A reset lockout mechanism for a circuit breaker includes a linkage, a rocker, an armature, a solenoid, and a plunger. The linkage is positioned to move between an open position and a closed position. The rocker is selectively engageable with the linkage. The armature is selectively engageable with the rocker. The plunger is supported by the solenoid and operatively coupled to the armature. The plunger is movable between a first position and a second position.

A locking mechanism for a circuit breaker operation device includes a housing (1). A button (2) is mounted in a button slot (101) of the housing (1). The locking mechanism is characterized in that the housing (1) is provided with a locking member (3) therein, and the locking member (3) can lock or unlock the button (2). In the locking mechanism for a circuit breaker operation device, a locking member is added in the circuit breaker; only after a lock button is pressed, an operation button is pressed to close the circuit breaker; when the operation button is pulled out, the circuit breaker is disconnected; when the lock button is not pressed, the operation button is locked by the lock button, the operation button cannot be pressed down, the circuit breaker cannot be closed.

An overload relay is disclosed in which a single operator coil is controlled for both tripping and resetting. A permanent magnet and a spring make the device bi-stable, so the coil may be unpowered when in the trip and reset states. Energization of the coil overcomes the magnet to allow tripping, while energization in an opposite direction adds to the magnet force to reset the device. An electromagnetic activation path overrides a mechanical activation path for electromagnetic tripping despite attempted manual resetting. The device may be pulse width modulated to reduce power consumption.

An overload relay is disclosed in which a single operator coil is controlled for both tripping and resetting. A permanent magnet and a spring make the device bi-stable, so the coil may be unpowered when in the trip and reset states. Energization of the coil overcomes the magnet to allow tripping, while energization in an opposite direction adds to the magnet force to reset the device. An electromagnetic activation path overrides a mechanical activation path for electromagnetic tripping despite attempted manual resetting. The device may be pulse width modulated to reduce power consumption.

An electronic circuit breaker comprises an electronic circuitry and a lockout mechanism configured to provide a safety feature. The lockout mechanism includes a trip rod placed along a longitudinal axis of the electronic circuit breaker. The trip rod has first and second ends. The lockout mechanism further includes a barrel mounted coaxially around the trip rod near the first end of the trip rod. The lockout mechanism further includes a moving arm mechanically coupled to the trip rod. The lockout mechanism further includes an electronic-powered magnet mounted coaxially on the trip rod near the second end being opposite of the first end of the trip rod. The lockout mechanism further includes an armature mechanically coupled to the trip rod. The barrel serves to block the moving arm and the trip rod is pushed by the electronic-powered magnet to interact with the barrel to remove a lockout such that the electronic-powered magnet is activated to push the trip rod to pull on the armature, causing the electronic circuit breaker to be tripped.

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.

In one example, a hybrid circuit interrupter may include a three-coil architecture, first coil circuitry, leakage detection circuitry, and a main processing circuit including a processor. The three-coil architecture may include a coil housing, three coils, and a plurality of coil assembly conductors. The coils may be disposed within the coil housing. The coils may be parallel and aligned. The coil assembly conductors may be at least partially disposed within the coil housing. The first coil circuitry may be connected to the first coil and may generate first coil signals. The leakage detection circuitry may be connected to the other coils and may generate a leakage signal. The processor may receive the first coil and leakage signals, determine whether an arc fault exists from the first coil signals, determine whether a ground fault exists from the leakage signal, and generate a first trigger signal if a fault is determined.

An arc quenching device creates a fault on a bus. A lockout mechanism of a circuit breaker feeding the bus is responsively actuated. Actuating the lockout mechanism may include releasing a spring-loaded mechanism mounted on a cassette that holds the circuit breaker to cause the mechanism to engage a lockout member of the circuit breaker.

In one example, a hybrid circuit interrupter may include a three-coil architecture, first coil circuitry, leakage detection circuitry, and a main processing circuit including a processor. The three-coil architecture may include a coil housing, three coils, and a plurality of coil assembly conductors. The coils may be disposed within the coil housing. The coil assembly conductors may be at least partially disposed within the coil housing. The first coil circuitry may be connected to the first coil and may generate first coil signals. The leakage detection circuitry may be connected to the other two coils and may generate a leakage signal. The processor may receive the first coil signals, receive the leakage signal, determine whether an arc fault exists based on the first coil signals, determine whether a ground fault exists based on the leakage signal, and generate a first trigger signal if a fault is determined to exist.