Self-testing solid state circuit breaking components in circuit breakers

A method for performing a self-check of a circuit breaker after a user moves a switch handle of a breaker body from an OFF position toward an ON position, to inhibit completion of closing isolation contacts or closing a solid state breaking switch if the self-check indicates a fault, and to allow closing of the isolation contacts and of the solid state breaking switch if the self-check indicates no fault, the method comprising:

• receiving input indicative of movement of the switch handle of the circuit breaker from the OFF position toward the ON position;
• blocking the switch handle from further movement toward the ON position while keeping a main circuit of the circuit breaker open;
• closing the solid-state breaking switch in the main circuit;
• and
• detecting feedback indicative of electrical current passing through the solid-state breaking switch;
• and
• if the feedback is indicative of no fault, unblocking the switch handle from further movement toward the ON position, thereby allowing movement of the switch handle to the ON position, which allows closing the isolation contacts so that electrical current can flow through the main circuit;
• or else
• if the feedback is indicative of a fault, continue blocking the switch handle from further movement toward the ON position, thereby preventing closing the isolation contacts which prevents electrical current to flow through the main circuit.

A circuit breaker comprising:

• a controller operatively connected to control a solid-state breaking switch based on an open state or a closed state of isolation contacts and based on electrical current passing through a main circuit,
• wherein the controller is configured to perform a self-check of the circuit breaker after a user moves a switch handle of a breaker body from an OFF position toward an ON position, to inhibit completion of closing the isolation contacts or closing the solid state breaking switch if the self-check indicates a fault, and to allow closing of the isolation contacts and of the solid state breaking switch if the self-check indicates no fault,
• wherein the controller includes machine readable instructions that, when executed by the controller, cause the circuit breaker to:
• receive input indicative of movement of the switch handle from the OFF position toward the ON position of the switch handle;
• block the switch handle from further movement toward the ON position while keeping the main circuit open;
• close the solid-state breaking switch;
• detect feedback indicative of electrical current passing through the solid-state breaking switch;
• and
• if the feedback is indicative of no fault, unblock the switch handle from further movement toward the ON position, thereby allowing movement of the switch handle to the ON position, which allows closing the isolation contacts so that electrical current can flow through the main circuit;
• or else
• if the feedback is indicative of a fault, continue to block the switch handle from further movement toward the ON position, thereby preventing closing the isolation contacts which prevents electrical current to flow through the main circuit.