A system may include a power supply that generates a first voltage. The power supply may couple upstream from an electrical load. The electrical load may operate based at least in part on the first voltage. In some cases, a solid-state circuit breaker may be coupled between the power supply and the electrical load. Furthermore, a control system may be communicatively coupled to the power supply, the electrical load, and the solid-state circuit breaker. The control system may receive an operational status from the solid-state circuit breaker and may update a visualization rendered on a graphical user interface based at least in part on the operational status. The operational status may indicate an operation of the solid-state circuit breaker coupling the power supply to the electrical load.

In an electrical distribution system including a solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) and one or more downstream mechanical circuit breakers (CBs), a solid-state switching device in the SSCB is repeatedly switched ON and OFF during a short circuit event, to reduce a root-mean-square (RMS) value of the short circuit current. The resulting pulsed short circuit current is regulated in a hysteresis control loop, to limit the RMS to a value low enough to prevent the SSCB from tripping prematurely but high enough to allow one of the downstream mechanical CBs to trip and isolate the short circuit. Pulsing is allowed to continue for a maximum short circuit pulsing time. Only if none of the downstream mechanical CBs is able to trip to isolate the short circuit within the maximum short circuit pulsing time is the SSCB allowed to trip.

A set of electrical protection devices with two levels that are connected in series, the first level including a circuit breaker that is referred to as the first or upstream circuit breaker and the second level including one or more circuit breakers referred to as second or downstream circuit breakers, which are connected in parallel with respect to one another.

The trip for the upstream circuit breaker, instead of including what are referred to as instantaneous protection means, includes, firstly, a first trip chain making it possible to adjust the long-delay trip curve for inverse time and the short-delay trip curve with a no-trip time and, secondly, a second trip chain including an optical sensor that is capable of discerning light between 300 and 450 nm by eliminating visible and infrared light so as to eliminate the light that is characteristic of gas jets emitted by the one or more circuit breakers referred to as downstream circuit breakers during a switching operation, and means for simultaneously measuring the current level and the maximum threshold of light emitted at the busbars, this second trip chain being capable of causing the upstream circuit breaker to trip when the current exceeds a predetermined value and the light emitted exceeds a predetermined threshold for emitted light.

The invention relates to a protection ensemble, comprising a circuit breaker, and a surge protector device, wherein the circuit breaker and the surge protector device have an interface, wherein the surge protector device comprises a monitoring device and, upon recognizing a fault condition by the monitoring device, the circuit breaker can be tripped by means of the interface.

A hybrid switch assembly for use in a circuit interrupter, the hybrid switch assembly including an input, an output, separable contacts electrically connected between the input and the output, a solid state switching circuit electrically connected between the input and the output and in parallel with the separable contacts, and a fuse electrically connected in series with the solid state switching circuit. The solid state switching circuit is structured to turn on and allow current to flow through it between the input and the output for a predetermined amount of time after the separable contacts separate.

In an electrical distribution system including a solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) and one or more downstream mechanical circuit breakers (CBs), a solid-state switching device in the SSCB is repeatedly switched ON and OFF during a short circuit event, to reduce a root-mean-square (RMS) value of the short circuit current. The resulting pulsed short circuit current is regulated in a hysteresis control loop, to limit the RMS to a value low enough to prevent the SSCB from tripping prematurely but high enough to allow one of the downstream mechanical CBs to trip and isolate the short circuit. Pulsing is allowed to continue for a maximum short circuit pulsing time. Only if none of the downstream mechanical CBs is able to trip to isolate the short circuit within the maximum short circuit pulsing time is the SSCB allowed to trip.

Methods and systems for suppressing arc formation in branch breakers provide a load center that can monitor a branch breaker for indications of arc formation. The load center may include a main breaker that can immediately cut current to the upon receiving an indication of an arc forming in the branch breaker. The indication may be provided by a sensor circuit that sends a trigger signal to the main breaker when arc formation is detected within the branch breaker. The main breaker checks that the trigger signal indicates arc formation, then cuts current to suppress the arc. The main breaker then waits a short period for the branch breaker to clear before restoring current. The wait period is sufficiently short such that devices receiving power from the load center are not adversely affected. To improve cutoff and restoration response times, the main breaker employs a solid-state trip switch.

A restoring element is for an electrical switch. In an embodiment, the restoring element is constructed in two parts from a first part and a second part. The two parts are configured to converge in a first direction for tripping the electrical switch and the two parts do not necessarily converge in a second direction for resetting the electrical switch, the second direction being different from the first direction. Further, the second part of the restoring element includes a restoring cam which is configured to interact with a handle of a switching mechanism of the electrical switch, such that, during resetting of the electrical switch, the restoring element is configured to be rotated by the handle in the second direction for resetting the electrical switch.

A system may include a power supply that generates a first voltage. The power supply may couple upstream from an electrical load. The electrical load may operate based at least in part on the first voltage. In some cases, a solid-state circuit breaker may be coupled between the power supply and the electrical load. Furthermore, a control system may be communicatively coupled to the power supply, the electrical load, and the solid-state circuit breaker. The control system may receive an operational status from the solid-state circuit breaker and may update a visualization rendered on a graphical user interface based at least in part on the operational status. The operational status may indicate an operation of the solid-state circuit breaker coupling the power supply to the electrical load.

A hybrid air-gap/solid-state device protection device (PD) for use in an electrical power distribution system includes an air-gap disconnect unit connected in series with a solid-state device, a sense and drive circuit, and a microcontroller. Upon the sense and drive circuit detecting an impending fault or exceedingly high and unacceptable overvoltage condition in the PD's load circuit, the sense and drive circuit generates a gating signal that quickly switches the solid-state device OFF. Meanwhile, the microcontroller generates a disconnect pulse for the air-gap disconnect unit, which responds by forming an air gap in the load circuit. Together, the switched-OFF solid-state device and air gap protect the load and associated load circuit from being damaged. They also serve to electrically and physically isolate the source of the fault or overload condition from the remainder of the electrical power distribution system.