Patent ID: 7646575
Filing Date: 2010-01-12
Classification: H01H,H02H

Abstract:
1. 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; 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; and a display, which is in communication with both of the user interface device and the electronic trip unit, for monitoring the interface device and transmitting data to the electronic trip unit that are based on the selected mode, and receiving data from the electronic trip unit and displaying information based on the received data, wherein the display is viewable when said access panel is in the closed position, wherein 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 when said maintenance mode is selected, the electronic trip unit changes the trip setting by enabling both of a maintenance mode instantaneous current pickup setting and a maintenance mode ground fault current pickup setting.