H02H7/30

Mechanical interlock assemblies for panelboards and related systems and methods

A panelboard system includes a panelboard, a first circuit breaker in the panelboard, a second circuit breaker in the panelboard, and an interlock assembly. The interlock assembly includes: an interlock panel, a first protrusion on the interlock panel and positioned above the first circuit breaker, a second protrusion on the interlock panel and positioned above the second circuit breaker, and a toggle bracket pivotally connected to the interlock panel at a pivot member between the first and second protrusions. The toggle bracket includes a first arm extending from the pivot member toward the first circuit breaker and a second arm extending from the pivot member toward the second circuit breaker.

PULSE CIRCUIT FOR PROVIDING A FAULT CURRENT IN A DC VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLY GRID
20220102967 · 2022-03-31 · ·

Electrical devices are connected to a DC voltage power supply grid being connected to a power source and having a supply voltage. Protection devices protect the electrical devices against an unintentional overcurrent sensed by a sensor unit. The protection devices disconnect the electrical devices from the DC voltage power supply grid when an overcurrent is detected. A pulse circuit having a capacitor with a semiconductor switching element connected in series with the capacitor is connected to respective inputs of the protection devices and supplies an amount of electric charge when a voltage dip occurs, wherein the amount of supplied electric charge is determined based on the detected overcurrent and a predetermined time period.

Nano grid protection device, large power grid and a method for controlling a nano grid protection device

Provided is a nano grid protection device for a nano grid including a distributed power supply, a large power grid including the nano grid protection device, and a method for controlling the nano grid protection device. In an embodiment, the nano grid is connected with a bus through the nano grid protection device and a main grid is connected with the bus through a main grid protection device. In an embodiment, the nano grid protection device includes: a signal unit, configured to detect and send current information passing through the nano grid protection device, the current information including the magnitude and direction of the current; a controller, configured to determine, based upon the received current information, whether to send a trip signal or not; and an execution mechanism, configured to execute a trip operation of the nano grid protection device upon receiving the trip signal.

Protection assistance device of multiple circuit breakers in low-voltage system
11289892 · 2022-03-29 · ·

The present disclosure provides a protection assistance device of multiple circuit breakers in a low-voltage system, in which protection assistance in both directions from the upper side to the lower side or from the lower side to the upper side is possible, and the number of wires for protection assistance between multiple upper/lower circuit breakers can be minimized. The protection assistance device includes at least one upper low-voltage circuit breaker; at least one middle low-voltage circuit breaker; at least one lower low-voltage circuit breaker; and a communication line which makes a communication connection between the low-voltage circuit breakers, wherein the low-voltage circuit breakers comprise a control unit for, when a trip operation of automatically breaking a circuit is performed, transmitting a communication packet for reporting a trip operation state to at least one predetermined circuit breaker among the circuit breakers through the communication line.

Load center that reduces trip time during short circuit faults
11283255 · 2022-03-22 · ·

A load center comprises a common instantaneous tripping unit that works on a principle of solid state switching. The load center further comprises a plurality of branches of branch circuit breakers each of which is coupled to the common instantaneous tripping unit via a corresponding high power connection and a corresponding low power connection such that the common instantaneous tripping unit feeds the plurality of branches at the same time. The common instantaneous tripping unit interrupts a short circuit fault in an interruption time which is significantly reduced thus reducing or eliminating chances for a personal injury during the short circuit fault.

INTEGRATING MEMORY DROPOUT TIMER

An electronic device includes input circuitry that obtains an input signal. The electronic device includes processing circuitry that has an integrating memory dropout (IMD) timer. The IMD timer generates an extended output signal that is asserted an extended amount of time that varies based at least in part on integration of the received input signal.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOCATING FAULTS IN AN ISLANDED MICROGRID
20220069567 · 2022-03-03 · ·

A fault isolating device for use in a microgrid disconnected from a main power grid includes a voltage meter for detecting a voltage anomaly indicative of an electrical fault, a timer for establishing a time window that begins and ends a predetermined time after a voltage anomaly is detected, a switch that is opened at the start of the time window, and a microcontroller that determines whether to leave the switch open to isolate a faulted portion of the microgrid or to close the switch. A plurality of fault isolating devices can be distributed throughout a microgrid to isolate a faulted branch or faulted branches of an islanded microgrid without interfering with normal fuse operation when the microgrid is connected to the main power grid.

LOAD CENTER THAT REDUCES TRIP TIME DURING SHORT CIRCUIT FAULTS
20220045497 · 2022-02-10 ·

A load center comprises a common instantaneous tripping unit that works on a principle of solid state switching. The load center further comprises a plurality of branches of branch circuit breakers each of which is coupled to the common instantaneous tripping unit via a corresponding high power connection and a corresponding low power connection such that the common instantaneous tripping unit feeds the plurality of branches at the same time. The common instantaneous tripping unit interrupts a short circuit fault in an interruption time which is significantly reduced thus reducing or eliminating chances for a personal injury during the short circuit fault.

Coordinated reclosing in a power distribution system

A power distribution system adapted for high current fault management during a fault event utilizes reclosing switches configured for a quick-slow-quick reclosing sequence in which the reclosing switch initially responds to the fault condition by tripping open, and then after a delay recloses for a first duration of time (slow) prior to tripping open. After another delay, the reclosing switch recloses for a second duration of time (quick) that is less than the first duration of time prior to tripping open for an indefinite interval. When installed in new segments or retrofitted in place of a fuse, reclosing switches configured with quick-slow-quick reclose timing allows for reduction of downstream customer outages, reduced I.sup.2T exposure for elements upstream of a fault event and a reduction in the duration of voltage sags experienced by customers during fault events while allowing for improved fault management configurations of the power distribution system.

Coordinated reclosing in a power distribution system

A power distribution system adapted for high current fault management during a fault event utilizes reclosing switches configured for a quick-slow-quick reclosing sequence in which the reclosing switch initially responds to the fault condition by tripping open, and then after a delay recloses for a first duration of time (slow) prior to tripping open. After another delay, the reclosing switch recloses for a second duration of time (quick) that is less than the first duration of time prior to tripping open for an indefinite interval. When installed in new segments or retrofitted in place of a fuse, reclosing switches configured with quick-slow-quick reclose timing allows for reduction of downstream customer outages, reduced I.sup.2T exposure for elements upstream of a fault event and a reduction in the duration of voltage sags experienced by customers during fault events while allowing for improved fault management configurations of the power distribution system.