Michael D Mccarron

US Patent:

45875901, May 6, 1986

Filed:

Feb 15, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/580475

Inventors:

John L. Bala - Amherst NH
Michael McCarron - Medford MA
Richard E. Zapolin - Lexington MA

Assignee:

Electronics Corporation of America - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

H02H 3093

US Classification:

361 94

Abstract:

A fail-safe device for removing power from controlled circuitry upon the occurrence of an undesired operating condition is disclosed. The fail-safe device includes means for detecting a short circuit in the controlled circuitry and for indicating the existence of an undesired operating condition if a short is detected. The fail-safe device further includes a non-volatile memory for retaining data through a power outage so that the existence of an undesired operating condition is remembered upon return of the power. The data stored in the non-volatile memory may also be useful in investigating an accident or malfunction. The fail-safe device still further includes a reset button which returns power after an undesired operating condition if it is momentarily depressed.