Schneider Electric Usa, Inc.

Joseph R Beierschmitt

Jeremy D Schroeder

Randall James Gass

Gary W Scott

Paul Andrew Reid

Andi Jakupi

Hynek Raisigel

Costin Vasile

Michel Layour

Issa Vignon Dramé

Brennan T Lentz

Issa Vignon Drame

Embodiments described herein provide techniques for generating a security key for use in authenticating a device. Embodiments divide a unique identifier into an ordered plurality of portions, wherein the unique identifier is associated with a first device. A plurality of values is retrieved from an indexable data structure by accessing the indexable data structure using each of the plurality of portions as an index, where the indexable data structure stores a plurality of unique values in a random or pseudorandom order. Embodiments process the retrieved plurality of values to generate a security key and use the security key in processing one or more data communication messages between the first device and a remote computing device.

Scrambled address-based security

A method for identifying a type of fault condition with a circuit breaker includes detecting by the circuit breaker a fault condition of a plurality of fault conditions, storing in a memory device a trip code representing a type of the detected fault condition, interrupting current flow through the branch circuit in response to detecting the fault condition, and receiving a reset of the circuit breaker. The trip code may then be displayed in response to a momentary press of a test button that is a short duration press, and activating an LED interface in the circuit breaker to indicate the trip code representing the type of the detected fault condition.

Electronic miniature circuit breaker with enhanced diagnostic user interface

A system and method are provided to detect a fault on a circuit. A current sensor is provided for sensing current on at least one line conductor and/or a neutral conductor on a circuit, and a switch is operated between at least first and second positions to selectively control a signal pathway on the at least one line conductor or the neutral conductor in relations to the sensor. The sensor performs a first current measurement corresponding to current across one conductor from the at least one line conductor and the neutral conductor in the first position, and a second current measurement corresponding to a current balance or imbalance between the conductors in the second position. The current sensor outputs the first current measurement for detecting an arc fault in the first position, or the second current measurement for detecting a ground fault in the second position.

Multiple arc fault/ground fault signal path

An arc fault detection system samples a high frequency signal on a power line sequentially at different frequency regions according to a frequency hopping sequence, which is repeated a number of times over a predefined period. The different frequency regions include at least one region with a carrier for power line communication on the power line and at least one region without a carrier for power line communication on the power line. The system obtains energy measurements for each frequency region based on the sampled signals, computes an energy level for each frequency region based on the measurements for each region, and assigns a binary value to each region according to the corresponding energy level. The binary value represents a presence or absence of signal content in the frequency region. The system determines a presence or absence of an arc fault based on the binary values for the frequency regions.

Arc fault detection using frequency hopping techniques

A single current transformer arc fault/ground fault sensing circuit utilizes a sense coil and an injection coil from the line conductor placed concentrically and overlapping on a common core. The injection coil is operated by an in-line switch to allow current flow into the injection winding to influence the sense coil. With both the line and return conductors of a single phase circuit being surrounded by the transformer, opening the switch allows a ground fault sampling period, while closing the switch allows an arc fault sampling period.

Multi-winding ground fault sensor

The disclosed methods and systems employ a nonprobability-based detection scheme that measures conditions (e.g., voltage or current) at multiple locations on a circuit, such as a branch circuit, to detect for a presence of an arc fault condition. A centralized processing system, such as a controller (), receives information corresponding to a branch origin voltage or current measurement sensed by a sensor () at a branch origin upstream of the plurality of end-use devices () on the branch circuit (e.g. at a circuit breaker defining the branch), and receives information corresponding to a downstream voltage or current measurement at each of the end-use devices sensed by a corresponding downstream sensor ().

Distributed arc fault protection between outlet and circuit breaker

A system and method to detect arc faults in branch wiring. The system includes a line conductor and a neutral conductor. A circuit breaker is connected to an alternating current source via the line and neutral conductors. Electrical outlet devices are coupled to the circuit breaker via the line and neutral conductors. Each of the electrical outlet devices has a neutral shorting switching element coupled between the line and neutral conductors, and a load control switching element in the line conductor. The electrical outlet devices also each include an outlet controller to control the switching elements. The outlet controllers close the neutral shorting switching elements and the master controller determines if high impedance is present to detect a series arc fault. The outlet controllers open the load control switching elements and the master controller determines if any current is flowing on the line conductor to detect a parallel arc fault.

Method to detect arcing faults using switched elements at outlet

An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) outlet is disclosed which detects and interrupts upstream parallel arc faults. The example AFCI outlet includes a switching element coupled between the line and neutral conductors at the outlet. The outlet also includes a voltage sensor and a current sensor. A parallel upstream arc fault is detected from a sensed voltage drop and no corresponding increase in current. On detecting the arc fault, the switching element is closed and current flows through the relatively lower resistance switching element interrupting power through the arc fault. The closed switching element results in an overcurrent condition causing an upstream conventional thermal-magnetic circuit breaker to trip.

Upstream parallel arc fault outlet protection method

Method and system for performing arc fault and ground fault detection in a dual function CAFI/GFCI circuit breaker uses two analog-to-digital converters (ADC), one for performing arc fault sampling and one for performing ground fault sampling. Each ADC operates independently of the other ADC and may be accessed as needed by the microcontroller without interfering with the operation of the other ADC. Such simultaneous use of multiple ADCs minimizes or eliminates the need for complex time slicing and similar control schemes, thus freeing up the microcontroller for other operations and fault detection related tasks.

Arc fault and ground fault interrupter using dual ADC

An electronic circuit breaker includes controllable mechanical contacts adapted to connect a primary power source to at least one load; and control circuitry for monitoring the flow of power from the primary power source to the load, detecting fault conditions and automatically opening the contacts in response to the detection of a fault condition. A primary power source supplies power to the control circuitry when the contacts are closed, and an auxiliary power source supplies power to the control circuitry when the contacts are open, whether by a trip or by manual opening.

Electronic circuit breaker with alternate mode of operation using auxiliary power source

An electronic circuit breaker includes controllable contacts adapted to connect a power source to at least one load, and a microcontroller for monitoring the flow of power to the load, detecting different types of fault conditions and automatically opening the contacts in response to a fault. A primary power supply of the breaker receives power from the line source when the contacts are closed, and supplies power to the control circuitry. Fault indicators in the microcontroller indicate the type of fault that caused the contacts to open. A secondary power supply provides power to the control circuitry when the contacts are open and a switch is closed.

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Marion, IA, United States of America

Joseph R Beierschmitt