CA2256243A1 - Arc fault detector with circuit interrupter and early arc fault detection - Google Patents

Arc fault detector with circuit interrupter and early arc fault detection

Info

Publication number
CA2256243A1
CA2256243A1 CA002256243A CA2256243A CA2256243A1 CA 2256243 A1 CA2256243 A1 CA 2256243A1 CA 002256243 A CA002256243 A CA 002256243A CA 2256243 A CA2256243 A CA 2256243A CA 2256243 A1 CA2256243 A1 CA 2256243A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
arc fault
arc
neutral conductors
phase
current
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
CA002256243A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2256243C (en
Inventor
Benjamin B. Neiger
Roger M. Bradley
James N. Pearse
William J. Rose
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Leviton Manufacturing Co Inc
Original Assignee
Leviton Manufacturing Co Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Leviton Manufacturing Co Inc filed Critical Leviton Manufacturing Co Inc
Publication of CA2256243A1 publication Critical patent/CA2256243A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2256243C publication Critical patent/CA2256243C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/12Testing dielectric strength or breakdown voltage ; Testing or monitoring effectiveness or level of insulation, e.g. of a cable or of an apparatus, for example using partial discharge measurements; Electrostatic testing
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02HEMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H1/00Details of emergency protective circuit arrangements
    • H02H1/0007Details of emergency protective circuit arrangements concerning the detecting means
    • H02H1/0015Using arc detectors
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02HEMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H3/00Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection
    • H02H3/26Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents
    • H02H3/32Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents involving comparison of the voltage or current values at corresponding points in different conductors of a single system, e.g. of currents in go and return conductors
    • H02H3/33Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents involving comparison of the voltage or current values at corresponding points in different conductors of a single system, e.g. of currents in go and return conductors using summation current transformers
    • H02H3/334Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents involving comparison of the voltage or current values at corresponding points in different conductors of a single system, e.g. of currents in go and return conductors using summation current transformers with means to produce an artificial unbalance for other protection or monitoring reasons or remote control
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02HEMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H1/00Details of emergency protective circuit arrangements
    • H02H1/0038Details of emergency protective circuit arrangements concerning the connection of the detecting means, e.g. for reducing their number

Abstract

An arc fault detector comprised as a stand alone unit and in combination with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) functions to provide protection from potentially dangerous arc fault conditions. When combined with a GFCI, the combination arc fault/ground fault circuit interrupter (AFCI/GFCI) provides protection from both arc fault and ground fault conditions. A single transformer is used to detect faults between neutral and ground and arc faults. An impedance splits the current flow into two portions so as to generate differential current proportional to the current flowing through the conductors. An early arcing detector periodically tests the AC line for high impedance between the device and a main breaker panel. The AFCI/GFCI device detects both AC line frequencies and high frequencies associated with arcing. Both average and instantaneous values of both AC line frequency and high frequency arcing signals are processed to generate an arc fault signal.
The device allows the arc detector to differentiate between destructive high level arcing and low level arcing such as generated by typical household appliances and equipment. This serves to decrease the occurrence of false tripping. The device also includes a timer circuit, which permits the user to temporarily disable the arc detector, and includes communication means to permit the device to communicate the occurrence and location of the arc fault to a centralized monitoring station.

Claims (57)

1. An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) device electrically connected to an electrical wiring system between a source of electrical power including line side phase and neutral conductors and a load side including phase and neutral conductors, said device comprising:
arc fault circuit means for detecting high impedance in said electrical wiring system, said arc fault circuit means operative to generate a first arc fault trigger signal when the impedance of said electrical wiring system exceeds a first predetermined threshold;
trigger means for generating a switching signal upon receipt of said first arc fault trigger signal; and switching means electrically connected in series between said line side phase and neutral conductors and said load side phase and neutral conductors, said switching means for disconnecting said source of electrical power to said load side phase and neutral conductors in response to said switching signal.
2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising circuit interrupting means for interrupting the flow of current to a load electrically connected to said device in response to predetermined criteria.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said circuit interrupting means comprises ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) means for detecting the occurrence of a ground fault between said phase conductor and ground or between said neutral conductor and ground, said ground fault circuit means operative to generate a ground fault trigger signal in response to the detection of said ground fault.
4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a transformer through which said phase and neutral conductors pass, said transformer functioning as a ground/neutral differential transformer for said ground fault circuit means and operative to generate an arc fault sense signal for use by said arc fault circuit means which is proportional to the current flowing through said phase and neutral conductors.
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said arc fault circuit means comprises test means for periodically testing said electrical wiring system for a high impedance condition.
6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said test means tests said electrical wiring system for a high impedance condition every half cycle of said source of electrical power.
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said arc fault circuit means comprises means for generating a pulse substantially proportional to the source impedance of said electrical wiring system.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said arc fault circuit means comprises means for firing a thyristor device within said ground fault circuit means for a sufficiently brief time so as not to cause said switching means to disconnect said source of electrical power from said load, said firing of said thyristor device briefly loading an LC network across said source of electrical power such that a pulse generated therefrom is indicative of a high impedance condition.
9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said ground fault circuit means comprises a transformer through which said line side phase and neutral conductors pass through and further comprising current splitting means electrically connected to either said phase or neutral conductors for splitting the current flow into two portions such that a small portion flows around said transformer thereby generating a differential current proportional to the current flowing through said phase or neutral conductor.
10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said current splitting means comprises an impedance.
11. The device according to claim 9, wherein said current splitting means comprises a resistance.
12. The device according to claim 9, wherein said current splitting means comprises a reactance.
13. The device according to claim 1, wherein said arc fault circuit means comprises:
current measurement means for sensing the level of AC current flowing through an electrical load placed on said load side of said device;

