System and method for detecting discrete open and close states of electrical switching devices

An electrical switching device structured to connect a power source and loads, comprising:

• a housing;
• a charging assembly;
• an electrical trip unit (ETU) structured to interrupt current from flowing to the loads in an abnormal current condition;
• an operating mechanism coupled to the charging handle and the ETU, the operating mechanism including an energy storage device, a cam assembly, a pole shaft coupled to the cam assembly, and separable contacts having a movable contact coupled to the loads and a fixed contact coupled to the power source;
• and
• an apparatus structured to monitor state of the electrical switching device, the apparatus including:
• a holding device structured to be attached to the operating mechanism of the electrical switching device;
• a discharge detector affixed to the holding device and structured to be disposed adjacent to the cam assembly and detect discharging status of the energy storage device based on position of the cam assembly;
• a pole shaft position detector affixed to the holding device and structured to be coupled to the pole shaft and detect open and close state of the separable contacts based on the position of the pole shaft;
• and
• a switching device monitor disposed within the ETU and coupled to the discharge detector and the pole shaft position detector, the switching device monitor structured to receive data from the detectors, analyze the data and perform control and/or health diagnostics of the electrical switching device based on the analysis, the data including the detected discharging status of the energy storage device and the detected open and close state of the separable contacts.

A method of protecting an electrical switching device including an operating mechanism having an energy storage device, a cam assembly, a pole shaft coupled to the cam assembly, and separable contacts coupled to the pole shaft, the method comprising:

• detecting discharging status of the energy storage device based on position of the cam assembly;
• detecting open and close state of the separable contacts based on a position of the pole shaft;
• and
• analyzing data including the detected discharging status of the energy storage device and the detected open and close state of the separable contacts.