WO2001024337A2 - Instantaneous arc fault light detector with resistance to false tripping - Google Patents

Instantaneous arc fault light detector with resistance to false tripping Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001024337A2
WO2001024337A2 PCT/US2000/022502 US0022502W WO0124337A2 WO 2001024337 A2 WO2001024337 A2 WO 2001024337A2 US 0022502 W US0022502 W US 0022502W WO 0124337 A2 WO0124337 A2 WO 0124337A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
circuit
light detector
signal
output signal
arc fault
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2000/022502
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2001024337A3 (en
Inventor
Timothy B. Phillips
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Schneider Electric USA Inc
Original Assignee
Square D Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Square D Co filed Critical Square D Co
Priority to EP00957498A priority Critical patent/EP1131871A1/en
Priority to CA002350615A priority patent/CA2350615A1/en
Publication of WO2001024337A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001024337A2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Publication of WO2001024337A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001024337A3/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • 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
    • G01R31/1218—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 using optical methods; using charged particle, e.g. electron, beams or X-rays
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H1/00—Details of emergency protective circuit arrangements
    • H02H1/0007—Details of emergency protective circuit arrangements concerning the detecting means
    • H02H1/0015—Using arc detectors
    • H02H1/0023—Using arc detectors sensing non electrical parameters, e.g. by optical, pneumatic, thermal or sonic sensors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/327—Testing of circuit interrupters, switches or circuit-breakers

