Abstract: A multi-meter including a current input, a common input, a display, a first current measurement circuit, a second current measurement circuit, and a controller. The controller includes a first input and a second input. The controller operable to receive a first voltage from the first current measurement circuit at the first input, receive a second voltage from the second current measurement circuit at the second input, determine a value for a current being measured based on the first voltage if the first voltage is below a predetermined threshold, determine a value for a current being measured based on the second voltage if the first voltage is above the predetermined threshold, generate an output signal related to the determined value for the current, and provide the output signal to the display.

Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment comprises a first transistor capable of supplying or interrupting power to a load. A clamper comprises a first clamping part and a second clamping part connected in series between one end of the first transistor and a gate of the first transistor and becomes a conduction state when a voltage of the one end of the first transistor exceeds a predetermined voltage. A clamp operation detector is provided between the first clamping part and the second clamping part. A second transistor is connected in parallel with the second clamping part. A delay circuit is provided between the clamp operation detector and a gate of the second transistor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control mechanism for the displacement of at least one moving contact of a low-voltage circuit-breaking device. The control mechanism comprises elastic means operatively connectable to the moving contact, at least a first element of which is operatively connected to a second element by means of pin-shaped connection means. The first and second elements each comprise a pair of facing lateral portions that are connected by a transverse portion. The pin-shaped connection means comprise a pair of pin-shaped ends, each of which emerges from one side of a lateral portion of the first element. Said pin-shaped means also comprise a pair of seats, each of which is defined on a lateral portion of the second element. Each pin-shaped end is inserted in a corresponding seat so as to configure an axis of mutual rotation between the first and the second elements.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting if a remote device is associated with a power supply. The system may have a controller having machine readable, non-transitory executable code running thereon for varying a characteristic of a signal being applied to the power supply. The controller further may be configured to compare a measurement obtained from a measurement subsystem relating to a measured signal present at the remote device. The controller may also be configured to make a comparison between the signal being applied to the power supply and the measured signal obtained at the remote device, and to determine whether the remote device is electrically associated with the power supply.

Abstract: A battery module architecture including a plurality of battery cells coupled electrically in series and having a combined battery potential proportional to the combined sum of the battery cells is controlled by microcontroller to balance battery cell voltages by a battery cell voltage balancer having a discharging circuit and a plurality of differential conductive connections each respectively coupled to positive and negative terminals of one of the battery cells.

Abstract: A set of circuit interrupters and electrical enclosures that are configured to permit an electrical enclosure having a current rating to have connected therewith a circuit interrupter having a current carrying rating no greater than the current rating. However, a current interrupter having a current carrying rating less than the current rating of the electrical enclosure potentially may be connected therewith. Such electrical interruption equipment employs threaded studs on bus bars that are of varying sizes and/or are separated by varying distances in order to resist an electrical enclosure having a current rating from being electrically connected with a circuit interrupter having a current carrying rating greater than the current rating.

Abstract: A mounting plate and a security device using the same are provided. The mounting plate is for being fixed to a surface, wherein a mounting device is hanged up on the mounting plate, and the mounting plate comprises a first conductive sheet and a second conductive sheet electrically connected to a first electrode of an exterior power and a second electrode of the exterior power respectively. When the mounting device is hanged up on the mounting plate, the exterior power is electrically connected to the mounting device through the first conductive sheet and the second conductive sheet.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a system includes a plurality of circuit breakers and trip control logic external to and coupled to the circuit breakers. The trip control logic enables a plurality of different tripping options to be selected for each of the circuit breakers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of devices and related methods for detecting an electrical arc event using a motor management relay and for suppressing the electrical arc event. The motor management relay may incorporate an optical arc-flash sensor configured to detect an optical event. Control logic may analyze the optical event and determine whether the optical event corresponds to an electrical arc event. When an electrical arc event is detected an instruction may be issued via a control port in communication with the control logic to implement a protective action. According to various embodiments, a plurality of sensors for monitoring electrical characteristics of a motor may also be in communication with the control logic. Input from the sensors may be analyzed in order to determine whether the optical event corresponds to an electrical arc event.

Abstract: A fan operating control system includes a magnetic sensor unit, a control unit, a rectifier unit and a coil unit. The control unit is electrically connected to the magnetic sensor unit and the rectifier unit; the rectifier unit is further electrically connected to a ground; and the coil unit is electrically connected to the control unit and the ground. The control unit detects any fan electric current flowing through the coil unit and generates a rotating speed signal accordingly. When no fan electric current is detected at the coil unit, the control unit stops generating the rotating speed signal. Therefore, it is able to avoid a whole fan system from making an error decision and outputting rotating speed signal continuously when there is not fan electric current flowing through the coil unit, and any abnormal condition that would adversely affect the fan service life can be avoided, too.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a falling power line in a power transmission or distribution system are described. Electrical measurements at various points in the power distribution system are used to detect changes in a power line indicating that the conductor has broken or become disconnected. Upon detection, control mechanisms are used to deenergize the conductor while the conductor is falling and/or before it contacts the ground.

