Remote control circuit breaker system

• US 5,373,411 A
• Filed: 12/23/1992
• Issued: 12/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Moldovan, Peter K., Clarey, Robert J., Grass, William E., Streich, Herbert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): DEBOER, TODD
• Application Number:
  US07/997,299
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 361/87, 361/115, 361/64, 361/68, 361/66, 361/81, 335/14, 335/20, 364/492, 364/483, 340/825.06
• US Class Current: 361/64
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/54 by magnetic force combined with electrodynamic opening H01H77/101
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2071/086 Low power connections for auxiliary switches, e.g. shunt trip
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 47/06 by changing number of serially-connected turns or windings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 50/66 with lost motion
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 71/04 Means for indicating condition of the switching device by means of an auxiliary contact H01H71/46
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 71/46 having means for operating auxiliary contacts additional to the main contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 71/524 the contact arm being pivoted on handle and mechanism spring acting between cradle and contact arm
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 73/14 Indicating lamp structurally associated with the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 89/06 Combination of a manual reset circuit with a contactor, i.e. the same circuit controlled by both a protective and a remote control device
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers

Abstract

A remote control residential and commercial circuit breaker system (320) provides overload current protection and load management. The system includes a plurality of remote control circuit breakers (20, 322) each including a switch (188, 190, 150, 152) responsive to a control signal (330) for controllably completing and interrupting a respective load circuit (184), a plurality of pole controllers (336, 338) each responsive to a respective address signal (342, 344) and coupled to a respective circuit breaker and supplying the respective control signal to the respective switch. Each pole controller includes a status circuit responsive to actuation of the switch and supplying a status signal indicative thereof. A common controller (348) is coupled to the pole controllers and supplies addresses signals.

Claims

1. A remote control circuit breaker system comprising a plurality of remote control circuit breakers each including a switch responsive to a control signal for controllably completing and interrupting a respective load circuit, a plurality of pole controllers each responsive to an address signal and coupled to a respective circuit breaker and supplying said control signal to said switch, each pole controller including a status circuit responsive to actuation of said switch and supplying a status signal indicative thereof, a common controller coupled to said pole controllers and supplying said address signals, said status signal is generated after generation of said address confirming actuation of said switch in response to said control signal from said pole controller responding to said address signal, said common controller generates a sequence cycle comprising an address cycle comprising a plurality of multiplexed address signals, followed by a status cycle comprising a plurality of multiplexed status signals, such that status cycles are provided between address cycles, said status cycle begins upon completion of said address cycle, and wherein upon completion of said status cycle, the next address cycle begins, said common controller comprises a timer generating a first high frequency clock signal, a counter counting said clock signals and dividing same to provide a plurality of different lower frequency clock signals, a group of said lower frequency clock signals providing address selection signals for said multiplexed address signals, a logic gating circuit logically combining said first high frequency clock signal and one of said lower frequency clock signals and providing said address cycle and said status cycle, such that said address cycle and said status cycle are both generated by said common controller, said logic gating circuit comprises a first gate enabled by said one lower frequency clock signal during a first interval and passing said first high frequency clock signal therethrough during said first interval, and a second gate enabled by said one lower frequency clock signal during a second interval and passing said first high frequency clock signal therethrough during said second interval, said first gate being disabled during said second interval to block passage of said first high frequency clock signal therethrough, said second gate being disabled during said first interval to block passage of said first high frequency clock signal therethrough, said first and second intervals sequentially following each other in alternating relation, said first interval providing said address cycle, said second interval providing said status cycle.

