Abstract: Series arcing in wiring is a potentially catastrophic situation that has proven to be difficult to detect reliably with existing methods. This invention allows for the quick and accurate detection of series arcing in an electrical circuit. The method works with AC or DC power sources, and at any voltage or current level. This method will also detect high resistance in a circuit, which is another indicator of a potentially hazardous fault condition. The method compares the voltage at each end of a conductor, and will declare a fault when this voltage exceeds the minimum voltage required to sustain arcing.

Abstract: A method which allows for the quick and accurate detection of faulty operating conditions and bad interconnections between and within devices in an electrical system. The method allows for the detection of arcing in wiring and components, high resistance connections, loose components, and the like. Voltage or current at each end of a conductor, or on each side of a system component, or the current through a component, may be detected and analyzed. A fault or abnormal condition is indicated when the voltage or current exceeds an expected level. Alternatively, resistance may be detected and analyzed, and a fault condition indicated when the resistance exceeds an expected level. Existing detection or computation equipment already associated with the system may be used for the detection and analysis.

Abstract: An arc fault detection system senses current flow in a power source branch and in one or more load branches in an electrical system. Over a frequency range divided into a predetermined number of frequency bins, a controller records and tallies the branch having largest magnitude of power spectral density for each frequency bin. The branch having highest total tally is determined to be the branch in which the arc fault occurred and can then safely be isolated from the electrical system.

Abstract: Series arcing in wiring is a potentially catastrophic situation that has proven to be difficult to detect reliably with existing methods. This invention allows for the quick and accurate detection of series arcing in an electrical circuit. The method works with AC or DC power sources, and at any voltage or current level. This method will also detect high resistance in a circuit, which is another indicator of a potentially hazardous fault condition. The method compares the voltage at each end of a conductor, and will declare a fault when this voltage exceeds the minimum voltage required to sustain arcing.