System for controlling inrush current to eliminate inrush overcurrent to electrical equipment

Abstract

A system for eliminating inrush current to electrical equipment while providing a user increased control is proposed. The user of the device is able to control the speed of the ramp up of alternating current (AC) to the electrical equipment, regardless of the load. When the ramp up meets its full power, the device of the present system will disable itself while allowing power to flow directly to the electrical equipment. The present system allows for user controlled delay time as well as microcontroller controlled current sensing. Further, the device shuts off power to the electrical equipment if an overdraw of current (e.g. a short circuit in an amplifier) is detected. This feature may be an early warning, indicating a need for technical repair before irrevocable damage is done to the components of the electrical equipment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling a power flow to an electrical equipment ( 111 ) for effective elimination of an inrush current when the electrical equipment ( 111 ) is initially turned on, the system comprising:
 (a) a device ( 100 ) comprising:
 (i) a microcontroller ( 101 ) configured to send a signal to turn off or turn on the power flow to the electrical equipment ( 111 ) via a relay ( 103 ); 
 (ii) a duration circuit ( 105 ) integrated into the microcontroller ( 101 ) for device ( 100 ) timing regulation; 
 (iii) a control knob ( 107 ) designating a time period over which the device ( 100 ) ramps up the power flow to the electrical equipment ( 111 ) from zero, wherein the control knob ( 107 ) is operatively connected to the microcontroller ( 101 ), wherein the time period is regulated by the duration circuit ( 105 ); and 
   (b) a current detection circuit ( 109 ) operatively connected to the microcontroller ( 101 ), wherein a measurement of a current flowing from the device ( 100 ) to the electrical equipment ( 111 ) is acquired by the current detection circuit ( 109 ),   
       wherein the device ( 100 ) plugs into an AC power source ( 113 ), wherein the device ( 100 ) is operatively connected to the electrical equipment ( 111 ) via an output receptacle, wherein the electrical equipment ( 111 ) is powered on after the device ( 100 ) is powered on, wherein the device ( 100 ) then tests for a presence of the electrical equipment ( 111 ).