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 downstream circuit breaker mounted within a first enclosure, the first enclosure comprising a first access panel that is moveable to open the first enclosure such that an interior of the first enclosure is accessible, wherein the first enclosure comprises a key lock that locks the first access panel in a closed position;
• an upstream circuit breaker connected to the downstream circuit breaker along an electrical circuit protected by the circuit protection system, wherein the upstream circuit breaker is mounted within a second enclosure comprising a second access panel that is movable to open the second enclosure such that an interior of the second enclosure is accessible;
• a current sensor for sensing electrical current in the electrical circuit;
• an electronic trip unit in communication with the current sensor for controlling automatic interruptions of the electrical current by the upstream circuit breaker based on a trip setting;
• a user interface device comprising a primary trapped key, wherein:
• the user interface device is accessible when second enclosure is closed, and allows user selections of the normal mode and the maintenance mode, and
• when the 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, and the primary trapped key is released and removable from the user interface device;
• and
• wherein the key lock is unlocked using the primary trapped key to thereby unlock the first access panel.

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

• a downstream overcurrent protection device comprising a downstream circuit breaker mounted within a first enclosure, the first enclosure comprising a first access panel that is moveable to open the first enclosure such that an interior of the first enclosure is accessible, wherein the first enclosure comprises a locking mechanism that locks the first access panel in a closed position;
• and
• an upstream overcurrent protection device comprising:
• an upstream circuit breaker connected to the downstream circuit breaker along an electrical circuit protected by the circuit protection system, wherein the upstream circuit breaker is mounted within a second enclosure comprising a second access panel that is movable to open the second enclosure such that an interior of the second enclosure is accessible;
• a current sensor for sensing electrical current in the electrical circuit;
• an electronic trip unit in communication with the current sensor for controlling automatic interruptions of the electrical current by the upstream circuit breaker based on a trip setting;
• a user interface device that is accessible when second enclosure is closed, wherein:
• the user interface device allows user selections of the normal mode and the maintenance mode,
• when the 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, and
• wherein the upstream overcurrent protection device is configured to send an unlocking signal to the downstream overcurrent protection device when the maintenance mode is currently selected.

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

• a downstream overcurrent protection device comprising a downstream circuit breaker mounted within a first enclosure, the first enclosure comprising a first access panel that is moveable to open the first enclosure such that an interior of the first enclosure is accessible, wherein the first enclosure comprises a locking mechanism that locks the first access panel in a closed position;
• and
• an upstream overcurrent protection device comprising:
• an upstream circuit breaker connected to the downstream circuit breaker along an electrical circuit protected by the circuit protection system, wherein the upstream circuit breaker is mounted within a second enclosure comprising a second access panel that is movable to open the second enclosure such that an interior of the second enclosure is accessible;
• a current sensor for sensing electrical current in the electrical circuit;
• an electronic trip unit in communication with the current sensor for controlling automatic interruptions of the electrical current by the upstream circuit breaker based on a trip setting;
• a user interface device that is accessible when second enclosure is closed, wherein:
• the user interface device allows user selections of the normal mode and the maintenance mode, and
• when the 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;
• and
• wherein the circuit protection system is configured to keep the first access panel locked in the closed position based on the normal mode being currently selected, and allow unlocking of the first access panel based on the maintenance mode being currently selected.