AU2019229841B2

AU2019229841B2 - An improved electrical protection system

Info

Publication number: AU2019229841B2
Application number: AU2019229841A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Baldamero Gato; Richard Ian Martin
Original assignee: Safelec Tech Holdings Pty Ltd
Current assignee: SAFELEC TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PTY Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-16
Filing date: 2019-09-16
Publication date: 2021-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-16
Also published as: AU2020100821A4; AU2019229841A1; AU2020100354A4

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrical protection system (18) including a secondary protection device (17) adapted to trip a residual current device or residual current circuit breaker with overload protection (RCD/RCBO) (2). Fig. 1 0 -00 CCC) Nr IJT7 TI COY), CON 0 C/0 0 0 4 c', LfN yo cN-

Description

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AN IMPROVED ELECTRICAL PROTECTION SYSTEM

Technical Field

[0011 The present invention relates to an improved electrical protection system and in particular to an electrical protection system adapted to detect an active to earth current and or voltage leakage, and reverse polarity of the supply power, whereby protecting the load.

Background

[0021 In WO 2014197942, an electrical protection system is described, which is adapted for high earth impedance environments. It comprises a secondary protection device adapted for tripping the residual current device (RCD) or residual current circuit breaker with overload protection (RCBO), which disconnects the supply power from the load. The neutral line should be earthed at multiple places so that the electrical protection system is in line with Australian Standards. However, the RCD/RCBO does not work for non-multiple earth neutral supply power systems or supply power systems where the earth neutral bond is lost.

Summary of the Invention

[0031 The present invention seeks to improve the prior art, by providing an improved electrical protection system and method where the secondary protection device is able to detect an active to earth current and/or voltage leakage, or reverse polarity of the supply power and trip the residual current device (RCD) or residual current circuit breaker with overload protection (RCBO), leading to the supply power being isolated from the load.

[004] In one broad form, the present invention provides an electrical protection system including a secondary protection device adapted to trip a residual current device or residual current circuit breaker with overload protection (RCD/RCBO). The present invention will work a residual current device (RCD) or a residual current circuit breaker with overload protection (RCBO), however, in today's environment, more often than not, the RCBO will be utilized, due to its extra benefits over the RCD.

[0051 The RCD/RCBO can include at least two input terminals including a first terminal for electrically connecting with the active terminal of a supply power and a second terminal for electrically connecting with the neutral terminal of a supply power, and at least two output terminals including a first terminal for electrically connecting with the active terminal of a load and a second terminal for electrically connecting with the neutral terminal of a load. The secondary protection device includes a control circuit electrically connected to the RCD/RCBO, wherein the control circuit includes at least two input terminals including a first terminal for electrically connecting with the active output terminal of the RCD/RCBO and a second terminal for electrically connecting with the neutral output terminal of the RCD/RCBO, an output terminal electrically connected to the neutral input terminal of the RCD/RCBO, and a sensor line for electrical connection to a reference load earth line which should be electrically isolated from the active terminal of the supply power.

[006] The RCD/RCBO can be a residual current circuit breaker with overload protection, (RCBO) for detecting a current imbalance between an active conductor and a neutral conductor of the residual device and actuates a tripping of the device to isolate the supply power from the load.

[007] The secondary protection device can be a residual voltage device with reverse polarity detection (RVD-EMR), for tripping the RCD/RCBO via a sensor line adapted for the detection of an active to earth current and/or voltage leakage, and reverse polarity of the supply power.

[008] The RVD-EMR device can have a test switch means wherein the test switch means is adapted for creation of an internal active to earth fault to test the RVD-EMR operation.

[009] Alternatively, the RVD-EMR device can have a test switch means wherein the test switch means is adapted for creation of an internal active to earth fault to test the RVD-EMR operation and the RVD-EMR to create a current imbalance between an active conductor and a neutral conductor of the RCD/RCBO to trip the RCD/RCBO ensuring both devices are operating as intended.

[010] The RVD-EMR device can have an active to earth fault indicator, which consists of two modes of operation, wherein a first mode of operation where the active to earth fault indicator is "ON" indicates that there is an active to earth fault, and a second mode of operation where the active to earth fault indicator is "OFF" indicates that there is no active to earth fault.

[011] The electrical protection system can further include an electrolysis blocker, wherein the electrolysis blocker comprises an input terminal electrically connected to the earth terminal of the supply power, and an output terminal electrically connected to the earth terminal of the load.

[012] The electrolysis blocker can be designed to block corrosion causing DC current from traveling to the load from the supply power connection of the electrolysis blocker's input terminal.

