Other

Zlan, Ltd.

LeRoy Blanton

Robert Henry Clunn

George Auther Spencer

Henry Clunn

A circuit switching device or circuit breaker with integrated self-test enhancements is disclosed having separable contacts operable under processor control to control power to a circuit responsive to at least one of a plurality of fault conditions and operable according to a method for testing, including the steps of: controlling the switching device during a sampling cycle, to input one or more operating parameters sensed in the circuit to an A/D converter for measurement wherein the operating parameters enable detection of the fault conditions; determining whether to read a select one of the operating parameters from an output of the A/D converter into a first memory; and reading pre-determined parameter values from a second memory into the first memory during the sampling cycle instead of the operating parameters read from the A/D converter if a self-test has been invoked during the sampling cycle.

Circuit breaker with integrated self-test enhancements

A load center monitor (,) is disclosed for monitoring and analyzing data gathered by electronic circuit breakers (,) in a power distribution system and communicated to the load center monitor (,) via a network (,) coupling the load center monitor (,) and the circuit breakers (,) together. The load center monitor (,) includes a first communication port (,) for communicating with the circuit breakers (,), a second communication port (,or,) for communicating with an external device and third communication port (,) for providing diagnostic information. The load center monitor (,) further includes audible (,) and visible (,) annunciators for providing alarm or status indications. A processor (,), coupled to the communication ports and to a memory (,) having a real-time clock for time stamping data provides monitoring, control, analysis and data generating capability in the load center monitor (,).

Load center monitor for electrical power lines

A system including a load center monitor (,) connected to a plurality of digitally enhanced circuit breakers (,) by a communication bus (,) forms a network of reconfigurable circuit breakers which provides advanced monitoring and control of an electrical power distribution system. A user port (,) and a service port (,) provide a communication interface with an external computer. Visual indicators (,) and an audible alarm (,) provide for alerting persons to certain conditions in the system. Buttons are provided for CLEAR (,), RESET (,), and TEST functions, and a diagnostic port (,) is also provided. The load center monitor (,) is operable to monitor the operation of the circuit breakers (,) and download information therefrom for storage in the load center monitor (,) as in the form of historical data. Further, the load center monitor (,) is operable to adaptively configure the trip profiles of individual circuit breakers (,) in the network by uploading the alternate selection or revision to the trip profile to an individual circuit breaker (,) in order to change the operation thereof.

Method and apparatus for adaptive configuration and control in a network of electronic circuit breakers

A method of communicating data with a plurality of electronic circuit breakers operatively connected in a power distribution system is disclosed and claimed herein. Each circuit breaker includes a communication port coupled to a network. The method comprises coupling a communication terminal, having a processing circuit and a first communication port coupled to the processing circuit, to the network via the first communication port; operating a first communication protocol for automatically addressing individual ones of the circuit breakers and for controlling message traffic on the network; and transmitting and receiving data on the network under control of the first communication protocol relating to the monitoring and control of the individually addressable ones of the plurality of electronic circuit breakers coupled to the network. In another aspect, the method includes coupling a second communication port of the communication terminal via a communication link to a controller remote from the network and operating a second communication protocol for controlling message traffic relating to monitoring and control of the plurality of electronic circuit breakers between the controller and the communication terminal via the communication link.

Load center monitor and digitally enhanced circuit breakers system for

A communication terminal (10) is coupled to and operable in a power line network with at least one of plurality of intelligent circuit breakers (40) wherein each such circuit breaker (40) has a communication port. The terminal (10) includes a housing and connection means (12, 14) for connecting the terminal (10) to the power line network. The terminal (10) includes a processing circuit (76) and communication ports (24, 22, 20) for communicating over communication links with the circuit breakers (40) or other external devices according to a message protocol defined for the system.

Communication terminal for electrical power line distribution system

A system including a load center monitor (10) connected to a plurality of digitally enhanced circuit breakers (40) by a communication bus (26) provides monitoring and control of an electrical power distribution system. A user port (20) and a service port (22) provide a communication interface with an external computer. Visual indicators (34) and an audible alarm (30) provide for alerting persons to certain conditions in the system. Buttons are provided for CLEAR (38) and RESET (36) functions, and a diagnostic port (24) is also provided. The load center monitor (10) is operable to monitor the operation of the breakers (40) and download information therefrom in the form of historical data. Also, the load center monitor (10) can upload operating information to a breaker (40) in order to change the operation thereof.

Load center monitor and digitally enhanced circuit breaker system for

A digitally controlled circuit breaker includes a conventional thermal circuit breaker (10) which is controlled by a solenoid (16) to override the thermal aspect thereof. The solenoid (16) is controlled by a digital processing section (20). The digital processing section (20) has a digital control module (22) with multiple profile tables associated therewith. The profile tables allow the digital control module (22) to compare a sensed current from a sensor (24) with a predetermined current value as a function of time and to generate the control signal for the solenoid (16) if the sensed current exceeds that in the profile. The profiles can optionally be downloaded to the module (22) through a serial communication port (36). The digital control module (22) is also operable to sense the voltage of the circuit breaker to determine zero crossing points and phase angle, which phase angle can be utilized to determine the type of load and, therefore, can alter the profile to be utilized. Display (30) provides a visual communication device for the control module (22). Various self-test features including generating a simulated current to the digital control module (22) and automatic recovery if the execution of the stored program in the digital control module (22) is disrupted.

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Garland, TX, United States of America

LeRoy Blanton