Circuit interrupter with improved surge suppression

Abstract

A circuit interrupter, such as a GFCI or AFCI product, is provided having a suppression and protection circuit and circuit interrupter circuitry. In one configuration, a semiconductor device and a voltage clamping device or surge protector, such as a metal oxide varistor (MOV), are utilized in the circuit interrupter for handling transient surges and overvoltage conditions. The semiconductor device, such as a SIDCA and a TVS diode, is connected to a solenoid or trip coil of the circuit interrupter circuitry to limit the amount of current through the semiconductor device. The MOV is placed between phase and neutral conductors of the circuit interrupter circuitry.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A circuit interrupter, comprising:
 circuit interrupter circuitry for breaking an electrical connection between input and output conductors in response to the occurrence of a fault; and   a surge protection circuit electrically coupled to the circuit interrupter circuitry, the surge protection circuit including a transient voltage suppression (TVS) diode arranged to reduce surge voltage applied to the circuit interrupter circuitry,   wherein said circuit interrupter circuitry further comprises a solenoid coil arranged to limit current through the TVS diode.   
     
     
         27 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 26 , wherein the fault includes one of an actual fault and a simulated fault. 
     
     
         28 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 26 , further comprising a metal oxide varistor (MOV) electrically disposed to provide primary protection against an over-voltage condition. 
     
     
         29 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 26 , wherein the TVS diode is arranged to provide secondary protection against an over-voltage condition. 
     
     
         30 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 26 , further comprising a bridge diode circuit electrically coupled between the TVS diode and the solenoid coil. 
     
     
         31 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 30 , wherein the solenoid coil is arranged and configured to impose a voltage drop. 
     
     
         32 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 26 , further comprising an RC circuit, wherein the TVS diode is electrically coupled in parallel to the RC circuit. 
     
     
         33 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 26 , wherein the circuit interrupter is line powered. 
     
     
         34 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 26 , wherein the TVS diode has a clamping voltage of 400 Volts or less. 
     
     
         35 . A circuit interrupter, comprising:
 circuit interrupter circuitry for breaking an electrical connection between input and output conductors in response to the occurrence of a fault; and   a surge protection circuit electrically coupled to the circuit interrupter circuitry, the surge protection circuit including a silicon diode for alternating current (SIDAC) for reducing surge voltage applied to the circuit interrupter circuitry, where a SIDAC voltage exceeds a normal power line voltage,   wherein the circuit interrupter circuitry further comprises a solenoid coil arranged to limit current through the SIDAC.   
     
     
         36 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 35 , wherein the fault includes one of an actual fault and a simulated fault. 
     
     
         37 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 35 , further comprising a metal oxide varistor (MOV) electrically disposed to provide primary protection against an over-voltage condition. 
     
     
         38 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 35 , wherein the SIDAC is arranged to provide secondary protection against an over-voltage condition. 
     
     
         39 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 35 , further comprising a bridge diode circuit electrically coupled between the SIDAC and the solenoid coil. 
     
     
         40 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 39 , wherein the solenoid coil is arranged and configured to impose a voltage dropping component. 
     
     
         41 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 35 , further comprising an RC circuit, wherein the SIDAC is electrically coupled in parallel to the RC circuit. 
     
     
         42 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 35 , wherein the circuit interrupter is line powered. 
     
     
         43 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 35 , wherein the SIDAC diode has a clamping voltage of 400 Volts or less. 
     
     
         44 . A circuit interrupter having input and output conductors, the circuit interrupter comprising:
 interrupter circuitry for breaking an electrical connection between the input and output conductors in response to the occurrence of a fault;   a surge protection circuit electrically coupled to the interrupter circuitry and configured to reduce surge voltage applied to the interrupter circuitry, the surge protection circuit including a semiconductor device and an inductor, wherein the inductor limits current through the semiconductor device; and   wherein the semiconductor device is one selected from the group consisting of a silicon diode for alternating current (SIDAC) and a transient voltage suppression (TVS) diode, where a SIDAC voltage exceeds a normal power line voltage.   
     
     
         45 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 44 , wherein the TVS diode or the SIDAC is arranged to provide secondary protection against an over-voltage condition. 
     
     
         46 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 44 , further comprising a bridge diode circuit electrically coupled between the TVS diode and the inductor or between the SIDAC and the inductor. 
     
     
         47 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 44 , wherein the circuit interrupter is line powered. 
     
     
         48 . The circuit interrupter of  claim 44 , wherein the TVS diode or the SIDAC has a clamping voltage of 400 Volts or less.