[013] The electrolysis blocker can be adapted to operate such that when the earth terminal of supply power is disconnected or lost from the input terminal, the output terminal's earth reference is maintained for the RVD-EMR's sensor to detect an active to earth current and/or voltage leakage of the supply power.

[014] The electrolysis blocker can be adapted to operate such that when the earth terminal of supply power is disconnected or lost from the input terminal, the output terminal's earth reference is maintained for the RVD-EMR's sensor to detect a reverse polarity of the supply power.

[015] The electrical protection system can further include a surge protector device, wherein the surge protector device is connected in between the supply power and the RCD/RCBO, wherein the surge protector comprises at least three input terminals including a first terminal for electrically connecting to an active supply power terminal, a second terminal for electrically connecting to a neutral supply power terminal and a third terminal for electrically connecting to an earth supply power terminal, and at least two output terminals including a first terminal for electrically connecting to an active input terminal of the RCD/RCBO and a second terminal for electrically connecting to a neutral input terminal of the RCD/RCBO and a neutral output terminal of RVD-EMR.

[016] The surge protector device can prevent power surges, or transient voltage, from being delivered to the RCD/RCBO, RVD-EMR and load.

[017] The electrical protection system can further comprise amain power inlet, wherein main power inlet comprises of an electrical plug interface adapted to connect the supply power to the system to receive power.

[018] The electrical protection system can further comprise an outlet, wherein the outlet comprises of an electric plug interface adapted to connect the system to the load to receive the power outputted from the outlet.

[019] The outlet can be connected to a compatible cable, wherein the compatible cable is connected to a load which can be a mobile structure such as a trailer, caravan, marine vessel, or other vessel, or a stationary structure such as a facility, to provide power.

[020] The electrical protection system can further comprise a supply power voltage indicator connected to the active and neutral terminals of supply power, which consists of two modes of operation, wherein a first mode of operation where the supply power voltage indicator is "ON" indicates that the supply power is connected to the system, and a second mode of operation where the supply power voltage indicator is "OFF" indicates that the supply power is not connected to the system.

[021] The supply power voltage indicator can be a green light emitting diode.

[022] The electrical protection system can further comprise a load voltage indicator connected to the active and neutral output terminals of the RCD/RCBO, which consists of two modes of operation, wherein a first mode of operation where the load voltage indicator is "ON" indicates that the system RCD/RCBO has not been tripped and the supply power is connected to the load, and a second mode of operation where the load voltage indicator is "OFF" indicates that the RCD/RCBO has been tripped and/or the supply power is not connected to the load.

[023] The load voltage indicator can be a green light emitting diode.

[024] The electrical protection system can further comprise a reversed supply power voltage indicator connected to the neutral and earth terminals of the supply power, which consists of two modes of operation, wherein a first mode of operation where the reversed supply power voltage indicator is "ON" indicates that the supply power connected to the system is reverse polarity, in combination, the load voltage indicator is "OFF" to indicate that the RCD/RCBO has been tripped due to this reverse polarity, and a second mode of operation where the reversed supply power voltage indicator is "OFF" which indicates that the supply power connected to the system is not reverse polarity.

[025] The reverse supply power voltage indicator can be a red light emitting diode.

[026] The electrical protection system can be substantially packaged in a portable housing.

[027] The housing can be substantially water resistant.

[028] Ina further broad form, the present invention provides a method for providing electrical protection, including the steps of connecting the supply power and load to an electrical protection system, the secondary protection device's sensor detects an active to earth current and/or voltage leakage, or reverse polarity of the supply power, the secondary protection device trips the RCD/RCBO, and the supply power is isolated from the load.

[029] The method can further include the steps of when the earth terminal of supply power is disconnected or lost, wherein the electrical protection system, further comprising an electrolysis blocker, maintains an earth reference to the secondary protection device's sensor.

[029A]In a further broad form, the present invention provides an electrical protection system including: a secondary protection device adapted to trip a residual current device or residual current circuit breaker with overload protection (RCD/RCBO), wherein the secondary protection device is a residual voltage device including a control circuit adapted to be electrically connected to the RCD/RCBO, the control circuit including a sensor line adapted to detect an active to earth current and/or voltage leakage, and a reversal in the polarity of a supply power delivered to the RCD/RCBO; and a DC blocker comprising an input terminal adapted to be electrically connected to an earth terminal of the supply power, and an output terminal adapted to be electrically connected to an earth terminal of a load, wherein the output terminal of the DC blocker is electrically connected to the sensor line. The DC blocker is adapted to block a corrosion-causing DC current from traveling to the load from the supply power connection of the DC blocker's input terminal. The DC blocker is further adapted to operate such that when the earth terminal of the supply power is disconnected or lost from the input terminal, the output terminal maintains an earth reference.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[030] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the aspect of the present invention in a simplified circuit diagram form.

