Arc fault detection system

Patent · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872294

Jha, Kamal N ^[1]

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1. Bethel Park, PA

An arc fault detection system for use on ungrounded or high-resistance-grounded power distribution systems is provided which can be retrofitted outside electrical switchboard circuits having limited space constraints. The system includes a differential current relay that senses a current differential between current flowing from secondary windings located in a current transformer coupled to a power supply side of a switchboard, and a total current induced in secondary windings coupled to a load side of the switchboard. When such a current differential is experienced, a current travels through a operating coil of the differential current relay, which in turn opens an upstream circuit breaker located between the switchboard and a power supply to remove the supply of power to the switchboard.

• Research Organization: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC11-93PN38195
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5905619
• OSTI ID: 872294
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/361/
breaker
circuit
circuit breaker
circuits
coil
constraints
coupled
current
current flow
current flowing
current induced
current transformer
detection
differential
differential current
distribution
distribution systems
electrical
electrical switch
experienced
fault
fault detection
flowing
high-resistance-grounded
induced
limited
limited space
load
located
operating
outside
power
power distribution
power supply
provided
relay
remove
retrofitted
secondary
secondary winding
secondary windings
senses
space
space constraints
supply
switchboard
systems
total
total current
transformer
travels
ungrounded
upstream
windings