Abstract: A smart accessory device includes an actuator and is designed to be used to actuate an operating mechanism of a circuit breaker in order to either open or close the separable contacts of the circuit breaker. The accessory can be one of a shunt trip, spring release, or under voltage release device. The actuator includes a solenoid and plunger. The accessory determines the operating condition of the actuator based on how much current flows through the coil when the power source provides power to the accessory device, and continually executes a coil diagnostic to determine the operating condition of the coil while power is being provided to the accessory device. If the accessory fails to trip the circuit breaker when required, the accessory can determine whether the failure was due to either of the solenoid or the plunger.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tripping open circuit interrupters based on the detection of an arc flash using an accessory arc flash detection module are disclosed. The housing of the arc flash detection module is structured to be installed within the frame of a circuit interrupter. The detection module communicates with light sensors structured to detect light from arc flash events, and includes a controller configured to communicate with an electronic trip unit of the circuit interrupter. In one embodiment, the detection module is configured to alert the electronic trip unit that light indicative of arc flash conditions has been detected such that the electronic trip unit can determine whether or not to initiate a trip after determining the magnitude of current flowing through the circuit interrupter. In another embodiment, the detection module is configured to directly actuate a trip of the circuit interrupter based on the detection of light.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing information about thermal overload conditions and near-miss tripping events in a circuit interrupter are disclosed. The systems and methods provide a user with detailed information about thermal overload and near-miss tripping events, including how much time remains until a trip will be initiated due to a thermal overload, and what the real-time thermal capacity of the circuit interrupter is after a thermal overload condition ends.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tripping open circuit interrupters based on the detection of an arc flash using an accessory arc flash detection module are disclosed. The housing of the arc flash detection module is structured to be installed within the frame of a circuit interrupter. The detection module communicates with light sensors structured to detect light from arc flash events, and includes a controller configured to communicate with an electronic trip unit of the circuit interrupter. In one embodiment, the detection module is configured to alert the electronic trip unit that light indicative of arc flash conditions has been detected such that the electronic trip unit can determine whether or not to initiate a trip after determining the magnitude of current flowing through the circuit interrupter. In another embodiment, the detection module is configured to directly actuate a trip of the circuit interrupter based on the detection of light.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing information about thermal overload conditions and near-miss tripping events in a circuit interrupter are disclosed. The systems and methods provide a user with detailed information about thermal overload and near-miss tripping events, including how much time remains until a trip will be initiated due to a thermal overload, and what the real-time thermal capacity of the circuit interrupter is after a thermal overload condition ends.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing detailed information about high load events in a circuit interrupter are disclosed. The systems and methods provide a user with information such as the maximum high load current reached during a high load event and the average high load current calculated for the duration of the event. In addition, detailed waveform and metered data captures are generated in order to provide a comprehensive cycle-level and/or sub-cycle level overview of the event.

Abstract: A safety apparatus is a terminal shield having an indication circuit incorporated therein. The safety apparatus is usable with a circuit interrupter to overlie one or more terminals of the circuit interrupter that are connected with line and load conductors and to thereby form a circuit interrupter apparatus. The safety apparatus can be employed at the line side of a circuit interrupter, at the load side of a circuit interrupter, or at both sides of a circuit interrupter. The safety apparatus can be provided as part of a new circuit interrupter apparatus or can be provided to retrofit existing circuit interrupters. The indication circuit advantageously outputs from a top surface of the terminal shield one of a visual indication and an audible indication when one or more terminals of the circuit interrupter are electrified, thereby easily conveying to a technician the portions of the circuit interrupter that are electrified.

Abstract: A stored energy-type circuit breaker includes a sensor that operates as a full open sensor, and that is used to prevent the circuit breaker from closing in response to either a closing signal or a manual operation. The full open sensor exhibits a first output condition when the moveable contact is in a fully open position and a second output condition when the moveable contact begins to leave the fully open position. An electronic trip unit (ETU) is electrically connected to the sensor and, when in a close break mode, blocks the circuit breaker from closing. The ETU does this by, upon detecting that the sensor is in the second output condition, generating a signal that will cause the breaker's opening spring to return the moveable contact to the fully open position.

Abstract: A smart accessory device includes an actuator and is designed to be used to actuate an operating mechanism of a circuit breaker in order to either open or close the separable contacts of the circuit breaker. The accessory can be one of a shunt trip, spring release, or under voltage release device. The actuator includes a solenoid and plunger. The accessory determines the operating condition of the actuator based on how much current flows through the coil when the power source provides power to the accessory device, and continually executes a coil diagnostic to determine the operating condition of the coil while power is being provided to the accessory device. If the accessory fails to trip the circuit breaker when required, the accessory can determine whether the failure was due to either of the solenoid or the plunger.

Abstract: A smart accessory device is designed to be used with a circuit breaker so as to be able to actuate an operating mechanism of the circuit breaker in order to either open or close the separable contacts of the circuit breaker. The accessory device can be one of a shunt trip, spring release, or under voltage release device. The accessory device continually executes diagnostics to determine whether the power being supplied by an external power source is sufficient to enable the accessory device to actuate the operating mechanism of the associated circuit breaker. If the accessory device determines that the power being supplied by the external source is insufficient, the device triggers an alarm in order to notify a user that the power source is not meeting the power requirements of the device.

Abstract: A support apparatus is usable with an electrical enclosure to provide support to retain a cover portion of the electrical enclosure in proximity to a cabinet portion of the electrical enclosure. The support apparatus includes a shank having a hook-shaped retention element situated at an end thereof that is configured to provide vertical support to the cover portion. The support apparatus can further include a second hook-shaped retention element at an opposite end of the shank that is configured to rest upon an upturned lip of the cabinet portion, or the shank can potentially be affixed to the cabinet portion. Slots can additionally be provided in the cabinet portion, the cover portion, or both to additionally provide horizontal alignment of the cover portion with the cabinet portion.