[031] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the aspect of the present invention in a simplified circuit diagram form, with the addition of an electrolysis blocker device.

[032] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the aspect of the present invention in a simplified circuit diagram form, with the addition of a surge protector device.

[033] Fig. 4 shows a front view of an embodiment of the electrical protection unit.

[034] Fig. 5 shows a side view of an embodiment of the electrical protection unit.

[035] Fig. 6 shows an end view of an embodiment of the electrical protection unit.

[036] Fig. 7 shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the electrical protection unit.

[037] Fig. 8 shows an end view of the embodiment of the electrical protection unit with the housing end opened, showing the internal componentry of the device.

[038] Fig. 9 shows a top view of an outlet to load cable adaptor.

[039] Fig. 10 shows a method of the electrical protection device tripping the RCD/RCBO when the RVD-EMR detects an active to earth current and/or voltage leakage, or reverse polarity of the supply power.

[040] Fig. 11 shows a method of the electrical protection device tripping the RCD/RCBO when the RVD-EMR detects an active to earth current and/or voltage leakage, or reverse polarity of the supply power, when the supply power earth is disconnected or lost from the system, for the embodiment in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 when the electrolysis blocker is inserted.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[041] Referring now to Fig. 1, an electrical protection system 18 comprises a residual current device 2 and a secondary protection device 17, herein referred to as a residual voltage device 17. As described in further detail below, the residual voltage device 17 provides backup protection to the residual current device 2 in detecting fault conditions in high earth impedance environments. During these fault conditions, in the manner described below, the residual voltage device 17 is adapted for tripping the residual current device 2.

[042] Specifically, the type of residual current device used in the electrical protection system is a residual current circuit breaker with overload protection, herein referred to as RCBO 2. The RCBO 2 active and neutral input terminals are connected to the active and neutral terminals of the supply power respectively. The active and neutral output terminals of the RCBO 2 are connected to the active and neutral terminals of the load respectively. The RCBO 2 is adapted to detect a current imbalance between load side active conductor 4 and load side neutral conductor 5. Upon detection of the imbalance, the RCBO 2 is adapted to disconnect active and neutral conductors 4, 5. Such an RCBO can be of the type described in WO 2012065224.

[043] Specifically, the type of residual voltage device used in the electrical protection system is a residual voltage device with reverse polarity detection, herein referred to as RVD-EMR 17. The RVD-EMR comprises of an active and neutral input terminal connected to the RCD/RCBO 2 active and neutral output terminal, an output terminal of the RVD-EMR 17 connected to the RCD/RCBO 2 neutral input terminal, and a sensor line 9 connected to the reference load earth of the supply power. The RVD-EMR 17 is adapted to detect a current and/or voltage leakage of the active conductor 4 of the RCD/RCBO 2 to earth via the RVD EMR's sensor line 9. Upon detection of the leakage, the RVD-EMR 17 actuates a tripping of the RCD/RCBO 2, which isolates the supply power from the load. Such an RVD-EMR 17 can be of the type described in WO 2014197942.

[044] Similarly, the RVD-EMR 17 is further adapted to detect a reverse polarity where there is a swapping of the active and neutral connections of the supply power. When the active and neutral conductors 4, 5 are swapped where the active conductor 4 is now the neutral, and the neutral conductor 5 is now the active, the RVD-EMR 17 detects the reverse polarity of the supply power via the sensor line 9 and actuates a tripping of the RCD/RCBO 2, which isolates the supply power from the load.

[045] The RVD-EMR 17 can have a test switch 17.1 where activating it initiates an internal active to earth fault, causing the tripping of the RCD/RCBO 2, to ensure that the RCD/RCBO 2 and RVD-EMR 17 are performing as intended.

[046] The RVD-EMR 17 device can have an active to earth fault indicator 17.2, which consists of two modes of operation, wherein a first mode of operation where the active to earth fault indicator 17.2 is "ON" indicates that there is an active to earth fault, and a second mode of operation where the active to earth fault indicator 17.2 is "OFF" indicates that there is no active to earth fault.

[047] It will be appreciated that the nomenclature of the RVD-EMR 17 should not be construed with any particular technical limitation in mind, suffice to say that the RVD-EMR 17 should be construed within the purposive scope of detecting active to earth current and/or voltage leakage in high earth impedance environments, in non-multiple earth neutral supply power systems or in multiple earth neutral supply power systems where the neutral earth bond is lost where traditional RCDs/RCBOs 2 fail to detect a current imbalance.

[048] Furthermore, the embodiment described herein comprises the RVD-EMR 17 in an interworking relationship with the RCD/RCBO 2. However, the RVD-EMR 17 can be adapted for tripping other electrical protection devices as opposed to RCDs/RCBOs 2, and/or providing indications of relevant fault conditions.

