Eaton Corporation

William Edward Berkopec

Jerome Kenneth Hastings

Birger Pahl

James E Hansen

Joseph Charles Zuercher

David J Gritter

Edward Louis Wellner

Slobodan Krstic

James R Jaeschke

Engelbert Hetzmannseder

Scott A Reid

David D Shipp

Ronald R Jahn

Martin Baier

Thomas Edward Strunsee

Karen Sjaarda Bland

Ronald Richard Jahn

Electrical equipment ( ) is safeguarded from damage due to parallel arc faults by a circuit that provides several levels of protection. A semiconductor switch ( ) and a current sensor ( ) are placed in series with the electrical equipment ( ). When the current to the equipment exceeds a first threshold for a predefined period of time, the semiconductor switch ( ) is rendered non-conductive until the circuit is specifically reset. When the current to the equipment exceeds a greater second threshold, a pulsed signal alternately places the semiconductor switch ( ) in conductive and non-conductive states so that the average current applied to the equipment ( ) is within an acceptable level. The pulses are measured to determine whether a parallel arc fault has occurred. When the measured pulses ( ) are within a predetermined range, a parallel arc fault is declared and the semiconductor switch ( ) is rendered non-conductive. Should the current exceed an even greater third threshold, the semiconductor switch ( ) is immediately rendered non-conductive until the circuit is manually reset.

Method and apparatus for detecting and suppressing a parallel arc fault

Electrical equipment is safeguarded from damage due to faults by a circuit that provides several levels of protection. A semiconductor switch and a current sensor are placed in series with the electrical equipment. When the current to the equipment exceeds a first threshold for a predefined period of time, the semiconductor switch is rendered non-conductive until the circuit is specifically reset. When the current to the equipment exceeds a greater second threshold, a pulsed signal alternately places the semiconductor switch in conductive and non-conductive states so that the average current applied to the equipment is within an acceptable level. Should the current exceed an even greater third threshold, the semiconductor switch is immediately rendered non-conductive until the circuit is manually reset.

Soild state protection circuit for electrical apparatus

A normally ungrounded power system for a oil well is provided which includes a power transformer above ground and a pump motor below ground. There is provided a signal system which includes a below ground sensor system and an above ground signal conditioning and monitoring unit where the sensor system utilizes the main power lines for carrying the sensor signals. A connectable high resistance grounding scheme is provided to the aforementioned floating system, so that in the event of a arcing ground fault or similar occurrence the system may be immediately grounded, thus compensating for the effects of the arcing ground fault and providing personnel safety and electrical equipment protection. When the high resistance grounding system is not utilized the aforementioned signals from the sensors are easily carried by the power conductors.

High resistance grounding systems for oil well electrical systems

Growing community of inventors

Wauwatosa, WI, United States of America

William Edward Berkopec