IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0077897
(2011-03-31)
|
등록번호 |
US-8526144
(2013-09-03)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Kevelos, Adam
- Ostrovsky, Michael
- Aronov, Jr., Aleksandr
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
3 인용 특허 :
131 |
초록
▼
There is a fault circuit interrupter comprising at least one grounded neutral sensor and at least one test circuit configured to test the grounded neutral sensor. A further embodiment can also include at least one fault circuit which is configured to detect a current sent from the grounded neutral s
There is a fault circuit interrupter comprising at least one grounded neutral sensor and at least one test circuit configured to test the grounded neutral sensor. A further embodiment can also include at least one fault circuit which is configured to detect a current sent from the grounded neutral sensor. The device can also include a line side phase line, a line side neutral line, and a test line coupled to the line side neutral line and extending from a first region on the line side neutral line to a second region on the line side neutral line, with the grounded neutral sensor being positioned between the first region and the second region on the line side neutral line. This test circuit can comprise a switch, such as a manually operatable switch or it can comprise any one of solid state circuitry, a transistor, and/or a silicon controlled rectifier.
대표청구항
▼
1. A fault circuit interrupter comprising: a phase path;a neutral path;a grounded neutral transformer;a differential sensor; anda test circuit;wherein said test circuit is coupled to said neutral path on one side of said grounded neutral transformer and said differential sensor, and wherein said tes
1. A fault circuit interrupter comprising: a phase path;a neutral path;a grounded neutral transformer;a differential sensor; anda test circuit;wherein said test circuit is coupled to said neutral path on one side of said grounded neutral transformer and said differential sensor, and wherein said test circuit is further coupled to said phase path and said neutral path on another side of said grounded neutral transformer and said differential sensor. 2. The fault circuit interrupter as in claim 1, further comprising at least one fault circuit which is configured to detect a signal sent from said grounded neutral transformer. 3. The fault circuit interrupter as in claim 1, further comprising a line side and a load side and a plurality of separable contacts, wherein said line side and said load side are separated by said plurality of separable contacts. 4. The fault circuit interrupter as in claim 1, wherein said test circuit comprises a test line comprising a resistor. 5. The fault circuit as in claim 1, wherein said test circuit is taken from the group consisting of a mechanical switch, an electrical switch, solid state circuitry, a transistor, a silicon controlled rectifier. 6. The fault circuit as in claim 1, further comprising at least one indicator device comprising an indication circuit. 7. The fault circuit as in claim 6, wherein said at least one indication circuit comprises at least one of a light and an audible indicator and wherein said at least one indication circuit is configured to indicate at least one of the following conditions: a failed self-test, a successful self-test, and whether the contacts are latched. 8. The fault circuit as in claim 1 further comprising a first switch configured to directly test said grounded neutral transformer. 9. The fault circuit as in claim 8, further comprising a second switch configured to directly test said differential sensor. 10. The fault circuit as in claim 1, wherein said test circuit is a self-test circuit. 11. The fault circuit as in claim 10, further comprising at least one processor having at least one timer, wherein said at least one timer is configured to periodically initiate a self-test on said test circuit. 12. The fault circuit as in claim 11, further comprising at least one zero crossing circuit, wherein said zero crossing circuit is configured to determine a zero crossing of a signal on a line, and wherein said at least one clock on said at least one processor is set based upon the zero crossing signal. 13. The fault circuit as in claim 11, further comprising at least one indicator device comprising at least one of an indicator circuit or a communication circuit, said communication circuit in communication with said at least one processor, said communication circuit configured to communicate a condition of the fault circuit to a remote device. 14. The fault circuit as in claim 1, further comprising a second test circuit, wherein said second test circuit is configured to test a differential sensor coil directly. 15. The fault circuit as in claim 1, further comprising a second test circuit, wherein said grounded neutral transformer has a coil, and said second test circuit is configured to test said grounded neutral transformer coil directly. 16. The fault circuit as in claim 1, wherein said one side of said grounded neutral transformer and said differential sensor is a first side and said another side of said grounded neutral transformer and said differential sensor is a second side. 17. The fault circuit as in claim 16, wherein said first side of said grounded neutral transformer and said differential sensor is between said differential sensor and a power input of said phase path and said neutral path. 18. A process for testing a fault circuit of a fault circuit interrupter having a line side and a load side, the process comprising the following steps: a) creating a simulated grounded neutral fault on one side of the fault circuit interrupter;b) testing whether said simulated grounded neutral fault is correctly detected;c) indicating a result of the test to a user; andd) starting a first timer to determine when to initiate the self-test and starting a second timer to determine whether the self-test is successful. 19. The process as in claim 18, wherein said step of testing includes manually initiating a self-test on a grounded neutral transformer and said differential sensor. 20. The fault circuit as in claim 19, wherein said step of testing includes manually initiating a self-test on said grounded neutral transformer and said differential sensor substantially simultaneously. 21. The process as in claim 18, further comprising the step of initiating a communication to a remote device to indicate whether the self-test was successful. 22. The process as in claim 18, further comprising the steps of creating a simulated ground fault, and determining whether said simulated ground fault is detected. 23. A fault circuit interrupter comprising: a) a line side having a phase path and a neutral path;b) a load side having a phase path and a neutral path;c) a grounded neutral transformer;;d) a differential sensor;; ande) a test circuit;f) at least one test switch configured to test both said grounded neutral transformer and said differential sensor; andg) wherein said test circuit is coupled to said phase path and said neutral path on one of said line side and said load side of said grounded neutral transformer and said differential sensor, and wherein said test circuit is further coupled to said neutral path on the other of said line side and said load side of said grounded neutral transformer and said differential sensor. 24. The fault circuit interrupter of claim 23 further comprising a plurality of separable contacts, capable of making and breaking electrical continuity between said line side and said load side; wherein the test circuit is configured to cause the grounded neutral transformer to output a first electrical signal, and create a second electrical signal indicative of a current imbalance;said differential sensor is configured to produce a third electrical signal in response to the first and second electrical signals;said fault circuit interrupter is configured to separate said contacts when the third electrical signal is above a predetermined threshold;said third electrical signal above a predetermined threshold only if:a) both first and second electrical signals are present, orb) there is an electrical fault on the load side external to the fault circuit interrupter. 25. ; The fault circuit interrupter of claim 23 wherein said test circuit is a self-test circuit. 26. The fault circuit as in claim 23, wherein said test switch is configured to test both said grounded neutral transformer and said differential sensor substantially simultaneously. 27. The fault circuit as in claim 23, wherein said one side of said grounded neutral transformer and said differential sensor is a second side and said another side of said grounded neutral transformer and said differential sensor is a first side. 28. The fault circuit as in claim 27, wherein said first side of said grounded neutral transformer and said differential sensor is between said differential sensor and a power input of said phase path and said neutral path.
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