[049] The system can also include a main power inlet 15 for an electrical plug interface which is adapted so system 18 can be connected to the supply power to receive power. Similarly, an outlet 16 can also be used in the system to provide an electrical plug interface which is adapted to connect the load to the system for the outlet 16 to transfer power to the load. The outlet 16 is connected to a compatible cable 8, wherein the compatible cable 8 is connected to a load which can be a mobile structure such as a trailer, caravan, marine or other vessel, or a stationary structure such as a facility, to provide power.

[050] In one method, as described in Fig. 10, the method 32 occurs when the supply power and load are connected to the system 18. When the RVD-EMR 17 detects an active to earth current and/or voltage leakage of the supply power via the RVD-EMR's sensor line 9, it actuates a tripping of the RCD/RCBO 2, which isolates the supply power from the load. In one example, the RVD-EMR 17 turns off the RCD/RCBO 2 when it detects that the touch potential voltage of over the 43V threshold or an earth fault current of approximately 30mA or more.

[051] Likewise, if there is a reverse polarity of the supply power, the RVD-EMR 17 can also detect this from sensor line 9 via the reference earth line 6 and trip the RCD/RCBO 2 from the reverse polarity of the supply power, protecting the RCD/RCBO 2, RVD-EMR 17 and load.

[052] In Fig. 2, the system 18 further comprises of an electrolysis blocker 20, which is a galvanic isolator designed to block corrosion causing DC current from travelling to the load from the supply power connection of the electrolysis blocker's input terminal. The earth terminal of supply power is connected to the input terminal of electrolysis blocker, and the output terminal is connected to the load earth terminal where sensor line 9 of RVD-EMR 17 is also connected.

[053] Similarly, the RCD/RCBO2, RVD-EMR 17, inlet 15, outlet 16 and compatible cable 8 provides the same features described above. However, the RVD-EMR's sensor line 9 is now connected to the output of the electrolysis blocker 20, which provides the reference load earth.

[054] The system 18 in Fig. 2 preferably operates according to the method described in Fig. 9.

[055] Alternatively, as described in Fig. 11, method 33 occurs when the supply power and load are connected to the system 18. During an earth fault, where the supply power earth is disconnected or lost from the input terminal of the electrolysis blocker 20, the electrolysis blocker is able to maintain the earth reference of the output terminal. When the RVD-EMR 17 detects an active to earth current and/or voltage leakage of the supply power via the RVD EMR's sensor line 9, where the sensor line 9 is still connected to a reference earth, the RVD EMR 17 actuates a tripping of the RCD/RCBO 2, which isolates the supply power from the load. In one example, the RVD-EMR 17 turns off the RCD/RCBO 2 when it detects that the touch potential voltage of over the 43V threshold or an earth fault current of approximately mA or more.

[056] Likewise, if there is a reverse polarity of the supply power, and during earth fault of the supply power, the RVD-EMR 17 can also detect this from sensor line 9 via the reference earth line maintained by the electrolysis blocker's output terminal and trip the RCD/RCBO 2 from the reverse polarity of the supply power, protecting the RCD/RCBO 2, RVD-EMR 17 and load.

[057] In Fig. 3, a surge protector 22 can be inserted between the main power inlet and the RCD/RCBO 2 and RVD-EMR 17 system. The surge protector 22, also known as surge suppressors, help protect the RCD/RCBO 2 and RVD-EMR 17 system and load componentry (connected to cable 8 and outlet 16) from power surges, or transient voltage, which is an increase in voltage significantly above the designated level in a flow of electricity. The surge protector 22 can have three input terminals, active, neutral and earth, which are electrically connected to the respective active, neutral and earth terminal of the supply power. The surge protector 22 can have two output terminals, in which the active terminal is connected to the active input terminal of the RCD/RCBO 2 and the neutral terminal is connected to the neutral input terminal of the RCD/RCBO 2 and a neutral output terminal of the RVD-EMR 17.

[058] The addition of the surge protector 22 does not change the methodology as described in Fig. 10 and 11. The surge protector 22, as illustrated in Fig. 3 can be inserted into the circuits of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In Fig. 3 a dashed box outlines the electrolysis blocker 20, highlighting the two available circuitry configurations, and how the surge protector 22 would be connected if the electrolysis blocker 20 was present or not. For marine vessel or similar applications, where the power line is typically far away, a naturally occurring lightning strike would not pose a significant issue to the internal componentry of the system.

[059] Furthermore, extra indicators could be included into the systems in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, bringing the user into close attention of a fault in the electrical protection device.