2. A remote control circuit breaker system comprising a plurality of remote control circuit breakers each including a switch responsive to a control signal for controllably completing and interrupting a respective load circuit, a plurality of pole controllers each responsive to an address signal and coupled to a respective circuit breaker and supplying said control signal to said switch, each pole controller including a status circuit responsive to actuation of said switch and supplying a status signal indicative thereof, a common controller coupled to said pole controllers and supplying said address signals, wherein said status circuit responds to a given current characteristic of said control signal supplied from said pole controller to said switch in response to said address signal, to indicate actuation of said switch and the condition of said load circuit, said given current characteristic is a given current versus time profile, said given current characteristic comprises an increase in current value of said control signal to a first level followed by a decrease in current value of said control signal to a second lower level within a given time interval, each pole controller comprises current sensing circuitry sensing control signal current and outputting a fault signal if control signal current fails to decrease from said first level to said second lower level within said given time interval.

3. The remote control circuit breaker system according to claim 2 wherein each pole controller comprises a first monitor circuit monitoring said control signal current and outputting a signal having a first state when said control signal current is at said first level, and a second state when said control signal current decreases to said second level, and a second monitor circuit monitoring the output of said first monitor circuit, said second monitor circuit including a timer responsive to said first state of said output signal from said first monitor circuit to begin a timing interval, and responsive to said second state of said output signal from said first monitor circuit to terminate said timing interval, said second monitor circuit outputting said fault signal if the duration between initiation and termination of said timing interval by said timer is greater than said given time interval.

4. The remote control circuit breaker system according to claim 2 wherein said current sensing circuit provides a V_detect voltage proportional to control signal current, and comprising a first comparator comparing V_detect against a first threshold comparison voltage and outputting a signal to a timing capacitor when V_detect rises above said first threshold comparison voltage, to begin charging said timing capacitor, a second comparator comparing the voltage across said timing capacitor against a second threshold comparison voltage and outputting said fault signal if said voltage across said timing capacitor rises above said second threshold comparison voltage.

5. The remote control circuit breaker system according to claim 4 wherein said timing capacitor discharges when V_detect decreases below said first threshold comparison voltage.

6. The remote control circuit breaker system according to claim 4 comprising a discharge circuit connected to said timing capacitor and providing a discharge current path therefor when said address signal is in a given state.

7. The remote control circuit breaker system according to claim 4 comprising a third comparator comparing V_detect against a third threshold comparison voltage and outputting a pre-status signal as V_detect initially rises above a third threshold comparison voltage nominally above zero.

8. The remote control circuit breaker system according to claim 7 comprising a logic gate combining said fault and said pre-status signals and providing an output status signal having a first state responsive to said pre-status signal, said first state providing a preliminary indication that said switch in said remote control circuit breaker should be open and said load circuit should be interrupted, wherein said logic gate changes its output status signal from said first state to a second state in response to said fault signal, said second state of said logic gate output status signal indicating that said switch in said remote control circuit breaker has remained closed and that said load circuit has not been interrupted, such that said fault signal overrides said pre-status signal and changes said output status signal of said logic gate from said first state to said second state.

9. A remote control circuit breaker system comprising a plurality of remote control circuit breakers each including a switch responsive to a control signal for controllably completing and interrupting a respective load circuit, a plurality of pole controllers each responsive to an address signal and coupled to a respective circuit breaker and supplying said control signal to said switch, each pole controller including a status circuit responsive to actuation of said switch and supplying a status signal indicative thereof, a common controller coupled to said pole controllers and supplying said address signals, wherein said pole controller comprises a manual override switch having a first position overriding said common controller and providing a control signal interrupting said load circuit regardless of the address signal provided by said common controller to the respective said pole controller, a second position enabling said control signal to be controlled by said common controller, and a third position overriding said common controller and allowing completion of said load circuit regardless of any address signal provided by said common controller to the respective said pole controller.

10. The remote control circuit breaker system according to claim 9 comprising a dual color lamp system comprising first and second colors, and lamp energizing circuitry responsive to said manual override switch and to said common controller and energizing said lamp system such that said first color is flashingly illuminated when said manual override switch is in said first position, said second color is flashingly illuminated when said manual override switch is in said third position, said first color is continuously illuminated when said manual override switch is in said second position and said load circuit is interrupted, said second color is continuously illuminated when said manual override switch is in said second position and completion of said load circuit is allowed.

