891results about "Circuit-breaking switches for excess currents" patented technology

The invention intends to provide a direct current load breaking contact point constitution that can make and break an electrical circuit under both direct current loads of direct current resistance load and direct current inductance load over a long period of time without causing problems such as ① the conduction defect due to the consumption of the contact point, ② the locking due to material transfer from one contact point to the other contact point, ③ the welding between the contact points, and ④ the abnormal arc continuation, and a direct current load breaking switching mechanism such as a relay, a switch and so on that has the contact point constitution. The direct current load breaking contact point constitution according to the invention comprises a movable contact point and a stationary contact point that face each other; wherein the movable contact point is made of AgSnO2In2O3 alloy that contains at least Ag, 8 to 15% by weight in total of metal oxides including SnO2 and In2O3, 6 to 10% by weight of SnO2 and 1 to 5% by weight of In2O3; the stationary contact point is made of AgZnO alloy that contains at least Ag and 7 to 11% by weight of ZnO; and polarity of a movable side is (+) and that of a stationary side is (−).

Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include a reset lockout mechanism, an independent trip mechanism and reverse wiring protection. A conical reset plunger is notched to force a successful test before reset.

A method and system is provided for optimizing the performance of a power generation and distribution system by forecasting very short term load forecasts through the use of historical load data, demand patterns and short term load forecasts.

An acoustic transducer comprising a substrate; and a diaphragm formed by depositing a micromachined membrane onto the substrate. The diaphragm is formed as a single silicon chip using a CMOS MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) semiconductor fabrication process. The curling of the diaphragm during fabrication is reduced by depositing the micromachined membrane for the diaphragm in a serpentine-spring configuration with alternating longer and shorter arms. As a microspeaker, the acoustic transducer of the present invention converts a digital audio input signal directly into a sound wave, resulting in a very high quality sound reproduction at a lower cost of production in comparison to conventional acoustic transducers. The micromachined diaphragm may also be used in microphone applications.

A microprocessor based overcurrent trip unit which generates trip signals as an adjustable function of current and time, has a visual representation of the trip function on a front panel with 2-color LEDs associated with the trip function serving as indicators of trip conditions when red, and of a selected programmable parameter when green. The green LEDs flash to indicate parameter selected for modification in a program mode and illuminate steady in a view mode.

A method and system for monitoring the integrity of a container specifically adapted for the system and constructed with at least one door. A sensor is secured in the container for detecting proximity of the at least one door relative to another area of the container and for providing sensor data that may be communicated from the container relative to its integrity.

An integrated personal information management system is described. In one embodiment, for example, an integrated personal information management system is described that comprises: a receptacle holding at least one paper page that is capable of receiving pen strokes from a digital pen; a digital pen for recording pen strokes when a user writes on a particular paper page; a page identifier for identifying the particular paper page on which the user is writing; and a handheld personal information device in communication with the digital pen and page identifier for processing the recorded pen strokes associated with the particular paper page and displaying the processing results on a display screen.

A line powering system for a multi-channel communication system is disclosed having a central office or primary communication terminal configured to communicate with one or more remote locations via two or more communication lines. Line powering, from the primary location to the remote location, is provided by a power supply, which is selectively connected to one or more of the lines via a switching module. Line monitoring and switch control may occur automatically or by a controller. A ground fault detector is provided to monitor for excessive ground fault current and selectively disconnect the faulted line. A rapid line voltage discharge module is provided to discharge line voltage to meet specification.

According to one aspect of the invention, a plug-in module is provided for installing in a power distribution assembly. In one embodiment, the plug-in module may include an overcurrent protection device, a power cable, which may include a first end coupled to the overcurrent protection device, and a second end coupled to the first end, one or more receptacle outlets attached to the second end and electrical contacts coupled to the overcurrent protection device and configured to couple the plug-in module to a plurality of stationary electrical conductors of the power distribution assembly.

The present invention is directed to a protection device that includes line terminals coupled to a power source disposed in an electric power distribution system. The protection device is configured to protect a portion of the power distribution system from at least one fault condition. The device includes a receptacle member that has includes a housing and a cover. The cover includes receptacle openings configured to accommodate plug contact blades. Receptacle contacts are disposed in the housing. The receptacle contacts are also coupled to the line terminals to thereby establish an electrical connection between the receptacle contacts and the line terminals. Each receptacle contact is in communication with a corresponding receptacle opening. A protective shutter mechanism is integrated into the housing. The protective shutter mechanism is movable from a closed position to an open position upon insertion of the plug contact blades. The protective shutter mechanism is substantially hermetically sealed in the closed position. The protective shutter mechanism is also not movable from the closed position to the open position upon insertion of an object into only one receptacle opening, such that the object is prevented from making contact with the corresponding receptacle contact.

