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 protection system for a power distribution system with one or more zones that includes at least one power-switching device connected to a power or current sensing device and a communications device. The power-switching device is communicatively coupled to at least one processing device. The at least one processing device is adapted to execute a plurality of protective functions for a zone based on information of power conditions within the zone and predetermined protective requirements of the zone.

Abstract: A method of protecting a circuit having power switching devices that includes communicating a current in at least one secondary switching device to at least one master switching device and determining a presence of a fault condition within at least a first zone based at least in part upon characteristics of the current in the at least one secondary switching device communicated to the at least one master switching device to perform differential protection.

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 protection system for a power distribution system with one or more zones that includes at least one power-switching device connected to a power or current sensing device and a communications device. The power-switching device is communicatively coupled to at least one processing device. The at least one processing device is adapted to execute a plurality of protective functions for a zone based on information of power conditions within the zone and predetermined protective requirements of the zone.

Abstract: A method of protecting a circuit having power switching devices that includes communicating a current in at least one secondary switching device to at least one master switching device and determining a presence of a fault condition within at least a first zone based at least in part upon characteristics of the current in the at least one secondary switching device communicated to the at least one master switching device to perform differential protection.

Abstract: A circuit protection system is provided in a circuit to protect power switches from fault conditions using the protective algorithms. The algorithms to control a response of said power switches to fault conditions to protect said circuit. The protective response of the power switches to a fault condition is displayed using the algorithms. The response enables the released energy from a fault condition to be minimized.

Abstract: A method for locating a ground fault in an electrical power distribution system includes providing a plurality of current sensors at a plurality of locations in the electrical power distribution system. The method further includes detecting a ground fault in the electrical power distribution system. Current is monitored at a plurality of locations in the electrical power distribution system via the current sensors and a test signal is introduced into the electrical power distribution system via a test signal generating device. The plurality of locations are monitored to locate the ground fault between a location at which the test signal is detected and a downstream location at which the test signal is not detected.