Abstract: A circuit breaker with at least one disconnect mechanism and a smart monitoring system implements nuanced fault logic in order to minimize disruption to operation of the circuit breaker under a fault condition, and enables the circuit breaker to address nuisance or low severity faults separately from load switching. Under low severity or nuisance fault conditions, the smart monitoring system temporarily disconnects affected loads from the power supply rather than tripping the entire circuit breaker so that the loads can be reconnected to the power supply if the fault condition resolves within a short amount of time. In addition, the disconnect mechanism(s) that are used to temporarily disconnect the load(s) are configured to be re-closed after opening without requiring manual intervention. In high severity fault conditions, the smart monitoring system actuates tripping of the entire breaker, requiring manual re-closing of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: The switch contacts of a MEMS relay for a circuit interrupter are coated with a thin layer of liquid metal, and the MEMS relay is disposed in a sealed enclosure containing a gas medium. The gas medium provides an environmentally desirable alternative to sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), prevents oxidation of the liquid metal coating the relay switch contacts, and has sufficient dielectric strength in order to prevent current flow after separation of the switch contacts.

Abstract: A hybrid circuit breaker includes a primary trip/isolation relay component and a primary trip/isolation relay component driver coupled to the primary trip/isolation relay component and structured to interrupt current from flowing to the load in an event of fault; a sensing mechanism structured to sense at least current, voltage, and power flowing to the load; a metrology component coupled to the sensing mechanism and structured to monitor and measure at least the current, voltage and power; a controller structured to detect the event of fault based on data received from the sensing mechanism and the metrology component and communicate with a user device; and a hybrid secondary switching device coupled to the controller and the primary trip/isolation relay component, the hybrid secondary switch device including secondary contacts, a miniaturized electromechanical relay and a power electronics circuit connected in parallel with the miniaturized electromechanical relay.

Abstract: The switch contacts of a MEMS relay for a circuit interrupter are coated with a thin layer of liquid metal, and the MEMS relay is disposed in a sealed enclosure containing a gas medium. The gas medium provides an environmentally desirable alternative to sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), prevents oxidation of the liquid metal coating the relay switch contacts, and has sufficient dielectric strength in order to prevent current flow after separation of the switch contacts.

Abstract: A guard member is for an electrical switching apparatus of an electrical system. The electrical system includes at least one electrical conductor. The electrical switching apparatus is structured to move from a CLOSED position to an OPEN position in response to a trip condition. The electrical switching apparatus has a terminal end coupled to the electrical conductor. The guard member includes a body having a receiving portion structured to receive the electrical conductor, and a coupling portion extending from the receiving portion and being structured to be coupled to the terminal end. The coupling portion has a number of thru holes in order to dissipate heat generated by the electrical switching apparatus moving from the CLOSED position to the OPEN position.

Abstract: A guard member is for an electrical switching apparatus of an electrical system. The electrical system includes at least one electrical conductor. The electrical switching apparatus is structured to move from a CLOSED position to an OPEN position in response to a trip condition. The electrical switching apparatus has a terminal end coupled to the electrical conductor. The guard member includes a body having a receiving portion structured to receive the electrical conductor, and a coupling portion extending from the receiving portion and being structured to be coupled to the terminal end. The coupling portion has a number of thru holes in order to dissipate heat generated by the electrical switching apparatus moving from the CLOSED position to the OPEN position.

Abstract: A guard member is for an electrical switching apparatus of an electrical system. The electrical system includes at least one electrical conductor. The electrical switching apparatus is structured to move from a CLOSED position to an OPEN position in response to a trip condition. The electrical switching apparatus has a terminal end coupled to the electrical conductor. The guard member includes a body having a receiving portion structured to receive the electrical conductor, and a coupling portion extending from the receiving portion and being structured to be coupled to the terminal end. The coupling portion has a number of thru holes in order to dissipate heat generated by the electrical switching apparatus moving from the CLOSED position to the OPEN position.

Abstract: A guard member is for an electrical switching apparatus of an electrical system. The electrical system includes at least one electrical conductor. The electrical switching apparatus is structured to move from a CLOSED position to an OPEN position in response to a trip condition. The electrical switching apparatus has a terminal end coupled to the electrical conductor. The guard member includes a body having a receiving portion structured to receive the electrical conductor, and a coupling portion extending from the receiving portion and being structured to be coupled to the terminal end. The coupling portion has a number of thru holes in order to dissipate heat generated by the electrical switching apparatus moving from the CLOSED position to the OPEN position.

Abstract: A smart receptacle is for a number of loads. The smart receptacle includes separable contacts; an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts; and a number of current sensors structured to sense current flowing through the separable contacts to one of the number of loads. A number of indicators indicate a relative level of the sensed current or corresponding energy. A processor inputs the sensed current, determines the relative level of the sensed current or the corresponding energy, and controls the number of indicators to indicate the relative level of the sensed current or the corresponding energy.

Abstract: A smart receptacle is for a number of loads. The smart receptacle includes separable contacts; an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts; and a number of current sensors structured to sense current flowing through the separable contacts to one of the number of loads. A number of indicators indicate a relative level of the sensed current or corresponding energy. A processor inputs the sensed current, determines the relative level of the sensed current or the corresponding energy, and controls the number of indicators to indicate the relative level of the sensed current or the corresponding energy.

Abstract: A switchgear mounting assembly for a load center includes a base assembly, an electrical bus assembly, and a bracket. The base assembly includes a base and a central protrusion extending outwardly from the base. Bus bars are electrically connected and mechanically coupled to the central protrusion and include stabs, which extend radially outwardly from the central protrusion. The bracket is coupled to the central protrusion and includes supporting elements. Each supporting element maintains a corresponding electrical switching apparatus in electrical communication with a corresponding one of the stabs. The switchgear mounting assembly is therefore structured to mount the electrical switching apparatus in a radial array extending around the central protrusion.

Abstract: A load panel system includes a load panel having an enclosure; a plurality of circuit interrupters within the enclosure of the load panel; and a processor within the enclosure of the load panel. The processor includes a first communication medium structured to communicate first information to or from outside of the enclosure of the load panel, a second communication medium structured to communicate second information to or from the circuit interrupters within the enclosure of the load panel, and a non-volatile memory. The processor inputs a number load panel algorithms to the non-volatile memory after installation of the load panel and the processor in the load panel system. The processor executes the number of load panel algorithms employing at least the second information.

Abstract: A switchgear mounting assembly for a load center includes a base assembly, an electrical bus assembly, and a bracket. The base assembly includes a base and a central protrusion extending outwardly from the base. Bus bars are electrically connected and mechanically coupled to the central protrusion and include stabs, which extend radially outwardly from the central protrusion. The bracket is coupled to the central protrusion and includes supporting elements. Each supporting element maintains a corresponding electrical switching apparatus in electrical communication with a corresponding one of the stabs. The switchgear mounting assembly is therefore structured to mount the electrical switching apparatus in a radial array extending around the central protrusion.