Electricity: measuring and testing – Electromechanical switching device – Circuit breaker
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-09
2002-08-06
Le, N. (Department: 2858)
Electricity: measuring and testing
Electromechanical switching device
Circuit breaker
C324S415000, C361S006000, C361S092000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06429659
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a tester for electronic trip units. More specifically, the present invention relates to a tester for suitably testing the connection between a trip unit and an actuator within a circuit breaker.
A circuit breaker typically includes a pair of electrical contacts that, when closed, allows circuit current to pass to a protected portion of an electrical distribution circuit via the closed contacts. When the contacts open, circuit current is prevented from flowing from one contact member to the other, and therefore, circuit current is prevented from flowing to the protected portion of the distribution circuit. The use of electronic trip units (trip units) in such circuit breakers is well known.
An electronic trip unit typically comprises voltage and current sensors, which provide analog signals indicative of the current flowing through the circuit breaker to a protected portion of an electrical distribution circuit. The analog signals are converted by an A/D (analog/digital) converter to digital signals, which are processed by a microcontroller. The trip unit further includes RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory) and EEPROM (electronic erasable programmable read only memory) all of which interface with the microcontroller. The ROM includes trip unit application code, e.g., main functionality firmware, including initializing parameters, and boot code. The EEPROM includes operational parameters for the application code.
In response to an overcurrent condition in the electrical distribution circuit, the electronic trip unit generates a trip signal, which is provided to an actuator within the circuit breaker. In response to the trip signal, the actuator, which includes a solenoid or similar electromechanical device, mechanically actuates (trips) an operating mechanism within the circuit breaker. The operating mechanism separates the electrical contacts to stop the flow of electrical current to the protected circuit.
The electronic trip unit and the actuator are typically separate components mounted within the circuit breaker's housing. Thus, when a circuit breaker is assembled, an electrical connection must be established between the electronic trip unit and the actuator. This connection is made within the circuit breaker housing and is, therefore, not visible when the circuit breaker housing is fully assembled. Operability of the circuit breaker depends upon the electrical connection between the trip unit and the actuator. Therefore, this connection must be checked during initial circuit breaker construction and periodically through the life of the circuit breaker. Unfortunately, a visual check can be made only by partially disassembling the circuit breaker, which increases construction and maintenance costs.
BRIEF SUMMERY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore seen to be desirable to have a trip unit connection tester for testing the electrical connection between a trip unit and an actuator in a circuit breaker. The trip unit connection tester includes a power source and an energy storage element electrically connected to the power source. A two-loop switch is electrically connected to the power source and the energy storage element. The two-loop switch toggles between a first loop and a second loop. The first loop includes the power source and the energy storage element, and the second loop includes the energy storage element and the connection between the trip unit and the actuator.
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Koller Michael Roger
Marple James Arthur
Cantor & Colburn LLP
General Electric Company
Hamdan Wasseem H.
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