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Abstract

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for detecting ground faults (i.e., line-to-ground faults) in motor drive systems. In particular, the embodiments described herein include a common mode choke of a motor drive system having additional (i.e., secondary) turns wound around a core of the common mode choke. These secondary turns are in addition to and separate from a plurality of sets of primary turns wound around the core of the common mode choke, each set of primary turns corresponding to a phase of AC power to which the common mode choke is directly coupled. The secondary turns terminate in series with a burden resistor. Ground faults may be detected by monitoring the voltage across the burden resistor. More specifically, the embodiments described herein include a controller including program instructions for receiving signals indicative of the voltage across the burden resistor, and for monitoring the voltage across the burden resistor to determine when ground faults occur in the motor drive system.

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First Claim