Apparatus and system for protecting power distribution circuits against ground faults

摘要

A ground fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) device is utilized to control either an industrial circuit breaker or a contactor in protecting a large power distribution circuit against ground faults. The GFCI device is equipped with switch contacts which are actuated incident with tripping of the GFCI device. The switch contacts control energization of an actuator adapted to the circuit breaker or contactor. A ground fault sensor responds to ground faults on the distribution circuit by injecting a current imbalancing signal into the GFCI device, causing it to trip. The consequent switch contact actuation initiates operation of the circuit breaker or contactor to interrupt the distribution circuit.