Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a breaker housing, a transformer housing, and a plurality of conductor locators. The transformer housing is enclosed within the breaker housing and has an opening for receiving a plurality of conductors. The plurality of conductor locators is desirably located adjacent to the transformer housing and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The conductors are generally centered in the opening of the transformer housing when the conductor locators are in the closed position.

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: An intelligent electronic device (IED) integrating a power metering unit (PMU) and a merging unit that combines signals from both analog transformers and digital transformers into a set of merged digital samples. Analog current/voltage signals from analog CTs/PTs are received at the IED's analog inputs and converted to digitized samples. Digital current/voltage samples from digital CTs/PTs are received via point-to-point connections at digital inputs of the IED. A tagging unit applies metadata tags to the digitized and digital samples. The metadata tags include the transformer providing the input signal, sampling rate, primary and/or secondary timestamps, scaling values, calibration values, and/or the location of the IED in the electrical system. The PMU performs metering and/or power quality calculations on the samples, and the calculation results are formatted and transmitted via a master-slave protocol to a requesting master.

Abstract: A method, via a processor, of forecasting energy usage including selecting a plurality of reference days with at least one feature matching a corresponding feature of a day to be forecasted and filtering the plurality of reference days with a humidity filter to identify at least one matching reference day. The at least one matching reference day is associated with a correlation coefficient greater than or equal to a minimum correlation coefficient, and a minimum number of humidity values within a range of corresponding humidity values of the day to be forecasted. The method also includes retrieving energy load values and corresponding temperature values corresponding to the at least one matching reference day, calculating a plurality of regression coefficients of a polynomial equation linking the temperature values to the energy load values, and calculating and storing a forecasted load value of the day to be forecasted according to the polynomial equation.

Abstract: An apparatus for varying the timing of a SMPS, including a microcontroller configured to output a first PWM signal. A converter is coupled to the microcontroller and is configured to receive the first PWM signal and output an analog signal to a SMPS timing capacitor coupled to a SMPS. The analog signal varies the discharge time of the timing capacitor to vary a switching frequency of the SMPS.

Abstract: A current-sensing assembly comprising a housing and first and second current transformers contained in and fixed in position by the housing. The assembly includes at least one conducting pin corresponding to each of the first and second current transformers and inserted through the housing to expose a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the pin is electrically coupled to an end of the conducting wire of the corresponding current transformer through a window in the housing coinciding with the current transformer. The top end of a common pin is electrically coupled through the window to the opposite end of the coil conductor. The bottom end of each pin is configured to be coupled to a printed circuit board. The housing includes first and second elongated rings passing substantially through the centers of the current transformers and configured to accept first and second current lines.

Abstract: An add-on module adapted to be attached to the basic mechanical structure of a multi-pole circuit breaker includes multiple extended terminal plates each of which is adapted to replace one of the input and output terminals for one of the poles, multiple electromechanical transducers each of which is coupled to one of the extended terminal plates for producing a mechanical movement in response to a predetermined magnitude of electrical current in the extended terminal plate to which that transducer is coupled, and a mechanical actuator coupled to the electromechanical transducers and to the breaker contacts for operating a trip mechanism in response to a predetermined mechanical movement of any of the transducers.

Abstract: An add-on module adapted to be attached to the basic mechanical structure of a multi-pole circuit breaker includes multiple extended terminal plates each of which is adapted to replace one of the input and output terminals for one of the poles, multiple electromechanical transducers each of which is coupled to one of the extended terminal plates for producing a mechanical movement in response to a predetermined magnitude of electrical current in the extended terminal plate to which that transducer is coupled, a mechanical actuator coupled to the electromechanical transducers and to the movable contacts for operating the trip mechanism in response to a predetermined movement of any of the transducers, and a calibration element for adjusting mechanical movement of at least one of said multiple electromechanical transducers so as to control an aspect of trip actuation.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle assembly having a housing that includes a wireless transceiver electrically coupled to one or more antennas that can be integrated into the receptacle housing itself or in the receptacle's faceplate. The one or more antennas can be one or more dipoles or a single loop antenna. The housing also houses a power converter that derives its power directly from the line connection to the outlet. A junction box includes an integrated antenna reflector for improved radio direction and propagation relative to the antenna(s). Or, an antenna reflector insert is placed within the junction box behind the electrical receptacle assembly. The electrical receptacle assembly further includes a temperature sensor, a PLC module, or a current/voltage sensor and communicates associated data via its wireless transceiver. A status indicator is disposed on the front of the housing. A reset switch on housing resets the electronics to a default state.

Abstract: A method of tripping a circuit breaker including sampling an AC line voltage at regular intervals during a first time period to generate a plurality of AC line voltage samples. Each sample of the set of AC line voltage samples is summed to generate a voltage area value. A controller determines whether the voltage area value exceeds a threshold. In response to the voltage area value exceeding the threshold, an amount determined as a function of the voltage area value is added to a count value. The circuit breaker is caused to trip in response to the count value equaling or exceeding a maximum count value. An improper line-to-neutral voltage can be detected by monitoring the line-to-neutral voltage and comparing it to a function such as a trip curve. Thus, components downstream from a circuit breaker, as well as the circuit breaker itself, can be protected from prolonged exposure to improper voltages, which can lead to component failure.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring line voltage in a circuit breaker includes a controller, a neutral input for receiving a neutral voltage, a first input for receiving a first alternating current (AC) line voltage that periodically changes polarity with respect to the neutral voltage, and a second input for receiving a second AC line voltage that periodically changes polarity with respect to the neutral voltage and is 180 degrees out of phase from the first AC line voltage. The apparatus also includes a first circuit coupled to the first input, the second input, and the controller. The first circuit is configured to output to the controller a first signal representing the voltage difference between the first AC line voltage and the second AC line voltage. The apparatus also includes a second circuit coupled to the neutral input and the controller configured to output to the controller a second signal representing the difference between the neutral input voltage and the AC line voltage of negative polarity.

