Abstract: An example electrical power distribution system includes a plurality of circuit protection devices coupled between an electrical power source and a plurality of electrical loads. Each circuit protection device includes a trip unit, a network interface, a processor, and a memory. The trip unit is configured to selectively trip to prevent a flow of electrical current through said circuit protection device. The network interface is communicatively coupled to a communication network including the plurality of circuit protection devices. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to transmit, using the network interface, circuit protection device data to the network. The circuit protection device data is formatted according to a network communication protocol of the communication network.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrical power distribution system including circuit protection devices is disclosed. Each circuit protection device includes a network interface, a processor, and a memory device. The method includes transmitting, by each device of the plurality of circuit protection devices, a network communication signal to the communication network. An approximate physical distance between the circuit protection devices is determined based at least in part on a characteristic of the network communication signals. A maintenance mode of each circuit protection device of a subset of the circuit protection devices is enabled in response to enablement of a maintenance mode of one circuit protection device of the plurality of circuit protection devices. The subset of the circuit protection devices is determined at least in part by the approximate physical distance of the circuit protection devices from the maintenance mode enabled one circuit protection device.

Abstract: A circuit protection device for an electrical distribution system includes a trip unit, a network interface, a processor, and a memory device. The trip unit is configured to selectively trip to prevent a flow of electrical current through the circuit protection device. The network interface is configured for communicative coupling to a communication network. The memory device stories instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to transmit, using the network interface, zones selective interlocking (ZSI) data to another circuit protection device coupled to the communication network. The ZSI data is formatted according to a network communication protocol of the communication network.

Abstract: A secondary disconnect assembly for use with a circuit breaker moveable between a connected position and a disconnected position includes a first secondary disconnect apparatus and a second secondary disconnect apparatus. The first secondary disconnect apparatus includes a first coupling portion having at least one high speed communications connector. The second secondary disconnect apparatus includes a second coupling portion removably coupled to the first coupling portion. The second coupling portion includes at least one opening configured to receive the high speed communications connector when the circuit breaker is moved from the disconnected position to the connected position to enable high speed data transmission through the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution system includes a plurality of circuit protection devices coupled between an electrical power source and a plurality of electrical loads. Each circuit protection device includes a trip unit, a network interface communicatively coupled to a communication network including the circuit protection devices, a processor, and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to store test operational parameters associated with the circuit protection device, receive a test message including test data representing an electrical condition in the electrical power distribution system, adjust the test operational parameters based on the test data to simulate a response of the trip unit to the electrical condition, generate circuit protection data based on the test data and the adjusted set of test operational parameters, and transmit the circuit protection data to at least one of the communication network and a remote access device.

Abstract: An example electrical power distribution system includes a plurality of circuit protection devices coupled between an electrical power source and a plurality of electrical loads. Each circuit protection device includes a trip unit, a network interface, a processor, and a memory. The trip unit is configured to selectively trip to prevent a flow of electrical current through said circuit protection device. The network interface is communicatively coupled to a communication network including the plurality of circuit protection devices. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to transmit, using the network interface, circuit protection device data to the network. The circuit protection device data is formatted according to a network communication protocol of the communication network.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrical power distribution system including a plurality of circuit protection devices and an additional circuit protection device communicatively coupled by a communications network is described. The method includes transmitting, by each circuit protection device of the plurality of circuit protection devices, an electrical current communication to the communication network, the electrical current communication including an indication of an electrical current detected by the transmitting circuit protection device formatted according to a network communication protocol of the communication network. The additional circuit protection device receives the electrical current communications from the plurality of circuit protection devices and determines, based on the received electrical current communications, whether a ground fault condition exists in the electrical power distribution system.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrical power distribution system including circuit protection devices is disclosed. Each circuit protection device includes a network interface, a processor, and a memory device. The method includes transmitting, by each device of the plurality of circuit protection devices, a network communication signal to the communication network. An approximate physical distance between the circuit protection devices is determined based at least in part on a characteristic of the network communication signals. A maintenance mode of each circuit protection device of a subset of the circuit protection devices is enabled in response to enablement of a maintenance mode of one circuit protection device of the plurality of circuit protection devices. The subset of the circuit protection devices is determined at least in part by the approximate physical distance of the circuit protection devices from the maintenance mode enabled one circuit protection device.

Abstract: A circuit protection device for an electrical distribution system includes a trip unit, a network interface, a processor, and a memory device. The trip unit is configured to selectively trip to prevent a flow of electrical current through the circuit protection device. The network interface is configured for communicative coupling to a communication network. The memory device stories instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to transmit, using the network interface, zones selective interlocking (ZSI) data to another circuit protection device coupled to the communication network. The ZSI data is formatted according to a network communication protocol of the communication network.

Abstract: Power distribution systems and methods are described. In one example, a method of testing a power distribution system including a first circuit protection device and a second circuit protection device coupled to the first circuit protection device downstream of the first circuit protection device is described. The method includes monitoring a status of a communicative connection between a ZSI output port of the first circuit protection device and a ZSI input port of the second circuit protection device with a ZSI monitor of the first circuit protection device, detecting whether the ZSI output port of the first circuit protection device is coupled to the ZSI input port of the second circuit protection device, and indicating the status of the communicative connection.

