Patent ID: 8320090

Claim:
A method for detecting a parallel arc fault by a solid state power controller (SSPC) in a direct current (DC) power distribution system, the method comprising: determining whether an output current slew rate from an output current sensor of the SSPC is above an output current slew rate threshold, and, in the event the output current slew rate is above the output current slew rate threshold: setting a power switch of the SSPC to saturation at a current limit; and determining whether an output voltage of the SSPC is below an output voltage threshold, and, in the event the output voltage is below the output voltage threshold: enabling pulse width modulation of the power switch; and determining whether an output voltage waveform and a output current waveform of the SSPC are consistent with a capacitive load attached to an output of the SSPC, and, in the event the output voltage waveform and the output current waveform are not consistent with the capacitive load: issuing a parallel arc fault status; and turning off the power switch.