Protective device with automated self test

摘要

The present invention is directed to a circuit interrupting device including an actuator that provides an actuator stimulus upon the occurrence of the fault actuation signal. A circuit interrupter is positioned to electrically disconnect the first, second and third electrical conductors from each other upon the occurrence of the actuator stimulus. An automated test circuit is coupled to the circuit interrupting assembly. The automated test circuit is configured to automatically produce the simulated fault condition during a predetermined portion of an AC line cycle to determine whether the fault detection assembly is operational such that the fault detection assembly provides a fault detection signal without the circuit interrupter electrically disconnecting the first, second and third electrical conductors from each other. The automated test circuit is further configured to provide a device failure mode signal such that a plurality of the first, second or third electrical conductors are disconnected from each other if the fault detection signal is not detected within a predetermined time frame.

主权项

1. A circuit interrupting device configured to be coupled to a source of AC power comprising:
a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor, and a third electrical conductor where the first, second and third electrical conductors are electrically isolated from each other and at least one of said conductors is capable of electrically connecting with the other two conductors such that the first, second and third electrical conductors are electrically connected to each other; a fault detection assembly including a plurality of sensor elements coupled to the first, second or third electrical conductors, the fault detection assembly being configured to provide a fault actuation signal in response to a fault condition or a simulated fault condition; an actuator coupled to the fault detection assembly, the actuator providing an actuator stimulus upon the occurrence of the fault actuation signal; a circuit interrupter positioned to electrically disconnect the first, second and third electrical conductors from each other upon the occurrence of the actuator stimulus; and an automated test circuit coupled to the circuit interrupting assembly, the automated test circuit being configured to automatically produce the simulated fault condition during a predetermined portion of an AC line cycle to determine whether the fault detection assembly is operational such that the fault detection assembly provides a fault detection signal without the circuit interrupter electrically disconnecting the first, second and third electrical conductors from each other, the automated test circuit being further configured to provide a device failure mode signal such that a plurality of the first, second or third electrical conductors are disconnected from each other if the fault detection signal is not detected within a predetermined time frame.