Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing protection against arc flash during maintenance on a low voltage power circuit including a circuit breaker having a specified trip function for responding to a fault is provided. The specified trip function is overridden with a maintenance trip function that results in reduced arc energy in the fault during a trip over arc energy during a trip with the specified trip function. The specified trip function is restored following maintenance.

Abstract: A circuit protection system is provided that utilizes a single state definition for each of the zones of protection of the circuit to increase computational efficiency. Multiple zone protective functions can be performed on a single zone of protection and can reference the single state definition.

Abstract: A circuit protection system is provided that provides dynamic zones of protection for the circuit. The zones of protection can be based in part upon the topology of the circuit. The protection system can perform various dynamic zone protective functions for the zones of protection.

Abstract: There is disclosed a protection system for a power distribution system. The system has a processor, a breaker; a network coupled to the processor, a first module coupled to the network and the breaker, a second module coupled to the network, and an algorithm. The algorithm monitors for a permission to trip request. If a plurality of permission to trip requests are received during a given time period, the algorithm issues a permission granted command to the first module and a hold command to the second module.

Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling circuit breakers in a multi-phase power system. The method includes (a) recognizing a concurrent presence of a first fault in a first phase of the power system and a second fault in a second phase of the power system, where the power system includes a first circuit breaker situated to conduct a fault current between the first and second phases, (b) controlling a second circuit breaker to open so that the fault current is interrupted, where the second circuit breaker, when closed, provides current to the first circuit breaker, and (c) controlling the first circuit breaker to remain closed until the second circuit breaker is opened.

Abstract: A circuit protection system is provided that provides a dynamic delay time to an upstream circuit breaker if a fault is detected in a circuit where the dynamic delay time can be based upon the location of the fault, such as the nearest downstream circuit breaker. A control processing unit can determine a dynamic delay time for opening a first circuit breaker if a fault is detected in the circuit. The control processing unit delays opening the first circuit breaker until after the dynamic delay time has elapsed to provide an opportunity for the nearest circuit breaker to clear the fault.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a centrally controlled power distribution system is provided. The method includes sampling an electrical current flow in the centrally controlled power distribution system, transmitting the sampled current signals to a central control processing unit, determining a ground fault presence and location based on the current signals received from all of the node electronics units, and isolating the determined ground fault by opening circuit breakers supplying power to the fault. The apparatus is configured to sample an electrical current flow in the centrally controlled power distribution system, transmit the sampled current signals associated with each circuit breaker to a central control processing unit, determine a ground fault presence and location based on the current signals received from all of the node electronics units in the power distribution system, and isolate the determined ground fault by opening circuit breakers supplying power to the fault.

Abstract: A circuit breaker lockout device is provided that prevents the breaker contacts from being closed when the circuit breaker is in a lockout state in response to a lockout signal and permits the breaker contacts to be closed when the circuit breaker is an enable state in response to an enable signal.

Abstract: A data sample and transmission module for a power distribution system is provided. The module has a microprocessor and a network interface. The microprocessor samples first signals indicative of a condition of power in the power distribution system. The network interface places the microprocessor in communication with a data network. The microprocessor samples the first signals based in part upon a synchronization signal transmitted on the data network.

Abstract: A protection system for a power distribution system is provided. The protection system includes a central computer, a plurality of data modules, and a data network. The data modules are each in communication with a different circuit breaker of the power distribution system. The data network communicates between the central computer and the plurality of data modules. The central computer sends an instruction to the plurality of data modules over the data network to aid in synchronization of sampling of a power condition at the plurality of data modules.

Abstract: A method of performing energy calculations in a power distribution system is provided. The method includes sampling a first voltage at a first module in the power distribution system; communicating the first voltage from the first module to a central controller; performing an energy calculation in the central controller based at least in part on the first voltage; and applying the energy calculation to a second module in the power distribution system. In some embodiments, the energy calculation is also based upon a second current from the second module.

Abstract: There is provided a computer-implemented method for configuring a centralized circuit breaker protection system. The method includes determining configuration data for a processor in the centralized circuit breaker protection system in accordance with a parameter relating to an operation of the centralized circuit breaker protection system, and configuring the processor with the configuration data. There is also provided an apparatus for configuring a centralized circuit breaker protection system, and a storage media containing instructions for controlling a computer for configuring a centralized circuit breaker protection system.

Abstract: A data sample and transmission module for a power distribution system having a microprocessor, a locator device, and a network interface is provided. The microprocessor samples one or more first signals indicative of a condition of power in the power distribution system. The locator device is changeable between a first state and a second state. The network interface can place the microprocessor in communication with a network so that the microprocessor samples the first signals based in part upon a synchronization signal receivable from the network and so that the locator device changes from the first state to the second state in response to a command receivable from the data network.

Abstract: A panelboard configured for distributing electricity from a power source, the panelboard comprising circuitry for distributing the electricity from the power source, the circuitry comprising a plurality of branch circuits for distributing electricity to associated loads; a plurality of branch circuit breakers, each branch circuit breaker intermediate the power source and the plurality of branch circuits; and an electronic control module for controlling the main circuit breaker and the plurality of branch circuit breakers, the electronic control module provides a protection function and a monitoring function of the circuitry, each branch circuit breaker of the plurality of branch circuit breakers includes; a pair of separable contacts, an electromagnetic actuator in electrical communication with the electronic control module for operably controlling the pair of separable contacts, and a current transformer configured to sense current on the circuitry to one of the associated loads.

Abstract: A circuit protection system is provided that utilizes a single state definition for each of the zones of protection of the circuit to increase computational efficiency. Multiple zone protective functions can be performed on a single zone of protection and can reference the single state definition.

Abstract: A data sample and transmission module for a power distribution system having a microprocessor, a locator device, and a network interface is provided. The microprocessor samples one or more first signals indicative of a condition of power in the power distribution system. The locator device is changeable between a first state and a second state. The network interface can place the microprocessor in communication with a network so that the microprocessor samples the first signals based in part upon a synchronization signal receivable from the network and so that the locator device changes from the first state to the second state in response to a command receivable from the data network.

Abstract: A method of performing energy calculations in a power distribution system is provided. The method includes sampling a first voltage at a first module in the power distribution system; communicating the first voltage from the first module to a central controller; performing an energy calculation in the central controller based at least in part on the first voltage; and applying the energy calculation to a second module in the power distribution system. In some embodiments, the energy calculation is also based upon a second current from the second module.

Abstract: A circuit protection system is provided that provides dynamic zones of protection for the circuit. The zones of protection can be based in part upon the topology of the circuit. The protection system can perform various dynamic zone protective functions for the zones of protection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus generates an enhanced trip time curve capable of capturing both the non-sinusoidal energy and series effects. Relevant data including time, current, and energy is plotted on a three-dimensional set of axes. The resultant three-dimensional representation is useful for representing trip times for a protection device accounting for energy effects, and for determining selectivity in a multi-tier electrical distribution system.

Abstract: A protection system for a power distribution system is provided. The protection system includes a central computer, a plurality of data modules, and a data network. The data modules are each in communication with a different circuit breaker of the power distribution system. The data network communicates between the central computer and the plurality of data modules. The central computer sends an instruction to the plurality of data modules over the data network to aid in synchronization of sampling of a power condition at the plurality of data modules.