The present disclosure pertains to detection of abnormal, risky, or abberant conditions in a power distribution network and to corresponding trip signals being used to trip open devices such as reclosers upstream of where the abnormal condition is detected. Detection of a missing broadband over power-line signal or of an open circuit between phases of a power distribution circuit may prevent severed conductors from causing a ground fault, therefore avoiding the possibility of fire and dangerous conditions.

An electrical safety apparatus includes a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) module, a timer module and a housing without a display screen. The GFCI module includes a sensor configured to output a differential current signal according to a current flowing to and from an electrical load, a ground fault circuit interrupter circuit in electrical communication with the sensor, and one or more switches arranged on one or more communication paths for supplying power to the electrical load. The timer module is in electrical communication with the GFCI module and configured to generate a timer signal. Responsive to the differential current signal or the timer signal, the ground fault circuit interrupter circuit generates a driving signal to selectively open or close the one or more switches. The housing encloses the GFCI module and the timer module.

An electrical safety apparatus includes a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) module, a timer module and a housing without a display screen. The GFCI module includes a sensor configured to output a differential current signal according to a current flowing to and from an electrical load, a ground fault circuit interrupter circuit in electrical communication with the sensor, and one or more switches arranged on one or more communication paths for supplying power to the electrical load. The timer module is in electrical communication with the GFCI module and configured to generate a timer signal. Responsive to the differential current signal or the timer signal, the ground fault circuit interrupter circuit generates a driving signal to selectively open or close the one or more switches. The housing encloses the GFCI module and the timer module.

Solid state and hybrid circuit protection devices include improved arc-less switching capability and overcurrent protection, improved terminal assemblies and improved thermal management features that reduce or eliminate ignition sources for hazardous environments. The solid state and hybrid circuit protection devices are ignition protected and avoid possible explosions and therefore obviate a need for conventional explosion-proof enclosures to ensure safe operation of an electrical power system in a hazardous location.

A circuit breaker distribution system is configured to provide selective coordination. The system comprises a solid-state switch disposed as a main or upstream breaker and a switch with an over current protection disposed as a branch or downstream breaker. The solid-state switch comprises a microcontroller including a processor and a memory, and computer-readable logic code stored in the memory which, when executed by the processor, causes the microcontroller to: allow repeated pulses of current through to the branch or downstream breaker in an event of an overload or short circuit, and choose a maximum current limit for the solid-state switch as a “chop level” such that the chop level is chosen higher than a rated current of the solid-state circuit breaker but low enough that the solid-state switch is not damaged from repeated pulses over a period of time needed to switch OFF the branch or downstream breaker.

An electrical distribution panel for controlling the distribution of electrical power to a plurality of loads includes a plurality of solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs), each including a thermally conductive heatspreader and one or more power semiconductor devices that control whether electrical current is able to flow to an attached load; a distribution panel heatsink configured in thermal contact with the SSCB heatspreaders; one or more cooling fans that blow air onto the distribution panel heatsink; a stacked bus bar with quick-fit pin-mount receptacles for receiving mating/matching press-fit connection pins located on line-side terminals of the SSCBs; a communications and control (comm/control) bus communicatively coupled to the plurality of SSCBs; and a head-end interface and gateway to which an external computer can connect, to, among other things, set and alter trip settings of the plurality of SSCBs via the comm/control bus.

An electrical distribution panel for controlling the distribution of electrical power to a plurality of loads includes a plurality of solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs), each including a thermally conductive heatspreader and one or more power semiconductor devices that control whether electrical current is able to flow to an attached load; a distribution panel heatsink configured in thermal contact with the SSCB heatspreaders; one or more cooling fans that blow air onto the distribution panel heatsink; a stacked bus bar with quick-fit pin-mount receptacles for receiving mating/matching press-fit connection pins located on line-side terminals of the SSCBs; a communications and control (comm/control) bus communicatively coupled to the plurality of SSCBs; and a head-end interface and gateway to which an external computer can connect, to, among other things, set and alter trip settings of the plurality of SSCBs via the comm/control bus.

An electrical distribution panel for controlling the distribution of electrical power to a plurality of loads includes a plurality of solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs), each including a thermally conductive heatspreader and one or more power semiconductor devices that control whether electrical current is able to flow to an attached load; a distribution panel heatsink configured in thermal contact with the SSCB heatspreaders; one or more cooling fans that blow air onto the distribution panel heatsink; a stacked bus bar with quick-fit pin-mount receptacles for receiving mating/matching press-fit connection pins located on line-side terminals of the SSCBs; a communications and control (comm/control) bus communicatively coupled to the plurality of SSCBs; and a head-end interface and gateway to which an external computer can connect, to, among other things, set and alter trip settings of the plurality of SSCBs via the comm/control bus.

The present disclosure relates to a recloser control that provides autosynchronization of a microgrid to an area electric power system (EPS). For example, a recloser control may include an output connector that is communicatively coupled to a recloser at a point of common coupling (PCC) between the area EPS and the microgrid. The recloser control may include a processor that acquires a first set of measurements indicating electrical characteristics of the area EPS and acquires a second set of measurements indicating electrical characteristics of the microgrid. The recloser control may send synchronization signals to one or more distributed energy resource (DER) controllers to synchronize one or more DERs to the area EPS based on the first set of measurements and the second set of measurements.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an over-voltage protection method, an over-voltage protection device and a display device. When the voltage value of the output signal is greater than the first preset voltage threshold, it is determined whether the voltage value of the output signal meets the preset over-voltage protection condition. If the voltage value of the output signal is detected to meet the preset over-voltage protection condition, the first control signal is output to stop output of the output signal or lower the voltage value of the output signal.