Abstract: A power distribution system includes 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. The second circuit protection device includes a trip mechanism configured to interrupt a current flowing through the second circuit protection device, and a trip unit operatively coupled to the trip mechanism. The trip mechanism is configured to determine, for the second circuit protection device, a protective threshold and a blocking threshold that is lower than the protective threshold, transmit a forward blocking signal to the first circuit protection device upon a determination that the current exceeds the blocking threshold, and generate a reverse blocking signal upon a determination that the current exceeds the protective threshold.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes 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. The second circuit protection device includes a trip mechanism configured to interrupt a current flowing through the second circuit protection device, and a trip unit operatively coupled to the trip mechanism. The trip mechanism is configured to determine, for the second circuit protection device, a protective threshold, a blocking threshold that is lower than the protective threshold, and a backup threshold that is higher than the protective threshold, activate the trip mechanism based on a determination that the current flowing through the second circuit protection device exceeds the protective threshold, and transmit a first blocking signal to the first circuit protection device upon a determination that the current exceeds the blocking threshold.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes 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. The second circuit protection device includes a trip mechanism configured to interrupt a current flowing through the second circuit protection device, and a trip unit operatively coupled to the trip mechanism. The trip mechanism is configured to determine, for the second circuit protection device, a protective threshold and a blocking threshold that is lower than the protective threshold, transmit a forward blocking signal to the first circuit protection device upon a determination that the current exceeds the blocking threshold, and generate a reverse blocking signal upon a determination that the current exceeds the protective threshold.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes 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. The second circuit protection device includes a trip mechanism configured to interrupt a current flowing through the second circuit protection device, and a trip unit operatively coupled to the trip mechanism. The trip mechanism is configured to determine, for the second circuit protection device, a protective threshold, a blocking threshold that is lower than the protective threshold, and a backup threshold that is higher than the protective threshold, activate the trip mechanism based on a determination that the current flowing through the second circuit protection device exceeds the protective threshold, and transmit a first blocking signal to the first circuit protection device upon a determination that the current exceeds the blocking threshold.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for automated maintenance mode switching are described. An example method of controlling a protection assembly mode of operation is described for use in a system having a protection assembly configured to receive power from an upstream power source and provide power and protection to a downstream protection device moveable between a fully engaged position and a fully disengaged position. The method includes determining, by the protection assembly, when a maintenance action is being performed on the downstream protection device, and switching the protection assembly from a normal protection mode to a maintenance mode of operation in response to determining the maintenance action is being performed on the downstream protection device.

Abstract: A method of setting a ground fault trip response function for a trip unit includes enabling a ground fault protection mode for the trip unit, setting the ground fault trip response function for the trip unit, wherein the ground fault trip response function is a double knee time current function.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event a first or second fault condition is detected. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the response of the second circuit breaker depending on whether the first or second fault condition has been detected.

Abstract: A method of improved reduced energy let through (RELT) mode selection in a switching apparatus includes receiving a request to disable a RELT mode of the switching apparatus, and, if the RELT mode of the switching apparatus is active, increasing a current threshold of the switching apparatus after a configurable amount of time has elapsed from the receipt of the request to disable the RELT mode.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event a first or second fault condition is detected. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the response of the second circuit breaker depending on whether the first or second fault condition has been detected.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event a first or second fault condition is detected. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the response of the second circuit breaker depending on whether the first or second fault condition has been detected.

Abstract: An improved method to detect and locate electrical faults is provided. A method of operating a circuit breaker in an electrical circuit configured with at least one of a first main circuit breaker at a first layer of circuit protection having a first direction of current flow, and at least one second circuit breaker downstream of said at least one first main circuit breaker having a second direction of current flow, and at least one third circuit breaker downstream of said at least one second circuit breaker having a third direction of current flow, wherein one of said at least one first, second, or third circuit breakers is in short time pick-up, is provided, and comprises steps to determine the location of the fault and adjust the trip time delay of the circuit breakers according to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A current control device is disclosed. The current control device includes control circuitry and a current path integrally arranged with the control circuitry. The current path includes a set of conduction interfaces and a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed between the set of conduction interfaces. The set of conduction interfaces have geometry of a defined fuse terminal geometry and include a first interface disposed at one end of the current path and a second interface disposed at an opposite end of the current path. The MEMS switch is responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path.

Abstract: A universal trip unit for use with a circuit breaker apparatus is provided and includes a communication unit configured to communicate with a personality module of the circuit breaker apparatus and to thereby receive key breaker personality parameters that relate to operational characteristics of the circuit breaker apparatus, and a controller. The controller includes a memory on which a universal register, previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters are stored, the controller being configured to control the communication unit to receive the key breaker personality parameters in accordance with information determined from the universal register, and components to execute trip protection when at least one of a current and a voltage Within the circuit breaker apparatus exceeds a respective predetermined threshold as defined by the previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features with separate restrained and unrestrained setting capability is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event of a fault condition. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the tripping response of the second circuit breaker to a restrained mode. The circuit breakers include features enabling the user to modify and adjust both the restrained and unrestrained trip curves associated with both the restrained and unrestrained modes of operation.

Abstract: A method of improved reduced energy let through (RELT) mode selection in a switching apparatus includes receiving a request to disable a RELT mode of the switching apparatus, and, if the RELT mode of the switching apparatus is active, increasing a current threshold of the switching apparatus after a configurable amount of time has elapsed from the receipt of the request to disable the RELT mode.

Abstract: A method of setting a ground fault trip response function for a trip unit includes enabling a ground fault protection mode for the trip unit, setting the ground fault trip response function for the trip unit, wherein the ground fault trip response function is a double knee time current function.

Abstract: An improved method to detect and locate electrical faults is provided. A method of operating a circuit breaker in an electrical circuit configured with at least one of a first main circuit breaker at a first layer of circuit protection having a first direction of current flow, and at least one second circuit breaker downstream of said at least one first main circuit breaker having a second direction of current flow, and at least one third circuit breaker downstream of said at least one second circuit breaker having a third direction of current flow, wherein one of said at least one first, second, or third circuit breakers is in short time pick-up, is provided, and comprises steps to determine the location of the fault and adjust the trip time delay of the circuit breakers according to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event a first or second fault condition is detected. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the response of the second circuit breaker depending on whether the first or second fault condition has been detected.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features with separate restrained and unrestrained setting capability is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event of a fault condition. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the tripping response of the second circuit breaker to a restrained mode. The circuit breakers include features enabling the user to modify and adjust both the restrained and unrestrained trip curves associated with both the restrained and unrestrained modes of operation.

Abstract: A method of setting a trip ground fault trip function for a trip unit includes enabling a ground fault protection mode for the trip unit, and setting one of a plurality of a trip functions for the trip unit. At least one of the plurality of trip functions being an I?4t inverse time function that establishes a trip characteristic to interrupt current upon sensing a ground fault indication. The method further includes monitoring an electrical circuit for a ground fault.