Abstract: A bus plug structured to electrically connect between a busway and a load includes a circuit breaker structured to electrically connect between connectors and the load and to output a first control signal, the circuit breaker including separable contacts structured to open to stop power from the flowing from the busway to the load, a motor operator structured to cause the separable contacts to open or close in response to the first control signal from the circuit breaker, and a wireless communication module structured to wirelessly communicate with an external device and to output a second control signal to the circuit breaker is response to wireless communication received from the external device. The circuit breaker is structured to output the first control signal to the motor operator to open or close the separable contacts in response to receiving the second control signal from the wireless communication module.

Abstract: A circuit breaker apparatus may include a housing, a circuit inside the housing for protecting the conductors and the load of the circuit, a display attached to outside of the housing, a controller, and a power control device. The display may be an electronically-alterable display that does not require power in situations other than changing its state. The power control device may provide power to the controller and the display when the apparatus is being tampered with. When the controller is powered, it may cause the power control device to cause the display to change from a state that indicates that the apparatus is authenticated to another state that indicates that the apparatus has been tampered with. The power control device may include a battery and a switch, or a power harvester, which can be configured to provide power to the controller when the apparatus is being tampered with.

Abstract: A safety apparatus is a terminal shield having an indication circuit incorporated therein. The safety apparatus is usable with a circuit interrupter to overlie one or more terminals of the circuit interrupter that are connected with line and load conductors and to thereby form a circuit interrupter apparatus. The safety apparatus can be employed at the line side of a circuit interrupter, at the load side of a circuit interrupter, or at both sides of a circuit interrupter. The safety apparatus can be provided as part of a new circuit interrupter apparatus or can be provided to retrofit existing circuit interrupters. The indication circuit advantageously outputs from a top surface of the terminal shield one of a visual indication and an audible indication when one or more terminals of the circuit interrupter are electrified, thereby easily conveying to a technician the portions of the circuit interrupter that are electrified.

Abstract: A stored energy-type circuit breaker includes a sensor that operates as a full open sensor, and that is used to prevent the circuit breaker from closing in response to either a closing signal or a manual operation. The full open sensor exhibits a first output condition when the moveable contact is in a fully open position and a second output condition when the moveable contact begins to leave the fully open position. An electronic trip unit (ETU) is electrically connected to the sensor and, when in a close break mode, blocks the circuit breaker from closing. The ETU does this by, upon detecting that the sensor is in the second output condition, generating a signal that will cause the breaker's opening spring to return the moveable contact to the fully open position.

Abstract: A support apparatus is usable with an electrical enclosure to provide support to retain a cover portion of the electrical enclosure in proximity to a cabinet portion of the electrical enclosure. The support apparatus includes a shank having a hook-shaped retention element situated at an end thereof that is configured to provide vertical support to the cover portion. The support apparatus can further include a second hook-shaped retention element at an opposite end of the shank that is configured to rest upon an upturned lip of the cabinet portion, or the shank can potentially be affixed to the cabinet portion. Slots can additionally be provided in the cabinet portion, the cover portion, or both to additionally provide horizontal alignment of the cover portion with the cabinet portion.

Abstract: A support apparatus is usable with an electrical enclosure to provide support to retain a cover portion of the electrical enclosure in proximity to a cabinet portion of the electrical enclosure. The support apparatus includes a shank having a hook-shaped retention element situated at an end thereof that is configured to provide vertical support to the cover portion. The support apparatus can further include a second hook-shaped retention element at an opposite end of the shank that is configured to rest upon an upturned lip of the cabinet portion, or the shank can potentially be affixed to the cabinet portion. Slots can additionally be provided in the cabinet portion, the cover portion, or both to additionally provide horizontal alignment of the cover portion with the cabinet portion.

Abstract: A bus plug structured to electrically connect between a busway and a load includes a circuit breaker structured to electrically connect between connectors and the load and to output a first control signal, the circuit breaker including separable contacts structured to open to stop power from the flowing from the busway to the load, a motor operator structured to cause the separable contacts to open or close in response to the first control signal from the circuit breaker, and a wireless communication module structured to wirelessly communicate with an external device and to output a second control signal to the circuit breaker is response to wireless communication received from the external device. The circuit breaker is structured to output the first control signal to the motor operator to open or close the separable contacts in response to receiving the second control signal from the wireless communication module.

Abstract: A bus plug structured to electrically connect between a busway and a load includes a circuit breaker structured to electrically connect between connectors and the load and to output a first control signal, the circuit breaker including separable contacts structured to open to stop power from the flowing from the busway to the load, a motor operator structured to cause the separable contacts to open or close in response to the first control signal from the circuit breaker, and a wireless communication module structured to wirelessly communicate with an external device and to output a second control signal to the circuit breaker is response to wireless communication received from the external device. The circuit breaker is structured to output the first control signal to the motor operator to open or close the separable contacts in response to receiving the second control signal from the wireless communication module.

Abstract: An electronic trip unit for a circuit interrupter includes a line side voltage sensing module for measuring first voltages on a line side of separable contacts, a load side voltage sensing module for measuring second voltages on a load side of the separable contacts, a current sensor, and a main controller. The main controller is further structured and configured to: (i) for each of a plurality of arc interruption events in the circuit interrupter, determine a mass loss due to contact erosion during the arc interruption event based on one or more of the first voltages, the second voltages and the current measured by the current sensor, (ii) determine a total mass loss based on each determined mass loss due to contact erosion, and (iii) monitor a remaining life of the separable contacts based on the determined total mass loss due to contact erosion.