Single pole circuit breaker with contactless switching detection

Abstract

A single-pole circuit breaker (100, figure 1) configured to conduct a current when the circuit breaker is closed; it comprises a rotatable engagement knob 210 with a coil winding (111, figure 2a) arranged around a part of it and at least one permanent magnet adjacent to it. It also comprises a control unit 106 configured to detect switching events of the single-pole circuit breaker by measuring a voltage and recording data. The circuit-breaker may also comprise a conductor (118, figure 1), sensor 107, energy harvesting coil winding (536, figure 4), biasing means, latch and a trip unit 102. The sensor may comprise a current transformer and the energy harvesting coil winding. The control unit may classify switching events as no-current switching, normal load switching, overload tripping, short circuit tripping and with-current switching. It may also be configured to send recorded data externally via wireless communication and may be capable of monitoring the switching operation to determine if the circuit breaker may be replaced or inspected. [Figure 2b]