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electrical switchgear. More specifically, it relates to electrical switchgear with arc fault light detectors.
  • the present invention provides an improved electrical circuit for detecting an arc fault in electrical switchgear.
  • a circuit which comprises a light detector which generates a light detector signal in response to the amount of light detected.
  • a differentiator circuit receives the light detector signal and differentiates the light detector signal over time to generate a differentiated light detector signal.
  • a comparator circuit then compares the differentiated light detector signal to a reference signal and generates an output signal when the differentiated light detector signal exceeds the reference value.
  • a second comparator circuit and a logic circuit are added to the circuit.
  • the comparator circuit compares the light detector signal to a second reference signal and generates a second comparator output signal when the light detector signal exceeds the reference signal.
  • the comparator output signal and the second comparator output signal are connected together in such a way as to provide a logical AND operation.
  • the comparator and the second comparator outputs generate a trip signal only when both comparator outputs are activated.
  • Figure 1 is a diagram of an electrical circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a diagram of an electrical circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of Figures 1 or 2 incorporated within electrical switchgear. Detailed Description of the Invention
  • an electrical circuit 10 having a light detector 12 and a resistor Rl connected in series between a voltage source Vcc and ground G.
  • the light detector 12 may be any commercially available light detector and may have an internally adjustable or fixed signal gain.
  • the light detector 12 generates a light detector output signal 14 which corresponds to the amount of light to which the light detector 12 is exposed.
  • the value of Rl is selected to deliver a voltage across Rl that is suitable for processing by the remaining circuitry given the range of light to be detected.
  • a buffer Ul is connected at a point between Rl and the light detector 12 to receive the light detector output signal 14. Because the buffer Ul has unity gain, its output and input are identical. A differentiator
  • the differentiator 16 receives the light detector output signal 14.
  • the differentiator 16 is a RC high pass filter comprising a resistor R2 and a capacitor Cl .
  • RC high pass filters are well known in the art.
  • the resistor R2 and the capacitor Cl are selected such that the cutoff frequency of the filter is 1.5kHz.
  • This type of differentiator is preferred due to its simple and inexpensive structure.
  • there are numerous types of differentiators, and any type of differentiator may be used in accordance with the present invention.
  • the output of the differentiator 16 is a differentiated light detector signal 18.
  • a comparator U2 is connected to the differentiator 16 output to receive the differentiated light detector signal 18.
  • the comparator U2 compares the differentiated light detector signal 18 to a reference voltage Vref.
  • reference voltage Vref The proper value of reference voltage Vref will vary depending on the values of the resistor and capacitor chosen for the differentiator and the desired sensitivity of the circuit to changes in the light detected.
  • the comparator When the value of the differentiated light detector signal 18 is larger than the value of the reference voltage Vref, the comparator will generate a comparator output signal 20 indicating that an arc fault has been detected.
  • arc faults are not continuous arcs, but are intermittent arcs. An arc generated by a sinusoidal alternating voltage source will occur whenever the voltage is near its peak. Therefore, the light created by an arc fault is not continuous, but rather a short pulse of light which occurs every half cycle of the alternating voltage source (i.e.
  • a pulse extender circuit 21 may optionally be used with the present invention.
  • the pulse extender circuit 21 is preferably a capacitor C2 having a large value of capacitance which is connected between the comparator output signal 20 and a ground point G of the circuit. The capacitor C2 charges during peaks of the comparator output signal 20 and discharges during troughs of the comparator output signal 20, thereby holding the comparator output signal 20 active during the period between arc faults.
  • a circuit 22 is provided.
  • the circuit 22 comprises the circuit 10 of Figure 1 with two additional components- a second comparator U3 and a logic circuit 23.
  • the second comparator U3 is connected to the output of the buffer Ul and a second reference voltage signal Vref2.
  • Vref2 the second comparator U3 provides a second comparator output signal 24 which indicates a threshold light value has been reached.
  • the comparator output signal 20 and the second comparator output signal 24 are attached across a resistor R3 to the voltage source Vcc to form a trip indicator output signal 26.
  • the comparators Ul, U2 are open collector operational amplifiers, when only one of comparator Ul or second comparator U2 is high, the voltage of the trip indicator output signal 26 is low. When both comparators Ul, U2 are high, the voltage of the trip indicator output signal 26 is high.
  • comparators Ul, U2 and resistor R3 act to form the logic circuit 23 which performs a logical AND operation. While in the present embodiment open collector operational amplifiers are used with resistor R3 as the logic circuit 23, the logic circuit 23 could be implemented in many other ways by one of ordinary skill in the art, such as with truth table logic circuits.
  • the light detector 12 is situated such that light from an arc fault, if one occurred, would be cast upon the light detector 12.
  • more than one light detector 12 and/or light detector circuit 10 can be placed within the switchgear 30 in locations prone to arc faults.
  • An electrical switch 32 of the switchgear 30 receives the comparator output signal 20 of the circuit
  • the electrical switch 32 interrupts power coming into the switchgear 30 through an electrical line 34.
  • the circuit 10 and the comparator output signal 20 can be replaced by the circuit 22 and the trip indicator output signal 26, respectively.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Emergency Protection Circuit Devices (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention discloses an improved arc fault detection circuit comprising a light detector for generating a light detector signal, a differentiator circuit for receiving a light detector signal and creating a differentiated light detector signal, and a comparator circuit for comparing the differentiated light detector signal and a reference signal and generating a comparator output signal for indicating when the differentiated light detector signal exceeds the reference signal.

