Abstract:
A circuit interrupter method for interrupting a flow of current, including: providing a controller for determining the presence of predetermined current in the circuit, the predetermined current value stored in the controller; providing a circuit breaker comprising a trip mechanism for receiving trip signal, a current transformer for providing output proportional to predetermined current in the circuit, a switch for interrupting the flow of current in the circuit, a control input for receipt of an operating signal by the trip mechanism, and proximate and distal connectors connecting the circuit breaker to a source and a circuit, respectively; determining, by the controller, the presence of a current in the circuit; receiving a trip signal at the circuit breaker from the controller, and interrupting the flow of current in the circuit, when the current in the circuit is determined by the controller to be a predetermined current.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present disclosure is related to alternating current (AC) electrical systems. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to fault current interrupters and methods. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    The electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial applications usually include a panel board for receiving electrical power from a utility source. The power is routed through the panel board to one or more current interrupters such as, but not limited to circuit breakers, trip units, and others. 
         [0005]    Power is distributed to a designated branch, where each branch supplies one or more loads with the power. Each of the branches initiates at a current interrupter. The current interrupters are configured to interrupt the power to the particular branch if certain power conditions in that branch reach predetermined criteria. 
         [0006]    For example, some current interrupters can interrupt power due to a ground fault, and are commonly known as ground fault current interrupters (GFCIs). The ground fault condition results when an imbalance of current flows between a line conductor and a neutral conductor, which could be caused by a leakage current or an arcing fault to ground. 
         [0007]    Other current interrupters can interrupt power due to an arcing fault, and are commonly known as arc fault current interrupters (AFCIs). Arcing faults are commonly defined into two main categories, series arcs and parallel arcs. Series arcs can occur, for example, when current passes across a gap in a single conductor. Parallel arcs can occur, for example, when current passes between two conductors. Arcing faults, particularly series arc faults, may not cause a conventional circuit interrupter to trip. The potential for occurrence of arcing faults increases as electric circuit or line wiring become older and the insulation breaks down so that when suitable conditions occur arcing between circuits is a greater possibility. 
         [0008]    Other current interrupters can interrupt power due to an over current, and are commonly known as over current devices, which, for example, interrupt power when a current above predetermined criteria is detected. Over current devices help to prevent valuable circuitry and wiring from damage due to application of power beyond rating of the circuitry etc. 
         [0009]    Still, other current interrupters can interrupt power in a situation wherein power beyond predetermined criteria is applied within a predetermined period of time, which typically is very small, such as a portion of a cycle. These current interrupters are known as instantaneous trip devices and are designed to protect against sudden short circuits. 
         [0010]    Over current and instantaneous trip features are present in typical circuit interrupter devices i.e. circuit breakers. The devices may also include ground current interruption. Over current and instantaneous circuit interruption in a typical circuit breaker is provide via the inherent qualities of the material with which the breaker is constructed. Arc fault current interruption (AFCI) is not an inherent feature of conventional thermal magnetic breaker. However, AFCI is a safety requirement set out by various standard authorities such as, for example, UL and NEC. Ground fault current interruption (GFCI) is also not an inherent feature of conventional thermal magnetic breakers and like AFCI, is also being specified as a safety requirement in, for example, residential new construction. 
         [0011]    The above-mentioned current interrupters are typically designed to meet safety standards such as UL and NEC. Such standards change over the course of time. Therefore, a current interrupter installed and meeting a present safety standard cannot be ensured to meet a future safety standard. The current interrupter would need to be replaced with a newer current interrupter that meets new safety standards in order to be brought to code. This type of replacement is costly, labor intensive and interrupts service to those circuits connected to the current interrupters. 
         [0012]    Accordingly, it has been determined by the present disclosure that there is a continuing need for current interrupters for which safety standards can be updated and a need for current interrupter methods for providing current interrupters meeting updated safety standards in AC electrical systems that overcome, alleviate, and/or mitigate one or more of the aforementioned and other deleterious effects of prior art systems. 
         [0013]    Accordingly, there is a need for fault current interruption that overcomes, alleviates, and/or mitigates one or more of the aforementioned and other deleterious effects of prior art fault current interruption. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    A circuit interrupter apparatus and method is provided that can be updated more easily in order to accommodate changes in standards such as safety standards, electric codes and municipality adopted building codes. The controller of the apparatus can determine fault current based upon predetermined fault current magnitudes provided to the controller and upgradeable or changeable. Various fault currents such as arc fault, ground fault, over current and instantaneous fault currents can be detected and the circuit breaker(s) for the line(s) on which the fault current is detected can be tripped by a trip signal initiated from the controller. 
         [0015]    An exemplary circuit interrupter apparatus of the present invention for interrupting the flow of current in a circuit includes a controller for determining the presence of at least one predetermined current in the circuit, the at least one predetermined current stored in the controller; a circuit breaker comprising a trip mechanism for receiving a trip signal, a current transformer sensor for providing an output proportional to a current in the circuit, a switch for interrupting the flow of current in the circuit, a control input for receipt of a operating signal, and proximate and distal circuit connectors connecting the circuit breaker to a power source and the circuit, respectively; wherein the at least one circuit breaker connected at a first connection to the controller provides output proportional to the current in the circuit; the at least one circuit breaker connected at a second connection to obtain the operating signal from the controller; and the at a third and fourth connection wherein the at least one circuit breaker connected to the power source at the third connector proximate the power source and connected to the circuit at the fourth connector distal to the power source. 