A differential relay for protecting a power apparatus portion of a power system, such as a bus line, includes incoming and outgoing power lines on which incoming and outgoing currents are present. The incoming and outgoing currents of each phase are applied through current transformers and then through filtering and normalizing circuits prior to application to the differential relay. The differential relay includes a circuit for determining the presence of an external fault, and maintains security by avoiding a tripping action of the relay for said external faults. Further, the relay includes circuits which in response to the external fault evolving to an internal fault alters the operation of a portion of the relay, by increasing the gain for the restraint current, enabling a directional element for supervision of the differential relay, and for extending the immediate post-fault value of restraint current, and adding a time delay for a selected period of time, all of which are used to identify an external fault evolving into an internal fault.

A computer chassis compliant with the Intelligent Platform Management Interface includes a central baseboard management controller (CBMC) and at least one computer board set. The computer board set includes a microcontroller that operates simultaneously as a satellite management controller to receive system management requests from the CBMC and to provide system management information to the CBMC, and as a local baseboard management controller to receive system management information about the computer board set and to provide the system management information about the computer board set to the computer board set. The computer board set detects a local event, which is entered in a local system event log. The satellite management controller determines if the event was requested by the CBMC, and if so, transmits a corresponding event message to the CBMC. The local baseboard management controller determines if local action is required and performs the local action.

A smart load switch or smart plug incorporates a built-in circuit that can monitor a physical variable condition and compare that sensed condition to data stored in a memory. A controller receives input data from the measuring device, compares the data to the reference data in memory, and selectively controls the on / off condition of a switch and thus the device that is plugged into the switch.

By way of summary, in the preferred form of the invention, the patch panel comprises a manually programmable device that incorporates shunts or dip switches that are readily accessible from the front panel of the device. In the patch panel construction of the invention, a multi-pin connector block is connected to a first circuit board that, in turn, is connected to a second circuit board via a cable connector, thus allowing the signal switching (normalizing) and grounding circuits of the respective jacks to be selectively altered from the front access panel of the device. By manually changing the shunt or dip switch configurations, the respective normalizing and grounding circuits can easily and simply be altered as may be desired without costly system interruption.

The present invention provides a set of circuits which is capable of performing an automatic check on main components of a circuit interrupting device when the circuit interrupting device is properly powered and the device is at a tripped state to determine whether these main components function normally. The results of the automatic check can be detected by depressing a reset button in the circuit interrupting device. If the reset button can be depressed, the main components function normally. Alternatively, the results can be automatically displayed by a showing on the face lid of the circuit interrupting device of either a green light, which means that the main components function normally, or a red or yellow light or no light, which means that at least one of the main components in the circuit interrupting device does not function properly. The present invention also provides an end-of-service-life detection integrated circuit chip capable of receiving and transmitting an automatic check signal and determining whether or not the circuit interrupting device can be reset. The preferred circuit interrupting device is a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).

Electrical fire risks and consumer safety are major concerns driving regulators worldwide to implement more stringent electrical code and enforcement. While there are many commercially available protective devices available, none affords total protection, and they are made and classified only to protect circuits from specific or limited number of faults.This invention is about an apparatus, system and method for protection of electrical circuits and consumers from literally all known electrical faults in Direct Current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC) single and multi-phase systems such as and including Arc Faults, Ground and Leakage Faults, Surge, Overload, Short Circuit, Glowing Connections, Miswired Connections, overvoltage, undervoltage and Phase-Loss. Said apparatus, system and method come in the form of or in a housing as a Circuit Breaker, Receptacle, Convenience Outlet, Attachment Plug, Equipment Controller, a circuit, or a system integrated with another system, device or apparatus.

An electromagnetic safety (EMS) enhancement circuit is provided for a USB (Universal Serial Bus) system, which can simulate an unplugging and replugging action so as to ensure continuous operation of the USB device after being disconnected from the USB interface due to electromagnetic interferences. The EMS enhancement circuit utilizes an EMS detection unit to detect the EMS condition of the data communication between the USB device and the USB interface; if abnormal, the EMS detection unit will output an overflow signal to a resume-control unit. The resume-control unit can output a pull-up control signal to a voltage pull-up circuit so as to control the voltage pull-up circuit in such a manner that, when the USB device is disconnected from the USB interface, the voltage pull-up circuit is first inhibited from outputting a voltage signal to one data line of the USB interface to thereby simulate an unplugging action and, after a preset time, be enabled again to output the voltage signal to thereby simulate a replugging action. The simulated unplugging and replugging action can then automatically reconnect the USB device to the USB interface for continuous operation of the USB device.

