Schneider Electric Usa, Inc.

John J Shea

Jason B Carrodus

Kevin L Parker

Mark A Juds

Christian Ruempler

Xin Zhou

Julius Michael Liptak

B Thomas Pier

Joseph C Engel

Pawan Kumar Modi

Brian J Schaltenbrand

Mark A Janusek

Aaron T Kozar

William C Pollitt

Nathan J Weister

Theodore J Miller

Paul J Rollmann

Daniel E Hrncir

Lennart R Jonsson

Kenneth D Kolberg

A fault managed power system (FMPS) and method monitors and detects fault currents in PoE, PFC, and other cables that indicate likely human contact with cable conductors. The level of current detected through the human body combined with a fast response time limits the energy to prevent a person from experiencing ventricular fibrillation, resulting in a so-called touch-safe level. For overload and short-circuit fault protection, the system automatically and immediately removes power from the cables. This limits the amount of energy provided into the fault, thereby maintaining touch-safe operation and also preventing electrical fires and system component protection. The system/method can accomplish this even at voltage levels considerably higher than existing touch-safe standards, for example. Class 2 (below 50 Vac) power supplies. Such a system/method allows the amount of power in applications like PoE and PFC to be safely increased to levels much greater than the current maximum (100 W).

Fault managed power systems

A method and system are provided to control circuit breaker operations. In the method and system, near-field RF signal is monitored at or around electrical contacts of the circuit breaker using at least one near-field radio frequency (RF) sensor, and far-field RF signal away from the contacts of the circuit breaker are monitored using at least one far-field RF sensor. A rate of change of current over time is also monitored on the circuit using at least one sensor. An arc fault on the circuit is detected based on the monitored near-field RF signal, the monitored far-field RF signal, and the monitored rate of change of current. A tripping operation is implemented on the circuit breaker to disconnect the power supply from the circuit, in response to the detection of the arc fault.

Arc flash detection method

Methods and systems for suppressing arc formation in branch breakers provide a load center that can monitor a branch breaker for indications of arc formation. The load center may include a main breaker that can immediately cut current to the upon receiving an indication of an arc forming in the branch breaker. The indication may be provided by a sensor circuit that sends a trigger signal to the main breaker when arc formation is detected within the branch breaker. The main breaker checks that the trigger signal indicates arc formation, then cuts current to suppress the arc. The main breaker then waits a short period for the branch breaker to clear before restoring current. The wait period is sufficiently short such that devices receiving power from the load center are not adversely affected. To improve cutoff and restoration response times, the main breaker employs a solid-state trip switch.

Arc suppression in circuit protective devices

An arc chute includes a pair of opposing side walls and a non-magnetic body. The side walls are formed of an electrically insulating material. The non-magnetic body includes an open area and a plurality of slots through which to facilitate gas flow. The arc chute also includes a back wall arranged on a back side of the non-magnetic body and including at least one first insulator and at least one magnet. The at least one first insulator is arranged between the at least one magnet and the open area and configured to electrically isolate the magnet from the non-magnetic body. The magnet is configured to generate a magnetic field to redirect an arc in the open area toward one of the side walls.

Arc chute for circuit protective devices

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Wake Forest, NC, United States of America

John J Shea