The present invention is a system with embedded functionality allowing automated monitoring and controlling of energy consumption, including hardware installed in addition to an existing circuit breaker panel. A preferred embodiment comprises a retrofitting apparatus that can be connected to an existing circuit breaker panel. The apparatus can be detachably connected to circuit breakers or a circuit breaker panel. The apparatus and related method allow control of electrical loads on a premises.

The present invention is a system with embedded functionality allowing automated monitoring and controlling of energy consumption, including hardware installed in addition to an existing circuit breaker panel. A preferred embodiment comprises a retrofitting apparatus that can be connected to an existing circuit breaker panel. The apparatus can be detachably connected to circuit breakers or a circuit breaker panel. The apparatus and related method allow control of electrical loads on a premises.

A module for the interconnection between an electrical circuit breaker and an electrical contactor includes a housing and multiple high-power electrical conductors that are housed inside the housing, each of the high-power electrical conductors being suitable for electrically connecting an electrical output of a circuit breaker to an electrical input of a contactor, in order to allow a supply electric current to flow from the circuit breaker to the contactor. The interconnection module additionally includes a device for measuring the current, which device is suitable for measuring the values of the current that flows through the high-power electrical conductors, and an electronic processing unit, which unit is equipped with an interface for connection to a data bus and which unit is programmed to transmit the values measured by the measurement device to the data bus.

A module for the interconnection between an electrical circuit breaker and an electrical contactor includes a housing and multiple high-power electrical conductors that are housed inside the housing, each of the high-power electrical conductors being suitable for electrically connecting an electrical output of a circuit breaker to an electrical input of a contactor, in order to allow a supply electric current to flow from the circuit breaker to the contactor. The interconnection module additionally includes a device for measuring the current, which device is suitable for measuring the values of the current that flows through the high-power electrical conductors, and an electronic processing unit, which unit is equipped with an interface for connection to a data bus and which unit is programmed to transmit the values measured by the measurement device to the data bus.

A contactor includes a plurality of switches mechanically coupled to an actuator. The actuator is moveable between operational and tripped positions. Switches that are closed in the operational position are open in the tripped position, and vice versa. The actuator extends through a coil as a core. The coil moves the actuator when an input signal is applied to the coil. A first input circuit receives a power-up input signal to transition the contactor from a tripped position to an operational position. A second input circuit receives a trip signal to transition the contactor from the operational position to the tripped position. First and second switches, coupled to respective first and second ends of the coil, reverse the polarity of the coil each occurrence of the actuator being actuated in preparation for the coil to be energized and magnetically polarized in an opposite direction during a next subsequent actuation.

A contactor includes a plurality of switches mechanically coupled to an actuator. The actuator is moveable between operational and tripped positions. Switches that are closed in the operational position are open in the tripped position, and vice versa. The actuator extends through a coil as a core. The coil moves the actuator when an input signal is applied to the coil. A first input circuit receives a power-up input signal to transition the contactor from a tripped position to an operational position. A second input circuit receives a trip signal to transition the contactor from the operational position to the tripped position. First and second switches, coupled to respective first and second ends of the coil, reverse the polarity of the coil each occurrence of the actuator being actuated in preparation for the coil to be energized and magnetically polarized in an opposite direction during a next subsequent actuation.

A motor starter includes: a motor circuit breaker which has an electronic tripping device; a contactor which is correspondingly interconnected to the motor circuit breaker for forming the motor starter; and at least one control line disposed between the motor circuit breaker and the contactor, via which control line a control signal, which is generated depending upon a switching signal for switching the contactor, is transmitted from the contactor to the electronic tripping device. The electronic tripping device generates a tripping signal for switching off a current flow across the switching contact or switching contacts of the motor circuit breaker, depending upon the control signal and current flow across one or more switching contacts of the motor circuit breaker.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for circuit breakers with integrated safety, control, monitoring, and protection features. In one aspect, a circuit breaker includes, an input and an output, a switch coupled between the input and the output, a sensor configured to measure the current flowing from the input to the output, and a control system coupled to the sensor and the switch, wherein the control system is configured to perform operations including comparing a rate of change of the current measured by the sensor to a threshold rate of change of current, determining that the rate of change of the current measured by the sensor exceeds the threshold rate of change of current for at least a predetermined period of time, and as a consequence of determining that the rate of change of current exceeds the threshold rate of change, opening the switch, thereby disconnecting the input from the output.

An electrical device for supplying electrical power to multiple power units includes a first module, including an electrical circuit breaker; a second, removable module, including a control circuit, programmed to trip the circuit breaker depending on values of the electric current that is flowing through power lines; a connection interface provided with output connectors that are connected to the power lines; removable elements, each containing an item of electrical equipment that is intended to be connected to an electrical power unit and to one of the power lines by the output connectors, the control circuit being connected to an interface for controlling each removable element via a data link by virtue of the connection interface.

An electrical device for supplying electrical power to multiple power units includes a first module, including an electrical circuit breaker; a second, removable module, including a control circuit, programmed to trip the circuit breaker depending on values of the electric current that is flowing through power lines; a connection interface provided with output connectors that are connected to the power lines; removable elements, each containing an item of electrical equipment that is intended to be connected to an electrical power unit and to one of the power lines by the output connectors, the control circuit being connected to an interface for controlling each removable element via a data link by virtue of the connection interface.