Description

INSTANTANEOUS ARC FAULT LIGHT DETECTOR WITH RESISTANCE TO FALSE TRIPPING
Technical Field This invention relates to electrical switchgear. More specifically, it relates to electrical switchgear with arc fault light detectors.
Background of the Invention
In the past, several products have been designed to detect the light caused by an arc in electrical switchgear and terminate that arc as quickly as possible. These products operate by detecting a magnitude of light above a fixed threshold to determine the presence of an arc. When the presence of an arc is detected, the circuit indicates such and a mechanism is actuated to remove the source voltage. Unfortunately, an arc does not produce light with a high content of radiation in the infrared frequency range. This is the range most easily detected by conventional light detectors, such as photodiodes and phototransistors. Therefore, the signal detector has to be set so as to be very sensitive in order to detect an arc before it becomes too destructive. However, flashlights, sunlight, and building light sources have a much greater infrared content. Even though the absolute level of light from these sources is typically much lower, when conventional light detectors are subjected to these sources it can cause an erroneous detection of a arc. The source voltage is then erroneously tripped and must be reset. This erroneous detection is exacerbated by the need to set the detector to be very sensitive.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved switchgear arc fault detection circuit. The present invention is provided to solve this and other problems. Summary Of The Invention
The present invention provides an improved electrical circuit for detecting an arc fault in electrical switchgear. To this end, there is provided a circuit which comprises a light detector which generates a light detector signal in response to the amount of light detected. A differentiator circuit receives the light detector signal and differentiates the light detector signal over time to generate a differentiated light detector signal. A comparator circuit then compares the differentiated light detector signal to a reference signal and generates an output signal when the differentiated light detector signal exceeds the reference value.
In an alternative embodiment, a second comparator circuit and a logic circuit are added to the circuit. The comparator circuit compares the light detector signal to a second reference signal and generates a second comparator output signal when the light detector signal exceeds the reference signal. The comparator output signal and the second comparator output signal are connected together in such a way as to provide a logical AND operation. The comparator and the second comparator outputs generate a trip signal only when both comparator outputs are activated.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
Figure 1 is a diagram of an electrical circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a diagram of an electrical circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of Figures 1 or 2 incorporated within electrical switchgear. Detailed Description of the Invention
While the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered only as an example of the principles of the invention. This disclosure is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the illustrated embodiments. The scope of protection should only be limited by the accompanying claims.
Referring to Figure 1, there is provided an electrical circuit 10 having a light detector 12 and a resistor Rl connected in series between a voltage source Vcc and ground G. The light detector 12 may be any commercially available light detector and may have an internally adjustable or fixed signal gain. The light detector 12 generates a light detector output signal 14 which corresponds to the amount of light to which the light detector 12 is exposed. The value of Rl is selected to deliver a voltage across Rl that is suitable for processing by the remaining circuitry given the range of light to be detected.
A buffer Ul is connected at a point between Rl and the light detector 12 to receive the light detector output signal 14. Because the buffer Ul has unity gain, its output and input are identical. A differentiator