high frequency circuit means for generating a peak high frequency signal and an average high frequency signal corresponding to the peak and average levels, respectively, of high frequency current flowing through said load;
AC line frequency circuit means for generating a peak AC line frequency signal and an average AC line frequency signal corresponding to the peak and average levels, respectively, of AC line frequency current flowing through said load;
and arc detect means for generating a second arc fault trigger signal in accordance with said peak high frequency signal, said average high frequency signal, said peak AC line frequency signal and said average AC line frequency signal.
14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said arc detect means comprises means for generating said second arc fault trigger signal when either said peak high frequency signal exceeds a second predetermined threshold or said peak AC line frequency signal exceeds a third predetermined threshold, the generation of said second arc fault trigger signal providing an immediate response to dangerous levels of arcing or AC line current.
15. The device according to claim 13, wherein said arc detect means comprises means for generating said second arc fault trigger signal when either said average high frequency signal exceeds a second predetermined threshold or said average AC line frequency signal exceeds a third predetermined threshold, the generation of said second arc fault trigger signal providing an immediate response to dangerous levels of arcing or AC line current.
16. The device according to claim 13, wherein said arc detect means comprises means for generating said second arc fault trigger signal after a variable time delay dependent upon the level of arcing detected or on the level of AC line current detected.
17. The device according to claim 13, wherein said arc detect means comprises means for generating said second arc fault trigger signal based on a plurality of arc fault trip levels which are dependent on the magnitude of the average AC line current.
18. The device according to claim 13, wherein said arc detect means comprises means for generating said second arc fault trigger signal based on a plurality of arc fault trip levels which are dependent on the level of AC line current detected.
19. The device according to claim 13, further comprising means for simultaneously detecting the peak and average magnitude of the high frequency arcing current and of the AC
line current so as to provide an immediate response to dangerous levels in either arcing or AC
line current.
20. The device according to claim 13, further comprising means for partially disabling arc detection for a finite period of time, the disabling of arc detection providing a user with the ability to use an electrical device exhibiting arcing, said timer means enabling arc detection after use of said electrical device has been discontinued.
21. The device according to claim 1, further comprising communication means for communication the generation of said switching signal.
22. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for receiving an external disable command and disabling arc detection in accordance therewith.
23. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for a user to manually turn arc detection on and off.
24. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for disabling arc detection during daylight hours and enabling arc detection during night hours.
25. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for disabling and enabling arc detection in accordance with signals received from a remote infrared (IR) transmitter.
26. An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) device electrically connected to an electrical wiring system between a source of electrical power including line side phase and neutral conductors and a load side including phase and neutral conductors, said device comprising:
splitting means for splitting the current flowing through said device into two portions such that a signal proportional to the current flow through said phase and neutral conductors is generated;
arc fault circuit means for detecting the occurrence of an arc fault occurring within said electrical wiring system, said arc fault circuit means operative to generate an arc fault trigger signal in response to the detection of an arc fault;
trigger means coupled to said arc fault circuit means, said trigger means for generating a switching signal upon receipt of said arc fault trigger signal;
switching means electrically connected in series between said line side phase and neutral conductors and said load side phase and neutral conductors, said switching means for disconnecting said source of electrical power to said load side phase and neutral conductors in response to said switching signal; and timer means for partially disabling arc detection for a finite period of time, the disabling of arc detection providing a user with the ability to use an electrical device exhibiting arcing, said timer means enabling arc detection after use of said electrical device has been discontinued.
27. An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) device electrically connected to an electrical wiring system between a source of electrical power including line side phase and neutral conductors and a load side including phase and neutral conductors, said device comprising:
first arc fault circuit means for measuring impedance in said electrical wiring system, said first arc fault circuit means operative to generate a first arc fault trigger signal when the impedance of said electrical wiring system exceeds a first predetermined threshold;
second arc fault circuit means for measuring the level of peak high frequency current and peak AC line frequency current flowing through said device to an electrical load connected to said load side, said second arc fault circuit meansoperative to generate a second arc fault trigger signal when said peak high frequency current exceeds a second predetermined threshold or when said peak AC line frequency current exceeds a third predetermined threshold;
trigger means for generating a switching signal upon receipt of said first arc fault trigger signal or said second arc fault trigger signal; and switching means electrically connected in series between said line side phase and neutral conductors and said load side phase and neutral conductors, said switching means for disconnecting said source of electrical power to said load side phase and neutral conductors in response to said switching signal.
28. An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) device electrically connected to an electrical wiring system between a source of electrical power including line side phase and neutral conductors and a load side including phase and neutral conductors, said device comprising:

first arc fault circuit means for detecting high impedance in said electrical wiring system, said first arc fault circuit means operative to generate a first arc fault trigger signal when the impedance of said electrical wiring system exceeds a first predetermined threshold;
second arc fault circuit means for measuring the level of average high frequencycurrent and average AC line frequency current flowing through said device to an electrical load connected to said load side, said second arc fault circuit means operative to generate a second arc fault trigger signal when said average high frequency current exceeds a second predetermined threshold or when said average AC line frequency current exceeds a third predetermined threshold;
trigger means for generating a switching signal upon receipt of said first arc fault trigger signal or said second arc fault trigger signal; and switching means electrically connected in series between said line side phase and neutral conductors and said load side phase and neutral conductors, said switching means for disconnecting said source of electrical power to said load side phase and neutral conductors in response to said switching signal.
29. An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) device electrically connected to an electrical wiring system between a source of electrical power including line side phase and neutral conductors and a load side including phase and neutral conductors, said device comprising:
first arc fault circuit means for detecting high impedance in said electrical wiring system, said first arc fault circuit means operative to generate a first arc fault trigger signal when the impedance of said electrical wiring system exceeds a first predetermined threshold;
second arc fault circuit means for measuring the level of average high frequencycurrent and average AC line frequency current flowing through said device to an electrical load connected to said load side, said second arc fault circuit means operative to generate a second arc fault trigger signal utilizing a plurality of trip levels of said average high frequency current based on said level of average AC line frequency current;
trigger means for generating a switching signal upon receipt of said first arc fault trigger signal or said second arc fault trigger signal; and switching means electrically connected in series between said line side phase and neutral conductors and said load side phase and neutral conductors, said switching means for disconnecting said source of electrical power to said load side phase and neutral conductors in response to said switching signal.
30. An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) device electrically connected to an electrical wiring system between a source of electrical power including line side phase and neutral conductors and a load side including phase and neutral conductors, said device comprising:
current measurement means for sensing the level of AC current flowing through an electrical load placed on said load side of said device;
first arc fault circuit means for detecting a high impedance condition in said electrical wiring system;
high frequency means for generating a high frequency signal corresponding to the level of high frequency current flowing through said load;
AC line frequency means for generating an AC line frequency signal corresponding to the level of AC line frequency current flowing through said load;
arc detect means for generating an arc fault trigger signal in accordance with said high frequency signal and said AC line frequency signal;
trigger means for generating a switching signal upon receipt of said arc fault trigger signal; and switching means electrically connected in series between said line side phase and neutral conductors and said load side phase and neutral conductors, said switching means for disconnecting said source of electrical power to said load side phase and neutral conductors in response to said switching signal.
31. The device according to claims 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30, further comprising circuit interrupting means for interrupting the flow of current to a load electrically connected to said device in response to predetermined criteria.
32. The device according to claim 31, wherein said circuit interrupting means comprises ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) means for detecting the occurrence of a ground fault between said phase conductor and ground or between said neutral conductor and ground, said ground fault circuit means operative to generate a ground fault trigger signal in response to the detection of said ground fault.
33. The device according to claims 27, 28, 29 or 30, wherein said first arc fault circuit means comprises test means for testing said electrical wiring system for a high impedance condition on a periodic basis.
34. The device according to claim 33, wherein said test means tests said electrical wiring system for a high impedance condition every half cycle of said source of electrical power.
35. The device according to claims 27, 28, 29 or 30, wherein said first arc fault circuit means comprises means for generating a pulse substantially proportional to the source impedance of said electrical wiring system.
36. The device according to claims 27, 28 or 29, wherein said first arc fault circuit means comprises means for firing a thyristor device coupled to said switching means briefly enough so as not to cause said switching means to disconnect said source of electrical power from said load, said firing of said thyristor device briefly loading an LC network across said source of electrical power such that a pulse generated therefrom is indicative of a high impedance condition.
