# US 10,483,750 B2 · Selective circuit breaker > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,483,750 B2 - Document ID: US10483750B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/320,755 - Filed: 2015-06-18 - Published: 2017-06-08 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-24 - Assignees: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited - Applicants: Eaton Industries (Netherlands) B.V. - Inventors: Ronaldus Niehoff - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10483750B2 ## CPC - H02H 3/08: responsive to excess current (responsive to abnormal temperature caused by excess current H02H5/04) - H02H 3/027: with automatic disconnection after a predetermined time (H02H3/033, H02H3/06 take precedence {; timing in overcurrent protection circuits H02H3/093; in undervoltage protection circuits H02H3/247; staggered disconnection H02H7/30}) - H02H 3/06: with automatic reconnection - H02H 7/261: {involving signal transmission between at least two stations (transmission of signals in general H02H1/0061)} - H02H 7/30: Staggered disconnection - H02H 3/006: {Calibration or setting of parameters} - H02H 3/033: with several disconnections in a preferential order, {e.g. following priority of the users, load repartition}(H02H3/06 takes precedence) - 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) ## Abstract A selective circuit breaker, in operation connectable between a main supply line and a downstream circuit breaker, has a bypass switch in a supply line, and a controlled semiconductor switch connected in parallel to the bypass switch. A bypass switch off detection circuitry and a short circuit detection circuitry are provided for controlling the bypass switch and the semiconductor switch in accordance with a switching characteristic. The switching characteristic of the selective circuit breaker is programmable, and a short circuit current rating of the selective circuit breaker is substantially equal to a short circuit current rating of the downstream circuit breaker. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A selective circuit breaker, in operation connectable between a main supply line and a downstream circuit breaker, the selective circuit breaker comprising: a bypass switch in a supply line; a controlled semiconductor switch connected in parallel to the bypass switch; a bypass switch off detection circuitry; and a short circuit detection circuitry configured to control the bypass switch and the controlled semiconductor switch in accordance with a switching characteristic, wherein the switching characteristic is programmable, wherein a short circuit current rating of the selective circuit breaker is substantially equal to a short circuit current rating of a downstream circuit breaker, wherein the selective circuit breaker is operable in a normal operating mode or in a system limit selectivity mode, wherein in the normal operating mode the selective circuit breaker is programmed to disconnect later than the downstream circuit breaker, and wherein in the system limit selectivity mode the selective circuit breaker is programmed to apply a reconnect attempt. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The selective circuit breaker of claim 1, comprising the same components as the downstream circuit breaker. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The selective circuit breaker of claim 1, configured to select the normal selectivity or the system limit selectivity operating mode based on a dI/dt measurement in the main supply line. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The selective circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein in the system limit selectivity mode the selective circuit breaker is programmed to execute a reclosing attempt in a next zero-crossing of the mains supply after a switch off of the selective circuit breaker. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The selective circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein the switching characteristic is based on measurement of an energy parameter, measurement of current amplitude, and/or change of current over time (dI/dt). ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The selective circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein the downstream circuit breaker is a conventional type circuit breaker. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The selective circuit breaker of claim 1, configured to change the switching characteristics depending on a mains supply source connected to the selective circuit breaker. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The selective circuit breaker of claim 1, configured to measure short circuit power on site during operation, and to change the switching characteristics accordingly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The selective circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein the selective circuit breaker is configured to change a switch-off characteristic dependent on a detection of presence of persons. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The selective circuit breaker of claim 1, having a ground fault sensitivity substantially similar to a ground fault rating of the downstream circuit breaker, and a current threshold higher than a current threshold of the downstream circuit breaker. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The selective circuit breaker of claim 10, having a ground fault time delay which is longer than a ground fault time delay of the downstream circuit breaker. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The selective circuit breaker of claim 1, configured to detect whether a short circuit fault and/or a ground fault is present in wiring between the selective circuit breaker and the downstream circuit breaker. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The selective circuit breaker of claim 1, further comprising: a communication interface configured to exchange data with the downstream circuit breaker. ### Claim 14 A method for controlling a circuit breaker system, the method comprising: connecting, between a downstream circuit breaker and a main supply line, a selective circuit breaker comprising a bypass switch in a supply line, and a controlled semiconductor switch connected in parallel to the bypass switch; providing a bypass switch off detection circuitry for detecting the status of the bypass switch and a short circuit detection circuitry for detecting a short circuit situation or an overcurrent situation; providing a processing unit for controlling the bypass switch and the semiconductor switch in accordance with a switching characteristic, selecting, with a processing unit: a normal operating mode, in which the selective circuit breaker is programmed to disconnect later than the downstream circuit breaker; or a system limit selectivity mode, in which the selective circuit breaker is programmed to apply a reconnect attempt, and based on a dI/dt measurement in the main supply line. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the selective circuit breaker is connected to a plurality of downstream circuit breakers. ### Claim 16 A selective circuit breaker, in operation connectable between a main supply line and a downstream circuit breaker, the selective circuit breaker comprising: a bypass switch in a supply line; a controlled semiconductor switch connected in parallel to the bypass switch; a bypass switch off detection circuitry; and a short circuit detection circuitry configured to control the bypass switch and the controlled semiconductor switch in accordance with a switching characteristic, wherein the switching characteristic is programmable, wherein a short circuit current rating of the selective circuit breaker is substantially equal to a short circuit current rating of a downstream circuit breaker, and wherein the selective circuit breaker has a ground fault sensitivity substantially similar to a ground fault rating of the downstream circuit breaker, and a current threshold higher than a current threshold of the downstream circuit breaker. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The selective circuit breaker of claim 16, having a ground fault time delay which is longer than a ground fault time delay of the downstream circuit breaker.