Importance

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Abstract

A circuit protection device for use with an electrical unit comprises driver circuitry connected to the electrical unit and connecting means electrically connecting the device to the electrical unit to provide a voltage signal indicative of a voltage associated with the electrical unit. A voltage detector is connected to the connecting means and receives the voltage signal, and provides a conditioned voltage signal output representative of the voltage signal. An analog-to-digital converter receives the conditioned voltage signal output and converts the conditioned voltage signal output to a digital value. A digital processing device receives the digital value from the analog-to-digital converter and provides an output signal to the driver circuitry to turn off power to the primary if an error is detected. The device may also include current obtaining means for providing an electrical signal indicative of a current associated with the electrical unit, and a current detector circuit connected to and receiving that electrical signal for providing an output voltage signal representative thereof. Multiplexing means may be provided for receiving the output signals from both the voltage detector and the current detector for selectively connecting only one of those signals at a time to the analog-to-digital converter. Alternatively, a second analog-to-digital converter may receive the second output voltage signal and convert it to a digital value, and the digital processing device may receive and process the digital values from both analog-to-digital converters.

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First Claim