[060] The electrical protection system 18 further comprises of a supply power voltage indicator 23 used to detect whether the supply power is connected, and may be in the form of a green light emitting diode (LED), where it is connected to the active and neutral terminals of the supply power. There are two operation modes that the supply power voltage indicator 23 can operate in, an "ON" state where the supply power is connected to the system 18, and an "OFF" state where the supply power is disconnected or lost to the system. The supply power voltage indicator 23 helps to notify the user on whether the supply power is correctly plugged into the inlet.

[061] The electrical protection system 18 further comprises of a load voltage indicator 24, may be in the form of a green LED, connected to the active 4 and neutral 5 output terminals of the RCD/RCBO 2. There are two operation modes that the load voltage indicator 24 can operate in, an "ON" state where the RCD/RCBO 2 has not been tripped and the supply power is connected to the load, and an "OFF" state where the RCD/RCBO 2 has been tripped and/or supply power is not connected to the system 18. The load voltage indicator 24 helps to notify the user on whether the RCD/RCBO 2 has been tripped, signaling an electrical fault on the supply power, or the supply power has not been correctly plugged into the inlet 15.

[062] The electrical protection system 18 further comprises of a reversed supply power voltage indicator 27, may be in the form of a red LED, is connected to the neutral and earth terminals of the supply power. There are two operation modes that the reverse supply power voltage indicator 27 can operate in, an "ON" state where the supply power has been connected but with reverse polarity, in combination with an "OFF" load voltage indicator, where the RCD/RCBO 2 trips from this reverse polarity, and an "OFF" state where the supply power is not of reverse polarity.

[063] In Figs. 4 to 7, an embodiment of the system 18 encapsulated within a housing 4, shows the portability and robustness of the system as a device. The device shows the inlet 15 encased by a transparent cover 37, which can be accessed by pressing in the lock 34 and opening the cover 37 which is rotatable via the spring 35. The spring 35 can return the cover 37 back to the cased position when the user lets go of the cover 37. Similarly, the RCD/RCBO 2 and RVD EMR 17 are also encased with a separate transparent cover 38 that can be opened via rotate the lock 36 to an open position and opening the cover 38 from its snap fit position. The lock 36 is required to be fastened in order to protect the RCD/RCBO 2 and RVD-EMR 17 from being accessed during the device's operation. Below, the supply power voltage indicator 23, load voltage indicator 24 and the reversed supply power voltage indicator 27 are situated below, where labels 39 are placed underneath the indicators with text of "Supply Power", "Load Power" and "Reverse Power" engraved respectively onto each label, to notify the user of the exact problem of the electrical protection device. The outlet 16 is situated at the bottom of the device, where a compatible adaptor, shown in Fig. 9 is connected to the outlet, and the other side connected to a compatible cable, to provide power to the load. Furthermore, the housing is substantially water resistant to protect the electrical protection device's internal circuitry from being damaged from water or other fluids.

[064] In Fig. 8, a top view of the componentry can be seen where the housing 4 is opened, to show how the RCD/RCBO 2, RVD-EMR 17 and Electrolysis blocker 20 are positioned. The wiring within the device is omitted, to provide clarity, however, person skilled in the art will know how the device will be wired, based on Fig. 1 to 3, and that the device will also comprise of a main power inlet 15, an outlet 16 and optionally a surge protector 22.

[0651 Thus, in broad terms, Figs. 1 to11 describe an electrical protection system 18 including a secondary protection device adapted to trip a residual current device or residual current circuit breaker with overload protection (RCD/RCBO).

[0661 The RCD/RCBO 2 can include at least two input terminals including a first terminal for electrically connecting with the active terminal of a supply power and a second terminal for electrically connecting with the neutral terminal of a supply power, and at least two output terminals including a first terminal for electrically connecting with the active terminal of a load 4 and a second terminal for electrically connecting with the neutral terminal of a load 5. The secondary protection device 17 includes a control circuit electrically connected to the RCD/RCBO 2, wherein the control circuit includes at least two input terminals including a first terminal for electrically connecting with the active output terminal 4 of the RCD/RCBO 2 and a second terminal for electrically connecting with the neutral output terminal 5 of the RCD/RCBO 2, an output terminal electrically connected to the neutral input terminal of the RCD/RCBO 2, and a sensor line 9 for electrical connection to a reference load earth line which should be electrically isolated from the active terminal of the supply power.

[0671 The RCD/RCBO 2 can be a residual current circuit breaker with overload protection, (RCBO) 2 for detecting a current imbalance between an active conductor 4 and a neutral conductor 5 of the residual device 2 and actuates a tripping of the device 2 to isolate the supply power from the load.

[068] The secondary protection device 17 can be a residual voltage device with reverse polarity detection (RVD-EMR) 17, for tripping the RCD/RCBO 2 via a sensor line 9 adapted for the detection of an active to earth current and/or voltage leakage, and reverse polarity of the supply power.

[069] The RVD-EMR 17 device can have a test switch means 17.1 wherein the test switch means 17.1 is adapted for creation of an internal active to earth fault to test the RVD-EMR 17 operation.

[070] Alternatively, the RVD-EMR 17 device can have a test switch means 17.1 wherein the test switch means 17.1 is adapted for creation of an internal active to earth fault to test the RVD-EMR 17 operation and the RVD-EMR 17 to create a current imbalance between an active conductor and a neutral conductor of the RCD/RCBO 2 to trip the RCD/RCBO 2 ensuring both devices are operating as intended.

[071] The RVD-EMR 17 device can have an active to earth fault indicator 17.2, which consists of two modes of operation, wherein a first mode of operation where the active to earth fault indicator 17.2 is "ON" indicates that there is an active to earth fault, and a second mode of operation where the active to earth fault indicator 17.2 is "OFF" indicates that there is no active to earth fault.

[072] The electrical protection system 18 can further include an electrolysis blocker 20, wherein the electrolysis blocker 20 comprises an input terminal electrically connected to the earth terminal of the supply power, and an output terminal electrically connected to the earth terminal of the load.

[073] The electrolysis blocker 20 is designed to block corrosion causing DC current from traveling to the load from the supply power connection of the electrolysis blocker's input terminal.

[074] The electrolysis blocker 20 can be adapted to operate such that when the earth terminal of supply power is disconnected or lost from the input terminal, the output terminal's earth reference is maintained for the RVD-EMR's sensor 9 to detect an active to earth current and/or voltage leakage of the supply power.

[075] The electrolysis blocker 20 can be adapted to operate such that when the earth terminal of supply power is disconnected or lost from the input terminal, the output terminal's earth reference is maintained for the RVD-EMR's sensor 9 to detect a reverse polarity of the supply power.

[076] The electrical protection system 18 can further include a surge protector device 22, wherein the surge protector device 22 is connected in between the supply power and the RCD/RCBO 2, wherein the surge protector 22 comprises at least three input terminals including a first terminal for electrically connecting to an active supply power terminal, a second terminal for electrically connecting to a neutral supply power terminal and a third terminal for electrically connecting to an earth supply power terminal, and at least two output terminals including a first terminal for electrically connecting to an active input terminal of the RCD/RCBO 2 and a second terminal for electrically connecting to a neutral input terminal of the RCD/RCBO 2 and a neutral output terminal of the RVD-EMR 17.

[077] The surge protector device 22 can prevent power surges, or transient voltage, from being delivered to the RCD/RCBO 2, RVD-EMR 17 and load.

[078] The electrical protection system 18 can further comprise a main power inlet 15, wherein main power inlet 15 comprises of an electrical plug interface adapted to connect the supply power to the system 18 to receive power from the supply power.

[079] The electrical protection system 18 can further comprise an outlet 16, wherein the outlet 16 comprises of an electric plug interface adapted to connect the system 18 to the load to receive the power outputted from the outlet 16.

[080] The outlet 16 can be connected to a compatible cable 8, wherein the compatible cable 8 is connected to a load which can be a mobile structure such as a trailer, caravan, or vessel, or a stationary structure such as a facility, to provide power.

[081] The electrical protection system 18 can further comprise a supply power voltage indicator 23 connected to the active and neutral terminals of supply power, which consists of two modes of operation, wherein a first mode of operation where the supply power voltage indicator 23 is "ON" indicates that the supply power is connected to the system 18, and a second mode of operation where the supply power voltage indicator 23 is "OFF" indicates that the supply power is not connected to the system 18.

[082] The supply power voltage indicator 23 can be a green light emitting diode.

[083] The electrical protection system 18 can further comprise a load voltage indicator 24 connected to the active and neutral output terminals of the RCD/RCBO 2, which consists of two modes of operation, wherein a first mode of operation where the load voltage indicator 24 is "ON" indicates that the system RCD/RCBO 2 has not been tripped and the supply power is connected to the load, and a second mode of operation where the load voltage indicator 24 is "OFF" indicates that the RCD/RCBO 2 has been tripped and/or the supply power is not connected to the load.

[084] The load voltage indicator 24 can be a green light emitting diode.

