Abstract: Disclosed is an arc detection circuit for monitoring an electrical distribution system which results in detecting arcing in the electrical distribution system and the ability to provide notification and protection for such arcing. The system functions to monitor the electrical distribution system to sense the frequencies of signals in the system using appropriate filtering. One type of filtering which may be used is based upon a heterodyning circuit which provides variable frequency filtering for filtering a signal representative of the current in at least one electrical circuit of the electrical system. The heterodyning circuit output is configured to produce a signal which may be logarithmically related to the filtered signal. If the output signal exceeds a predetermined limit (representative of noise) for a predetermined period (representative of a typical arc duration), the system generates an arc signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle which includes an electrical system monitoring system which results in detecting arcing in the electrical distribution system of the vehicle and the ability to provide notification and protection for such arcing. The system functions to monitor the electrical distribution system of the vehicle to sense the frequencies of signals in the system using appropriate filtering. One type of filtering which may be used is based upon a heterodyning circuit which provides variable frequency filtering for filtering a signal representative of the current in at least one electrical circuit of the vehicle. The heterodyning circuit output is configured to produce a signal which may be logarithmically related to the filtered signal. If the output signal exceeds a predetermined limit (representative of noise) for a predetermined period (representative of a typical arc duration), the system generates an arc signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motorized machine which includes an electrical system monitoring system which results in detecting arcing in the electrical distribution system of the machine and the ability to provide notification and protection for such arcing. The system functions to monitor the electrical distribution system of the machine to sense the frequencies of signals in the system using appropriate filtering. One type of filtering which may be used is based upon a heterodyning circuit which provides variable frequency filtering for filtering a signal representative of the current in at least one electrical circuit of the machine. The heterodyning circuit output is configured to produce a signal which may be logarithmically related to the filtered signal. If the output signal exceeds a predetermined limit (representative of noise) for a predetermined period (representative of a typical arc duration), the system generates an arc signal.

Abstract: A portable circuit breaker tester (10) for testing a current transformer (30, 32, 34, 36) of a circuit breaker (18) having a first terminal (30e, 32e) on a first end of the transformer and a second terminal (138) on a second end of the transformer has a test port (14) configured to be coupled to the first (30e, 32e) and second terminals (138) and a test circuit (68, 74, 96, 104, 146) coupled to the test port (14). The test circuit (68, 74, 96, 104, 146) is configured to provide a test current through the test port (14) to the first terminal (30e, 32e), to monitor the second terminal (138) through the test port (14), and to provide an output signal to an indicia (38, 40) based on whether the test current is received at the second terminal (138). The test circuit (68, 74, 96, 104, 146) is configured to perform first and second testing operations on the circuit breaker (18) through the test port (14).

Abstract: A circuit breaker system (100) providing application specific module (ASM) instantaneous overcurrent indication is disclosed herein (FIG. 5). A trip unit (110) included in the circuit breaker system (100) is powered by an external power supply unit (134) in the ASM (104). The circuit breaker system (100) includes transmitting an indication signal (130) from the trip unit (110) to the ASM (104) in response to an overcurrent condition. The indication signal (130) triggers a first controller (130) included in the ASM (104), the first controller (130) configured to cause the external power supply unit (134) to maintain power to the trip unit (110) for a first length for time sufficient to communicate a data corresponding to the overcurrent condition to the ASM (104).

Abstract: A sputtering arc fault detector (10) for a system having an electrical conductor (14) carrying current to a load. The sputtering arc fault detector includes a current monitor (64) coupled to the conductor for generating a variable signal responsive to behavior of the current in the conductor. A level detector (58) is coupled to the monitor and generates a first pulse when the variable signal exceeds a first level. A step detector (62) is coupled to the monitor and is responsive to rapid step increases of the variable signal. The step detector generates a second pulse when the variable signal exceeds a second level. An arc verifier (48), which is coupled to the level detector and the step detector, combines the first and second pulses, and generates a fault signal when the combined pulses exceed a third level.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system 10 (FIG. 1) using electronic trip units 35 is disclosed. The electronic trip units 35 are coupled to a communications bus 30 whereby the electronic trip units 35 can be reconfigured, controlled, and/or monitored by a central computer 20. Further, the electronic trip units are coupled to a separate control power supply line 50 and to a zone selective interlock system.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system (100) providing a low impedance magnetic latch tripping scheme. The circuit breaker system (100) includes a trip unit (310) coupled to a switch unit (108). Trip unit (310) is coupled to an electrical circuitry and utilizes a current transformer (114) to sample a current conducting through the electrical circuitry. This current is processed into an input signal (126) suitable as an input to a trip circuitry (316) included in the trip unit (310). When a processor (322) senses an overcurrent condition in the input signal (126), processor (322) transmits a trip signal (128) to a switch (220) to initiate protection against the overcurrent condition, i.e., a trip of the electrical circuitry. Switch (220) permits a low release current to conduct through a low impedance electromechanical interface unit (218) such that the electromechanical interface unit (218) can actuate a mechanical opening mechanism included in the switch unit (108).

Abstract: A circuit breaker system 10 using electronic trip units 35. The electronic trip units 35 are coupled to a communications bus 30 whereby the electronic trip units 35 can be reconfigured, controlled, and/or monitored by a central computer 20. Further, the electronic trip units are coupled to a separate control power supply line 50 and to a zone selective interlock system 70 . The zone selective interlock system 70 is configured to provide tripping delays to circuit breakers located upstream from a detected fault.

Abstract: A sputtering arc fault detector (10) for a system having an electrical conductor (14) carrying current to a load. The sputtering arc fault detector includes a current monitor (64) coupled to the conductor for generating a variable signal responsive to behavior of the current in the conductor. A level detector (58) is coupled to the monitor and generates a first pulse when the variable signal exceeds a first level. A step detector (62) is coupled to the monitor and is responsive to rapid step increases of the variable signal. The step detector generates a second pulse when the variable signal exceeds a second level. An arc verifier (48), which is coupled to the level detector and the step detector, combines the first and second pulses, and generates a fault signal when the combined pulses exceed a third level.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including an improved arc detection system which trips the interrupter in response to currents having frequencies and/or characteristics associated with arcing within the associated alternating current electrical system. The arc monitoring circuit determines if the signal produced by a current transducer is the result of arcing. The arc detection system includes two swept filters and associated amplifiers which produce a signal which has an amplitude representative of the frequencies present in the alternating current of the electric system. The portion of the filtered signal which has amplitudes above a predetermined level is integrated to produce a trip signal for the circuit interrupter when the value of the integration exceeds a predetermined limit.