Arc Fault (AFCI) and Ground Fault (GFCI) Detection and Interruption Implemented in a Branch Module for a Modular Electrical Panel

A system for managing a distribution of electrical power throughout a microgrid at a site, the system comprising:

• a plurality of field-installable control modules that provide sensor, processor and/or actuator capabilities for the microgrid;
• a microgrid control module that maintains a registry of the installed control modules;
• an intra-site communications network, over which the microgrid control module communicates data and control with the control modules;
• a gateway connected to the microgrid control module, the gateway connecting to an external communications network;
• and
• an electrical panel with a plurality of predefined attachment points at which at least one of the control modules is installed, wherein the microgrid control module is a panel control module installed in the electrical panel, and the at least one installed control module includes a field-replaceable branch module that distributes electrical power from the bus structure to multiple branch circuits of the microgrid and provides AFCI and/or GFCI protection for the branch circuits.