Low cost multi-pole circuit breakers with shared components
US8258898B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 2009 |
| Grant date | Sep 4, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2083/201
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multi-pole circuit breaker comprising a single main housing containing multiple circuit breakers for protecting multiple branch circuits. Each of the circuit breakers comprises a single line terminal for receiving electrical current from a utility line, a plurality of load terminals for supplying electrical current from the single line terminal to a plurality of branch circuits via load lines, and a plurality of neutral terminals for receiving electrical current returned from the branch circuits via neutral lines Line conductors inside the main housing connect the line terminal to the plurality of load terminals. Sensors inside the main housing generate signals representing characteristics of the electrical current flow in the branch circuits, and a signal processor uses the signals generated by the sensors for detecting abnormal conditions in the branch circuits and generating trip signals in response to the detection of an abnormal condition. A single tripping mechanism between the line terminal and the load terminals receives the trip signals and interrupts the flow of current to the branch circuits in response to a trip signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.