Patent ID: 6788505
Filing Date: 2004-09-07
Classification: H02H

Abstract:
An aircraft current imbalance detection and circuit interrupter for monitoring and interrupting an electrical power circuit to an electrical load, the electrical power circuit having a line side and a load side supplying power to an external load and a relay control signal line carrying a relay control signal used for activating a power controller used to control the flow of power to the external load, the current imbalance detection and circuit interrupter comprising:a sensor system for sensing a current imbalance in the electrical power circuit and outputting a sensor signal; an electrical power supply connected to the line side of the electrical power circuit being monitored or the relay control signal line; a logic controller powered by the power supply for outputting a fault signal representing a fault related to the sensor signal output by the sensor system in response to a current imbalance; said power controller configured to remove power to the load side of the electrical circuit responsive to the fault signal; and a housing for the sensor system, the logic controller, the power supply and the power controller, said housing being of a size and shape allowing direct replacement of an existing power controller in the aircraft and compatible with the envelope of said existing power controller, said housing including an electrical connector arrangement having equivalent electrical connections to said existing power controller.