General Electric Company

Abb Schweiz Ag

Nataniel Barbosa Vicente

Marcelo Esteban Valdes

Todd Elliott Greenwood

Brian Patrick Lenhart, Jr

Mark Fredrick Culler

John James Dougherty

Stephen James West

Craig Benjamin Williams

Michael Sullivan Tignor

Zubair Hameed

Sreenivasulu Reddy Devarapalli

Christopher M Schnabel

Geoff F Butland

Charles Stephen Pitzen

Srinath Rao Topucharla

Carmine G Giglio

Rafael Gutierrez, Jr

Joachim Mueller

Torsten Brandt

Brian Patrick Lenhart Jr

Jr Brian Patrick Lenhart

Sreenivasulu R Devarapalli

A control module coupled to a switching device that is switchable between an open state and a closed state as part of a switching event is provided. The control module includes a communication interface configured to issue a control signal to the switching device that triggers the switching device to switch between the open state and the closed state, and receive a feedback signal from the switching device indicating that the switching device has switched between the open state and the closed state. The control module further includes a processing device coupled to the communication interface and configured to calculate a characteristic time interval associated with the switching event, wherein the characteristic time interval is indicative of a mechanical switching time of the switching device, and a memory device coupled to the processing device and configured to store the calculated characteristic time interval.

Systems and methods for monitoring circuit breaker operation

A diagnostic system and a diagnostic method for a thermistor amplifier circuit are provided. The system includes a transistor electrically coupled to a controllable variable resistor having a predetermined resistance. The transistor applies a test voltage signal to the circuit indicative of a first temperature value. An amplitude of the test voltage value is indicative of a simulated thermistor temperature value. The microprocessor determines a test temperature value based on the amplitude of an output voltage of the circuit. The microprocessor also determines an inaccuracy value based on the test temperature value and the simulated thermistor temperature value.

Diagnostic system and method for a thermistor amplifier circuit

A method of setting a ground fault trip response function for a trip unit includes enabling a ground fault protection mode for the trip unit, setting the ground fault trip response function for the trip unit, wherein the ground fault trip response function is a double knee time current function.

Global trip unit

A method for operating a controller includes receiving a first accumulated thermal value of an electrical machine and an associated first time stamp from a memory, initializing a processor of the controller with the first accumulated thermal value and the associated first time stamp, determining whether a second time stamp has been received, calculating a difference between the second time stamp and the first time stamp responsive to determining that the second time stamp has been received, calculating a second accumulated thermal value as a function of the first accumulated thermal value, the first time stamp, and the second time stamp, and updating the first accumulated thermal value with the second accumulated thermal value.

Methods and systems involving electric machine controllers

A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event a first or second fault condition is detected. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the response of the second circuit breaker depending on whether the first or second fault condition has been detected.

Circuit breaker zone selective interlock for differentiated faults and method of operation

An electronic control for a circuit breaker with automatic breaker rating is disclosed. The electronic control includes a memory to store circuit breaker ratings, a breaker rating switch to select circuit breaker ratings, and a microprocessor operatively coupled to the breaker rating switch and the memory. The microprocessor is configured to interpret a selected circuit breaker rating of the breaker rating switch, set an amplifier gain adjustment for the circuit breaker based on the selected circuit breaker rating, and transmit the selected circuit breaker rating to the memory for storage in the memory.

Circuit breakers with automatic breaker rating

A rating plug for an electronic trip unit is disclosed. The rating plug has a housing with a plurality of switches disposed within the housing, each of the switches positionable in one of two positions. The settings of the switches establish a digital signature associated with the rating plug, providing for a universal rating plug that can be used on any circuit breaker that is accepting of the rating plug and that has a sensor value equal to or greater than the rating plug current rating. For instance, a rating plug having a 1000 Amp rating can be used on any circuit breaker sensor for use at or above 1000 A.

Universal rating plug for electronic trip unit

A universal trip unit for use with a circuit breaker apparatus is provided and includes a communication unit configured to communicate with a personality module of the circuit breaker apparatus and to thereby receive key breaker personality parameters that relate to operational characteristics of the circuit breaker apparatus, and a controller. The controller includes a memory on which a universal register, previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters are stored, the controller being configured to control the communication unit to receive the key breaker personality parameters in accordance with information determined from the universal register, and components to execute trip protection when at least one of a current and a voltage Within the circuit breaker apparatus exceeds a respective predetermined threshold as defined by the previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters.

Universal trip unit

A system for controlling power in a circuit breaker trip unit is disclosed. The system includes: a user interface operably coupled to the trip unit and having a plurality of input keys; a power conditioner operably coupled to the user interface and operably coupled to a battery power source and an external power source; and a power control circuit. The power control circuit is configured to automatically electrically connect the battery power source to the power conditioner in response to activation of any of the plurality of input keys, and in the absence of an electrical connection between the external power source and the power conditioner.

System and method for managing power supply to a circuit breaker control unit

A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features with separate restrained and unrestrained setting capability is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event of a fault condition. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the tripping response of the second circuit breaker to a restrained mode. The circuit breakers include features enabling the user to modify and adjust both the restrained and unrestrained trip curves associated with both the restrained and unrestrained modes of operation.

Circuit breaker having separate restrained and unrestrained zone selective interlock setting capability

A method and apparatus providing automatic circuit breaker identification to an electronic trip unit includes a processor and a configuration module comprising configuration data identifying the particulars of a circuit breaker and that is in operable communication with the processor.

Circuit breaker electronic trip unit personality module

An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The electronic trip unit has a processing circuit, and a real time clock circuit that is operational in the absence of current in the circuit breaker. The processing circuit is responsive to input signals representative of a current in the circuit breaker, and the real time clock circuit is in signal communication with the processing circuit. In response to an off event at the circuit breaker following a current flow condition thereat, the real time clock circuit is configured to generate time information relating to the circuit breaker being off as a result of the off event for use by the processing circuit.

Electronic trip unit for circuit breakers

A control system includes an enclosure, a control panel, and a plurality of controls, indicators, or both mounted on the control panel or in the enclosure. At least some of the plurality of controls, indicators, or both are configured to wirelessly communicate with each other inside the enclosure, and at least some controls including wirelessly controlled relays are configured to control devices outside the enclosure. Also, the wirelessly configured controls, indicators, or both are further configured to communicate with a plurality of other controls, indicators, or both in the control system.

Wireless system with multi-device control

An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The electronic trip unit has a processing circuit, a real time clock chip, and a power source for powering the real time clock chip in the absence of current in the circuit breaker. The processing circuit is responsive to input signals representative of a current in the circuit breaker, and productive of a trip signal for tripping the circuit breaker. The real time clock chip is in signal communication with the processing circuit. In response to an off event at the circuit breaker following a current flow condition thereat, the real time clock chip is configured to generate time information for use by the processing circuit, which is configured to apply the time information to calculate a cooling effect arising from the circuit breaker being off, thereby providing for thermal memory.

Growing community of inventors

Prospect, KY, United States of America

Nataniel Barbosa Vicente