Abstract: Controlling a plurality of serial peripheral interface (‘SPI’) peripherals using a single chip select in a computing system, the computing system including an SPI master, a first SPI peripheral, and a second SPI peripheral, wherein the first SPI peripheral is operatively coupled to the second SPI peripheral, including: receiving, by the first SPI peripheral, a signal from the SPI master; determining, by the first SPI peripheral, whether the first SPI peripheral is a primary SPI peripheral or a backup SPI peripheral; responsive to determining that the first SPI peripheral is the backup SPI peripheral, transmitting, by the first SPI peripheral to the second SPI peripheral, the signal; and responsive to determining that the first SPI peripheral is the primary SPI peripheral: servicing, by the first SPI peripheral, an instruction contained in the signal; and transmitting, by the first SPI peripheral to the second SPI peripheral, a response signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: measuring leakage current from a source of AC power, which provides power to at least one load circuit; and comparing the measured leakage current values against one or more predetermined thresholds to establish status therefor; and automatically performing self tests to determine whether the leakage current sensing and comparing operations are operative.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a magnetizing inrush current suppression device. A closing phase determination unit determines a phase position for suppressing the magnetizing inrush current among phase positions in which the prospective magnetic flux calculated by the prospective magnetic flux calculation unit and the residual magnetic flux calculated by the residual magnetic flux calculation unit coincide between the lines of the minimum residual magnetic flux determined by the minimum residual magnetic flux determination unit, as a closing phase position. A closing unit simultaneously closes the three phases of the circuit-breaker at the determined closing phase position.

Abstract: A contact wear indicator assembly for a circuit breaker assembly is provided. The contact wear indicator assembly includes an interface assembly, an indicator drive assembly, and a user display assembly. The user display assembly includes an output device. The output device is structured to produce a visual indication representative of a measurable contact characteristic. The indicator drive assembly is operatively coupled to the interface assembly, whereby the indicator drive assembly moves between a first position and a second position corresponding to an interface assembly first and second position. The indicator drive assembly is measurably coupled to the user display assembly. The user display assembly is structured to convert the position data of the indicator drive assembly into a quantified output such as, but not limited to, contact characteristics. The user display assembly is further structured to display the indicator drive assembly position data on the output device.

Abstract: A communication system includes a plurality of field devices connected to a field network, and a controller configured to communicate with the field devices via the field network to control the field devices. The field device is configured to communicate with the controller via the field network, and to perform a predetermined processing using information obtained by a communication between the field devices via a local network.

Abstract: The power conversion apparatus includes a power module constituting a switching circuit, a capacitor electrically connected to the power module, and a pair of DC bus bars for transferring electric power to and from the pair of the DC bus bars. The pair of the DC bus bars includes a bus bar extension section which is located along a surface of the capacitor at least at part of a portion thereof constituting a current path between the power module and the capacitor.

Abstract: A method and an instrumentation system for an aircraft are provided. The method of presenting aircraft information includes activating a master indicator in response to a trigger event associated with operation of the aircraft, receiving a user input associated with the master indicator, and displaying information associated with the trigger event in response to receiving the user input associated with the master indicator. The instrumentation system performs the operations of the method.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus, such as a subminiature circuit breaker, includes a housing assembly, separable contacts, an operating mechanism having an actuator device and a latching assembly, a first trip device for tripping open the separable contacts in response to an overcurrent condition, and a second trip device for tripping open the separable contacts in response to an arc fault, a ground fault or a remotely transmitted signal. The subminiature circuit breaker includes a reset solenoid and a trip solenoid. The resent solenoid is coupled to the actuator device, and includes a coil operable to electrically reset the separable contacts. The trip solenoid is coupled to the latching assembly, and includes a coil operable to move the catch lever, thereby electrically tripping open the separable contacts.

Abstract: A method of tripping a circuit interrupter in a back fed configuration is provided, wherein the circuit interrupter has separable contacts and an actuator, such as a solenoid, operatively coupled to the separable contacts. The method includes detecting within the circuit interrupter that a fault condition exists, and subsequent to detecting that the fault condition exists, determining whether a current is flowing within the circuit interrupter between a load side of the circuit interrupter and the separable contacts, and controlling operation of the actuator based on whether the current is flowing within the circuit interrupter.

