General Electric Company

Michael B Bradley

Michael Sullivan Tignor

Craig Benjamin Williams

Paul T Rajotte

Michael H Thomas

Geoffrey Freeman Butland

LeeAnne Wambolt

Patrick Salas

Raymond K Seymour

David Geer Fletcher

Henry Hall Mason, Jr

Geoff F Butland

Greg Lavoie

An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker includes a programmed microprocessor and a module plug in removable signal communication with the microprocessor. The module plug includes a program identifier. The microprocessor recognizes the program identifier and accesses a program of a plurality of programs external to the module plug based on the program identifier. The microprocessor responds to the program to perform a function identified by the module plug. The function identifiable by the module plug includes a communications function, a load monitoring function, a non-tripping ground fault alarm function, a flag function, or any combination thereof.

Method and apparatus for accessing and activating accessory functions of electronic circuit breakers

A device for testing for a wiring fault condition is disclosed. The device includes an electrical connector, a first signal generator, a second signal generator, and a user interface. The electrical connector includes first and second contacts that are configured to establish an electrical connection to the wiring. The first signal generator is in signal communication with the electrical connector, and is configured to generate a signal on the wiring and to receive a reflected signal therefrom. The second signal generator is in signal communication with the electrical connector, and is configured to generate a radio frequency signal on the wiring. The user interface is in signal communication with either or both of the first and second signal generators.

Device and method for testing for a wiring fault condition

Improvements to a rating plug for an electronic trip unit of a circuit breaker are disclosed. The rating plug includes a non-volatile memory which has access to current and frame rating information. A microcomputer in the electronic trip unit may receive new current rating information over the World Wide Web from a vendor system to update the current rating information of the rating plug. A program within the circuit breaker may detect errors in the new current rating information and may reject such and revert to a safe mode of operation. A billing system may be connected to the vendor system for calculating charges based on the transmission of the new current rating information. Preferably, the non-volatile memory of the rating plug is programmed at the factory site and a label adhered to the outer case of the rating plug for indicating the current rating. The rating plug may then be inserted within the electronic circuit breaker at the field and the current rating altered as necessary using the remote altering system.

World wide web enabled and digital rating plug

A method and apparatus for rejection of an inappropriate rating plug in an electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker including: a microprocessor programmed to determine an overcurrent condition of the circuit breaker; a nonvolatile memory in operable communication with the microprocessor; the rating plug releasably engaged with the microprocessor, the rating plug includes an identification register; wherein the microprocessor reads the identification register, the identification register includes an identification number; wherein the microprocessor accesses one of a plurality of programs in the nonvolatile memory based on the identification number; and wherein the one of a plurality of programs instructs said microprocessor to perform a validation of said rating plug for operation with said microprocessor.

Digital rating plug for electronic trip unit in circuit breakers

An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker includes: a microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed to determine an overcurrent condition of the circuit breaker; a nonvolatile memory in electronic communication with the microprocessor; a module plug releasably engaged with the microprocessor, the module plug includes an identification register; wherein the microprocessor reads the identification register, the identification register including an identification number; wherein the microprocessor accesses one of a plurality of programs in the nonvolatile memory based the identification number; and wherein the one of a plurality of programs instructs the microprocessor to perform steps necessary to operate one or more functions of the module plug.

Module plug for an electronic trip unit

A verifying trip unit includes a microcontroller providing a plurality of input signals to a logic device for controlling a trip unit actuator. The logic device produces an output signal for controlling a trip unit actuator. In response to the plurality of input signals, the logic device provides an output signal indicative of a function performed on the signals for opening the circuit breaker contacts in an overcurrent condition.

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Farmington, CT, United States of America

Michael B Bradley