ARC-FAULT DETECTION
An arc-fault circuit-interrupter includes a capability for a controller in the interrupter-circuit to be placed in a learn mode. In learn mode, the controller may change firmware to reduce the probability of false tripping or nuisance tripping. Alternatively, in learn mode, the controller may store a signature to be used as the normal signature for a dedicated load.
1 . An arc-fault circuit-interrupter, comprising:
a controller adapted to interrupt power when a hazardous arc is detected; and,
the controller adapted to include a learn mode.
2 . The arc-fault circuit-interrupter of claim 1 , further comprising:
the controller adapted to lower the probability of interrupting power, when in learn mode.
3 . The arc-fault circuit-interrupter of claim 2 , further comprising:
the controller adapted to change an action associated with a signature when in learn mode.
4 . The arc-fault circuit-interrupter of claim 2 , further comprising:
the controller adapted to delete a signature when in learn mode.
5 . The arc-fault circuit-interrupter of claim 2 , further comprising:
the controller adapted to modify a signature when in learn mode.
6 . The arc-fault circuit-interrupter of claim 2 , further comprising:
the controller adapted to add a signature when in learn mode.
7 . The arc-fault circuit-interrupter of claim 2 , further comprising:
the controller adapted to change variable parameters to a pre-determined set of variable parameters, when in learn mode.
8 . The arc-fault circuit-interrupter of claim 2 , further comprising:
the controller adapted to change a set of signatures to a pre-determined set of signatures, when in learn mode.
9 . The arc-fault circuit-interrupter of claim 1 , further comprising:
the controller adapted to measure first electrical characteristics when in learn mode, and to measure second electrical characteristics when not in learn mode, and to interrupt a circuit when the second electrical characteristics are significantly different than the first electrical characteristics.
10 . The arc-fault circuit-interrupter of claim 1 , further comprising:
a switch; and,
the controller adapted to go into learn mode in response to actuation of the switch.
11 . The arc-fault circuit-interrupter of claim 1 , further comprising:
the controller adapted to return to a normal operating mode automatically on completion of learn mode.
12 . The arc-fault circuit-interrupter of claim 1 , further comprising:
the controller adapted to run learn mode firmware while still running normal operating firmware.
13 . The arc-fault circuit-interrupter of claim 1 , further comprising:
communications circuitry.
14 . The arc-fault circuit-interrupter of claim 13 , further comprising:
the controller adapted to measure electrical characteristics in learn mode; and,
the controller adapted to transmit the measured electrical characteristics.
15 . The arc-fault circuit-interrupter of claim 13 , further comprising:
the communications circuitry transmitting changes made during learn mode.
16 . The arc-fault circuit-interrupter of claim 13 , further comprising:
the communications circuitry transmitting fault history during learn mode.
17 . A method of controlling an arc-fault circuit-interrupter, comprising:
measuring, by the controller, electrical characteristics;
changing, by the controller, in a learn mode, the firmware for the controller in response to the electrical characteristics.
18 . The method of claim 17 , the step of changing further comprising:
reducing, by the controller, the probability of circuit-interrupting by the arc-fault circuit-interrupter.
19 . The method of claim 17 , the step of changing further comprising:
storing, by the controller, the electrical characteristics as first electrical characteristics;
exiting, by the controller, learn mode;
measuring, by the controller, second electrical characteristics; and,
interrupting, by the arc-fault circuit interrupter, a circuit when the second electrical characteristics are substantially different than the first electrical characteristics.
20 . A method of controlling an arc-fault circuit-interrupter, comprising:
entering, by a controller, a learn mode;
measuring, by the controller, electrical characteristics; and,
communicating, by the controller, the measured electrical characteristics.