Systems, methods, and circuits for determining one or more switch statuses are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, such a system includes a first port configured to be coupled to a switch, a capacitor, a comparator having first and second input ports and an output port, a current source coupled to the first input port, and a control component. The first input port is coupled to the first port and a threshold voltage if applied to the second input port. The control component is configured so that, in at least one circumstance, it causes the current source to cease driving the current in response to receiving an indication from the output port indicating that an additional voltage applied to the first input port has changed from being less than the threshold voltage to being greater than that voltage, the indication being indicative of the switch status.

Systems, methods, and circuits for determining one or more switch statuses are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, such a system includes a first port configured to be coupled to a switch, a capacitor, a comparator having first and second input ports and an output port, a current source coupled to the first input port, and a control component. The first input port is coupled to the first port and a threshold voltage if applied to the second input port. The control component is configured so that, in at least one circumstance, it causes the current source to cease driving the current in response to receiving an indication from the output port indicating that an additional voltage applied to the first input port has changed from being less than the threshold voltage to being greater than that voltage, the indication being indicative of the switch status.

A trip apparatus for a circuit interruption device that comprises a coil operatively connectable to a circuit interruption device. The coil is configured to selectively operate the circuit interruption device to interrupt when a current flowing through the circuit interruption device exceeds a threshold. The trip apparatus also includes a current measuring device configured to selectively measure a coil current flowing through the coil to determine a measured coil current signal. In addition, the trip apparatus includes a monitoring device configured to determine the derivative of the measured coil current signal and to perform a correlation of the derivative of the measured coil current signal and a reference derivative of a reference coil current signal to determine a correlation output. The monitoring device is further configured to compare the correlation output with a reference correlation threshold to determine whether an operating condition of the coil is normal or abnormal.

A trip apparatus for a circuit interruption device that comprises a coil operatively connectable to a circuit interruption device. The coil is configured to selectively operate the circuit interruption device to interrupt when a current flowing through the circuit interruption device exceeds a threshold. The trip apparatus also includes a current measuring device configured to selectively measure a coil current flowing through the coil to determine a measured coil current signal. In addition, the trip apparatus includes a monitoring device configured to determine the derivative of the measured coil current signal and to perform a correlation of the derivative of the measured coil current signal and a reference derivative of a reference coil current signal to determine a correlation output. The monitoring device is further configured to compare the correlation output with a reference correlation threshold to determine whether an operating condition of the coil is normal or abnormal.

A system for controlling the area circuits that stem from a circuit breaker box in a building. A switch activation unit is provided and is wired to the outgoing wires of a circuit breaker box. The switch activation unit contains a switch for each of the area circuits to be controlled. The switches are wired in series between the circuit breakers in the circuit breaker box and the area circuits. A control unit communicates with the switch activation unit and selectively controls the on/off state of its switches. The control unit is programmable and can activate and deactivate different area circuits at different preprogrammed times. The control unit can also be operated remotely using a link to a smart device.

A system for controlling the area circuits that stem from a circuit breaker box in a building. A switch activation unit is provided and is wired to the outgoing wires of a circuit breaker box. The switch activation unit contains a switch for each of the area circuits to be controlled. The switches are wired in series between the circuit breakers in the circuit breaker box and the area circuits. A control unit communicates with the switch activation unit and selectively controls the on/off state of its switches. The control unit is programmable and can activate and deactivate different area circuits at different preprogrammed times. The control unit can also be operated remotely using a link to a smart device.

A circuit breaker can include a light source, an optical sensor, a handle and a processor. The handle can be movable between different handle positions which correspond to different circuit breaker statuses. The handle can include a handle body and a light control plate which moves along with the handle body. The light control plate can have different light passage regions each of which is configured to be positioned between the light source and the optical sensor when the handle is moved to a corresponding one of the different handle positions. Each of the different light passage regions allows a different amount of light emitted from the light source to pass to the sensor when positioned between the light source and the sensor. The processor is configured to determine a status of the circuit breaker based on the sensed amount of light which relates to a position of the handle.

A circuit breaker can include a light source, an optical sensor, a handle and a processor. The handle can be movable between different handle positions which correspond to different circuit breaker statuses. The handle can include a handle body and a light control plate which moves along with the handle body. The light control plate can have different light passage regions each of which is configured to be positioned between the light source and the optical sensor when the handle is moved to a corresponding one of the different handle positions. Each of the different light passage regions allows a different amount of light emitted from the light source to pass to the sensor when positioned between the light source and the sensor. The processor is configured to determine a status of the circuit breaker based on the sensed amount of light which relates to a position of the handle.

A circuit for a circuit interrupter is provided. The circuit may in include a first SCR configured to receive a first trigger signal at a gate of the first SCR, a second SCR configured to receive a second trigger signal at a gate of the second SCR, and a third SCR configured to receive a third trigger signal at a gate of the third SCR. A cathode of the first SCR may be connected to an anode of the third SCR. A cathode of the second SCR and a cathode of the third SCR may be connected to a ground. Methods of operating a circuit interrupter and a circuit are also provided.

A circuit for a circuit interrupter is provided. The circuit may in include a first SCR configured to receive a first trigger signal at a gate of the first SCR, a second SCR configured to receive a second trigger signal at a gate of the second SCR, and a third SCR configured to receive a third trigger signal at a gate of the third SCR. A cathode of the first SCR may be connected to an anode of the third SCR. A cathode of the second SCR and a cathode of the third SCR may be connected to a ground. Methods of operating a circuit interrupter and a circuit are also provided.