Dual-Module Circuit Breaker Testing Without Power Interruption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional circuit breakers with leakage protection units cause circuit interruption during testing, affecting power system stability and incurring economic losses.

Innovation Solution

A circuit breaker design with a first and second switch module, a circuit board assembly, and a test button assembly, allowing the second switch module to be turned on before the first switch module is turned off during testing, ensuring continuous power supply and reducing circuit interruption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the leakage switch immediately trips after pressing the test button, then the protection mechanism can be verified, but circuit interruption occurs affecting power system stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection mechanism verificationVSAvoidpower system stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit breaker is divided into a first switch module (main leakage protection switch) and a second switch module (test switch). During testing, only the second switch module trips while the first remains closed, allowing protection verification without complete circuit interruption. This segmentation enables independent testing functionality while maintaining overall system stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second switch module is configured to trip before the first switch module during testing. This preliminary action allows the protection mechanism to be verified in advance through the test button, while the first switch module remains closed to maintain power supply, thus avoiding complete circuit interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the leakage switch immediately trips during testing, then the test function works, but economic losses occur due to circuit interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest functionVSAvoideconomic losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the circuit breaker into two independent switch modules with separate tripping mechanisms, the test function can be executed through the second switch module without affecting the first switch module's power supply function, thereby eliminating economic losses from complete circuit interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second switch module acts as an intermediary for testing purposes. It provides a dedicated test pathway that allows verification of protection mechanisms without involving the main power supply path controlled by the first switch module, thus enabling testing without economic penalty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4712124A1Circuit breaker
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP4712124A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4712124A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP4712124A1 patent drawingFigure 3c~3d

AI summary

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a circuit breaker. Each of a first switch module and a second switch module of the circuit breaker includes a driving component, a plurality of connecting members coupled to the driving component, and a plurality of first contacts and a plurality of second contacts disposed corresponding to the plurality of connecting members. A circuit board assembly is electrically connected to the driving component of the first switch module and the driving component of the second switch module. A test button assembly is disposed on the circuit board assembly.