Method to detect arcing faults using switched elements at outlet

A system and method to detect arc faults in branch wiring. The system includes a line conductor and a neutral conductor. A circuit breaker is connected to an alternating current source via the line and neutral conductors. Electrical outlet devices are coupled to the circuit breaker via the line and...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Schroeder, Jeremy D, Beierschmitt, Joseph
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 21.06.2018
Subjects
CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
ELECTRICITY
EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
GENERATION
MEASURING
MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES
MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
PHYSICS
TESTING
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Summary:A system and method to detect arc faults in branch wiring. The system includes a line conductor and a neutral conductor. A circuit breaker is connected to an alternating current source via the line and neutral conductors. Electrical outlet devices are coupled to the circuit breaker via the line and neutral conductors. Each of the electrical outlet devices has a neutral shorting switching element coupled between the line and neutral conductors, and a load control switching element in the line conductor. The electrical outlet devices also each include an outlet controller to control the switching elements. The outlet controllers close the neutral shorting switching elements and the master controller determines if high impedance is present to detect a series arc fault. The outlet controllers open the load control switching elements and the master controller determines if any current is flowing on the line conductor to detect a parallel arc fault.
Bibliography:Application Number: AU20130392626