ARC FAULT DETECTOR AND METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for detecting arc fault in which the susceptibility to a trouble trip is reduced, and to provide its method. SOLUTION: The apparatus includes a current sensor, an input detection circuit, an arc generation detection circuit, a power supply device, a trip (breaking) circuit, a processor, and an electromechanical interface. The current sensor monitors the power supply input, including the AC current and provides the input detection circuit with the high-frequency components of the AC current. The input detection circuit performs the filter processing of the AC signal, and provides the arc generation detecting circuit with the rectified signal. The arc generation detecting circuit provides the processor with the voltage level accumulated over a predefined time period and a digital signal indicating the electric arc, having probability of generation during the sampling time. The processor measures the voltage level, stores the information on the measured voltage and the digital signal, processes the stored information using one or a plurality of algorithms, and thereby determines whether the signal is due to arc faults or due to the result of inconvenient load. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI