Patent ID: 6018451
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: H02H

Abstract:
A device for recording temporal information related to a trip event of a circuit breaker equipped with a trip unit, the device comprising:a clock circuit for generating signals representing instantaneous temporal information;a microcontroller adapted to be coupled to the trip unit to receive signals from the trip unit indicating a circuit breaker trip event the microcontroller being coupled to the clock circuit to receive the instantaneous temporal information, the microcontroller associating a trip event with the instantaneous temporal information, the microcontroller generating output signals representing the trip event and the instantaneous temporal information associated with the trip event;a storage medium, coupled to the microcontroller, which receives and stores the output signals from the microcontroller indicating the trip event and the instantaneous temporal information associated with the trip event; anda power supply coupled to the clock circuit, to the microcontroller, and to the storage medium, the power supply coupled to receive power from the trip unit when the circuit breaker is closed;a battery, connected in parallel with the power supply such that, when the circuit breaker is open, the clock circuit, the microcontroller, and the storage medium automatically receive power from the battery.