Abstract: A direct current circuit breaker includes: a positive supply line between a positive input terminal and a positive output terminal; a negative supply line between a negative input terminal and a negative output terminal connecting a direct current load to a supply; a series connection of a first galvanic separation switch and a bypass switch in the positive supply line, and a second galvanic separation switch in the negative supply line; a semiconductor switch element connected parallel to the bypass switch; and a series connected inductor in the positive supply line. The first and second galvanic separation switch, the bypass switch, and the semiconductor switch element are controlled using a processing unit.

Abstract: A selective circuit breaker, in operation connectable between a main supply line and a downstream circuit breaker, has a bypass switch in a supply line, and a controlled semiconductor switch connected in parallel to the bypass switch. A bypass switch off detection circuitry and a short circuit detection circuitry are provided for controlling the bypass switch and the semiconductor switch in accordance with a switching characteristic. The switching characteristic of the selective circuit breaker is programmable, and a short circuit current rating of the selective circuit breaker is substantially equal to a short circuit current rating of the downstream circuit breaker.

Abstract: A direct current circuit breaker includes: a positive supply line between a positive input terminal and a positive output terminal; a negative supply line between a negative input terminal and a negative output terminal connecting a direct current load to a supply; a series connection of a first galvanic separation switch and a bypass switch in the positive supply line, and a second galvanic separation switch in the negative supply line; a semiconductor switch element connected parallel to the bypass switch; and a series connected inductor in the positive supply line. The first and second galvanic separation switch, the bypass switch, and the semiconductor switch element are controlled using a processing unit.

Abstract: An alternating current circuit breaker has a first galvanic separation switch and a bypass switch in a live line, a second galvanic separation switch in the neutral line, and a semiconductor switch element connected parallel to the bypass switch. A processing unit is arranged to control the first and second galvanic separation switch, the bypass switch and the semiconductor switch element. A short circuit and overcurrent detection unit is connected to the processing unit for determining a short circuit situation or overcurrent situation. The processing unit is further arranged to execute a reclosing attempt after a certain time period after tripping of the circuit breaker, wherein the time period is dependent on the type of situation causing the tripping of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An alternating current circuit breaker has a processing unit arranged to control a first and second galvanic separation switch, a bypass switch and a semiconductor switch element. A power supply unit is provided which is connected to the live supply connecting terminal and to the neutral supply connecting terminal, and connected to the processing unit and further components of the alternating current circuit breaker for providing electrical operating power thereto. The power supply unit comprises a power reserve unit arranged to supply operating power to the power supply unit for at least a minimum time period after a voltage of the mains supply drops below the minimum operating voltage.

Abstract: A method of executing a self-test of an alternating current circuit breaker involves executing a self-test of the circuit breaker for each of a plurality of functional blocks, wherein a sequence and timing of the executing a self-test for each of the plurality of functional blocks is programmed in and executed under control of a processing unit, and entering a failure mode of the circuit breaker upon detection of a failure status in any one of the functional blocks. The alternating current circuit breaker includes a live line between a live supply connecting terminal and a live load connecting terminal, and a neutral line between a neutral supply connecting terminal and a neutral load connecting terminal, the plurality of functional blocks, and the processing unit, which is connected to the first and second galvanic separation switch, the bypass switch and the semiconductor switch element.

Abstract: An alternating current circuit breaker includes a first galvanic separation switch (SW2) and a bypass switch (SW1) in a live line, and a second galvanic separation switch (SW3) in a neutral line, and a semiconductor switch element connected parallel to the bypass switch (SW1). The semiconductor switch element includes a combination of a rectifier bridge (D1-D4) and an isolated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). A processing unit is connected to a current measurement unit arranged in the live line, and is arranged to control the bypass switch (SW1), first and second galvanic separation switches (SW2, SW3) and the conducting state of the isolated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) in case of detection of a short circuit condition.

