Simplexgrinnell LP

Gregg Lupaczyk

Mark Philias Barrieau

Richard P Bonneau

Normand Dontigny

A ground fault detection system detects an earth fault or ground fault in a network device. The network device may be used in a fire alarm network. The ground fault detection system includes a power device that electrically isolates the ground fault detection system. A controller sequences a series of switches or relays to charge an energy storing element, such as a capacitor, with the isolated power supply. The capacitor is placed in communication with each port of the network device one at a time. If the connected port includes an inadvertent connection to ground, a detection circuit will detect the bias on the earth ground. The detection circuit may then output an indication of the inadvertent connection to ground to either a workstation or a fire alarm control panel.

Ground fault detection

Mis-wired addressable loops are determined by enabling all loops and identifying all devices communicating on all loops. A list of all identified devices is recorded. One at a time, each loop is disconnected, a list of devices that are disabled is determined and recorded for the disconnected loop, and the loop is reconnected. When all of the loops have been processed, the lists of disabled devices are compared and those devices that are wired improperly are determined.

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Shirley, MA, United States of America

Gregg Lupaczyk