Circuit interrupter for detecting breaker fault conditions and interrupting an electric current

A circuit interrupter (100) for interrupting an electric current in an electrical line connecting an electrical supply to a load on detection of a breaker fault condition by the circuit interrupter,

• the circuit interrupter being connected between an electrical supply side and a load side,
• the circuit interrupter having a controller (102) for detecting the breaker fault condition,
• the controller (102) being connected to a first semiconductor switch (114) for energizing a solenoid (104) to trip a circuit breaker on detection of the breaker fault condition,
• wherein a winding of the solenoid (104) is energized to trip the circuit breaker,
• wherein the solenoid (104) is configured with a center tap (2) in the winding, such that there are two parts (106, 108) in the winding separated by the center tap (2), and
• wherein, on detection of an open condition in a part of the winding, the controller (102) is configured to provide a trip signal to the circuit breaker using the other part of the winding.