Patent ID: 8564307

Claim:
An arc fault detecting device comprising: at least one transformer adapted to generate a voltage based on a current present on a line conductor of an electrical wiring unit; a comparator configured to generate at least one signal based on the voltage generated by the at least one transformer; a first path configured to modify the at least one signal to represent the current present on the line conductor; a second path configured to modify the at least one signal to represent a pulse for each occurrence of a positive step change in the current as a function of time; a third path configured to modify the at least one signal to represent a pulse for each occurrence of a negative step change in the current as a function of time; a fourth path configured to modify the at least one signal to represent a voltage level indicating a broadband noise signal on the current present on the line conductor; and a controller in electrical communication with the comparator by the at least one of a first, second, third, and fourth path and configured to compare the at least one modified signal to a first waveform generated by the controller, the comparison between the at least one modified signal and the first waveform representing an absolute difference therebetween; wherein the absolute difference is analyzed by the controller, continuously and a half cycle at a time, by using at least one of a plurality of criteria.