Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Bernard J Mercier

Joseph C Engel

Joseph J Matsko

Robert Tracy Elms

John A Wafer

Gary F Saletta

John T Wilson

Emroy W Lange

A circuit interrupter includes a microprocessor based trip unit having a plurality of output control lines and a power supply for providing operating power to said trip unit. Interlock means are provided to maintain the output control lines in a predetermined inactive status for a predetermined time period following energization of the power supply to allow time for operating power to rise to a level sufficient to enable the microcomputer to assert positive control over the status of the control lines. An automatic reset circuit is provided to reset the microcomputer program counter to an initialization routine unless a pulse pattern produced by proper execution of the microcomputer instructions is received by the automatic reset circuitry.

Circuit interrupter with digital trip unit and automatic reset

A circuit interrupter includes a microcomputer controlled trip unit having a front panel numeric display and a plurality of LED displays for providing post tripping indication of cause-of-trip and trip current value. Reliable operation is provided during power up conditions. Means are also provided for accurate performance of long delay and ground fault tripping operation.

Circuit interrupter with solid state digital trip unit and positive

A circuit breaker includes a digital electronic trip unit having a microprocessor. The front panel of the trip unit includes a potentiometer connected across a reference voltage, and a numeric display device. The potentiometer is adjusted by an operator to enter a value of a parameter defining the time-current characteristic of the circuit breaker. An analog-to-digital converter receives the voltage supplied by the potentiometer and converts it to a digital quantity for use by the microcomputer in performing limit checks with the current flow through the contacts of the breaker. The microcomputer formats the converted digital value of the potentiometer voltage and supplies it to a front panel-visible numeric display so that the value of the potentiometer setting as interpreted by the microcomputer in defining the time-current trip characteristic is presented on the numeric display to provide real-time feedback to the operator as he adjusts the parameter value.

Circuit interrupter with digital trip unit and means to enter trip

A circuit interrupter includes a microcomputer-based trip unit, and a display and control panel comprising a numeric display device and a plurality of legends associated with light-emitting diodes. The trip unit presents a sequential display of numeric values of associated circuit electrical parameters and time-current trip characteristic setting values, with the currently visible numeric quantity being identified by an energized light emitting diode and associated legend. The control panel also includes a test switch for initiating a test operation and a potentiometer for selecting a desired simulated fault current value for the test operation. The test capability is provided simultaneously with normal circuit breaker operation which maintains full protection of the associated circuit. A short-delay feature is provided having a selectable i.sup.2 t characteristic with adjustment of both pick-up and time parameters.

Circuit interrupter with multiple display and parameter entry means

A circuit breaker includes a microcomputer-based trip unit, and a remote indicator unit and power supply. The trip unit includes an optically-coupled data output system and means for generating a pulse code containing cause-of-trip information and excess demand alarm information. The remote indicator unit includes an optically coupled input circuit and a plurality of light emitting diodes to indicate cause of trip and excess demand alarm information upon receipt of an appropriate pulse code pattern. The remote indicating unit also includes relays to provide control of external alarm circuitry upon receipt of cause of trip and demand alarm information. The remote indicator unit further includes a power supply for supplying operating power to the remote indicator unit and to the trip unit. The power supply is powered both from an external AC line connection and from internal rechargeable batteries.

Circuit interrupter with remote indicator and power supply

A circuit interrupter includes a microprocessor-based trip unit, a numeric display, and a plurality of potentiometers each associated with one parameter of the time-current trip characteristic of the circuit interrupter. The trip unit provides a sequential display of the present setting values of the time-current trip characteristic parameters. Adjustment of any of the potentiometers is operable to interrupt the sequential display and to cause the present setting of the parameter associated with the adjusted potentiometer to be displayed. Adjustment of the potentiometer to either limit of its travel causes the most conservative setting value for that parameter to be selected. A hysteresis feature is provided to require a significant adjustment of the potentiometer before a different parameter setting will be selected. Although the potentiometers are continuously variable, operator adjustment thereof results in the selection of one of eight predetermined discrete values stored in the trip unit.

Circuit interrupter with digital trip unit and potentiometers for

A circuit breaker includes a microprocessor-based trip unit and a designator circuit including a plurality of jumper positions. Each jumper position corresponds to one digit of a four digit style number specifying which of a plurality of optional functions and features are incorporated in the specific trip unit. Each jumper position is a multitap voltage divider. Selection of one tap on each of the jumper positions causes a set of four analog voltages to be supplied to the trip unit. An analog-to-digital converter converts the analog voltages to a series of digital representations which are interpreted by the microcomputer as a style number used to command execution of a discrete set of instruction groups, with each instruction group corresponding to one of the optional functions and features.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Bernard J Mercier