Abstract: An electromagnetic testing assembly to predict a usable life of an installed vacuum interrupter in the field, which can include an electromagnetic testing device connected to a flexible magnetic field coil to generate a potential in a vacuum interrupter in an installation, magnetically monitor ion flow across one or more gaps in the vacuum interrupter, and apply trend data, tube chart information, and an algorithm to predict the usable life.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a transductor circuit that senses a direct current between at least one input terminal and at least one output terminal and outputs an alternating current proportional to the direct current between the input terminal and the output terminal. The electrical switching apparatus also includes an alternating current electronic trip circuit configured to control pairs of separable contacts to separate based on the alternating current output from the transductor circuit. The alternating current electronic trip circuit includes a rectifier circuit, an interface circuit, and a processor structured to output a control signal to control a trip actuator to cause an operating mechanism to separate the plurality of pairs of separable contacts.

Abstract: A closed and open contact method to predict a usable life of vacuum interrupters in the field can include using computer instructions in the data storage to instruct the processor to position a calculated amp or calculated pressure on an ionic or current versus pressure calibration curve for the installed vacuum interrupter and identify trend data from a library of trend data corresponding to the installed vacuum interrupter and to the calculated pressure or calculated amp of the installed vacuum interrupter; thereby determining the anticipated life expectancy.

Abstract: The circuit breaker system contains a plurality of phase conductors, a circuit breaker having a plurality of breaker poles, and a short-circuit link having a star point and a plurality of link conductors combined at the star point. Each of the phase conductors is electrically conductively connected to in each case one of the breaker poles and each link conductor is electrically conductively connected to in each case one of the phase conductors in each case one of several first disconnectors to which short-circuit current can be applied. In order to avoid expenditure on assembly and downtimes of the circuit breaker system when carrying out simulation experiments with the aid of the short-circuit link, the circuit breaker system contains a second disconnector which, when closed, electrically conductively connects the star point to ground and which is opened when a short-circuit current is applied to the short-circuit current link.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a breaker-phase-control switching system including a merging unit, a superordinate unit, and a circuit-breaker control unit. The circuit-breaker control unit includes a waveform-zero-point-calculation processing unit configured to calculate a current phase, based on absolute time kept by an internal clock and waveform data, and a predicted-breaker-operating-time-calculation processing unit configured to predict a predicted operating time. Further, a command-output-timing-determination processing unit is included which determines a timing for electrically conducting a coil from the absolute time, a preset target phase, a current phase, and a predicted operating time.

Abstract: A direct current breaker for a high voltage direct current application includes: two high voltage electron tubes arranged in an anti-parallel connection, and a control circuit for receiving, from a control system, infrared pulses including control information, the control circuit further including a device configured to convert the infrared pulses into electrical control signals, for controlling a switching status of the direct current breaker. An electrical power system includes such direct current breaker.

Abstract: A method of testing a short circuit protection system applied to a spur of an electric circuit. The short circuit protection system has a current limiting means which applies a current limit to the spur if the current thereon exceeds a trip level. The electric circuit has a power supply and an isolation means adapted to fully or partially isolate the power supply from the electric circuit if the current thereon exceeds a power supply trip level for longer than a deadband period. The method includes applying a test current demand to the short circuit protection system which has a current and duration sufficient for the spur current trip level but a current insufficient to exceed the power supply trip level and/or a duration insufficient to exceed the deadband period, and detecting if the current limiting means applies the current limit or not during the test current demand.

Abstract: A device control module for making a non-demand management system capable electrical device demand responsive to a demand management system includes a relay configured to be electrically connected to a power circuit of the electrical device to control power supply to a load device of the electrical device. The device control module includes a relay driver operated to open and close the relay and a controller operating the relay driver. The controller receives a demand state signal from the demand management system supplying power to the electrical device and operates the relay driver based on the demand state signal. The relay is configured to power off the load device of the electrical device irrespective of the main control operation of the electrical device.

