Method of actuating a test function of an electrical switching apparatus and electrical switching apparatus employing the same
First Claim
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1. A method of actuating a trip test function of a circuit interrupter, said method comprising:
- employing a proximity sensor in said circuit interrupter;
sensing a target with said proximity sensor; and
responsive to said sensing a target with said proximity sensor, actuating said trip test function of said circuit interrupter.
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Abstract
An arc fault circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, an operating mechanism adapted to open and close the separable contacts, and an arc fault trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The arc fault trip mechanism includes an arc fault test circuit adapted to simulate an arc fault trip condition to trip open the separable contacts. A proximity sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, is adapted to sense a magnetic target to actuate the arc fault test circuit.
43 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of actuating a trip test function of a circuit interrupter, said method comprising:
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employing a proximity sensor in said circuit interrupter; sensing a target with said proximity sensor; and responsive to said sensing a target with said proximity sensor, actuating said trip test function of said circuit interrupter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of actuating a test function of a circuit interrupter, said method comprising:
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employing a proximity sensor in said circuit interrupter; sensing a target with said proximity sensor; responsive to said sensing a target, actuating said test function of said circuit interrupter; employing a circuit breaker including separable contacts as said circuit interrupter; employing with said circuit breaker a trip mechanism including a test circuit adapted to simulate a trip condition to trip open said separable contacts; and outputting a signal to simulate a trip condition to trip open said separable contacts responsive to said sensing a target with said proximity sensor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. An electrical switching apparatus comprising:
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a housing; separable contacts; an operating mechanism adapted to open and close said separable contacts; and a trip mechanism cooperating with said operating mechanism to trip open said separable contacts, said trip mechanism comprising; a trip test circuit structured to simulate a trip condition to trip open said separable contacts, and a proximity sensor structured to sense a target to actuate said trip test circuit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of actuating a test function of a circuit interrupter, said method comprising:
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employing a proximity sensor in said circuit interrupter; sensing a target with said proximity sensor; responsive to said sensing a target, actuating said test function of said circuit interrupter; employing said circuit interrupter including a housing having an opening; disposing said proximity sensor completely within said housing and proximate the opening thereof; and passing said target from outside of said housing, through the opening of said housing, and toward said proximity sensor. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification