Apparatus and methodology for instantaneous AC line fault detection

摘要

Provided is an apparatus that includes sensors configured to ascertain two or more alternating current voltage signals. In some aspects, a first AC voltage is sensed at a resistor branch and a second AC voltage is sensed at a resistor-capacitor branch. A processor is configured to transform the two alternating current voltage signals into two instantaneous direct current voltage values. Analysis of at least one direct current value is performed to determine whether or not the instantaneous RMS line voltage is within or outside the range of the required (or expected) RMS line voltage. If the direct current value indicates that the line voltage is outside the expected RMS voltage value, it is determined that an alternating current line fault has occurred or is occurring.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
using an alternating current (AC) primary power source in parallel with a resistor divider circuit; using a first resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit in parallel with the resistor divider circuit; sensing a first AC voltage signal at a node in the resistor divider circuit; sensing a second AC voltage signal at a node in the first RC circuit; using the first and second sensed AC voltage signals to determine first and second values; and determining that a fault has occurred if the first value is not indicative of the required root mean square (RMS) value of a line voltage provided by the primary power source.