Abstract: A programmable control system includes a control module having one or more inputs to which an external sensor device may be connected, and one or more outputs to which an external actuator device capable of manual override and providing a status feedback signal may be connected. One or more signal inputting devices are provided which a human operator can utilize to enter a learn mode. A display can be used to indicate a mode of the control system, and a memory can be used to store the characteristics of an external sensor device connected to an input and an association between inputs and outputs. A controller/processor has both a learn mode and a run mode. The control module may interface with external actuator devices such as circuit breakers located in one or more panels via an intelligent control bus and an address module.

Abstract: A modular sensor array has a housing at least one current sensor in the housing responsive to a current in an electrical conductor for developing a corresponding current signal and at least one voltage signal producing circuit in the housing for developing a voltage signal corresponding to a voltage present on an electrical conductor. A connector mounted on housing is configured for engagement with a mating connector of an external measurement device. A circuit delivers the current and voltage signals to the connector. A metering module has a housing, a metering circuit in the housing for receiving and processing at least one signal corresponding to an electrical quantity, and developing an output signal. A connector mounted to the said housing is coupled to the metering circuit, and configured for engagement with a mating connector at least one of a sensor array module and a mounting and connection base.

Abstract: A modular sensor array has a housing at least one current sensor in the housing responsive to a current in an electrical conductor for developing a corresponding current signal and at least one voltage signal producing circuit in the housing for developing a voltage signal corresponding to a voltage present on an electrical conductor. A connector mounted on housing is configured for engagement with a mating connector of an external measurement device. A circuit delivers the current and voltage signals to the connector. A metering module has a housing, a metering circuit in the housing for receiving and processing at least one signal corresponding to an electrical quantity, and developing an output signal. A connector mounted to the said housing is coupled to the metering circuit, and configured for engagement with a mating connector at least one of a sensor array module and a mounting and connection base.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical power distribution system which contains a primary load-center (100) having a common data bus (124) that is adapted to provide two-way digital communication. A number of circuit breakers (120) are coupled to the common data bus (124). Each circuit breaker (120) has a first contact and second movable contact which is moved between a closed position and an open position by an actuator (216). The circuit breaker contains a microcontroller based control circuit (210), which controls the operation of the actuator (216) according to programmed instructions, which may be stored in a memory (234) contained in the circuit breaker or which are communicated to the circuit breaker over the common data bus (124). A status detection circuit (218) coupled to certain nodes within the circuit breaker provides status information about various contacts and current paths contained in the circuit breaker.

Abstract: For use within an electrical distribution to control current paths through a plurality of associated circuit breakers, a circuit arrangement comprises a plurality of circuit breakers, each having a status related to open contact position and a closed contact position. An informational display is included within the load-center to display the plurality of statuses at a user access side of the display, and a control circuit, coupled to the circuit breakers and the informational display, automatically monitors the contact status of the circuit breakers and drives the informational display so that a display of the statuses is provided.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system having a load center for programmably and remotely controlling a plurality of circuit breakers, an expander unit coupled to the load center and a plurality of external switches for providing signals to the load center representative of the status of the switches. The load center contains a control module that continually receives inputs from the expander unit via an interface module. It also contains a keyboard and display for programming instructions for closing and opening the individual circuit breakers and for displaying the status of the circuit breakers. The interface module, coupled to the control module, causes the circuit breakers to open and close according to programmed instructions received from the control module or another external device. The expander unit contains a plurality of input circuits coupled to external switches.

Abstract: An energy management loadpanel arrangement includes a loadpanel enclosure having a plurality of circuit breakers, each of which opens and closes in response to a control signal so as to interrupt an associated current path. A microcomputer generates the control signals to control the position of the circuit breakers and their associated current paths. The circuit breakers include a digital code circuit which is manually set to indicate the type of circuit breaker, for example, a one, two or three pole circuit breaker.

Abstract: An energy management loadpanel arrangement includes a load panel enclosure having a plurality of circuit breakers, each of which opens and closes in response to a control signal so as to interrupt an associated current path. A microcomputer generates the control signals to control the position of the circuit breakers and their associated current paths, and a volatile memory circuit, for example, RAM, stores time-event data which is used to indicate when the control signals should be generated. A charged electronic double-layered capacitor is coupled to the volatile memory so that, in the event of a power outage, operating power is provided to the volatile memory for extended periods of time. In this manner, the time-event data is retained during the power outage so that the circuit breakers are timely controlled, despite the power outage, in response to said control signals.

Abstract: For use within an electrical distribution system, a circuit arrangement is provided which includes a multitude of circuit breakers, each of which is operable by remote control in at least open and closed circuit positions. A circuit breaker control circuit is included and has a termination circuit which interprets circuit breaker control signals from an external switch device, a circuit breaker driver board which controls and monitors the multitude of circuit breakers, input means and a data path for receiving manual input instructions, a data port and a data path for receiving programming data from an external device, and a switch input data path, coupled to the termination circuit, for carrying circuit breaker switch instructions from the termination circuit. The control circuit responds to the manual input instructions, programming data and circuit breaker switch instructions according to a prioritization scheme.

Abstract: In an electrical distribution system for controlling current paths through a plurality of associated circuit breakers, a programmable circuit arrangement operates the circuit breakers by remote control in at least the open and closed circuit positions. The circuit arrangement includes an array of termination points which are used in sets, such that each set includes a plurality of termination points, wherein each set receives a remotely generated control signal for commanding the circuit breakers to open or close. A control circuit includes a microcomputer, which is coupled to the array of termination points and responsive to the remotely generated control signal, for controlling the circuit breakers between the open and closed circuit positions. The microcomputer reads the termination points, via an X-Y grid, by polling the X axis and reading the Y axis.

Abstract: In a panelboard for controlling current paths through a plurality of associated circuit breakers, a panelboard enclosure includes circuit breakers which each have a side facing a front side of the enclosure and including a multi-sectioned user interface circuit, that is configured to communicate with at least one of the circuit breakers. The interface circuit includes a first circuit section and a second circuit section. The first circuit section is located adjacent the back wall of the enclosure and behind the second circuit section, and the second circuit section includes communication means for allowing an operator at the front of the enclosure to communicate with the circuit breakers. This arrangement minimizes heat in the back of the enclosure, provides control and monitoring functions at the front of the enclosure and allows room for additional circuitry in the back of the enclosure.

Abstract: In an electrical distribution system for controlling current paths through a plurality of associated circuit breakers, a programmable circuit arrangement operates the circuit breakers by remote control in at least the open and closed circuit positions. The circuit arrangement includes a termination circuit for receiving different kinds of remote control signals, each of which is associated with one of the circuit breakers for commanding that each of the circuit breakers open or close its associated current path. The arrangement also includes a programmable controller, which responds to each of the different kinds of remote control signals and to a user-defined program indicating the kind of remote control signal which commands the associated circuit breaker, for generating control signals. An interface circuit then responds to the generated control signals by controlling the circuit breakers between the open and closed positions.