Circuit Breaker Personality Module Automatic Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current circuit breaker technologies face challenges in ensuring proper configuration and preventing errors during upgrades, dealing with mechanical and electrical interface variations, and combating counterfeit trip units, which leads to increased complexity, cost, and safety risks due to the need for unique mechanical rejection features and numerous permutations.
Innovation Solution
A configuration module with a processor and non-volatile memory that automatically identifies and configures circuit breaker settings, replacing mechanical rejection features and allowing for a universal interface, enabling secure and efficient upgrades and preventing counterfeit units by using a personality module that can be easily configured and encrypted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical rejection features are used to prevent incompatible ETU/rating plug combinations, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rejection features with an electronic identification system. The ETU contains a unique identifying number stored in memory that is read by the circuit breaker's processor. This electronic verification system eliminates the need for complex mechanical interlocking pins and rejection features, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability in preventing incompatible combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a digital copy of the unique identification information stored in the ETU's memory. The circuit breaker reads and verifies this copied identification data against its own stored information to determine compatibility. This digital copying and verification approach simplifies the system compared to physical mechanical verification methods.
2Reliability
If unique identifying numbers are assigned to each circuit breaker and trip unit, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-identification and self-verification. Each ETU contains its own unique identifying number in memory, and the circuit breaker automatically reads and verifies this information during operation. This self-service approach to identification and verification reduces the need for highly precise manual configuration during manufacturing, as the system automatically manages its own identification data.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical interlocking pins are modified by secondary manufacturing processes, then adaptability is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the secondary manufacturing process of breaking out plastic pieces for mechanical interlocking pins with an electronic configuration process. The unique identifying numbers are programmed into the ETU's memory during standard manufacturing, and compatibility is determined electronically through software verification rather than physical modification. This eliminates complex secondary manufacturing steps while maintaining adaptability through programmable identification data.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus providing automatic circuit breaker (10) identification to an electronic trip unit (31) includes a processor (31.1) and a configuration module (11) comprising configuration data identifying the particulars of a circuit breaker (10) and that is in operable communication with the processor (31.1).