Abstract: A circuit breaker capable of microcontroller-based fault detection having a backup circuit for causing the circuit to trip in response to a microcontroller fault or a failure of a regulated power supply powering the microcontroller. The circuit breaker includes an RC circuit connected to an SCR. The resistor of the RC circuit is connected between the anode and gate of the SCR, and the capacitor is connected between the gate and cathode of the SCR. The microcontroller has a first pin coupled to the RC circuit, which is initially in a high input impedance state. In the event of a microcontroller fault or power supply failure, the capacitor will charge to a voltage sufficient to activate the SCR and trip the breaker. If the microcontroller startup routine is successful, the pin is configured as an output and is pulled low, shorting out the capacitor.

Abstract: A multiple pole arc-fault circuit breaker includes a first pole assembly, a second pole assembly, a microprocessor, and a single test button. At least one of the first pole assembly and the second pole assembly has a trip mechanism. The microprocessor is electrically coupled to the first pole assembly and to the second pole assembly, and, in response to receiving a single test signal, is operative to perform electrical tests for both the first pole assembly and the second pole assembly. In response to successful completion of the electrical tests, the microprocessor is further operative to actuate the trip mechanism. The single test button is mounted to the housing and includes a single test position which causes the sending of the single test signal for initiating the electrical tests.

Abstract: A circuit breaker capable of microcontroller-based fault detection having a backup circuit for causing the circuit breaker to trip in response to a microcontroller fault, including a timing circuit powered by a power supply and a microcontroller. The timing circuit is electrically coupled to an SCR that causes the circuit breaker to trip. The timing circuit includes a BJT coupled to the gate of the SCR. The microcontroller has a first output coupled to the timing circuit and a second output coupled to the SCR. The first output is coupled to a node between a resistor and a grounded capacitor in the timing circuit, and the node is coupled to a gate of the SCR and to a base of the transistor. A voltage develops at the node sufficient to cause the gate of the SCR to turn on unless the microcontroller pulls the first high-impedance output to a logic low state.

Abstract: A multi-pole circuit breaker for a power distribution system having multiple line conductors carrying AC currents that are out of phase with each other, and a common neutral conductor, comprises first and second current sensors, a ground fault detection circuit, and an arcing fault detection circuit. The first current sensor is adapted to be coupled to both of the line conductors and to the neutral conductor and produces a first output signal indicative of the resultant of the electrical currents flowing in the line and neutral conductors. The ground fault detection circuit receives the first output signal and produces a trip signal in response to the detection of a ground fault.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the operation of a load in an electrical power distribution system comprises selecting a parameter representing operation of the load, determining an expected characteristic of the parameter during normal operation of the load, and comparing measured values of the parameter with the expected characteristic to detect potential abnormal operation of the load.

Abstract: A method and system of automatically correlating data measured by monitoring devices that monitor first and second electrical grids. The second electrical grid producing alternating current signals that are electrically isolated from alternating current signals produced by the first electrical grid. An example power monitoring device includes a controller, a first monitoring device interface and a second monitoring device interface. The first monitoring device interface is coupled to a first monitoring device in the first electrical grid and the second monitoring device interface is coupled to a second monitoring device in the second electrical grid. A first counter stores data counts of occurrences from the first electrical grid. A second counter stores data counts of occurrences from the second electrical grid.

Abstract: A lighting control system for a space equipped with lamps for illuminating the space comprises a power circuit for supplying power to the lamps, a controllable switch in the power circuit for turning the lamps on and off, an occupancy sensor for detecting motion within the space and generating a motion-detected control signal in response to the detection of such motion, and a timer for measuring a time-out interval following the generation of the motion-detected control signal by the occupancy sensor and producing a time-out control signal in response to completion of the measurement of the time-out interval.

Abstract: An arc fault demonstrator device for testing the efficacy of an arc fault interrupter (AFI) circuit breaker. The device includes a motor that moves a movable electrode relative to a stationary electrode under microprocessor control. A relay switches the electrodes connection between an arc voltage measurement circuit and an electrode close circuit. When current is applied to the electrodes, the measurement circuit provides voltage measurements to the microprocessor, which instructs the motor to move the electrodes closer or apart. When the arc voltage is below a low threshold, the electrodes are moved apart until the arc voltage exceeds a medium threshold. When the arc voltage exceeds a high threshold, the electrodes are moved closer until the arc voltage falls below the medium threshold. A switch switches between the AFI circuit breaker or a conventional circuit breaker to confirm that the AFI breaker will trip upon detection of the arc whereas the conventional breaker will not.

Abstract: A method of detecting an electrical load loss following an electrical power disturbance in a monitored electrical power distribution system comprises (1) determining an expected characteristic of a parameter representing normal operation of an electrical load receiving power from the electrical power distribution system, (2) detecting a disturbance in the monitored electrical power distribution system, and (3) determining whether the load, or power circuit, or a portion of the load or power circuit, was lost as a result of the disturbance, by evaluating an actual characteristic of the parameter after termination of the disturbance with respect to the expected characteristic of said parameter.