16 receives the light detector output signal 14. Preferably, the differentiator 16 is a RC high pass filter comprising a resistor R2 and a capacitor Cl . RC high pass filters are well known in the art. The resistor R2 and the capacitor Cl are selected such that the cutoff frequency of the filter is 1.5kHz. This type of differentiator is preferred due to its simple and inexpensive structure. However, there are numerous types of differentiators, and any type of differentiator may be used in accordance with the present invention. The output of the differentiator 16 is a differentiated light detector signal 18. A comparator U2 is connected to the differentiator 16 output to receive the differentiated light detector signal 18. The comparator U2 compares the differentiated light detector signal 18 to a reference voltage Vref. The proper value of reference voltage Vref will vary depending on the values of the resistor and capacitor chosen for the differentiator and the desired sensitivity of the circuit to changes in the light detected. When the value of the differentiated light detector signal 18 is larger than the value of the reference voltage Vref, the comparator will generate a comparator output signal 20 indicating that an arc fault has been detected. In a system incorporating alternating current, arc faults are not continuous arcs, but are intermittent arcs. An arc generated by a sinusoidal alternating voltage source will occur whenever the voltage is near its peak. Therefore, the light created by an arc fault is not continuous, but rather a short pulse of light which occurs every half cycle of the alternating voltage source (i.e. an arc occurs at the voltage's sinusoidal peak and at the voltage's sinusoidal trough). As a result, the comparator output signal 20 will pulse in unison with the detected light from the arc fault. However, it is normally desired that the comparator output signal 20 remain active during an entire arc fault episode and not return to an inactive state during points of the voltage source's sinusoidal zero-crossing. As a result, a pulse extender circuit 21 may optionally be used with the present invention. The pulse extender circuit 21 is preferably a capacitor C2 having a large value of capacitance which is connected between the comparator output signal 20 and a ground point G of the circuit. The capacitor C2 charges during peaks of the comparator output signal 20 and discharges during troughs of the comparator output signal 20, thereby holding the comparator output signal 20 active during the period between arc faults.
Referring to Figure 2, a circuit 22 is provided. The circuit 22 comprises the circuit 10 of Figure 1 with two additional components- a second comparator U3 and a logic circuit 23. The second comparator U3 is connected to the output of the buffer Ul and a second reference voltage signal Vref2. When the output of the buffer Ul (the light detector signal 14) exceeds the reference voltage Vref2, the second comparator U3 provides a second comparator output signal 24 which indicates a threshold light value has been reached.
In the circuit 22 of Figure 2, the comparator output signal 20 and the second comparator output signal 24 are attached across a resistor R3 to the voltage source Vcc to form a trip indicator output signal 26. If the comparators Ul, U2 are open collector operational amplifiers, when only one of comparator Ul or second comparator U2 is high, the voltage of the trip indicator output signal 26 is low. When both comparators Ul, U2 are high, the voltage of the trip indicator output signal 26 is high. As a result comparators Ul, U2 and resistor R3 act to form the logic circuit 23 which performs a logical AND operation. While in the present embodiment open collector operational amplifiers are used with resistor R3 as the logic circuit 23, the logic circuit 23 could be implemented in many other ways by one of ordinary skill in the art, such as with truth table logic circuits.
With reference to Figure 3, there is a provided electrical switchgear 30 incorporating the circuit 10 of the present invention. In the switchgear
30, the light detector 12 is situated such that light from an arc fault, if one occurred, would be cast upon the light detector 12. Optionally, more than one light detector 12 and/or light detector circuit 10 can be placed within the switchgear 30 in locations prone to arc faults. An electrical switch 32 of the switchgear 30 receives the comparator output signal 20 of the circuit
10. In response to comparator output signal 20, the electrical switch 32 interrupts power coming into the switchgear 30 through an electrical line 34. Optionally, the circuit 10 and the comparator output signal 20 can be replaced by the circuit 22 and the trip indicator output signal 26, respectively.
While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMSI claim:
1. An improved arc fault detection circuit comprising: a light detector for generating a light detector signal; a differentiator circuit for receiving a light detector signal and creating a differentiated light detector signal; and a comparator circuit for comparing the differentiated light detector signal and a reference signal, and for generating a comparator output signal for indicating when the differentiated light detector signal exceeds the reference signal.
