Intelligent solid state breaker
AssigneeSavant Systems, LLC
InventorsSiegmar Kristian Eschholz, Wilson D. Callan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) is dimensioned and configured for insertion into a circuit breaker panel in a space efficient arrangement. The SSCB includes one or more mechanical switching elements and solid-state switching circuits that may be dynamically actuated to connect and disconnect one or more loads of a premise, such as a home or residence, in a safe and efficient manner. To that end, each mechanical switching element is coupled to a solid-state switching circuit via a sensor configured to detect an over current condition and trigger a signal to safely and reliably turn-off the solid-state switching circuit coupled to a load.
Claims20
An apparatus having a form factor adapted to fit in an electrical circuit breaker panel, the apparatus comprising:
- a switch coupled to a processor, a load terminal and a power connector, the power connector adapted to fit a conductor compatible with the electrical circuit breaker panel;
- and
- a sensor coupled to the load terminal, a fast trip circuit, and the processor, wherein the fast trip circuit is configured to open the switch in response to detecting an overcurrent condition on the load terminal based on a predetermined current level;
- wherein the processor is configured to:
- sample (i) a current conducted to the load terminal using the sensor and (ii) a voltage on the power connector;
- evaluate the over current condition to determine whether a fault condition occurs, and
- in response to determining that the fault condition occurs, signal the fast trip circuit to turn off power to the load terminal when a zero crossing of the conducted current is detected.
A method comprising:
- coupling a switch to a processor, a load terminal and a power connector adapted to fit a conductor compatible with an electrical circuit breaker panel;
- coupling a sensor to the load terminal, a fast trip circuit, and the processor;
- configuring the fast trip circuit to open the switch in response to detecting an overcurrent condition on the load terminal based on a predetermined current level;
- sampling (i) a current conducted to the load terminal using the sensor and (ii) a voltage on the power connector;
- evaluating the over current condition to determine whether a fault condition occurs, and
- in response to determining that the fault condition occurs, signaling the fast trip circuit to turn off power to the load terminal when a zero crossing of the conducted current is detected.
An apparatus having a form factor adapted to fit in an electrical circuit breaker panel, the apparatus comprising:
- a switch coupled to a processor, a load terminal and a power connector, the power connector adapted to fit a conductor compatible with the electrical circuit breaker panel;
- and
- a sensor coupled to the load terminal, a fast trip circuit, and the processor, wherein the fast trip circuit is configured to open the switch in response to detecting an overcurrent condition on the load terminal based on a predetermined current level;
- and
- a network coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to:
- receive a command via the network to configure the apparatus to detect one or more fault conditions selected from a ground fault, an arc fault, and an overcurrent;
- sample (i) a current conducted to the load terminal using the sensor and (ii) a voltage on the power connector;
- evaluate the overcurrent condition to determine whether the one or more fault conditions occur, and
- in response to determining that the fault condition occurs, signal the fast trip circuit to turn off power to the load terminal when a zero crossing of the conducted current is detected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.