Patent ID: 7903382
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. A MEMS micro-switch array based current limiting enabled circuit interrupting apparatus, the apparatus comprising: an over-current protective component, the over-current protective component comprising a switching circuit, a snubber circuit, and a MEMS protection circuit, wherein the switching circuit comprises a plurality of micro-electromechanical system switching devices, the snubber circuit is coupled in parallel with the micro-electromechanical system switching devices and configured to limit voltage overshoot during fast separation of contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switching devices, and the MEMS protection circuit is in communication with the plurality of micro-electromechanical system switching devices and configured to divert a current from one or more of the micro-electromechanical system switching devices; and a circuit breaker component, wherein the circuit breaker component is operably associated with the over-current protective component, and the over-current protective component is configured to open the micro-electromechanical system switching devices of the switching circuit prior to tripping of the circuit breaker component responsive to an over-current condition, wherein the over-current protective component is further configured to open more than one of the micro-electromechanical system switching devices at different times in proximity to a single zero-crossing event of the current in response to the over-current condition thereby protecting the circuit breaker component from damage by backing up the circuit breaker component with the plurality of micro-electromechanical system switching devices to prevent the circuit breaker component from opening at values of current above an interrupting capacity of the circuit breaker component, thereby boosting an interruption rating of the circuit breaker component.