2. The improved arc fault detection circuit of claim 1 wherein the differentiator circuit receives the light detector signal from the light detector through a buffer circuit.
3. The improved arc fault detection circuit of claim 2 wherein the buffer circuit is a unity gain buffer.
4. The improved arc fault detection circuit of claim 1 wherein the differentiator circuit is a high pass filter comprising a resistor and capacitor.
5. The improved arc fault detection circuit of claim 1 further comprising a pulse extender circuit.
6. The improved arc fault detection circuit of claim 1 further comprising: a second comparator circuit for comparing the light detector signal to a second reference signal and generating a second comparator output signal for indicating when the light detector signal exceeds the second reference signal; and a logic circuit for receiving the comparator output signal and the second comparator output signal and generating a logic circuit output signal when the comparator output circuit signal and the second comparator output signal exceed a threshold value.
7. The improved arc fault detection circuit of claim 6 wherein the differentiator circuit receives the light detector signal from the light detector through a buffer circuit.
8. The improved arc fault detection circuit of claim 7 wherein the buffer circuit is a unity gain buffer.
9. The improved arc fault detection circuit of claim 6 wherein the differentiator circuit is a high pass filter comprising a resistor and capacitor.
10. The improved arc fault detection circuit of claim 6 further comprising a pulse extender circuit.
1 1 . An improved switchgear comprising: a light detector for generating a light detector signal; a differentiator circuit for receiving a light detector signal and creating a differentiated light detector signal; a comparator circuit for comparing the differentiated light detector signal and a reference signal and generating a comparator output signal for indicating when the differentiated light detector signal exceeds the reference signal; and an electrical switch responsive to the logic circuit output signal for disconnecting an arc fault source voltage.
12. The improved switchgear of claim 11 wherein the differentiator circuit receives the light detector signal from the light detector through a buffer circuit.
13. The improved switchgear of claim 12 wherein the buffer circuit is a unity gain buffer.
14. The improved switchgear of claim 11 wherein the differentiator circuit is a high pass filter comprising a resistor and capacitor.
15. The improved switchgear of claim 11 further comprising a pulse extender circuit.
16. An improved switchgear comprising: a light detector for generating a light detector signal; a differentiator circuit for receiving a light detector signal and creating a differentiated light detector signal; a comparator circuit for comparing the differentiated light detector signal and a reference signal and generating a comparator output signal for indicating when the differentiated light detector signal exceeds the reference signal; a second comparator circuit for comparing the light detector signal to a second reference signal and generating a second comparator output signal for indicating when the light detector signal exceeds the second reference signal; a logic circuit for receiving the comparator output signal and the second comparator output signal and generating a logic circuit output signal when the comparator output circuit signal and the second comparator output signal exceed a threshold value; and an electrical switch responsive to the logic circuit output signal for disconnecting an arc fault source voltage.
17. The improved switchgear of claim 16 wherein the differentiator circuit receives the light detector signal from the light detector through a buffer circuit.
18. The improved switchgear of claim 17 wherein the buffer circuit is a unity gain buffer.
19. The improved switchgear of claim 16 wherein the differentiator circuit is a high pass filter comprising a resistor and capacitor.
20. The improved switchgear of claim 16 further comprising a pulse extender circuit.
PCT/US2000/022502 1999-09-24 2000-08-16 Instantaneous arc fault light detector with resistance to false tripping Ceased WO2001024337A2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00957498A EP1131871A1 (en) 1999-09-24 2000-08-16 Instantaneous arc fault light detector with resistance to false tripping
CA002350615A CA2350615A1 (en) 1999-09-24 2000-08-16 Instantaneous arc fault light detector with resistance to false tripping

