ARC FAULT DETECTOR WITH CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER

摘要

An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) device functions to provide protection f rom potentially dangerous arc faults. The arc fault detector can be used stand alone or in combination with circuit interrupting devices such as IDCIs and ALCIs. The AFCI device detects both AC line frequencies and high frequencies associated with arcing. Bo th average and instantaneous values of both AC line frequency and high frequency arcing sig nals are processed to generate an arc fault signal. The trip mechanism of the device trip s on the occurrence of either an arc fault or a ground fault. The device allows the arc d etector 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 occurren ce of false tripping. The device also includes a timer circuit, which permits the user to te mporarily 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 monito ring station.