected to an input and an association between inputs and outputs. A controller/processor has both a learn mode and a run mode. The control module may interface with external actuator devices such a s circuit breakers located in one or more panels via an intelligent control bus and an address module.
Abstract:
A method of detecting arcing faults in a line conductor carrying an electrical current between a power source and a load, said electrical current defining an AC waveform comprising a series of alternating positive half cycles and negative half cycles, said method comprising the steps of obtaining current samples in a series of half cycles of said waveform and generating an arc indicative signal when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
Abstract:
A system to detect arcing faults in an electrical distribution system with a line conductor connected to a utility power transformer . The system monitors the rate of change of electrical current in the line conduct or and produces a signal which represents the rate of ch ange. The system produces a pulse each time the rate-of-change signal exceeds a select ed threshold, filters the rate-of-change signal and/or t he pulses to substantially eliminate a signal or pulse which represents changes in the electrical current outside a selected frequency range, monitors the remaining pulses to detect when the number of pulses that occur within a selected time interval exceeds a predetermined threshol d, and generates an arc-fault-detection signal in response to the occurrence of a n umber of pulses which exceed the threshold within the se lected time interval.
Abstract:
An integrated protection system for an electrical distribution system including a panelboard for receiving power from a utility source and distributing the power to a plurality of branch circuits each having line and neutral conductors for delivering the power to a load. The integrated protection system comprises a plurality of arcing-fault detectors and line interrupters attached to positions in the panelboard. The arcing-fault detectors detect the occurrence of an arcing fault in either of the branch circuits, while the line interrupters disconnect the load from the power source in response to the detection of an arcing fault in either of the branch circuits. The line interrupters and arcing-fault detectors may comprise separate modules, each being connected to one of the positions in panelboard or being attached externally to the other module. Alternatively, the line interrupters and arcing-fault detectors may be combined within individual modules, each individual module being connected to a position in the panelboard. An isolation module may be attached to one of the positions in the panelboard for electrically isolating arcing-fault signals to the branch circuit on which they occur.