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/404,896 US6433976B1 (en) 1999-09-24 1999-09-24 Instantaneous arc fault light detector with resistance to false tripping
US09/404,896 1999-09-24

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001024337A2 true WO2001024337A2 (en) 2001-04-05
WO2001024337A3 WO2001024337A3 (en) 2002-09-26

Family

ID=23601486

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/022502 Ceased WO2001024337A2 (en) 1999-09-24 2000-08-16 Instantaneous arc fault light detector with resistance to false tripping

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US6433976B1 (en)
EP (1) EP1131871A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2350615A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2001024337A2 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016023606A1 (en) * 2014-08-12 2016-02-18 Audi Ag Circuit arrangement and method for detecting an arc in a motor vehicle
DE102014217851A1 (en) 2014-09-08 2016-03-10 Robert Bosch Gmbh Arc detection device, charging system for DC charging of a battery, vehicle with electric drive motor and method for detecting an arc

Families Citing this family (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6693438B2 (en) * 2002-02-12 2004-02-17 Eaton Corporation Self-powered apparatus and method for optically detecting arcing faults in electric power systems in the presence of other light sources
US7035068B2 (en) * 2003-12-05 2006-04-25 Eaton Corporation Apparatus and method employing an optical fiber for closed-loop feedback detection of arcing faults
US7787113B2 (en) * 2006-05-19 2010-08-31 Siemens Industry, Inc. Method for optically detecting an electrical arc in a power supply
US7821749B2 (en) * 2007-03-30 2010-10-26 General Electric Company Arc flash elimination apparatus and method
US7929260B2 (en) * 2007-03-30 2011-04-19 General Electric Company Arc flash elimination system, apparatus, and method
WO2009004607A2 (en) * 2007-07-03 2009-01-08 Mainnet Communications Ltd. Remote detection of discharge on a power line network
US8563888B2 (en) * 2008-06-11 2013-10-22 General Electric Company Arc containment device and method
US8593769B2 (en) * 2008-09-19 2013-11-26 Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc Secure arc flash detection
BRPI0918899A2 (en) 2008-09-19 2017-08-01 Schweitzer Engineering Lab Inc method for self-testing an electric arc detection device, self-testing electrical arc detection device, and computer readable storage medium
US8803069B2 (en) 2008-09-19 2014-08-12 Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Electro-optical radiation collector for arc flash detection
BRPI0918900A2 (en) * 2008-09-19 2017-08-01 Schweitzer Engineering Lab Inc apparatus for validating an electrical arc detection unit (afdu), computer readable storage medium, and method for determining the configuration of an electrical arc detection unit (afdu)
WO2010033845A1 (en) 2008-09-19 2010-03-25 Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Protective device with metering and oscillography
US8040517B1 (en) * 2010-04-30 2011-10-18 General Electric Company Arc flash detection system and method
US8576521B2 (en) 2011-08-16 2013-11-05 Schneider Electric USA, Inc. Adaptive light detection for arc mitigation systems
US9053881B2 (en) 2012-08-24 2015-06-09 Schneider Electric USA, Inc. Arc detection with resistance to nuisance activation through light subtraction
US9438028B2 (en) 2012-08-31 2016-09-06 Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Motor relay with integrated arc-flash detection
US9413155B2 (en) * 2013-02-19 2016-08-09 Kenneth Gerald Blemel System to protect from unsafe conditions in an electrical power system
US9621265B2 (en) 2013-11-21 2017-04-11 General Electric Company Street lighting control, monitoring, and data transportation system and method
US9420674B2 (en) * 2013-11-21 2016-08-16 General Electric Company System and method for monitoring street lighting luminaires
US9646495B2 (en) 2013-11-21 2017-05-09 General Electric Company Method and system for traffic flow reporting, forecasting, and planning
US20150142359A1 (en) 2013-11-21 2015-05-21 General Electric Company Luminaire associate status transponder
US10509101B2 (en) 2013-11-21 2019-12-17 General Electric Company Street lighting communications, control, and special services
CN103954887A (en) * 2014-03-31 2014-07-30 国家电网公司 Power line insulation monitoring method based on instant fault
CN106796856B (en) * 2014-10-03 2020-03-06 管理科学有限公司 Methods, systems and apparatus for preventing arc faults in electrical conduits
US10101410B2 (en) * 2015-10-21 2018-10-16 Allegro Microsystems, Llc Methods and apparatus for sensor having fault trip level setting
US10804689B2 (en) 2016-11-18 2020-10-13 Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Methods and systems for evaluating arc flash exposure hazard
CN110770991B (en) 2017-05-23 2023-07-28 帕西·西姆公司 Arc fault circuit interrupter
US11837862B2 (en) 2020-10-09 2023-12-05 Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Arc-flash sensor using optical fiber

