There is here disclosed a method and apparatus for detecting the occurrence of arcing of a conductor by monitoring the current on an
AC power line. The
signal detected is split and directed along four separate paths to generate four signals having separate characteristics which represent the current in the line. A first path is for a
signal representative of the current flowing in the line. A second path is for a
signal having a pulse for each occurrence of a positive step change in current that is significant and has a di / dt value above a predetermined value. A third path is for a signal having a pulse for each occurrence of a negative step change in current that is significant and has a di / dt value above a predetermined value. A fourth path is for a signal having a
voltage level representative of the
broadband noise signal on the line. Using at least one of five different methods in combination with one of three input signals, a reference signal designated as “SINE” is generated. The SINE signal generated in combination with a CURRENT input is used to produce a control waveform “
DELTA”.
DELTA can be represented as a relative value or as an
absolute difference between the SINE and the CURRENT. Each occurring
half cycle of the
DELTA signal is analyzed by, for example, a micro-controller for specific identifiable characteristics found to indicate the presence of arcing. Upon the detection of arcing, an output signal can be generated to activate a circuit interrupting mechanism, sound an audio alarm and / or alert a central monitoring
station.