Abstract: Electrical distribution systems, equipment and wiring devices are required to have their wiring connections properly identified to ensure proper operation of connected loads as well as the safety of users, however, errors in installation do occur. Electrical wiring errors are commonly called miswire conditions. The current invention is an integrated system and method of miswire protection and annunciation of system conditions for Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) and other wiring devices, electrical systems and equipment. Electrical code and regulatory standards require certain wiring devices to include miswire protection with their standard features. These wiring devices, among others include Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) which are required to incorporate protection from miswire conditions with other electrical faults they are designed to protect circuits from, such as and including arc, ground, overload, short circuit, and surge.

Abstract: In all electrical circuits, various arcing conditions can arise, however, the primary ones are series arcing (low current arcing), and, parallel arcing (high current arcing). An arc fault circuit interrupter (“AFCI”) that protects for both series and parallel arcing is called a combination type. An AFCI is a device that controls the effects of electrical arcing by opening a circuit through a tripping mechanism that isolates the load from the supply line upon detection of an arcing condition. In this invention, this arc fault is detected by a circuit employing a Hall-Effect sensor (“HES”) integrated circuit, and a microprocessor among other components.

Abstract: To prevent property fires, electrical circuits need to be protected from arc faults due to line-to-line, line-to-neutral and line-to-ground conductivity, known as high current parallel arcing, and protected from arc faults occurring along line-to-line, line-to-load, load-to-load, load-to-neutral and neutral-to-neutral conductor configurations, known as low current series arcing. Devices that protect electrical circuits from these arc faults is known as a combination-type arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI).