Patent ID: 8164347

Claim:
An apparatus for generating a continuous series arc, comprising: a first electrode and a second electrode in series with a load connected across a circuit; a motor mechanically coupled to at least the first electrode; a controller that controls the motor to cause the first electrode to be urged toward or away from the second electrode under control of the motor, causing an electrical arc to be presented across a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a switch for electrically connecting to the circuit at least a first circuit breaker configured to automatically detect series arc faults in the circuit; and a relay coupled to the electrodes and an electrode close circuit, the electrode close circuit including a transistor that turns on in response to the electrodes contacting one another to produce a signal to the controller indicating that the electrodes are contacting one another, wherein the controller is programmed to cause the motor to urge the first electrode away from the second electrode in response to the voltage of the electrical arc being less than a first voltage threshold and to cause the motor to urge the first electrode toward the second electrode in response to the voltage of the electrical arc exceeding a second voltage threshold that is greater than the first voltage threshold, and wherein the controller is further programmed to control the state of the relay such that when the relay is energized, the electrode close circuit is disconnected from the electrodes.