Patent ID: 6577478
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: H02H

Abstract:
An overload circuit interrupter (OLCI) for use in an electrical wiring system that can shut off an AC (Alternating Current) source from a phase conductor and a neutral conductor when an overload occurs in the AC source, the OLCI comprising:a current transformer for producing an overload voltage in accordance with current variations in the phase conductor and the neutral conductor; a rectifier for half-wave or full-wave rectifying the overload voltage; a level controller for limiting the rectified overload voltage to a specified level; an integrator for charging the limited overload voltage from the level controller and providing an overload indicative signal; a comparator for comparing the overload indicative signal with a reference overload voltage and producing an overload trip signal that shuts the AC source off from the phase conductor and the neutral conductor; and a reference voltage generator for generating the reference overload voltage.