Abstract: A secondary disconnect assembly for use with a circuit breaker moveable between a connected position and a disconnected position includes a first secondary disconnect apparatus and a second secondary disconnect apparatus. The first secondary disconnect apparatus includes a first coupling portion having at least one high speed communications connector. The second secondary disconnect apparatus includes a second coupling portion removably coupled to the first coupling portion. The second coupling portion includes at least one opening configured to receive the high speed communications connector when the circuit breaker is moved from the disconnected position to the connected position to enable high speed data transmission through the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion.

Abstract: Power distribution systems and methods are described. In one example, a method of testing a power distribution system including a first circuit protection device and a second circuit protection device coupled to the first circuit protection device downstream of the first circuit protection device is described. The method includes monitoring a status of a communicative connection between a ZSI output port of the first circuit protection device and a ZSI input port of the second circuit protection device with a ZSI monitor of the first circuit protection device, detecting whether the ZSI output port of the first circuit protection device is coupled to the ZSI input port of the second circuit protection device, and indicating the status of the communicative connection.

Abstract: An electronic trip unit (ETU) configured to trip a circuit breaker using power from an external device is provided. Additionally, a system for enabling an electronic control unit (ETU) to trip a circuit breaker using power from an external device is provided. Further, a method for enabling an electronic trip unit (ETU) to trip a circuit breaker using power from an external device is provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for use in measuring current through a conductor are provided. One example current device includes a first sensor configured to measure a first magnetic flux provided from a conductor and to generate a first signal proportional to the first magnetic flux, and a second sensor configured to measure a second magnetic flux provided from the conductor and to generate a second signal proportional to the second magnetic flux. The second sensor is spaced apart from the first sensor by a predetermined distance. The current device further includes a processor configured to determine, based on the first signal, the second signal and the predetermined distance, a radius between the conductor and at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor.

Abstract: A power equipment protection system is provided. The power equipment protection system includes a first trip unit configured to monitor a first circuit, a second trip unit configured to monitor a second circuit that is downstream from the first circuit, an arc-flash (AF) sensor configured to detect an arc flash, an AF mitigation device, at least one current sensor, and a controller. The power equipment protection system is operable in a first mode and a second mode, wherein in the first mode, the controller is configured to activate the AF mitigation device based on signals generated by both the AF sensor and the at least one current sensor, and wherein in the second mode, the controller is configured to activate the AF mitigation device based on signals generated by at least one of the at least one current sensor and the AF sensor.

Abstract: An electronic trip device is described that includes a test current generator and a leakage current detection circuit. The test current generator is coupled to a conductor and configured to provide a test current having a magnitude to the conductor in response to a selection to test the electronic trip device. The conductor is a line conductor or a neutral conductor. The leakage current detection circuit is configured to detect a current difference between the neutral conductor and the line conductor. The leakage current detection circuit is configured to provide, in response to the selection to test the electronic trip device, a tripless error indication if the detected current difference is less than a first threshold value.

Abstract: Lighting control systems, control modules for contactors, and methods of operating a lighting control system are described. In one example, a control module for a lighting contactor includes a controller, a power supply, and a control mode selector. The controller is configured to control operation of a lighting contactor in response to at least one control signal. The controller is selectively operable in a plurality of control modes. The power supply is configured to receive the at least one control signal and provide power to the controller. The control mode selector is coupled to the controller and operable to operate the controller in a selected control mode of the plurality of control modes.

Abstract: Lighting control systems, control modules for contactors, and methods of operating a lighting control system are described. In one example, a control module for a lighting contactor includes a controller, a power supply, and a control mode selector. The controller is configured to control operation of a lighting contactor in response to at least one control signal. The controller is selectively operable in a plurality of control modes. The power supply is configured to receive the at least one control signal and provide power to the controller. The control mode selector is coupled to the controller and operable to operate the controller in a selected control mode of the plurality of control modes.

Abstract: A power equipment protection system is provided. The power equipment protection system includes a first trip unit configured to monitor a first circuit, a second trip unit configured to monitor a second circuit that is downstream from the first circuit, an arc-flash (AF) sensor configured to detect an arc flash, an AF mitigation device, at least one current sensor, and a controller. The power equipment protection system is operable in a first mode and a second mode, wherein in the first mode, the controller is configured to activate the AF mitigation device based on signals generated by both the AF sensor and the at least one current sensor, and wherein in the second mode, the controller is configured to activate the AF mitigation device based on signals generated by at least one of the at least one current sensor and the AF sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for operation of an electronic trip unit are described. One example is a method for use in operating an electronic trip unit including a first controller. The first controller is configured to selectively operate a tripping device coupled between an input terminal and an output terminal of the electronic trip unit. The method includes receiving, by a second controller, a plurality of health signals from the first controller. The second controller determines an existence of an undesired condition based on at least one of the plurality of different health signals, and determines a first action to be taken to remedy the undesired condition.