摘要:
Electrical circuit protection arrangements with PTC devices and mechanical switches. The combinations of this invention permit the use of mechanical switches and PTC devices to switch voltages and currents in normal circuit operations, wherein the voltage and/or current ratings of the mechanical switches and PTC devices are much less than the normal operating voltages and currents of the circuits. This feature permits the use of smaller and less expensive mechanical switches and PTC device than would otherwise be required in such circuits. The arrangements of switches and PTC devices also permit the PTC devices to limit the magnitude of the fault current passed to the circuit.
摘要:
An electrical protection system which uses a ground fault interrupter (GFI) to protect a circuit from (A) ground faults and (B) overcurrents and/or overvoltages. For overcurrent protection, a control element may be coupled in series with the line or return input to the GFI, and a bypass element may be coupled in parallel with the control element and the GFI. In case of an overcurrent, the control element causes current to be diverted through the bypass element, thereby creating a current imbalance in the GFI circuitry causing the GFI to open the circuit. For overvoltage protection, a bypass element (e.g. a varistor) may be coupled between, e.g., the line sense input of the GFI and the return sense input of the GFI. In case of an overvoltage, the bypass element conducts current, thereby creating a current imbalance in the GFI circuitry causing the GFI to open the circuit.
摘要:
A composite circuit protection device includes a laminar insulating member and first and second laminar circuit protection devices. Each of the first and second laminar circuit protection devices includes (1) a first laminar electrode, (2) a second laminar electrode, (3) a laminar PTC resistive element which (i) exhibits PTC behavior, (ii) has a first face to which the first electrode is secured and an opposite second face to which the second electrode is secured, and (iii) defines first and second apertures which run between the first and second faces, (4) a third laminar conductive member which (i) is secured to the second face of the PTC resistive element in the area of the first aperture, and (ii) is spaced apart from the second electrode, (5) a fourth laminar conductive member which (i) is secured to the first face of the PTC resistive element in the area of the second aperture, and (ii) is spaced apart from the first electrode, (6) a first transverse conductive member which lies within the first aperture defined by the PTC resistive element, runs between the first and second faces of the PTC element, is secured to the PTC element, and is physically and electrically connected to the first laminar electrode and to the third laminar conductive member, but is not connected to the second laminar electrode, and (7) a second transverse conductive member which lies within the second aperture defined by the PTC resistive element, runs between the first and second faces of the PTC element, is secured to the PTC element, and is physically and electrically connected to the second laminar electrode and to the fourth laminar conductive member, but is not connected to the first laminar electrode. The first and second laminar devices are physically secured together in a stacked configuration, with the laminar insulating member between them; and the devices are connected together electrically by interfacial electrical connections between adjacent electrodes and laminar conductive members so that when an electrical power supply is connected to (i) one of the electrodes and (ii) the third or fourth laminar member on the same face of the PTC resistive element as the electrode (i), the first and second laminar circuit protection devices are connected electrically in parallel.
摘要:
A composite circuit protection device includes a laminar insulating member and first and second laminar circuit protection devices. Each of the first and second laminar circuit protection devices includes (1) a first laminar electrode, (2) a second laminar electrode, (3) a laminar PTC resistive element which (i) exhibits PTC behavior, (ii) has a first face to which the first electrode is secured and an opposite second face to which the second electrode is secured, and (iii) defines first and second apertures which run between the first and second faces, (4) a third laminar conductive member which (i) is secured to the second face of the PTC resistive element in the area of the first aperture, and (ii) is spaced apart from the second electrode, (5) a fourth laminar conductive member which (i) is secured to the first face of the PTC resistive element in the area of the second aperture, and (ii) is spaced apart from the first electrode, (6) a first transverse conductive member which lies within the first aperture defined by the PTC resistive element, runs between the first and second faces of the PTC element, is secured to the PTC element, and is physically and electrically connected to the first laminar electrode and to the third laminar conductive member, but is not connected to the second laminar electrode, and (7) a second transverse conductive member which lies within the second aperture defined by the PTC resistive element, runs between the first and second faces of the PTC element, is secured to the PTC element, and is physically and electrically connected to the second laminar electrode and to the fourth laminar conductive member, but is not connected to the first laminar electrode. The first and second laminar devices are physically secured together in a stacked configuration, with the laminar insulating member between them; and the devices are connected together electrically by interfacial electrical connections between adjacent electrodes and laminar conductive members so that when an electrical power supply is connected to (i) one of the electrodes and (ii) the third or fourth laminar member on the same face of the PTC resistive element as the electrode (i), the first and second laminar circuit protection devices are connected electrically in parallel.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for providing a more reliable protection device and an improved PIC power integrated switch. Accordingly, the over-temperature status of the switch as well as the overcurrent status of each of a plurality of ports of the switch are detected. If there is over-temperature, ports with the overcurrent status are identified as a potential cause. These ports are then switched off. After a predetermined waiting time period during which the switch temperature is expected to decrease, the over-temperature status of the switch is again checked. If the over-temperature disappears, then the ports with non-overcurrent status remain on. However, if the over-temperature persists, then all of the ports are turned off. The improved PIC switch thus increases the dynamic operation range of the conventional PIC switch, while ensuring normal operations.