Abstract: Electrical distribution systems, equipment and wiring devices are required to have their wiring connections properly identified to ensure proper operation of connected loads as well as the safety of users, however, errors in installation do occur. Electrical wiring errors are commonly called miswire conditions. The current invention is an integrated system and method of miswire protection and annunciation of system conditions for Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) and other wiring devices, electrical systems and equipment. Electrical code and regulatory standards require certain wiring devices to include miswire protection with their standard features. These wiring devices, among others include Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) which are required to incorporate protection from miswire conditions with other electrical faults they are designed to protect circuits from, such as and including arc, ground, overload, short circuit, and surge.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method is provided for determining a state of a receiver on a transmission line. The method may comprise, for example, evaluating a first voltage arising at a circuit point between an impedance and a transmission line coupled to the impedance, wherein the impedance is coupled between a transmitter and the receiver, and determining a state of the receiver based on the first voltage. According to further aspects, various apparatuses are provided for performing this and other methods.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for activation of a protection system and dynamic labeling are described. An example system for use with a plurality of circuit protection devices coupled to a switchgear unit includes a first sensor for detecting a body located within a first zone associated with a threshold distance from the switchgear unit, and a controller coupled to the first sensor. The controller is configured to selectively enable the plurality of circuit protection devices. The controller is configured to enable a first circuit protection device of the plurality of circuit protection devices in response to detecting, via the first sensor, a body within the first zone.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an enclosure; a connector structured to mechanically and electrically engage a power circuit; a transmitter structured to transmit a signal having a frequency substantially greater than a power line frequency to the connector; and a user interface structured to cause the transmitter to transmit the signal to the connector.

Abstract: A two-pole circuit breaker is provided that includes a first mechanical pole, a second mechanical pole and an electronic pole. The first mechanical pole includes a first armature having a first armature extension, and the second mechanical pole includes a second armature having a second armature extension. The electronic pole includes a first solenoid and a second solenoid, the first armature extension is disposed adjacent the first solenoid, and the second armature is disposed adjacent the second solenoid. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is disclosed. A Rogowski converter is checked for wire breakage by applying a voltage to the Rogowski converter which is output by a digital/analog converter in response to a digital signal. The digital signal is dependent on the switch rated current of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A charging device for a high-voltage battery of a motor vehicle, in particular a charging device installed in a motor vehicle, can be connected to an alternating current network via a connection device, which includes a residual current circuit breaker that does not detect a residual current of at least one residual current type, in particular a DC residual current. The charging device further includes a controllable component and a residual current detector for detecting a residual current of the residual current type, wherein the residual current detector controls the component to change the characteristic of the residual current in such a way that the residual current can be detected with the residual current circuit breaker.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, a rigid circuit board, and a flexible circuit board. The rigid circuit board is enclosed within the housing and has a main surface for supporting an electronic component. The flexible circuit board has a first end that is directly attached to an edge of the rigid circuit board.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first output unit configured to output a first phase; a second output unit configured to output a second phase different from the first phase, the second output unit being disposed to be stacked on the first output unit; and a controller configured to control the output units.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetizing inrush current suppressing device is configured to measure a three-phase alternating current flowing from the power supply bus to the load, detect a first interruption phase as a phase of an electric current which is interrupted first among the three phases, detect a phase of a phase voltage zero point through which a phase voltage of the first interruption phase of the three-phase AC voltage passes when changing from the same polarity as that of an electric current immediately before interruption of the first interruption phase to an opposite polarity, and close the circuit-breaker at a phase within 60° from the detected phase.

Abstract: A low-profile electronic circuit breaker includes first and second electrical branches coupled to respective first and second load terminals. The electronic circuit breaker also includes an electronic processing circuit configured to monitor an electrical condition in the first and second electrical branches. The electronic circuit breaker is packaged in a housing sized to occupy a standard single-pole breaker panelboard location. In some embodiments, the electronic circuit breaker has no load neutral terminals associated with the first and second load terminals. Methods of assembling an electronic circuit breaker are provided, as are other system and method aspects.

Abstract: An electronic overcurrent release for circuit breakers includes a first setting device connected to at least one control input of a microcontroller and configured to set a selected suitable nominal current value in a range between a minimum nominal current value and a maximum nominal current value. A second setting device is connected to at least one control input of the microcontroller and configured to set a selected suitable lag level, the second setting device having a test position. In the test position, the microcontroller has a set fixed test current value, which is less than the minimum nominal current value, and a set fixed test delay time, the microcontroller providing a release signal at a release signal output upon at least one of the phase currents exceeding a value of the set fixed test current value and a time of the set fixed test delay time.

Abstract: The invention is intended to provide a circuit breaker or a circuit breaker operating method enabling a current interruption action to be performed efficiently. A circuit breaker is characterized in that includes a fixed contact and a movable contact that comes in and goes out of contact with the fixed contact; a main circuit conductor that is electrically connected to the fixed contact and the movable contact; an operating mechanism including a mover configured by concatenating permanent magnets or magnetic materials alternately having opposite N and S magnetic polarities along the direction of motion axis of the movable contact and magnetic poles disposed to face the N and S magnetic polarities of the mover and wound with windings; a current detector that detects a current flowing through the main circuit conductor; and a control device that varies the amount of a current to be supplied to the windings of the magnetic poles, depending on a current value detected by the current detector.

