Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a first trip unit that is configured to be coupled to a power distribution system arranged in a Zone Selective Interlocking (ZSI) arrangement. The first trip unit includes an Input/Output circuit including a ZSI input terminal and a ZSI output terminal, a heartbeat signaling module configured to transmit a second signal to a second trip unit in a lower-level zone than the first trip unit, responsive to the normal condition, a first monitoring module configured to monitor a first signal received by the first trip from a third trip unit in a higher-level zone, responsive to the normal condition, and a second monitoring module configured to detect the fault condition. Related systems, devices, and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method involves a circuit interrupter installation having a circuit interrupter with a plurality of poles and an ETU electrically connected with a neutral current sensor situated in proximity to a neutral conductor. The method includes determining that a plurality of fundamental frequency phase current vectors, when summed, are substantially equal to a fundamental frequency neutral current vector, and/or that a plurality of triplen odd-numbered harmonic phase current vectors, when summed, are substantially equal to a triplen odd-numbered harmonic neutral current vector. Responsive to the determining, the method includes outputting a notification which represents a possibility that a neutral current detection apparatus is mis-wired, and/or employing with the ETU a reverse vector that is an opposite of the fundamental frequency neutral current vector in the ongoing monitoring for an event that would trigger the movement of the circuit interrupter from the ON condition to the OFF or TRIPPED condition.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a first trip unit that is configured to be coupled to a power distribution system arranged in a Zone Selective Interlocking (ZSI) arrangement. The first trip unit includes an Input/Output circuit including a ZSI input terminal and a ZSI output terminal, a heartbeat signaling module configured to transmit a second signal to a second trip unit in a lower-level zone than the first trip unit, responsive to the normal condition, a first monitoring module configured to monitor a first signal received by the first trip from a third trip unit in a higher-level zone, responsive to the normal condition, and a second monitoring module configured to detect the fault condition. Related systems, devices, and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method involves a circuit interrupter installation having a circuit interrupter with a plurality of poles and an ETU electrically connected with a neutral current sensor situated in proximity to a neutral conductor. The method includes determining that a plurality of fundamental frequency phase current vectors, when summed, are substantially equal to a fundamental frequency neutral current vector, and/or that a plurality of triplen odd-numbered harmonic phase current vectors, when summed, are substantially equal to a triplen odd-numbered harmonic neutral current vector. Responsive to the determining, the method includes outputting a notification which represents a possibility that a neutral current detection apparatus is mis-wired, and/or employing with the ETU a reverse vector that is an opposite of the fundamental frequency neutral current vector in the ongoing monitoring for an event that would trigger the movement of the circuit interrupter from the ON condition to the OFF or TRIPPED condition.

Abstract: A circuit breaker installation including a frame assembly and a circuit breaker assembly is provided. The frame assembly includes a conductor assembly and the frame assembly defines an enclosed space. The frame assembly conductor assembly includes a primary contact assembly and a movable secondary contact assembly. The circuit breaker assembly is movably disposed in the frame assembly enclosed space. The contact assemblies are configurable electrical components. The configurable electrical components move between a connect configuration, a test configuration, and, a disconnect configuration.

Abstract: A circuit breaker installation including a frame assembly and a circuit breaker assembly is provided. The frame assembly includes a conductor assembly and the frame assembly defines an enclosed space. The frame assembly conductor assembly includes a primary contact assembly and a movable secondary contact assembly. The circuit breaker assembly is movably disposed in the frame assembly enclosed space. The contact assemblies are configurable electrical components. The configurable electrical components move between a connect configuration, a test configuration, and, a disconnect configuration.

Abstract: A component monitoring system structured to monitor circuit breaker assembly component characteristics is provided. The component monitoring system includes a record assembly, a number of sensor assemblies, a comparison assembly, and an output assembly. The record assembly includes selected nominal data for a selected circuit breaker component. The sensor assembly is structured to measure a number of actual component characteristics of a selected circuit breaker component and to transmit actual component characteristic output data. The comparison assembly is structured to receive an electronic signal from said record assembly and said sensor assemblies, to compare said sensor assembly actual component characteristic output data to said selected nominal data and to provide an indication signal as to whether said sensor assembly output data is acceptable when compared to the selected nominal data. The output assembly includes a communication assembly and an output device.

Abstract: An transfer switch having a transfer control provides electric power to a load. The transfer switch includes a power switching device provided with electric power from a first power source, such as a utility power source, and a second power source, such as a generator power source. The transfer control is structured to monitor the second power source, maintain a runtime count of the second power source, and provide an indication of the runtime count, either at the transfer switch or at a location remote from the transfer switch and the second power source.

Abstract: A stop device for an electrical device cell includes a generally flat, rectangular stop member and a generally flat, elongated permissive member. The stop member is, preferably, part of a stop member assembly that includes a biasing device. The cell includes a pair of rails upon which a drawout electrical device is movably disposed. The stop member is disposed adjacent to at least one housing assembly rail and is structured to move between a first, extended position, wherein the stop member engages the drawout electrical device and prevents the drawout electrical device from moving from the first, installed position to the second, drawn out position, and a second, withdrawn position, wherein the stop member does not engage the drawout electrical device and the drawout electrical device may move from the first, installed position to the second, drawn out position.

Abstract: A stop device for an electrical device cell includes a generally flat, rectangular stop member and a generally flat, elongated permissive member. The stop member is, preferably, part of a stop member assembly that includes a biasing device. The cell includes a pair of rails upon which a drawout electrical device is movably disposed. The stop member is disposed adjacent to at least one housing assembly rail and is structured to move between a first, extended position, wherein the stop member engages the drawout electrical device and prevents the drawout electrical device from moving from the first, installed position to the second, drawn out position, and a second, withdrawn position, wherein the stop member does not engage the drawout electrical device and the drawout electrical device may move from the first, installed position to the second, drawn out position.

Abstract: An electrically powered, fast acting transfer switch utilizes a single action solenoid that, alternately, through a mechanical assembly, moves the handle of one electric power switch between OFF and ON positions. A coupling including a rigid strap operates the handle of a second electric power switch oppositely between ON and OFF positions. The mechanical assembly includes an electromagnet drive plate to which the electromagnet of the solenoid is secured and an armature drive plate carrying the solenoid armature. A latch mechanism alternately holds one drive plate and then the other stationary so that the electromagnet and armature alternately move to effect reciprocal movement of the handle of the one electric power switch, and through the rigid strap, the handle of the second electric power switch.

Abstract: An electrically powered, fast acting transfer switch utilizes a single action solenoid that, alternately, through a mechanical assembly, moves the handle of one electric power switch between OFF and ON positions. A coupling including a rigid strap operates the handle of a second electric power switch oppositely between ON and OFF positions. The mechanical assembly includes an electromagnet drive plate to which the electromagnet of the solenoid is secured and an armature drive plate carrying the solenoid armature. A latch mechanism alternately holds one drive plate and then the other stationary so that the electromagnet and armature alternately move to effect reciprocal movement of the handle of the one electric power switch, and through the rigid strap, the handle of the second electric power switch.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker is provided with ground fault protection by a modular unit which drops into a pole compartment in the molded casing in place of a pole assembly. The modular unit includes a housing forming an open faced cavity across which is mounted a printed circuit board with the ground fault circuit components and trip solenoid projecting into the cavity. The housing also supports the ground fault sensing toroid in a position for the appropriate conductors to pass through the coil. A bell switch and auxiliary switch are positioned by the housing for actuation by levers mounted on the cradle pin and crossbar, respectively. An integral leaf spring molded into the housing accommodates for manufacturing tolerances and fixes the positions of the various components.