Means and method for testing and monitoring a circuit breaker panel assembly
OwnerBarry M. Epsteininventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The operation and functioning of various elements in a circuit breaker panel assembly are monitored and tested using a permanently installed or a portable test module that can be plugged into a plug-in jack on the housing of the circuit breaker panel assembly. The test module includes readout elements, data recording elements as well as telemetry networks for relaying data to a central station where such data can be reduced, recorded and analyzed by experts. The circuit breaker panel can include a voltage surge and transient protection network. A method of monitoring and testing is also disclosed.
Claims53
In a distribution panel assembly for use in connecting a load to a source of power, said distribution panel assembly comprising a housing, a phase bus mounted therein and a voltage surge and transient protector network mounted therein, the improvement in combination therewith comprising:
- voltage surge and transient suppressor and filtering elements on the distribution panel assembly;
- plug-in connection means on the distribution panel assembly housing and leads connecting said plug-in connection means to said voltage surge and transient suppressor and filtering elements on the distribution panel assembly;
- and
- a test network for testing and monitoring said voltage surge and transient suppressor and filtering elements on the distribution panel assembly, said test network including plug connecting means for connection to said plug-in connection means on said housing for connecting said test network to said voltage surface and transient suppressor and filtering elements on the distribution panel assembly housing, and means for applying a test voltage to said voltage surge and transient suppressor and filtering elements, said test voltage being greater than suppressor breakdown voltage.
A method of monitoring and testing selected elements in a distribution panel assembly comprising steps of:
- A) providing a distribution panel assembly for use in connecting a load to a source of power, said distribution panel assembly comprising a housing, a phase bus mounted therein and a voltage surge and transient protector network mounted in the distribution panel assembly, voltage surge and transient suppressor and filtering elements on the distribution panel;
- plug-in connection means on the distribution panel housing and leads connecting said plug-in connection means to said voltage surge and transient suppressor and filtering elements on the distribution panel;
- and a test network for testing and monitoring said voltage surge and transient suppressor and filtering elements on the distribution panel, said test network including plug connecting means for connection to said plug-in connection means on said housing for connecting said test network to said elements inside the distribution panel housing, and means for applying a test voltage to said voltage surge and transient suppressor and filtering elements, said test voltage being greater than suppressor breakdown voltage;
- B) connecting a test module to selected ones of the voltage surge and transient suppressor and filter elements;
- C) applying the test voltage to said selected ones of the voltage surge and transient suppressor and filter elements;
- and
- D) monitoring the voltage of said selected ones of the voltage surge and transient suppressor and filter elements to be sure that the voltage associated with said selected ones of the voltage surge and transient suppressor and filter elements is not greater than a predetermined value.
A distribution circuit breaker panel assembly for use in connecting a load to a source of power comprising:
- A) a housing with a base;
- B) a phase bus mounted directly on said base;
- C) a neutral bus mounted directly on said base, said neutral bus being larger in current carrying capability than said phase bus;
- D) a voltage surge and transient protector network mounted directly on said base to be unitary and integral with said base, said voltage surge and transient protector network including a capacitor and a voltage suppressor element;
- and
- E) a plurality of lugs electrically connected to said neutral bus;
- F) plug-in connection means on the circuit breaker panel assembly housing and leads connecting said plug-in connection means to circuit breaker panel assembly elements located inside the circuit breaker panel assembly housing;
- and
- G) a test network for testing and monitoring said elements inside the breaker panel assembly, said test network including plug connecting means for connection to said plug-in connection means on said housing for connecting said test network to said voltage suppressor element inside the circuit breaker panel assembly housing, said test voltage being greater than suppressor breakdown voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.