Circuit Interrupter Automatic Reset Mechanism for Transient Faults
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circuit interrupters require manual resetting after tripping, which can lead to extended power outages for loads like refrigerators, even if the trip was due to a transient fault, and there is a need to differentiate between transient and persistent faults to prevent immediate re-tripping.
Innovation Solution
A circuit interrupter with two sets of separable contacts and operating mechanisms, where an electronic trip unit detects fault types and automatically opens and then closes the secondary set of contacts after a predetermined time, allowing for automatic power restoration without manual intervention for transient faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If circuit breaker requires manual reset after tripping, then persistent faults can be identified, but extended power outages occur for transient faults
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit breaker is divided into two separate contact sets: first separable contacts for manual operation and second separable contacts for automatic operation. This segmentation allows the device to simultaneously provide manual reset capability for persistent faults and automatic reset for transient faults, resolving the contradiction between reliable fault detection and minimizing power outage time.
2Loss of time
If circuit breaker automatically resets, then power restoration is fast, but persistent faults cause immediate re-tripping
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic trip unit acts as an intermediary that monitors fault conditions and controls the second operating mechanism. It detects fault types and determines whether to close the second separable contacts automatically or require manual intervention, thereby preventing immediate re-tripping on persistent faults while enabling fast restoration for transient faults.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit breaker performs self-service through the automatic reset function for transient faults. The electronic trip unit automatically detects transient fault conditions and controls the second operating mechanism to close the contacts without human intervention, enabling the system to restore power automatically when safe to do so.
3Reliability
If manual reset is required, then fault type can be assessed, but user intervention is needed for every trip
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit breaker performs self-service through the automatic reset function for transient faults. The electronic trip unit automatically detects transient fault conditions and controls the second operating mechanism to close the contacts without human intervention, enabling the system to restore power automatically when safe to do so.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic trip unit provides feedback by monitoring fault conditions and determining fault types. This feedback mechanism enables the system to make intelligent decisions about whether to automatically reset or require manual intervention, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable fault assessment.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit interrupter including a first set of separable contacts, a second set of separable contacts, a first operating mechanism structured to open the first set of separable contacts, a second operating mechanism structured to open and close the second set of separable contacts, and an electronic trip unit including a routine structured to detect a fault condition and a type of the fault condition, to control the second operating mechanism to open the second set of separable contacts in response to detecting a first type of fault condition, and to control the second operating mechanism to close the second set of separable contacts a predetermined amount of time after controlling the second operating mechanism to open the second set of separable contacts.