[085] The electrical protection system 18 can further comprise a reversed supply power voltage indicator 27 connected to the neutral and earth terminals of the supply power, which consists of two modes of operation, wherein a first mode of operation where the reversed supply power voltage indicator 27 is "ON" indicates that the supply power connected to the system 18 is reverse polarity, in combination, the load voltage indicator 24 is "OFF" to indicate that the RCD/RCBO 2 has been tripped due to this reverse polarity, and a second mode of operation where the reversed supply power voltage indicator 27 is "OFF" which indicates that the supply power connected to the system 18 is not reverse polarity.

[086] The reverse supply power voltage indicator 27 can be a red light emitting diode.

[087] The electrical protection system 18 can be substantially packaged in a compact and portable housing 4.

[088] The housing 4 can be substantially water resistant.

[089] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a method for providing electrical protection 18, including the steps of connecting the supply power and load to an electrical protection system 18, the secondary protection device's sensor 9 detects an active to earth current and/or voltage leakage, or reverse polarity of the supply power, the secondary protection device 17 trips the RCD/RCBO 2, and the supply power is isolated from the load.

[090] The method can further include the steps of when the earth terminal of supply power is disconnected or lost, wherein the electrical protection system 18, further comprising an electrolysis blocker 22, maintains an earth reference to the secondary protection device's sensor 9.

Interpretation

[091] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of'. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear.

[092] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

[093] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the electrical protection industries.

Parts list

2 - Residual Current Device (RCD) / 24 - Load Voltage Indicator Residual Current Circuit Breaker with 27 - Reverse Supply Power Voltage Overload Protection (RCBO) Indicator 4 - Active Conductor 29 - MEN Link - Neutral Conductor 32 - Method for Detecting an Active to Earth 6 - Frame/Earth Current and/or Voltage Leakage and Reverse 7 - Switching System Polarity of Supply Power in a Common 8 - Cable Scenario 9 - Sensor Line 33 - Method for Detecting an Active to Earth 15 - Main Power Inlet Current and/or Voltage Leakage and Reverse 16 - Outlet Polarity of Supply Power in an Earth 17 - Residual Voltage Device (RVD) / Faulting Scenario Residual Voltage Device with Reverse 34 - Clip Polarity (RVD-EMR) 35 - Spring 17.1 - RVD/RVD-EMR Test Switch 36 - Screw 17.2 - RVD/RVD-EMR Active to Earth 37 - Transparent Casing Fault Indicator 38 - Transparent Casing 18 - Present Electronic Protection System 39 - Labels 20 - Electrolysis Blocker 22 - Surge Protector 23 - Supply Power Voltage Indicator

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. An electrical protection system including: a secondary protection device adapted to trip a residual current device or residual current circuit breaker with overload protection (RCD/RCBO), wherein the secondary protection device is a residual voltage device including a control circuit adapted to be electrically connected to the RCD/RCBO, the control circuit including a sensor line adapted to detect an active to earth current and/or voltage leakage, and a reversal in the polarity of a supply power delivered to the RCD/RCBO; and a DC blocker comprising an input terminal adapted to be electrically connected to an earth terminal of the supply power, and an output terminal adapted to be electrically connected to an earth terminal of a load, wherein the output terminal of the DC blocker is electrically connected to the sensor line; wherein the DC blocker is adapted to block a corrosion-causing DC current from traveling to the load from the supply power connection of the DC blocker's input terminal; and wherein the DC blocker is adapted to operate such that when the earth terminal of the supply power is disconnected or lost from the input terminal, the output terminal maintains an earth reference.

2. An electrical protection system according to claim 1, wherein the RCD/RCBO includes: at least two input terminals including a first terminal for electrically connecting with the active terminal of the supply power and a second terminal for electrically connecting with the neutral terminal of the supply power; and at least two output terminals including a first terminal for electrically connecting with the active terminal of the load and a second terminal for electrically connecting with the neutral terminal of the load; wherein the control circuit of the secondary protection device further includes: at least two input terminals including a first terminal for electrically connecting with the active output terminal of the RCD/RCBO and a second terminal for electrically connecting with the neutral output terminal of the RCD/RCBO; and an output terminal electrically connected to the neutral input terminal of the RCD/RCBO.

3. An electrical protection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the RCD/RCBO is a residual current circuit breaker with overload protection (RCBO) for detecting a current imbalance between an active conductor and a neutral conductor of the RCBO and, upon detection of the current imbalance, actuating a tripping of the RCBO to isolate the supply power from the load.

4. An electrical protection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the secondary protection device is a residual voltage device with reverse polarity detection (RVD EMR).

5. An electrical protection system according to claim 4, wherein the RVD-EMR device includes a test switch means adapted for creation of an internal active to earth fault to test the operation of the RVD-EMR.

6. An electrical protection system according to claim 4, wherein the RVD-EMR device includes a test switch means adapted for creation of an internal active to earth fault to test the operation of the RVD-EMR and for the RVD-EMR to create a current imbalance between an active conductor and a neutral conductor of the RCD/RCBO to trip the RCD/RCBO, ensuring both devices are operating as intended.

