Method and apparatus for authenticating and detecting circuit breaker integrity

A circuit breaker apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• a circuit disposed in the housing and configured to connect a power line to a load via one or more conductors and provide circuit protection for the one or more conductors and the load;
• a display that is operable to change from a first state to a second state, wherein:
• the first state indicates that the apparatus is authenticated and the second state indicates that the apparatus has been tampered with, and
• power is not required to maintain the first state or the second state once displayed;
• a controller;
• and
• a power control device electrically coupled to the controller;
• wherein:
• the display is configured to be in the first state when the apparatus is authenticated and has not been tampered with,
• the power control device is configured to provide power to the controller upon detection of tampering with the apparatus, and
• the controller is configured to, when powered in response to detection of the tampering with the apparatus and without user intervention, send a signal to cause the display to change from the first state to the second state.