Abstract: A wireless transceiver module includes a wireless transceiver communicating with a portable communicating device, such as a personal digital assistant, through a wireless port. An interface is provided to a communication network, such as an INCOM network or a CH-Wire network, for a plurality of control and distribution electrical devices having a plurality of electrical parameters. A processor includes routines for monitoring and configuring the electrical parameters of the electrical devices from the portable communicating device through the wireless port.

Abstract: Arc faults in ac electric power systems including aircraft 400 Hz and other such ac electrical systems are detected by an arc fault detector generating a time attenuated cumulative sum of amounts by which the current in each most recent cyclic interval of current, preferably each half cycle, exceeds the magnitude of the current in the immediately preceding cyclic interval in absolute magnitude after a first cyclic interval in which the current exceeds a selected arming magnitude. Preferably, the magnitude detected by a peak detector is used, but alternatively differences in the average magnitude or the rms magnitude between half cycles can be accumulated. When the cumulative sum reaches a preset value, an arc fault indication is generated. The time cumulative sum is cleared if it decreases to a preset value and the selected arming current must be exceeded again to reinitiate generation of the time attenuated cumulative sum.

Abstract: An electronic trip unit having a two-wire, asynchronous, serial communication accessory network that is connected to a number of unique digital and analog remote slave devices. The address for each slave device is set by its function so that the trip unit does not have to be programmed in the field each time an accessory is added to the system. The network is capable of two-way communication when requested by the electronic trip unit. Accessory network communication is controlled by a first microprocessor within the electronic trip unit or alternatively by a network interface gateway. The first microprocessor controls voltage based and metering functions while a second microprocessor controls overcurrent and instantaneous protection functions of the trip unit. The second microprocessor also has the capability of communicating with a central control network.

Abstract: An electronic trip unit having two microprocessors one of which monitors the load voltage and current within the normal operating range and performs the metering and delayed trip algorithms associated with that range. A second microprocessor monitors the load current for excursions outside the normal operating range and processes those algorithms and functions associated with the instantaneous and overcurrent trip protection modes of the trip unit. Each microprocessor receives inputs representative of the monitored current that are scaled to a different factor corresponding to the range the microprocessors are assigned to monitor. In one embodiment the electronic trip unit is controlled by a master controller and in turn controls a number of accessory devices, wherein one of the microprocessors is a slave to the master controller network and the other microprocessor is a master to the accessory slave network.

Abstract: Circuit breakers in an electric power distribution system, such as in a residence or a light commercial facility, are remotely reclosed using a power line communications system such as an X10 or CEBus system, which transmits a reclose signal over the power conductors to a recloser controlling the separable contacts of the circuit breaker in the load center. A remote master unit which generates the reclose signal is connected to an unaffected branch circuit, preferably by plugging into a receptacle located in a convenient part of the house or office remote from the load center. The reclosers may be addressed individually or globally.

Abstract: A tester for an arc fault circuit breaker plugs into a socket in the protected branch circuit. An actuator includes a first spring biasing a moveable contact carried by a pivoted contact arm away from a fixed contact and a momentary closer for momentarily closing the contacts. The momentary closer includes a push button and a second spring coupling the push button to the pivoted contact arm to close the contacts when actuated. Closing of the contacts completes a circuit across the branch circuit resulting in a current producing a magnetic repulsion force which blows the contacts open thereby striking an arc. The arc, which should trip the arc fault circuit breaker is visible through a translucent or transparent section of the molded tester housing. A fuse interrupts any overcurrent and a test light verifies initial energization of the protected circuit and operation of the arc fault circuit breaker.