# US 10,320,177 B2 · Power distribution system and method, and circuit breaker for use therein

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- Number: US 10,320,177 B2
- Document ID: US10320177B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/651,993
- Filed: 2013-06-13
- Published: 2015-11-12
- Granted: 2019-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2012-12-13
- Assignees: Emneve Pty Limited
- Applicants: Emneve Pty Limited
- Inventors: Scott Damien Emerson; Gordon James Newlan; Marc Phillip Veenendaal
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10320177B2

## CPC

- H02J 13/10: characterised by displaying of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition [SCADA] systems
- G01R 15/202: {using Hall-effect devices (Hall elements in arrangements for measuring electrical power G01R21/08)}
- H02H 1/0007: {concerning the detecting means (in general G01R or other subclasses of G01; reed switches H01H71/2445)}
- H02H 1/0092: {concerning the data processing means, e.g. expert systems, neural networks}
- H02H 3/006: {Calibration or setting of parameters}
- H02H 3/08: responsive to excess current (responsive to abnormal temperature caused by excess current H02H5/04)
- H02J 13/12: Monitoring network conditions, e.g. electrical magnitudes or operational status
- H02J 13/34: the equipment being switches, relays or circuit breakers
- H02J 13/333: the equipment forming part of substations
- H02J 13/36: specially adapted for protection systems
- Y02E 60/00: Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y04S 10/18: using switches, relays or circuit breakers, e.g. intelligent electronic devices [IED]
- Y04S 10/30: State monitoring, e.g. fault, temperature monitoring, insulator monitoring, corona discharge
- Y04S 10/40: Display of information, e.g. of data or controls
- H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)
- H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H)
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y04S: SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS

## Abstract

A programmable circuit breaker, including an input unit, a sensor, and, a trip mechanism. The input unit permits user input and/or adjustment of predetermined load parameters. The sensor senses actual values of a load. A microcontroller receives and processes the values, and operates/trips the circuit breaker when the sensed values exceed predetermined load parameters. The sensor preferably includes a Hall-Effect sensor. The circuit breaker is preferably able to be programmed, monitored and/or tripped remotely. It preferably includes an RCD. In a power distribution system, at least one such current breaker is provided, controllable by a controller, which may be remote from the current breaker.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A circuit breaker of the type adapted to be installed in an electrical distribution board, including:
a casing, having a pair of terminals adapted to be connected in series with a load and having a resettable toggle switch;
a sensor, including multiple Hall-Effect sensors to sense a current in said load, each of said Hall-Effect sensors having a different sensitivity;
a ferromagnetic shield surrounding the multiple Hall-Effect sensors; and
a microcontroller, connected to a programmable input unit, for user input and/or adjustment of predetermined maximum load current of said load, said microcontroller adapted to compare said sensed load current sensed by said sensor with said predetermined maximum load current, and operate said circuit breaker when said sensed load current exceeds said predetermined load current;
wherein the multiple Hall-Effect sensors are magnetically coupled to an active conductor connected to one of the pair of terminals, and wherein the multiple Hall-Effect sensors include:
a first Hall-Effect sensor provided with a field concentrator in the form of a ferromagnetic material around the active conductor to direct a magnetic field to the first Hall-Effect sensor;
a second Hall-Effect sensor provided without a field concentrator; and
a third Hall-Effect sensor provided without a field concentrator and arranged at a deflected angle relative to the active conductor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1, which is programmable to operate at a range of current ratings, preferably, but not limited to between 4 A to 100 A.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1, wherein said input unit is adapted to be programmed remotely.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1, which is adapted to be monitored remotely.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1, which is adapted to be operated/tripped remotely.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1, which has a built in Residual Current Device (RCD) that can be adjusted to turn on or off, or to operate at a range of currents, including 10 mA, 30 mA, 100 mA.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1, which has a lock mechanism, comprising at least one padlock.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1, further including:
a display unit, to display predetermined load parameters, actual values and/or other indicia.

### Claim 9

A power distribution system, including:
a power supply;
a communications controller, for user input and/or adjustment of predetermined load parameters;
at least one load;
a circuit breaker associated with each said load, to selectively connect said power supply to each load, each circuit breaker being of the type adapted to be installed in an electrical distribution board including:
a casing, having a pair of terminals adapted to be connected in series with a load and having a resettable toggle switch;
a sensor, including multiple Hall-Effect sensors to sense a current in said load, each of said Hall-Effect sensors having a different sensitivity;
a ferromagnetic shield surrounding the multiple Hall-Effect sensors; and
a microcontroller, connected to the communications controller, for user input and/or adjustment of predetermined maximum load current of said load, said microcontroller adapted to compare said sensed load current sensed by said sensor with said predetermined maximum load current, and operate said circuit breaker when said sensed load current exceeds said predetermined load current;
wherein the multiple Hall-Effect sensors are magnetically coupled to an active conductor connected to one of the pair of terminals, and wherein the multiple Hall-Effect sensors include:
a first Hall-Effect sensor provided with a field concentrator in the form of a ferromagnetic material around the active conductor to direct a magnetic field to the first Hall-Effect sensor;
a second Hall-Effect sensor provided without a field concentrator; and
a third Hall-Effect sensor provided without a field concentrator and arranged at a deflected angle relative to the active conductor.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The power distribution system as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one of said circuit breakers is programmable to operate at a range of current values, including between 4 A and 100 A.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The power distribution system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said communications controller is located remotely from said circuit breaker(s).

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The power distribution system as claimed in claim 9 further including:
a communications channel, such as, but not limited to a wireless communications channel, for remote programming, monitoring and/or tripping of said circuit breaker(s) via said communications controller.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The power distribution system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said circuit breaker(s) include a residual current device (RCD).

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The power distribution system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said current breaker(s) includes a locking mechanism.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The power distribution system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said current breaker(s) includes a display unit to display said predetermined load parameters.