Abstract: A device and method for testing an electrical power branch circuit that includes hot, neutral and protective ground conductors and that carries alternating current. The device includes circuitry for determining the total available short-circuit current that can be carried by the neutral conductor, circuitry for determining the total available ground-fault current that can be carried by the protective ground conductor, and circuitry that, based on at least one of the determined short-circuit current and the determined ground-fault current, applies a short-circuit or ground-fault current to the electrical power branch circuit.

Abstract: A device and method for testing an electrical power branch circuit that includes hot, neutral and protective ground conductors and that carries alternating current. The device includes circuitry for determining the total available short-circuit current that can be carried by the neutral conductor, circuitry for determining the total available ground-fault current that can be carried by the protective ground conductor, and circuitry that, based on at least one of the determined short-circuit current and the determined ground-fault current, applies a short-circuit or ground-fault current to the electrical power branch circuit.

Abstract: A circuit breaker tripper includes a first charging circuit for charging an RC shorting time control circuit. A relay is connected to a pair of probes that are connected to an active line which enables a charging of the RC shorting time control circuit. Activation of a switch causes a relay to apply a short circuit across the active line, thereby causing a tripping of the circuit breaker. At the same time, a discharge circuit is activated which causes the relay open the short circuit after a preset period. Since the circuit breaker tripper relies on enabling sufficient current flow through the circuit breaker to trip it, a test circuit is provided which enables operation of the tripper only if the branch circuit is within a safe operating range for the circuit breaker tripper.