System and method for detecting a breaker trip

A power distribution system, comprising:

• an input power source;
• at least one branch circuit breaker associated with each branch circuit, wherein the at least one branch circuit breaker receives power from the input power source;
• and
• a monitoring subsystem in communication with the at least one branch circuit breaker, the monitoring subsystem including:
• a processor operatively coupled to the at least one branch circuit breaker;
• and
• a memory with instruction stored upon, that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
• detect when a line side voltage of the at least one branch circuit breaker is above an undervoltage fault value and when a current through the at least one branch circuit breaker is above a minimum value for at least one line cycle;
• receive a mains magnetizing current value of a mains circuit breaker;
• receive a branch circuit breaker magnetizing current value;
• determine, based on an analysis of both the mains magnetizing current value and the branch circuit breaker magnetizing current value, an indication of a branch breaker trip condition;
• notify of a breaker trip condition when the current through the at least one branch circuit breaker falls below the minimum value and then below (1) a zero current level or (2) a prior circuit breaker magnetizing current level within a threshold number of line cycles and the line side voltage of the at least one circuit breaker remains above the undervoltage fault value, and the analysis of the both the mains magnetizing current value and the branch circuit breaker magnetizing current value indicates a branch breaker trip condition;
• and
• clear a detection of the breaker trip condition when the current through the branch circuit breaker is greater than (1) the zero current level or (2) greater than the prior circuit breaker magnetizing current level for a threshold number of line cycles.