A circuit breaker for interrupting a direct current, in particular in a power supply system in a vehicle having a main current path that includes a switch, and having a reed relay for detecting an electric current flow across the main current path. The switch is coupled to the reed relay. Also, a use of a circuit breaker is provided.

A control system is designed to control an interrupter. The interrupter is started by a startup current to interrupt a main electric circuit. The startup current flows through an auxiliary electric circuit and has a current valve equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The control system includes a driving unit and a driven unit. The driving unit includes an intermediate electrical path to be connected to the main electric circuit. The driven unit is to be connected to the auxiliary electric circuit. When an abnormal current having a current value equal to or greater than a prescribed value flows through the intermediate electrical path, the driving unit uses, as a drive source for driving the driven unit, the abnormal current flowing through the intermediate electrical path. The driven unit supplies the auxiliary electric circuit with the startup current by being driven by the driving unit.

A control system is designed to control an interrupter. The interrupter is started by a startup current to interrupt a main electric circuit. The startup current flows through an auxiliary electric circuit and has a current valve equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The control system includes a driving unit and a driven unit. The driving unit includes an intermediate electrical path to be connected to the main electric circuit. The driven unit is to be connected to the auxiliary electric circuit. When an abnormal current having a current value equal to or greater than a prescribed value flows through the intermediate electrical path, the driving unit uses, as a drive source for driving the driven unit, the abnormal current flowing through the intermediate electrical path. The driven unit supplies the auxiliary electric circuit with the startup current by being driven by the driving unit.

An interrupter system includes a first coil and an interrupter electrically connected to the first coil. The interrupter includes: a first terminal; a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal; a third terminal electrically separated from the first terminal and the second terminal; a heat generating element electrically connected to the third terminal; and an explosive configured to be ignited by the heat generating element to produce a gas for interrupting an electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first coil is electrically connected to the heat generating element via the third terminal. Moreover, the first coil is configured to, when an abnormal current flows between the first terminal and the second terminal, generate an electric power for igniting the explosive from the abnormal current.

An interrupter system includes a first coil and an interrupter electrically connected to the first coil. The interrupter includes: a first terminal; a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal; a third terminal electrically separated from the first terminal and the second terminal; a heat generating element electrically connected to the third terminal; and an explosive configured to be ignited by the heat generating element to produce a gas for interrupting an electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first coil is electrically connected to the heat generating element via the third terminal. Moreover, the first coil is configured to, when an abnormal current flows between the first terminal and the second terminal, generate an electric power for igniting the explosive from the abnormal current.

Systems and methods for auto-monitoring a trip solenoid and a switching semiconductor in a circuit breaker comprises determining whether the trip solenoid or the switching semiconductor is open-circuited or otherwise non-operational. The trip solenoid has multiple windings therein and the switching semiconductor has multiple semiconductor switches therein. The circuit breaker automatically performs a designated action if one of the multiple windings or one of the semiconductor switches is determined to be open-circuited or otherwise non-operational. In some embodiments, the circuit breaker is a miniature circuit breaker.

An energy-saving ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) includes an electronic circuit board provided in a housing and a breaker switch mounted on and controlled by the electronic circuit board. The electronic circuit board includes a power circuit, a test circuit, a work indicator circuit, a leakage detection circuit, a neutral-line ground fault detection circuit, a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) circuit, and an integrated circuit. The GFCI is characterized by further including a dual-coil switch-closing circuit parallel-connected to the power circuit and is advantageous in that the breaker switch can be rapidly closed by simultaneously supplying electricity to both coils to effect strong electromagnetic attraction, is kept closed by only one of the coils after current to the other coil is cut off via the properties of capacitors, and when a circuit fault occurs, is opened via an SCR which renders the single working coil out of electricity to ensure safety.

An energy-saving ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) includes an electronic circuit board provided in a housing and a breaker switch mounted on and controlled by the electronic circuit board. The electronic circuit board includes a power circuit, a test circuit, a work indicator circuit, a leakage detection circuit, a neutral-line ground fault detection circuit, a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) circuit, and an integrated circuit. The GFCI is characterized by further including a dual-coil switch-closing circuit parallel-connected to the power circuit and is advantageous in that the breaker switch can be rapidly closed by simultaneously supplying electricity to both coils to effect strong electromagnetic attraction, is kept closed by only one of the coils after current to the other coil is cut off via the properties of capacitors, and when a circuit fault occurs, is opened via an SCR which renders the single working coil out of electricity to ensure safety.

A circuit breaker for interrupting a direct current, in particular in a power supply system in a vehicle having a main current path that includes a switch, and having a reed relay for detecting an electric current flow across the main current path. The switch is coupled to the reed relay. Also, a use of a circuit breaker is provided.

A circuit breaker for interrupting a direct current, in particular in a power supply system in a vehicle having a main current path that includes a switch, and having a reed relay for detecting an electric current flow across the main current path. The switch is coupled to the reed relay. Also, a use of a circuit breaker is provided.