Abstract: A selective circuit breaker, in operation connectable between a main supply line and a downstream circuit breaker, has a bypass switch in a supply line, and a controlled semiconductor switch connected in parallel to the bypass switch. A bypass switch off detection circuitry and a short circuit detection circuitry are provided for controlling the bypass switch and the semiconductor switch in accordance with a switching characteristic. The switching characteristic of the selective circuit breaker is programmable, and a short circuit current rating of the selective circuit breaker is substantially equal to a short circuit current rating of the downstream circuit breaker.

Abstract: A method of executing a self-test of an alternating current circuit breaker involves executing a self-test of the circuit breaker for each of a plurality of functional blocks, wherein a sequence and timing of the executing a self-test for each of the plurality of functional blocks is programmed in and executed under control of a processing unit, and entering a failure mode of the circuit breaker upon detection of a failure status in any one of the functional blocks. The alternating current circuit breaker includes a live line between a live supply connecting terminal and a live load connecting terminal, and a neutral line between a neutral supply connecting terminal and a neutral load connecting terminal, the plurality of functional blocks, and the processing unit, which is connected to the first and second galvanic separation switch, the bypass switch and the semiconductor switch element.

Abstract: An alternating current circuit breaker has a first galvanic separation switch and a bypass switch in a live line, a second galvanic separation switch in the neutral line, and a semiconductor switch element connected parallel to the bypass switch. A processing unit is arranged to control the first and second galvanic separation switch, the bypass switch and the semiconductor switch element. A short circuit and overcurrent detection unit is connected to the processing unit for determining a short circuit situation or overcurrent situation. The processing unit is further arranged to execute a reclosing attempt after a certain time period after tripping of the circuit breaker, wherein the time period is dependent on the type of situation causing the tripping of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An alternating current circuit breaker has a processing unit arranged to control a first and second galvanic separation switch, a bypass switch and a semiconductor switch element. A power supply unit is provided which is connected to the live supply connecting terminal and to the neutral supply connecting terminal, and connected to the processing unit and further components of the alternating current circuit breaker for providing electrical operating power thereto. The power supply unit comprises a power reserve unit arranged to supply operating power to the power supply unit for at least a minimum time period after a voltage of the mains supply drops below the minimum operating voltage.

Abstract: An alternating current circuit breaker includes a first galvanic separation switch (SW2) and a bypass switch (SW1) in a live line, and a second galvanic separation switch (SW3) in a neutral line, and a semiconductor switch element connected parallel to the bypass switch (SW1). The semiconductor switch clement includes a combination of a rectifier bridge (D1-D4) and an isolated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). A processing unit is connected to a current measurement unit arranged in the live line, and is arranged to control the bypass switch (SW1), first and second galvanic separation switches (SW2, SW3) and the conducting state of the isolated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) in case of detection of a short circuit condition.

Abstract: A residual-current circuit breaker includes switching contacts and at least one residual current detector configured to determine a residual current signal. The residual-current circuit breaker is configured to bring about an opening of the switching contacts upon the detection of a residual current greater than a pre-definable tripping current. A first circuit arrangement is configured to inhibit tripping of the residual-current circuit breaker when a residual current occurs that has a duration that is shorter than half a period of a grid frequency of an associated electrical grid.

Abstract: A residual-current circuit breaker includes switching contacts and at least one residual current detector configured to determine a residual current signal. The residual-current circuit breaker is configured to bring about an opening of the switching contacts upon the detection of a residual current greater than a pre-definable tripping current. A first circuit arrangement is configured to inhibit tripping of the residual-current circuit breaker when a residual current occurs that has a duration that is shorter than half a period of a grid frequency of an associated electrical grid.

Abstract: A trip unit includes an actuator and a cylindrical housing container the actuator. The actuator includes a cylindrical pin; a cylindrical closed chamber; a biasing member; a permanent magnet; a coil housing; and a coil supported by the coil housing. The pin is axially movably disposed in the chamber and extends out of the chamber through a sealed opening. The biasing member may comprise a spring, such as a helical spring, and may be configured to bias the pin for an axial movement in a direction out of the chamber. The permanent magnet may at least partly surround the pin during a latched condition of the trip unit. The coil housing may at least partly define the cylindrical closed chamber. In embodiments, an annular gap is provided between the pin and the permanent magnet. Methods associated with the manufacturing trip units are also disclosed.