Manually-controlled arc flash energy reduction system and method for circuit breaker trip units

A circuit protection system, having a normal mode, and a maintenance mode in which potential arc flash energy is reduced, comprising:

• a current sensor for sensing electrical current in the circuit;
• an enclosure having an access panel that is movable between a closed position and open position in which an interior of the enclosure is accessible;
• a circuit breaker, mounted within the enclosure, for automatically interrupting the electrical current;
• an electronic trip unit in communication with the current sensor for controlling automatic interruptions of the electrical current by the circuit breaker based on a trip setting;
• and
• a user interface device, which is accessible when said access panel is in the closed position, that allows user selections of said normal mode and said maintenance mode;
• wherein when said maintenance mode is selected using the user interface device, the electronic trip unit changes the trip setting such that potential arc flash energy is reduced, wherein the electronic trip unit includes:
• an instantaneous current pickup setting;
• a ground fault current pickup setting;
• a maintenance mode instantaneous current pickup setting;
• and
• a maintenance mode ground fault current pickup setting,
• wherein when said maintenance mode is selected, the electronic trip unit changes the trip setting by replacing the instantaneous current pickup setting with the maintenance mode instantaneous current pickup setting and replacing the ground fault current pickup setting with the maintenance mode ground fault current pickup setting.