An arc flash detection system includes a sensor for determining and responding to the presence of an arc flash condition in electrical equipment by detecting a pressure rise, rate of pressure rise and / or ultraviolet radiation characteristic of an arc flash, and generating a signal in response thereto; and processing means responsive to said signal for operating a protective system to de-energize the electrical equipment within a period of time of sufficiently short duration to prevent a pressure wave from the arc flash from causing unacceptable darn age to equipment or personnel.

A circuit breaker having a safe construction, where no electrically charged portions are exposed in an accessory installation area or anywhere outside a main circuit case even if a cover of the circuit breaker is opened in a live condition. In order to achieve above object, the circuit breaker of this invention includes the main circuit case made of an insulating material, and an opening-closing trip mechanism disposed outside of the main circuit case and electrically insulated from the main circuit. According to this invention, a circuit breaker capable of eliminating the risk of an electric shock, thereby providing the excellent safety can be obtained.

The invention is a power strip with an internal smoke detection device, which cuts off AC electrical power to attached electrical devices if smoke is detected.

An overvoltage protection device for protection of low voltage electrical installations, has a device base part with terminals for phase conductors and ground or neutral conductors and at least one overvoltage protection element, with at least one arrester which is located in a housing. The base part of the device has at least one telecommunications contact which has a switch for remote indication of the state of at least one overvoltage protection element, the base part of the device having plug contacts which are connected to the terminals, and the overvoltage protection element having corresponding connector contacts so that the overvoltage protection element can be plugged onto the base part of the device. The overvoltage protection device is improved by the overvoltage protection element having an optical status display and the optical status display and the switch of the telecommunications contact being actuated via a common mechanical actuating system.

An integrated personal information management system is described. In one embodiment, for example, an integrated personal information management system is described that comprises: a receptacle holding at least one paper page that is capable of receiving pen strokes from a digital pen; a digital pen for recording pen strokes when a user writes on a particular paper page; a page identifier for identifying the particular paper page on which the user is writing; and a handheld personal information device in communication with the digital pen and page identifier for processing the recorded pen strokes associated with the particular paper page and displaying the processing results on a display screen.

An electromagnetic relay switches to conduct and interrupt currents having different magnitudes and flowing though mutually opposite paths via the electromagnetic relay. The relay includes a coil generating a magnetic force and a pair of contact sections opened and closed selectively by the magnetic force. The contact sections comprise a pair of fixed contacts and a pair of movable contacts. Each fixed contacts is held by a pair of conductive fixed holders and is near a tip section of each fixed holder. The movable contacts are fixed to a conductive movable holder and moves toward and away from the fixed holders selectively in response to the magnetic force. The relay further includes two arc-extinguishing magnet members adjacent to the contact sections such that, the arc generated by interrupting one current having a magnitude larger than the other current is extended toward the tip section at each contact section.

An electrical receptacle having a tamper resistant mechanism is disclosed. In addition, a GFCI can optionally be configured to include the tamper resistant mechanism. Furthermore, the GFCI can be configured so that the GFCI engages the tamper resistant mechanism when the GFCI is tripped or reset. When the GFCI is tripped, the tamper resistant mechanism is engaged such that it prevents user access to the face terminals of the electrical receptacle. When the GFCI is reset the tamper resistant mechanism does not restrict access to the face terminals of the electrical receptacle. The tamper resistant mechanism has one or more shutter positioned with respect to one or more entry ports to the face terminals. The shutter positioning restricts the insertion of prongs of an electrical plug when the GFCI device of the electrical receptacle is tripped. The GFCI device is tripped when it detects a fault. The GFCI device of the electrical receptacle may be shipped in the tripped condition and cannot be reset if the GFCI device is reverse wired. Thus, the tamper resistant mechanism prevents access to a reverse wired GFCI.

An arc fault and / or ground fault circuit interrupter includes an operating mechanism structured to open and close separable contacts, a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts, a test button structured to test the operating mechanism, an indicator, and a controller structured to configure a setting of the circuit interrupter and operate the indicator to indicate the setting in response to an actuation of the test button.

A frequency harmonic identifier for detecting series arcs on a power line includes a frequency analyzer for providing the harmonic content of a sensed current signal and a decision logic for comparing a tested signal to at least one reference signal band. The reference signal band or bands may represent a variety of common loads and if the tested signal does not match any of the sets of reference signal bands, then the logic determines the tested signal to be a series arc signal. The frequency harmonic identifier may be provided within a circuit interrupter and may issue a trip signal if the tested signal is determined to be a series arc signal. Also disclosed is a method for detecting series arcs, and a storage medium having instructions for causing a computer to implement the method.