Intelligent fuse holder and circuit protection methods

Abstract

An intelligent circuit protection system and method for automating component replacement and providing information to a user or operator about a load for circuit protection. The circuit protection method includes sensing current and voltage across a fuse protecting a load; sending at least one signal indicative of the current and voltage; and using the at least one signal to determine if the load is operating normally.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A circuit protection method comprising programming a processor to (i) calculate an impedance of a fuse using at least one signal indicative of a voltage and current sensed across the fuse and (ii) determine from the calculated impedance if a rating of the fuse is proper for a given load. 
     
     
         2 . The circuit protection method of  claim 1 , further comprising programming the processor to (iii) compare the calculated impedance to an impedance expected for a properly labeled fuse. 
     
     
         3 . The circuit protection method of  claim 1 , further comprising programming the processor to (iii) calculate a power draw of the given load based at least in part on the signal indicative of the voltage and current and (iv) determine from the calculated power draw if excess current is being drawn based on a known power draw for the given load. 
     
     
         4 . A circuit protection method comprising:
 sensing current and voltage across a fuse protecting a load during start-up of a load and after the start-up of the load;   calculating an impedance of the fuse based at least in part on the current and voltage; and   determining whether the fuse is properly rated for the load based on the calculated impedance.   
     
     
         5 . The circuit protection method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 comparing the calculated impedance to an expected impedance for a properly rated fuse.   
     
     
         6 . The circuit protection method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 calculating a power draw of the load based at least in part on the current and the voltage;   determining a difference between the calculated power draw and a known power draw for the load; and   determining whether the load is drawing excess current based on the determined difference between the calculated power draw and the known power draw.   
     
     
         7 . The circuit protection method of  claim 5 , further comprising determining whether the fuse is about to open based at least in part on the determination that the load is drawing excess current. 
     
     
         8 . The circuit protection method of  claim 7 , further comprising sending at least one signal indicative of the load drawing excess current based on the determination that the fuse is about to open. 
     
     
         9 . A processor for a circuit protection apparatus configured to electrically connect a fuse to a load, the processor configured to execute one or more instruction that cause the processor to:
 sense current and voltage across the fuse during a start-up of the load and after the start-up of the load;   calculate an impedance of the fuse based at least in part on the current and voltage; and   determine whether the fuse is properly rated for the load based on the calculated impedance.   
     
     
         10 . The processor for the circuit protection apparatus of  claim 9 , the one or more instructions further cause the processor to compare the calculated impedance to an expected impedance for a properly rated fuse. 
     
     
         11 . The processor for the circuit protection apparatus of  claim 9 , the one or more instructions further cause the processor to:
 calculate a power draw of the load based at least in part on the current and the voltage;   determine a difference between the calculated power draw and a known power draw for the load; and   determine whether the load is drawing excess current based on the determined difference between the calculated power draw and the known power draw.   
     
     
         12 . The processor for the circuit protection apparatus of  claim 11 , the one or more instructions further cause the processor to determine whether the fuse is about to open based at least in part on the determination that the load is drawing excess current. 
     
     
         13 . The processor for the circuit protection apparatus of  claim 12 , the one or more instructions further cause the processor to send at least one signal indicative of the load drawing excess current based on the determination that the fuse is about to open. 
     
     
         14 . The processor for the circuit protection apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to operate on current flowing through the fuse. 
     
     
         15 . The processor for the circuit protection apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to operate on excess leakage current flowing through the fuse in the event that the fuse opens. 
     
     
         16 . The processor for the circuit protection apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the excess leakage current is less than or equal to 5 mA.