Circuit interrupter with reset mechanism

A circuit interrupter comprising:

• 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, wherein the routine is further structured to control the first operating mechanism to open the first set of separable contacts in response to detecting a second type of fault condition.

A circuit interrupter comprising:

• 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;
• 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;
• a line conductor electrically connected to a power source, wherein the first and second sets of separable contacts are disposed along the line conductor;
• and
• a power circuit electrically connected to the line conductor between the second set of separable contacts and the power source,
• wherein the power circuit is structured to leech power from the power source and to provide said power for the second operating mechanism to close the second set of separable contacts.

A circuit interrupter comprising:

• 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, wherein the second set of separable contacts have a lower interruption rating than the first set of separable contacts.

A method for controlling a circuit interrupter including a first operating mechanism structured to open a first set of separable contacts and a second operating mechanism structured to open and close a second set of separable contacts, the method comprising:

• detecting a fault condition;
• determining a type of the fault condition;
• controlling the second operating mechanism to open the second set of separable contacts in response to detecting a first type of fault condition;
• controlling 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;
• determining whether a predetermined number of faults have occurred within a second predetermined amount of time;
• and
• controlling the first operating mechanism to open the first set of separable contacts in response to determining that the predetermined number of faults have occurred within the second predetermined amount of time.