11. The remote control circuit breaker system according to claim 10 wherein said status circuit supplies a fault signal when said first mentioned switch fails to actuate in response to said control signal from said respective pole controller, and wherein said lamp energizing circuit responds to said fault signal and alternately flashes said first and second colors.

12. The remote control circuit breaker system according to claim 11 comprising a first lamp switch for illuminating said first color, a second lamp switch for illuminating said second color, a source of clock signals for providing flashing illumination, a logic gating circuit responsive to said manual override switch and said common controller for actuating said first and second lamp switches and gating said clock signals therethrough to flashingly illuminate said colors.

13. The remote control circuit breaker system according to claim 12 wherein said common controller generates a sequence cycle comprising an address cycle comprising a plurality of multiplexed address signals, followed by a status cycle comprising a plurality of multiplexed status signals, such that status cycles are provided between address cycles, wherein said status cycle begins upon completion of said address cycle, and wherein upon completion of said status cycle, the next address cycle begins, said common controller comprises a timer generating a first high frequency clock signal, a counter counting clock pulses of said high frequency clock signal and dividing same to provide a plurality of different lower frequency clock signals, a group of said lower frequency clock signals providing address selection signals for said multiplexed address signals, a logic gating circuit logically combining said first high frequency clock signal and one of said lower frequency clock signals and providing said address cycle and said status cycle, such that said address cycle and said status cycle are generated by said common controller, said lower frequency clock signals being supplied to said pole controller to provide said clock signals for flashing illumination.

14. The remote control circuit breaker system according to claim 12 comprising a first node coupled to said first lamp switch and coupled through an inverter to said second lamp switch such that when said first lamp switch is on, said second lamp switch is off, and such that when said first lamp switch is off, said second lamp switch is on, a first gate enabled by a fault condition of said fault status signal and passing a first of said clock signals therethrough to said first node, said first clock signal alternating between first and second states at a given frequency, such that during said first state, said first lamp switch is on and said second lamp switch is off, and during said second state, said first lamp switch is off and said second lamp switch is on, said first gate being disabled by a nonfault condition of said fault status signal to block passage of said first clock signal therethrough, said first node being coupled to said manual override switch, a second gate responsive to said manual override switch and to a second of said clock signals having a higher frequency than said first clock signal, a third gate responsive to said fault status signal and to said second clock signal, the outputs of said second and third gates being connected to a second node controlling flashing and continuous illumination of said colors according to the state of said second node.

15. The remote control circuit breaker system according to claim 12 comprising a first logic gating circuit having a first input from said status circuit and a second input from a first of said clock signals, and an output combined with an output of said manual override switch and supplied to said first and second lamp switches, a second logic gating circuit having a first input from said status circuit, a second input from said manual override switch, and a third input from a second of said clock signals of different frequency than said first clock signal, and an output to said lamp system.

16. The remote control circuit breaker system according to claim 15 wherein said first clock signal is twice the frequency of said second clock signal, and such that in response to said fault status signal when said switch in said remote control circuit breaker fails to actuate in response to said control signal from said respective pole controller, said first color flashes on during a first half cycle of said first clock signal, then off during the next half cycle of said first clock signal, all during a half cycle of said second clock signal, whereafter said second color flashes on during the first half cycle of the next cycle of said first clock, and then off during the second half cycle of said next cycle of said first clock, all during the next half cycle of said second clock, such that during a full cycle of said second clock, said first color is on, then both colors are off, then said second color is on, then both colors are off.