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4241455A (en) * 1977-12-29 1980-12-23 Sperry Corporation Data receiving and processing circuit
DE3129041A1 (en) * 1981-07-23 1983-02-03 BBC Aktiengesellschaft Brown, Boveri & Cie., 5401 Baden, Aargau FIBER OPTICAL SENSOR FOR DETECTING ELECTRIC ARCH DISCHARGE
SE450862B (en) 1981-09-04 1987-08-03 Asea Ab LIGHT BAG DETECTION
DE3141374A1 (en) * 1981-10-02 1983-04-28 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt Arrangement for monitoring electrical devices for the formation of one or several arcs
US4658322A (en) * 1982-04-29 1987-04-14 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Arcing fault detector
DE3433362A1 (en) * 1984-09-07 1986-03-20 Siemens Ag METAL-ENCLOSED, COMPRESSED-GAS-INSULATED, HIGH-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR WITH SEVERAL, PARTICULAR GASKET-INSULATORS, GAS-SEALED PART SECTIONS OF THE ENCLOSURE
US4791518A (en) * 1986-06-09 1988-12-13 Bbc Brown Boveri Ag Device for detecting interfering arcs
FI77952C (en) * 1987-04-14 1989-05-10 Stroemberg Oy Ab Arc protection relay.
FR2658920B1 (en) 1990-02-26 1992-07-03 Merlin Gerin DEVICE FOR DETECTING AN INTERNAL ARC IN AN ARMORED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION.
DE4345170A1 (en) 1993-09-21 1995-03-23 Kloeckner Moeller Gmbh Arc fault protection device for switchgear for the distribution of electrical energy
JPH0837497A (en) * 1994-05-20 1996-02-06 Fujitsu Ltd Optical amplifier and optical transmitter
US5933308A (en) * 1997-11-19 1999-08-03 Square D Company Arcing fault protection system for a switchgear enclosure
US6229680B1 (en) * 1999-08-16 2001-05-08 Eaton Corporation Apparatus and method for optically detecting arcing faults in electric power systems in the presence of other light sources

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016023606A1 (en) * 2014-08-12 2016-02-18 Audi Ag Circuit arrangement and method for detecting an arc in a motor vehicle
DE102014217851A1 (en) 2014-09-08 2016-03-10 Robert Bosch Gmbh Arc detection device, charging system for DC charging of a battery, vehicle with electric drive motor and method for detecting an arc

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1131871A1 (en) 2001-09-12
CA2350615A1 (en) 2001-04-05
WO2001024337A3 (en) 2002-09-26
US6433976B1 (en) 2002-08-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6433976B1 (en) Instantaneous arc fault light detector with resistance to false tripping
CA2207239C (en) Apparatus for envelope detection of low current arcs
US10283956B2 (en) Direct current arc fault detector and circuit interrupter, and method of detecting an arc in a direct current power circuit
US6362628B2 (en) Arc fault circuit detector device detecting pulse width modulation of arc noise
CA2273553C (en) Arc fault detector comparing integrated interval to interval filtered load current and circuit breaker incorporating same
US7227729B2 (en) Arc fault detection technique
US6300766B1 (en) Apparatus sensitive to arc amplitude for envelope detection of low current arcs
CA2212035C (en) Arc fault detection apparatus and circuit breaker incorporating same
AU2008220500B2 (en) Arc fault circuit interrupter and method of parallel and series arc fault detection
US7349188B2 (en) Arc fault detector responsive to patterns in interval to interval change in integrated sensed current values
EP2115844B1 (en) Arc fault circuit interrupter and method of parallel arc fault detection
CA2336769C (en) Arc fault detector responsive to average instantaneous current and step increases in current and circuit breaker incorporating same
US20030107855A1 (en) Power source protecting device
RU2504883C2 (en) Fault current circuit breaker
JP4199378B2 (en) Plug or outlet
CN110994548B (en) Protection circuit, power supply device and switching power supply protection method
MXPA01005214A (en) Instantaneous arc fault light detector with resistance to false tripping
WO2021099429A1 (en) Overcurrent detector
JP2000324676A (en) Electronic circuit breaker for detecting short circuit of cord and short circuit due to tracking

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): CA MX

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2350615

Country of ref document: CA

Ref country code: CA

Ref document number: 2350615

Kind code of ref document: A

Format of ref document f/p: F

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: PA/a/2001/005214

Country of ref document: MX

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2000957498

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2000957498

Country of ref document: EP

AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): CA MX

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Ref document number: 2000957498

Country of ref document: EP