Abstract: A breaker failure detection device for a direct current (DC) circuit breaker (200) is provided. The circuit breaker comprises a circuit breaking element (204) and a non-linear resistor, e.g., a surge arrester (205), connected in parallel. The breaker failure detection device comprises a current sensor (212, 213, 214, 215), for measuring a current commutating from the circuit breaking element (204), and a breaker failure detection unit (211). The breaker failure detection unit (211) is arranged for comparing the measured current to desired values and deciding that an internal commutation process of the circuit breaker (200) does not proceed as desired if the measured current deviates from the desired values. The present invention makes use of an understanding that an improved detection of breaker failures may be achieved by monitoring the internal commutation process of the circuit breaker. Further, a method of breaker failure detection is provided.

Abstract: Both a miniature circuit breaker with short-circuit self-locking function and a miniature circuit breaker with position state detection function include: a first miniature circuit and a miniature circuit breaker operation output device. A motor, an action unit and a control unit are located within the casing of the miniature circuit breaker operation output device. The motor outputs a torque, the action unit obtains the torque and the torque is converted into the closing or breaking operation of the first miniature circuit breaker, the control unit controls the rotation and stop of the motor. A position state detection mechanism is located within the casing of the miniature circuit breaker operation output device of the miniature circuit breaker with position state detection function and triggers the control unit to stop the motor when the closing or breaking operation of the first miniature circuit breaker reaches the specified position.

Abstract: A method a tripping a circuit interrupter in a back fed configuration is provided, wherein the circuit interrupter has separable contacts and an actuator, such as a solenoid, operatively coupled to the separable contacts. The method includes detecting within the circuit interrupter that a fault condition exists, and subsequent to detecting that the fault condition exists, determining whether a current is flowing within the circuit interrupter between a load side of the circuit interrupter and the separable contacts, and controlling operation of the actuator based on whether the current is flowing within the circuit interrupter.

Abstract: This differential protection device is designed for an electric disconnecting apparatus, the disconnecting apparatus comprising at least one fixed contact suitable for being connected to a corresponding electrical conductor, at least one movable contact, between a closed position, wherein it is electrically connected to the corresponding fixed contact, and an open position, wherein it is electrically isolated from the corresponding fixed contact, and an actuator for activating the opening of the movable contacts when a differential fault is detected. The differential protection device comprises a control member for controlling the actuator. The differential protection device further comprises measuring means for measuring an electrical variable associated with the control member and inhibiting means for inhibiting control member when the measured electrical variable satisfies a predetermined criterion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new mechatronic circuit-breaker and its associated triggering method for breaking either alternating currents or direct currents at high voltages.

Abstract: A temperature protection device basically includes a temperature detector, a temperature estimator, an overheated determining component and an overheating protection component. The temperature detector detects a temperature of a semiconductor component. The temperature estimator estimates an estimated temperature of the semiconductor component. The overheated determining component determines whether the semiconductor component is in an overheated state based on the detected temperature and the estimated temperature by using a first estimated temperature as the estimated temperature at a time point when the detected temperature has reached a first threshold temperature and a second estimated temperature that is estimated subsequent to the time point as the estimated temperature when the detected temperature has reached the first threshold temperature.

Abstract: A circuit breaker, including: a circuit breaker body and a circuit control board; the circuit breaker body comprising a box body, and a circuit breaker actuating mechanism used for switching the on/off state of the circuit breaker, a wire inlet end, and a wire outlet end arranged in the box body. An automatic closing control unit is arranged on the circuit control board, and the circuit breaker actuating mechanism operates through an electrical operating mechanism under the condition of controlling a motor; the automatic closing control unit includes: a power collection subunit obtaining a power signal from a phase line and conducting rectifying and filtering; and a motor motion control subunit obtaining the power signal, allowing the motor to move after receiving the closing command, and ultimately realizing the closing action of the circuit breaker actuating mechanism.

Abstract: A control device for controlling a circuit breaker. The control device includes a central processing unit and is arranged to communicate with an output module arranged to output operational commands to the circuit breaker. The output module includes processing means arranged to execute an operational command at a point of time received from the central processing unit. The invention also encompasses related methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protection circuit with low energy-consumption and driving circuit thereof, including a detection circuit and a switch circuit, with switch circuit disposed between power supply circuit and peripheral step-down shunt; detection circuit and switch circuit connected for controlling. Switch circuit includes a PNP triode or P MOS transistor connected between power supply circuit and peripheral step-down shunt; wherein base of the PNP triode or P MOS transistor connected to drain of another N MOS transistor through resistor, gate of N MOS transistor connected to status pin of detection circuit.