Abstract: A circuit interrupter method for interrupting a flow of current, including: providing a controller for determining the presence of predetermined current in the circuit, the predetermined current value stored in the controller; providing a circuit breaker comprising a trip mechanism for receiving trip signal, a current transformer for providing output proportional to predetermined current in the circuit, a switch for interrupting the flow of current in the circuit, a control input for receipt of an operating signal by the trip mechanism, and proximate and distal connectors connecting the circuit breaker to a source and a circuit, respectively; determining, by the controller, the presence of a current in the circuit; receiving a trip signal at the circuit breaker from the controller, and interrupting the flow of current in the circuit, when the current in the circuit is determined by the controller to be a predetermined current.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter for interrupting current on a line conductor is provided. The circuit interrupter includes separable contacts, a trip mechanism, a bimetal, a microprocessor, a series arc detection sequence, a low-pass filter circuit, and a high-pass filter circuit. The trip mechanism selectively opens the separable contacts when activated. The series arc detection sequence is resident on the microprocessor and includes a plurality of series fault detection algorithms. The low-pass filter circuit provides a low-pass signal to the series arc detection sequence. The high-pass filter circuit provides a high-pass signal to the series arc detection sequence. The sequence selects a particular algorithm from the plurality of algorithms based on the low-pass signal. The sequence calculates a plurality of statistical features from the high-pass signal and sends an output signal to activate the trip mechanism based on a comparison of the plurality of statistical features to the particular algorithm.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter for interrupting current on a line conductor is provided. The circuit interrupter includes separable contacts, a trip mechanism, a bimetal, a microprocessor, a series arc detection sequence, a low-pass filter circuit, and a high-pass filter circuit. The trip mechanism selectively opens the separable contacts when activated. The series arc detection sequence is resident on the microprocessor and includes a plurality of series fault detection algorithms. The low-pass filter circuit provides a low-pass signal to the series arc detection sequence. The high-pass filter circuit provides a high-pass signal to the series arc detection sequence. The sequence selects a particular algorithm from the plurality of algorithms based on the low-pass signal. The sequence calculates a plurality of statistical features from the high-pass signal and sends an output signal to activate the trip mechanism based on a comparison of the plurality of statistical features to the particular algorithm.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a solenoid in a circuit breaker includes a control circuit configured to receive an activation signal in response to a predetermined condition. The control circuit, in response to said activation signal, provides a first energizing signal to the solenoid for a first predetermined period, and cuts off the first energizing signal for a second predetermined period. The control circuit further provides a second energizing signal to the solenoid for a third predetermined period.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a solenoid includes a control circuit configured to receive an activation signal in response to a predetermined condition. The control circuit, in response to said activation signal, provides a first energizing signal to the solenoid for a first predetermined period, and cuts off the first energizing signal for a second predetermined period. The control circuit further provides a second energizing signal to the solenoid for a third predetermined period.

Abstract: A measurement and control apparatus is disclosed having power input terminals configured to connect with a power source, power output terminals configured to connect with a load, the output terminals being switchably connected to the input terminals, and an actuator configured to switchably connect and disconnect the output terminals to the input terminals upon command. The control apparatus also includes circuitry configured to measure the voltage applied to and the current supplied to the load, circuitry configured to transmit data representative of the applied voltage and the supplied current to a control unit, and circuitry configured to receive a command from the control unit, and in response thereto to switchably connect and disconnect the output terminals from the input terminals.

Abstract: A current sensing module for disposal proximate a conductor is disclosed. The current sensing module includes a housing having a first section and a second section that together define an opening for receiving the conductor therethrough. The second section is in operable connection with the first section. The current sensing module further includes a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) based current sensor disposed within the first section proximate the opening for receiving the conductor.

Abstract: An electrical sub-metering system for making available information associated with power consumption of at least one circuit of a plurality of circuits is disclosed. The system includes an electrical panel board configured to distribute power to the plurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in power connection with a conductor of the at least one circuit, a voltage sensor, a hub to collect the information associated with power consumption from the voltage sensor and the circuit breaker, and a data collector to collect and make available to a user the information associated with power consumption. The circuit breaker includes a current measuring device to measure current through the at least one circuit and is in signal communication with the hub via a single communication interface that has a plurality of communication paths.

Abstract: An electrical sub-metering system for making available information associated with power consumption is disclosed. The system includes an electrical panel board configured to distribute power to a plurality of circuits, means for measuring voltage of each circuit, a module including means for measuring current flow, a hub in signal communication with the module and the means for measuring voltage, and a data collector in signal communication with the hub. The hub is configured to collect the information associated with power consumption from the means for measuring voltage and the module, and the data collector is configured to collect and make available to a user the information associated with power consumption for each circuit. The module is in signal communication with the hub via a single communication link, the single communication link having a plurality of communication paths.

Abstract: A frequency harmonic identifier for detecting series arcs on a power line includes a frequency analyzer for providing the harmonic content of a sensed current signal and a decision logic for comparing a tested signal to at least one reference signal band. The reference signal band or bands may represent a variety of common loads and if the tested signal does not match any of the sets of reference signal bands, then the logic determines the tested signal to be a series arc signal. The frequency harmonic identifier may be provided within a circuit interrupter and may issue a trip signal if the tested signal is determined to be a series arc signal. Also disclosed is a method for detecting series arcs, and a storage medium having instructions for causing a computer to implement the method.

Abstract: A frequency harmonic identifier for detecting series arcs on a power line includes a frequency analyzer for providing the harmonic content of a sensed current signal and a decision logic for comparing a tested signal to at least one reference signal band. The reference signal band or bands may represent a variety of common loads and if the tested signal does not match any of the sets of reference signal bands, then the logic determines the tested signal to be a series arc signal. The frequency harmonic identifier may be provided within a circuit interrupter and may issue a trip signal if the tested signal is determined to be a series arc signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a circuit breaker having an arc fault detection circuit, a ground fault detection circuit, a signal indicative of an arc fault in a corresponding pole of the circuit breaker; and a trip mechanism including a pair of separable contacts. The trip mechanism is in operable communication with the ground fault detection circuitry so than in response to receiving the signal from the ground fault detection circuitry, the arc fault detection circuitry causes the ground fault detection circuitry to generate a trip signal causing the trip mechanism to separate the pair of separable contacts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a circuit breaker having an arc fault detection circuit, a ground fault detection circuit, a signal indicative of an arc fault in a corresponding pole of the circuit breaker; and a trip mechanism including a pair of separable contacts. The trip mechanism is in operable communication with the ground fault detection circuitry so that in response to receiving the signal from the ground fault detection circuitry, the arc fault detection circuitry causes the ground fault detection circuitry to generate a trip signal causing the trip mechanism to separate the pair of separable contacts.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a dual test mechanism is presented for use in a circuit breaker. More specifically, the dual test mechanism includes a dual test button which comprises a single switch for testing both the AFCI and GFCI circuits of the breaker. The test mechanism includes a circuit board, which forms a part of the circuit breaker, and a test button assembly which includes a test button and signaling components which are electrically connected to the circuit board.