17. The remote control circuit breaker system according to claim 9 wherein said status circuit responds to a given current characteristic of said control signal current supplied from said pole controller to said switch in response to said address signal, to indicate actuation of said switch and the condition of said load circuit, said given current characteristic comprising a given current versus time profile comprising an increase in current value of said control signal to a first level followed by a decrease in current value of said control signal to a second lower level within a given time interval, said pole controller comprising current sensing circuitry providing a V_detect voltage proportional to control signal current, and comprising a first comparator comparing V_detect against a first threshold comparison voltage and outputting a signal to a timing capacitor when V_detect rises above said first threshold comparison voltage, to begin charging said timing capacitor, a second comparator comparing the voltage across said timing capacitor against a second threshold comparison voltage and outputting a fault signal if said voltage across said timing capacitor rises above said second threshold comparison voltage, a discharge circuit connected between said timing capacitor and said manual override switch and providing a discharge current path for said timing capacitor when said manual override switch is in said second position and said address signal is at a given state, and also providing a discharge current path for said timing capacitor when said manual override switch is in said third position.

18. A remote control circuit breaker system comprising a plurality of remote control circuit breakers each including a switch responsive to a control signal for controllably completing and interrupting a respective load circuit, a plurality of pole controllers each responsive to an address signal and coupled to a respective circuit breaker and supplying said control signal to said switch, a common controller coupled to said pole controllers and supplying said address signals, each pole controller including a current sensing circuit sensing the current supplied to said switch and terminating current flow to said switch in response to an overcurrent condition, to protect said switch, wherein said overcurrent condition is a given current versus time profile of control signal current, said pole controller comprises a timer responsive to said current sensing circuit and outputting a fault signal if said control signal current rises above a given level and remains thereabove for a given interval, and a cut-out switch responsive to said fault signal and terminating control signal current flow to said switch of said remote control circuit breaker, said current sensing circuit provides a V.sub. detect voltage proportional to control signal current flowing to said switch of said remote control circuit breaker, and comprising a control switch responsive to said address signal to supply said control signal to said switch of said remote control circuit breaker, a first comparator comparing V_detect against a first threshold comparison voltage and outputting a signal to a timing capacitor when V_detect rises above said first threshold comparison voltage, to begin charging said timing capacitor, a second comparator comparing the voltage across said timing capacitor against a second threshold comparison voltage and outputting said fault signal to said cut-out switch if said voltage across said timing capacitor rises above said second threshold comparison voltage.

19. A remote control circuit breaker system comprising a service center receiving electrical utility power, said service center having a circuit breaker panel section, a plurality of circuit breakers, including remote control circuit breakers, mounted in said circuit breaker panel section, each circuit breaker having a user engageable handle extending forwardly toward and facing the user, each remote control circuit breaker including a switch responsive to a control signal for controllably completing and interrupting a respective load circuit, said service center having a pole controller panel section, a motherboard printed circuit board mounted in said pole controller panel section and having common controller circuitry and a plurality of connection headers thereon, said common controller circuitry supplying address signals through said connection headers, a plurality of pole controllers in said pole controller panel section, each pole controller mounted on said motherboard in plugged-in relation with a respective said connection headers, each pole controller having a user engageable handle extending forwardly toward and facing the user, each pole controller responsive to a respective said address signal and coupled to a respective said remote control circuit breaker and supplying said control signal to said switch, wherein each said pole controller comprises an insulating case having a connection port with a motherboard interface connector mating with a respective said connection header on said motherboard, said case having an opening at the front facing the user, and wherein said pole controller comprises a manual override switch mounted in said case, said pole controller handle being part of said manual override switch and extending forwardly therefrom through said front opening in said case, said manual override switch is a three position switch, with said pole controller handle having a first position overriding said common controller and providing a control signal interrupting said load circuit regardless of any address signal provided by said common controller to the respective said pole controller, a second position enabling said control signal to be controlled by said common controller, and a third position overriding said common controller and allowing completion of said load circuit regardless of any address signal provided by said common controller to the respective said pole controller.

20. The remote control circuit breaker system according to claim 19 wherein said case has a second opening at the front facing the user, and wherein said pole controller comprises a lamp system including a lamp in said case at said second opening and visible therethrough, and lamp energizing circuitry responsive to said manual override switch and to said common controller for illuminating said lamp.