Abstract: A circuit breaker having a trip mechanism and an electronic module having an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a control circuit, a composite circuit which generates a composite signal voltage, a residual circuit, the circuit breaker comprising a first power supply to provide a first voltage signal and a second power supply to provide a second voltage signal. An analog override circuit in the circuit breaker is configured to receive the first voltage signal from the first power supply, the second voltage signal from the second power supply and the composite signal voltage from the composite circuit. The analog override circuit provides an override signal to the ASIC which is coupled to a logic gate configured to receive a first trip signal from the control circuit and a second trip signal from the ASIC and provides a third trip signal to the trip mechanism.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (10) (FIG. 1) has a power line (12) for carrying a power signal from a source to a load and a current transformer (14, 16, 18, 20) configured to sense the power signal and provide a sense signal based on the power signal at a first terminal (14a, 16a, 18a, 20a) (FIG. 2). The circuit breaker (10) includes a control circuit (26) configured to receive a first data message and to provide a second data message based on the first data message at a second terminal (40). The circuit breaker (10) further includes a programmable amplifier (30) coupled to the first terminal (14a, 16a, 18a, 20a) and the second terminal (40) configured to receive the sense signal, to receive the second data message, to amplify the sense signal based on the second data message, and to provide the amplified sense signal at a third terminal (42). A method of constructing the circuit breaker (10) is provided (FIG.

Abstract: A portable circuit breaker tester (10) for testing a current transformer (30, 32, 34, 36) of a circuit breaker (18) having a first terminal (30e, 32e) on a first end of the transformer and a second terminal (138) on a second end of the transformer has a test port (14) configured to be coupled to the first (30e, 32e) and second terminals (138) and a test circuit (68, 74, 96, 104, 146) coupled to the test port (14). The test circuit (68, 74, 96, 104, 146) is configured to provide a test current through the test port (14) to the first terminal (30e, 32e), to monitor the second terminal (138) through the test port (14), and to provide an output signal to an indicia (38, 40) based on whether the test current is received at the second terminal (138). The test circuit (68, 74, 96, 104, 146) is configured to perform first and second testing operations on the circuit breaker (18) through the test port (14).

Abstract: A circuit breaker having a trip mechanism and an electronic module having an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a control circuit, a composite circuit which generates a composite signal voltage, a residual circuit, the circuit breaker comprising a first power supply to provide a first voltage signal and a second power supply to provide a second voltage signal. An analog override circuit in the circuit breaker is configured to receive the first voltage signal from the first power supply, the second voltage signal from the second power supply and the composite signal voltage from the composite circuit. The analog override circuit provides an override signal to the ASIC which is coupled to a logic gate configured to receive a first trip signal from the control circuit and a second trip signal from the ASIC and provides a third trip signal to the trip mechanism.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system (100) providing application specific module (ASM) instantaneous overcurrent indication is disclosed herein (FIG. 5). A trip unit (110) included in the circuit breaker system (100) is powered by an external power supply unit (134) in the ASM (104). The circuit breaker system (100) includes transmitting an indication signal (130) from the trip unit (110) to the ASM (104) in response to an overcurrent condition. The indication signal (130) triggers a first controller (130) included in the ASM (104), the first controller (130) configured to cause the external power supply unit (134) to maintain power to the trip unit (110) for a first length for time sufficient to communicate a data corresponding to the overcurrent condition to the ASM (104).

Abstract: A circuit breaker system 10 (FIG. 1) using electronic trip units 35 is disclosed. The electronic trip units 35 are coupled to a communications bus 30 whereby the electronic trip units 35 can be reconfigured, controlled, and/or monitored by a central computer. Further, the electronic trip units 30 include a data acquisition circuit 100 (FIG. 4) that uses chopping to provide better accuracy and increased dynamic range of current measurements.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system 10 (FIG. 1) using electronic trip units 35 is disclosed. The electronic trip units 35 are coupled to a communications bus 30 whereby the electronic trip units 35 can be reconfigured, controlled, and/or monitored by a central computer. Further, the electronic trip units 30 include a data acquisition circuit 100 (FIG. 4) that uses chopping to provide better accuracy and increased dynamic range of current measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus (110) (FIG. 1) for differentially sensing a ground fault in a power distribution circuit is configured to route a plurality of power signals, the power signals when summed resulting in a zero sum signal. The apparatus (110) includes a circuit element (e.g., a resistor) (128), first and second current transformers (CTs) (112, 114, 116), and a routing circuit (118). The first and second current transformers (112, 114, 116) are configured to sense first and second power signals and to generate first and second sense signals representative of the first and second power signals, respectively. The routing circuit (118) is configured to receive the first and second sense signals to provide a residual signal across the circuit element (128).

Abstract: A circuit breaker system 10 (FIG. 1) using electronic trip units 35 is disclosed. The electronic trip units 35 are coupled to a communications bus 30 whereby the electronic trip units 35 can be reconfigured, controlled, and/or monitored by a central computer 20. Further, the electronic trip units are coupled to a separate control power supply line 50 and to a zone selective interlock system.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system (100) providing a low impedance magnetic latch tripping scheme. The circuit breaker system (100) includes a trip unit (310) coupled to a switch unit (108). Trip unit (310) is coupled to an electrical circuitry and utilizes a current transformer (114) to sample a current conducting through the electrical circuitry. This current is processed into an input signal (126) suitable as an input to a trip circuitry (316) included in the trip unit (310). When a processor (322) senses an overcurrent condition in the input signal (126), processor (322) transmits a trip signal (128) to a switch (220) to initiate protection against the overcurrent condition, i.e., a trip of the electrical circuitry. Switch (220) permits a low release current to conduct through a low impedance electromechanical interface unit (218) such that the electromechanical interface unit (218) can actuate a mechanical opening mechanism included in the switch unit (108).

Abstract: A circuit breaker system 10 using electronic trip units 35. The electronic trip units 35 are coupled to a communications bus 30 whereby the electronic trip units 35 can be reconfigured, controlled, and/or monitored by a central computer 20. Further, the electronic trip units are coupled to a separate control power supply line 50 and to a zone selective interlock system 70 . The zone selective interlock system 70 is configured to provide tripping delays to circuit breakers located upstream from a detected fault.

Abstract: An electronic trip unit is adapted for connection to a circuit breaker for circuit interruptions. The electronic trip unit includes a frame module shaped to define a recess. An electronics module is releasably connected to the frame module. The electronics module has a housing, a circuit board assembly, and a facing surface providing access for adjustment of the electronics module. The housing of the electronics module is sized and shaped to fit at least partially within the recess defined by the frame module. An engagement surface is positioned for releasable engagement between the frame module and the electronics module in order to permit removal and replacement of the electronics module with respect to the frame module.

Abstract: An electrical control module for use with a stored energy assembly having a motor for use with a circuit breaker assembly, the circuit breaker assembly providing an electrical signal through electrical contacts for actuating the circuit breaker assembly, the electrical control module comprising a rectifying circuit, which receives and rectifies the electrical signal so as to provide a rectified electrical signal; a motor switch circuit connected to the motor; and an electrical signal flow maintenance circuit, which is operatively connected to the rectifying circuit, the motor switch circuit and the motor, wherein the electrical signal flow circuit maintenance maintains at least a threshold rectified electrical when the electrical contacts are closed so that the motor switch circuit is on and the motor operates.