IEC Arc Fault Protection System

Uses a bolted 3 phase short circuit and claims to quench the arc in less than 2ms!!

http://www.moeller.net/en/products_..._communication/arc_fault_protection/index.jsp

Any thoughts??

2mS is pretty fast, I would like to see some actual test results. However, this concept seems to work, GE is already doing the same thing. Simple concept, most current takes the path of least resistance, so they create a lower resistance path and therefore the arc extinguishes.

P.S. Great video to see for the ongoing doors open/closed debate.

I can see the light sensors detecting an arc this fast, but if operation is monitored by current sensing, the 2 ms sounds too fast. What kind of algorithm can calculate the current from sampled data in less than 12% of one cycle? And then there has to be some processing time and some time for operation of the arc quenching device.

The Moeller device creates a bolted fault, while the GE device apparently inserts impedance to keep the system from having to withstand full bolted fault current.

"...the arc fault is quenched in less than 2 ms after initiation." Sounds like the two ms does not include detection time.

It does seem rather fast! The sales literature claims "The system can detect,
analyse and quench arc faults in only two milli

seconds

See here http://www.moeller.net/binary/anlagentechnik/arcon_ref_cs_en.pdf

I'd never heard of it until my local Eaton sales guy mentioned it, apparently Eaton own Moeller now (Or Klockner Moeller for us older engineers!!

Arc burning time 2ms/5ms

It does include the arc detection time. Optical detection is very fast, and the overcurrent can be detected by analog information.

Arc burning times of 2ms (LV) and 5ms (MV) can be reached.

I believe we have talked about this on another part of this forum that you may use the search function to find the information.

An authority from GE, whom is involved in the GE based arc fault containment dome extinguisher, and made comments on the forum to help understand this concept.

Maybe someone can find the link and post or if not search for (GE) and you can find that posting. The method is somewhat amazing how another arc can draw the original fault into a containment dome.

Thanks

Sorry, I should have looked at the link first. The device uses a little different approach to reduce the IE then GE utlilizes.

What analog method can be used to detect overcurrent and unblock in less than 2 ms?

Comparator.

What are you comparing the current to? The idea is to operate the device if the current exceeds load current. In about 1/8 of a cycle from the start of the arc, you have to determine if the current is greater than some set value and either allow or prevent the device from operating, and still leave enough time to actually operate the device.

I don't think the manufacturers reveal all their secrets. I have seen some test results, and I am happy with that.

I got a link to a video on the Arcon system from my sales guy



http://www1.eatonelectrical.com/ElectricalEMEA/movie.html

still claims 2ms time to detect and extinguish an arc!

To see is to believe

I was present when arc quenching was demonstrated (equipment by Eaton/Moeller & Vamp). Dual sensing (light & current) was used, and the arc was quenched in less than 2ms! I saw the test, I saw the recordings - very convincing for me.

I believe that this system has been developed by www.vamp.fi. It looks a lot like VAMP's 221.

JASE