7. An electrical protection system according any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the RVD EMR device comprises an active to earth fault indicator, which consists of a first mode of operation where the active to earth fault indicator is "ON" to indicate that there is an active to earth fault, and a second mode of operation where the active to earth fault indicator is "OFF" to indicate that there is no active to earth fault.

8. An electrical protection system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electrical protection system further includes a surge protector device, wherein the surge protector device is connected in between the supply power and the RCD/RCBO, wherein the surge protector comprises: at least three input terminals including a first terminal for electrically connecting to an active supply power terminal, a second terminal for electrically connecting to a neutral supply power terminal and a third terminal for electrically connecting to an earth supply power terminal; and at least two output terminals including a first terminal for electrically connecting to an active input terminal of the RCD/RCBO and a second terminal for electrically connecting to a neutral input terminal of the RCD/RCBO and a neutral output terminal of the secondary protection device.

9. An electrical protection system according to claim 8, wherein the surge protector device prevents power surges, or transient voltage, from being delivered to the RCD/RCBO, the secondary protection device, and the load.

10. An electrical protection system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electrical protection system further comprises a main power inlet, wherein main power inlet comprises an electrical plug interface adapted to connect the supply power to the electrical protection system to receive power from the supply power.

11. An electrical protection system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the electrical protection system further comprises an outlet, wherein the outlet comprises an electric plug interface adapted to connect the electrical protection system to the load to receive the power outputted from the outlet.

12. An electrical protection system according to claim 11, wherein the outlet is adapted to connect to a compatible cable, wherein the compatible cable is adapted to connect to a load which can be a mobile structure such as a trailer, caravan, or vessel, or a stationary structure such as a facility, to provide power.

13. An electrical protection system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the electrical protection system further comprises a supply power voltage indicator connected to the active and neutral terminals of the supply power, which consists of a first mode of operation where the supply power voltage indicator is "ON" to indicate that the supply power is connected to the system, and a second mode of operation where the supply power voltage indicator is "OFF" to indicate that the supply power is not connected to the system.

14. An electrical protection system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the electrical protection system further comprises a load voltage indicator connected to the active and neutral output terminals of the RCD/RCBO, which consists of a first mode of operation where the load voltage indicator is "ON" to indicate that the system RCD/RCBO has not been tripped and the supply power is connected to the load, and a second mode of operation where the load voltage indicator is "OFF" to indicate that the RCD/RCBO has been tripped and/or the supply power is not connected to the load.

15. An electrical protection system according to claim 14, wherein the electrical protection system further comprises a reversed supply power voltage indicator connected to the neutral and earth terminals of the supply power, which consists of a first mode of operation where the reversed supply power voltage indicator is "ON" to indicate that the supply power connected to the system has a reverse polarity, in combination, the load voltage indicator is "OFF" to indicate that the RCD/RCBO has been tripped due to the reverse polarity of the supply power, and a second mode of operation where the reversed supply power voltage indicator is "OFF" to indicate that the supply power connected to the system does not have a reverse polarity.

16. An electrical protection system according to claim 15, wherein the reverse supply power voltage indicator is a red light emitting diode.

17. An electrical protection system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the electrical protection system is substantially packaged in a compact and portable housing.

18. An electrical protection system according to claim 17, wherein the housing is substantially water resistant.

19. A method for providing electrical protection, including the steps of: connecting supply power and a load to an electrical protection system according to any one of claims I to 18; detecting, by the sensor line of the secondary protection device, an active to earth current and/or voltage leakage, or reverse polarity of the supply power; and tripping, by the secondary protection device, the RCD/RCBO to isolate the supply power from the load.

20. A method according to claim 19, further including the step of: disconnecting or losing the earth terminal of the supply power; wherein the DC blocker is adapted to maintain an earth reference to the sensor line of the secondary protection device.

23 N A 15 E 2 17.1 27 17 17.2 1/7

5 4 9 6 24 Cable to 1 1 Load E E N N 8 16 Installation Power Inset Housing

Figure 1

23 N A 15 20 E 2 17.1 27 17 17.2 2/7

5 4 9 6 24 Cable to 1 1 Load E E N N 8 16 Installation Power Inset Housing

Figure 2

22

E N N 23 N A A A 15 20 2 E 17.1 27 17 17.2 3/7

5 4 9 6 24 Cable to 1 1 Load E E N N 8 Installation Power Inset Housing 16

Figure 3

18 18 18 35 4 4 4 37 15 2 17 37

34 38 4/7

36

27

23 24 34 39

Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6