Patent ID: 6829129
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: H02H

Abstract:
A tri-mode over-voltage circuit protection and disconnect apparatus, the apparatus comprising:a. a first over-voltage protection circuit disposed between a hot line and a ground line; b. a second and a third over-voltage protection circuit disposed between the hot line and a neutral line; and c. a fourth over-voltage protection circuit disposed between the neutral line and the ground line; d. a warning means for indicating that the input hot line and neutral line are reversed; and e. at least one warning means for indicating that an over-voltage condition has occurred, the at least one warning means being selected from a group of warning means consisting of an indicator light, an LED indicator, and an audible alarm; whereby the hot line and the neutral line are distributed as an output voltage when the over-voltage protection circuits are functioning, and whereby, in the event of an over-voltage condition between the hot line and neutral line the second and third over-voltage protection circuits respond by passing sufficient current to cause at least one protective device to open, wherein the protective device is selected from a group consisting of fast-blow fuse, slow-blow fuse, thermal fuse, and circuit breaker, wherein each of the over-voltage protection circuit comprises a. a thermal fuse and b. a metal oxide varistor (MOV), wherein the thermal fuse associated with the first over-voltage protection circuit is disposed in parallel with the ground line and hot line, wherein the thermal fuse associated with the second over-voltage protection circuit is disposed in series with the neutral line, wherein the thermal fuse associated with the third over-voltage protection circuit is disposed in series with the hot line, wherein the thermal fuse associated with the fourth over-voltage protection circuit is disposed in parallel with the ground line and neutral line, wherein the MOV associated with the first over-voltage protection circuit is disposed in parallel with the hot line and the ground line, wherein the MOV associated with the second over-voltage protection circuit is disposed in parallel with the hot line and the neutral line, wherein the MOV associated with the third over-voltage protection circuit is disposed in parallel with the hot line and the neutral line, wherein the MOV associated with the fourth over-voltage protection circuit is disposed in parallel with the neutral line and the ground line, whereby the first over-voltage protection circuit being disposed in a manner facilitating response to an over-voltage condition occurring between the hot line and the ground line, whereby the second and third over-voltage circuits being disposed in a manner facilitating response to an over-voltage condition occurring between the hot line and the neutral line, and whereby the fourth over-voltage protection circuit being disposed in a manner facilitating response to an over-voltage condition occurring between the neutral line and the ground line.