Abstract: A trip unit connection tester (10) is arranged to test the electrical connections (12) and (14) between a trip unit (16) and actuator (18) mounted within a circuit breaker (20). Tester (10) includes a power source (64) including a positive lead (68), and a negative lead (70). The positive lead (68) is coupled to a two-loop switch (58). The two loop switch (58) toggles between a first loop (98), and a second loop (100). The first loop (98) includes the power source (64), the two-loop switch (58), and the energy storage element (82) wherein the energy storage element (82) stores energy coming from the power source (64). The second loop (100) includes the two-loop switch (58), and the energy storage element (82), connections (12) and (14), and the actuator (18), wherein energy stored within the energy storage element (82) is released to the actuator (18).

Abstract: A trip unit connection tester (10) is arranged to test the electrical connections (12) and (14) between a trip unit (16) and actuator (18) mounted within a circuit breaker (20). Tester (10) includes a power source (64) including a positive lead (68), and a negative lead (70). The positive lead (68) is coupled to a two-loop switch (58). The two loop switch (58) toggles between a first loop (98), and a second loop (100). The first loop (98) includes the power source (64), the two-loop switch (58), and the energy storage element (82) wherein the energy storage element (82) stores energy coming from the power source (64). The second loop (100) includes the two-loop switch (58), and the energy storage element (82), connections (12) and (14), and the actuator (18), wherein energy stored within the energy storage element (82) is released to the actuator (18).

Abstract: A trip unit connection tester (10) is arranged to test the electrical connections (12) and (14) between a trip unit (16) and actuator (18) mounted within a circuit breaker (20). Tester (10) includes a power source (64) including a positive lead (68), and a negative lead (70). The positive lead (68) is coupled to a two-loop switch (58). The two loop switch (58) toggles between a first loop (98), and a second loop (100). The first loop (98) includes the power source (64), the two-loop switch (58), and the energy storage element (82) wherein the energy storage element (82) stores energy coming from the power source (64). The second loop (100) includes the two-loop switch (58), and the energy storage element (82), connections (12) and (14), and the actuator (18), wherein energy stored within the energy storage element (82) is released to the actuator (18).

Abstract: A method of performing instantaneous protection in a trip unit is presented. The electronic trip unit includes a microcontroller and associated ROM having trip unit application code, e.g., main functionality firmware, including initializing parameters, and boot code, stored therein and EEPROM having operational parameter code stored therein. An instantaneous protection algorithm (program) stored in the memory of the trip unit has a `WAIT` state and a `RUN` state. In the RUN state samples of the sensed current that classify as points that are accumulated in a point register. Accumulation of a determined number of points qualifies as a peak. These peaks are accumulated in a peak register. If a point is not detected within a determined time period, then the count of peaks accumulated in the peak register is decremented, thereby provided a cooling function. When the count in the peak register exceeds the sensor limit a signal is generated by the microcontroller to initiate the trip.