Circuit breakers with PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient resistivity

A circuit breaker for interrupting the flow of electrical current in a line comprising:

• (a) a first switch connected in series with the line, the first switch having an open position and a closed position;
• (b) a device coupled to the first switch, adapted to be actuated by at least one activating signal, to move the first switch from the closed position to the open position;
• (c) a resistor having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity connected in series with the first switch, said resistor being connected to said device to provide a first activating signal to the device;
• and
• (d) a voltage limiting device connected in parallel to said resistor;
• (e) a second switch having an open position and a closed position and adapted for actuating the device;
• (f) a diode arrangement connected to the second switch and adapted to prevent a short circuit current from flowing through said resistor;
• and
• (g) a sensor adapted for sensing a ground fault current in the line and providing a second activating signal to the second switch when the ground fault current is sensed;
• and
• wherein the second switch is adapted to move from the open position to the closed position in response to said second activating signal wherein the device is actuated.

A circuit breaker for interrupting the flow of electrical current in a line comprising:

• (a) a first switch connected in series with the line, the first switch having an open position and a closed position;
• (b) a device coupled to the first switch, adapted to be actuated by at least one activating signal, to move the first switch from the closed position to the open position;
• (c) a resistor having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity connected in series with the first switch, said resistor being connected to said device to provide a first activating signal to the device;
• and
• (d) a voltage limiting device connected in parallel to said resistor;
• (e) a second switch, connected to the line and to a ground, the second switch having an open position and a closed position;
• and
• (f) a sensor adapted for sensing a ground fault current in the line and providing a ground fault signal to the second switch when a ground fault current is sensed;
• and
• wherein the second switch is adapted to move from the open position to the closed position in response to said ground fault signal.

A ground fault interruption module for use with a circuit breaker having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity element comprising:

• (a) a line having an electrical current, wherein the circuit breaker is connected to the line;
• (b) a switching device, connected to the line and to a ground, the switching device having an open position and a closed position;
• and
• (c) a sensor adapted for sensing a ground fault current in the line and providing a ground fault signal to the switching device when the ground fault current is sensed;
• wherein the switching device is adapted to move from the open position to the closed position in response to said ground fault signal causing the electrical current in the line to increase wherein the positive temperature coefficient of resistivity element increases in temperature providing for interruption of the electrical current in the line.

A method of interrupting the flow of electrical current in a line comprising:

• (a) connecting a first switch having an open position and a closed position in series with the line;
• (b) coupling a device adapted to be actuated by at least one activating signal to the first switch to move the first switch from the closed position to the open position;
• (c) connecting a resistor having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity in series with the first switch, said resistor being connected to said device to provide a first activating signal to the device;
• (d) connecting a voltage limiting device in parallel to said resistor;
• (e) connecting a second switch to the line and to a ground, the second switch having an open position and a closed position;
• (f) connecting a circuit adapted for sensing a ground fault current in the line to the second switch;
• (g) providing a ground fault signal from the circuit to the second switch when the ground fault current is sensed;
• and
• (h) moving the second switch from the open position to the closed position in response to the ground fault signal.