Patent ID: 8563888

Claim:
A device for diverting energy away from an arc flash occurring within an electrical power system, the electrical power system having a common bus having a plurality of phase conductors, an arc flash decision system, and a sensor, the arc flash when present being in electrical communication between at least two of the plurality of phase conductors of the common bus, the arc flash decision system being disposed in signal communication with the device for diverting energy, the arc flash decision system being configured to generate an arc fault signal in an event of the arc flash occurring within the electrical power system, the device comprising: an arc source configured to create a second arc flash; a plasma gun configured and disposed to inject plasma in proximity of the arc source in response to the arc flash within the electrical power system; a shield configured and disposed to house the arc source and the plasma gun; and a first enclosure configured and disposed to house the shield; wherein the arc source comprises an arc electrode system comprising a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of conductors disposed in electrical communication with the plurality of electrodes, each of the plurality of conductors of the arc source having electrical contacts configured and disposed to connect to respective ones of the plurality of phase conductors of the electrical power system.