37. The device according to claims 27, 29 or 30, further comprising circuit interrupting means comprising a transformer through which said line side phase and neutral conductors pass through, and further comprising current splitting means electrically connected to either said phase or neutral conductors for splitting the current flow into two portions such that a small portion flows around said transformer thereby generating a differential current proportional to the current flowing through said phase or neutral conductor.
38. The device according to claims 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30, further comprising a transformer through which said phase and neutral conductors pass, said transformer functioning as a ground/neutral differential transformer and operative to generate an arc fault sense signal for use by said arc fault circuit means which is proportional to the current flowing through said phase and neutral conductors.
39. The device according to claim 38, wherein said current splitting means comprises an impedance.
40. The device according to claim 38, wherein said current splitting means comprises a resistance.
41. The device according to claim 38, wherein said current splitting means comprises a reactance.
42. The device according to claims 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30, further comprising means for partially disabling arc detection for a finite period of time, the disabling of arc detection providing a user with the ability to use an electrical device exhibiting arcing, said timer means enabling arc detection after use of said electrical device has been discontinued.
43. The device according to claims 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30, further comprising communication means for communicating the generation of said switching signal.
44. The device according to claims 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30, further comprising means for receiving an external disable command and disabling arc detection in accordance therewith.
45. The device according to claims 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30, further comprising means for a user to manually turn arc detection on and off.
46. The device according to claims 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30, further comprising means for disabling arc detection during daylight hours and enabling arc detection during night hours.
47. The device according to claims 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30, further comprising means for disabling and enabling arc detection in accordance with signals received from a remote infrared (IR) transmitter.
48. In an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) device connected to an electrical wiring system via line side phase and neutral conductors and load side phase and neutral conductors, a method of detecting arc faults, comprising the steps of:
detecting the existence of a high impedance condition in said electrical wiring system and generating a first arc fault signal in response thereto;
sensing the level of AC current flowing through an electrical load placed on said load side of said device;
generating a high frequency signal corresponding to the level of high frequency current flowing through said load;
generating an AC line frequency signal corresponding to the level of AC line frequency current flowing through said load;
generating a second arc fault trigger signal in accordance with said high frequency signal and said AC line frequency signal; and disconnecting said source of electrical power to said load side phase and neutral conductors in response to said first and second arc fault signals.
49. The method according to claim 48, further comprising the step of detecting the occurrence of a ground fault between said phase conductor and ground or between said neutral conductor and ground and generating a ground fault trigger signal in response thereto.
50. The method according to claim 48, wherein said step of sensing comprises the step of splitting the current flowing through either with said phase or neutral conductor such that a differential current proportional to the current flowing through said phase or neutral conductor is generated.
51. The method according to claim 48, further comprising the step of providing atransformer through which said phase and neutral conductors pass, said transformer utilized to detect the occurrence of a ground fault between said phase and neutral conductor and to sense the level of current flowing through said electrical load.
52. The method according to claim 48, further comprising the step of partially disabling arc detection for a finite period of time, the disabling of arc detection providing a user with the ability to use an electrical device exhibiting arcing, and enabling arc detection after use of said electrical device has been discontinued.
53. The method according to claim 48, further comprising the step of communicating the generation of said switching signal.
54. The method according to claim 48, further comprising the step of receiving an external disable command and disabling arc detection in accordance therewith.
55. The method according to claim 48, further comprising the step of providing the ability for a user to manually turn arc detection on and off.
56. The method according to claim 48, further comprising the step of disabling arc detection during daylight hours and enabling arc detection during night hours.
57. The method according to claim 48, further comprising the step of disabling and enabling arc detection in accordance with signals received from a remote infrared (IR) transmitter.
CA2256243A 1997-12-19 1998-12-16 Arc fault detector with circuit interrupter and early arc fault detection Expired - Lifetime CA2256243C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/993,745 1997-12-19
US08/993,745 US6128169A (en) 1997-12-19 1997-12-19 Arc fault detector with circuit interrupter and early arc fault detection

Publications (2)

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CA2256243A1 true CA2256243A1 (en) 1999-06-19
CA2256243C CA2256243C (en) 2011-10-04

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