Abstract: A protection circuit for generating current to activate a Trip Solenoid of a circuit breaker in response to a detected fault includes, an electrical connection from the circuit to a terminal of Solenoid; an electrical connection from the circuit to a Neutral wire; an electrical connection from the circuit to an Earth Ground wire; at least one voltage detection mechanism for detecting a fault condition; and at least one Transistor electrically accessible from at least one voltage detection mechanism for generating current to activate the Trip Solenoid. In operation of the circuit one of at least one voltage detection mechanism detects a voltage anomaly between Neutral and Earth Ground and activates one of at least one Transistor to generate a source-to-ground current, the generated current traveling through the Trip Solenoid and the protection circuit to Earth Ground, the generated current sufficient to activate the Trip Solenoid thereby opening the circuit breaker.

Abstract: This is an innovative Over-Current Protection device that uses a unique method of controlling the energy to a compact tripping solenoid of a mechanical circuit breaker mechanism to cut off power to an electric circuit whenever the load current exceeds a specified level. Unlike previous Over-Current Protection devices, this device also maintains independent levels or stages of over-current protection and is able to distinguish between stages via independent current detection circuits that define the operational characteristics of each over-current stage. The device includes a current sensing transformer, independent current-threshold detectors, time delay circuits and a random phase, energy-accumulating circuit which generates a controlled trigger-pulse to trip the compact tripping solenoid of the mechanical circuit breaker mechanism. This device is also designed to connect directly onto, and operate in conjunction with, an existing GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) module.