Methods of detecting arc faults characterized by consecutive periods of arcing
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United States of America Patent
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Aug 5, 2008
Grant Date -
Aug 17, 2006
app pub date -
Mar 29, 2006
filing date -
Sep 9, 2004
priority date (Note) -
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for detecting electrical arc faults that has reduced susceptibility to nuisance tripping. The apparatus includes a current sensor, an input sense circuit, an arcing sense circuit, a power supply, a tripping circuit, a processing unit, and an electromechanical interface. The processing unit measures multiple voltage levels provided by the arcing sense circuit during a specified number of consecutive time periods. Next, the processing unit determines the number of consecutive time periods during which the voltage levels exceeded a specified minimum value, take on successively lower or higher values, or fall outside a predetermined normal range of values. Based upon the results of this determination, the processing unit either trips the electromechanical interface to interrupt power to a load, or inhibits tripping of the electromechanical interface, thereby reducing the occurrence of nuisance tripping.
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