Digital control for circuit breakers

Abstract

A system includes a circuit breaker and a switching module with a first module terminal for electrically connecting the switching module to an electrical circuit, and a second module terminal connected in electrical series with a first terminal of the circuit breaker. A switching device of the switching module is connected in electrical series between the first and second module terminals and is configured to switch between an ON state for allowing electrical current through the electrical circuit and an OFF state for opening the electrical circuit to stop current flow therethrough. The circuit breaker has a first housing that houses the breaker mechanism therein. The switching module has a second housing that houses the switching device therein. The second housing can be mounted to the first housing. The first and second housings together can be configured to fit in a physical envelope of a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.