         [0016]    An exemplary method of the present invention provides for interrupting the flow of current in at least one circuit, the method includes: providing a controller for determining the presence of at least one predetermined current in the at least one circuit, the at least one predetermined current stored in the controller; providing a circuit breaker comprising a trip mechanism for receiving a trip signal, a current transformer sensor for providing an output proportional to a current in the at least one circuit, a switch for interrupting the flow of current in the at least one circuit, a control input for receipt of a operating signal by the trip mechanism from the controller, and proximate and distal circuit connectors connecting the circuit breaker to a power source and the at least one circuit, respectively; determining, by the controller, the presence of at least one predetermined current in the at least one circuit; receiving a trip signal at the trip mechanism of the circuit breaker from the controller, and interrupting the flow of current in the circuit by using a switch, when the current in the at least one circuit is determined by the controller to be a predetermined current. 
         [0017]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a computer program product comprising: a program storage device readable by a circuit interrupter, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the circuit interrupter to perform a method for interrupting the flow of current in at least one circuit, the method includes: providing a controller for determining the presence of at least one predetermined current in the at least one circuit, the at least one predetermined current stored in the controller; providing a circuit breaker comprising a trip mechanism for receiving a trip signal, a current transformer sensor for providing an output proportional to a current in the at least one circuit, a switch for interrupting the flow of current in the at least one circuit, a control input for receipt of a operating signal by the trip mechanism from the controller, and proximate and distal circuit connectors connecting the circuit breaker to a power source and the at least one circuit, respectively; determining, by the controller, the presence of at least one predetermined current in the at least one circuit; receiving a trip signal at the trip mechanism of the circuit breaker from the controller, and interrupting the flow of current in the circuit by using a switch, when the current in the at least one circuit is determined by the controller to be a predetermined current. 
         [0018]    The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will be for the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0019]    In this respect, before explaining several embodiments of the invention in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood, that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0020]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0021]    Further, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Accordingly, the Abstract is neither intended to define the invention or the application, which only is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
         [0022]    Further, the purpose of the foregoing Paragraph Titles used in both the background and the detailed description is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Accordingly, the Paragraph Titles are neither intended to define the invention or the application, which only is measured by the claims, nor are they it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
         [0023]    The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a fault current interrupter according to the present disclosure; 
           [0025]    FIG,  1 A illustrates an exploded view of the circuit breaker connections to the controller and the line. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for determining the presence of a fault condition on a circuit; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of another exemplary embodiment of a fault current interrupter according to the present disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of yet another exemplary embodiment of a fault current interrupter according to the present disclosure; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention for determining the presence of a fault condition on a circuit; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates examples of various circuit interrupter switches that can be used in various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  illustrates a functional block diagram of an exemplary power distribution panel of an embodiment the present invention including circuit interrupters and a controller; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0032]    Referring to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , a functional block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus  10  of the present invention for fault current interruption according to the description herein.  FIG. 1  illustrates several electrical circuits or lines  12 , each with a load current i load . Each line provides electric power to a corresponding load  14 . The embodiment further comprises a controller  16  connected to each of the circuit breakers  20 . Each circuit breaker comprises, for example, a trip mechanism  21 , a current transformer with sensor (CT)  22 , and a switch  23 . The sensor can be a current transformer sensor or other current sensing device as may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. The controller  16  is configured to provide control signal to the trip mechanism  21  of each of the circuit breakers  20  wherein by signaling to trip an appropriate circuit breaker  20 , switch  23  is opened (or tripped) thereby disconnecting the load  14 , associated with the circuit or line  12 , from power source, AC bus  18 . In making the trip decision, the controller  16  determines whether a fault condition is present using, for example, predetermined current values. The fault condition could be an arc fault current, a ground fault current, an over current or an instantaneous over current as discussed above. The currents values are obtained through the use of a current transformer  22  that provides a secondary current proportional to the load current i load . The current transformer  22  has primary windings positioned such that the load current i load , or current transformer primary current, induces a secondary current that is the output current of current transformer  22 . This output current of current transformer  22  is used by the controller  16  to make decisions regarding whether a fault is present on line  12  and/or load  14 . 
         [0033]    In labeling to the circuits and various elements in various exemplary illustrations of the present invention, such as in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 , the nomenclature, n through n+z is used. For purpose of simplicity, when describing the figures, the n through n+z status of a circuit and corresponding elements are not referenced. The designations n through n+z are made to illustrate that the number of circuits or lines  12  that can be signaled to trip using controller  16 , in the exemplary apparatus illustrated and described herein. The number of circuits or lines  12  that can be connected to the controller are limited to n+z, (i.e. n, n+1, n+2, n+3 . . . n+z), for the controller presented in the embodiments described herein. One of ordinary skill in the art can make a determination as to a number of circuits (i.e. n+z) that can be configured with the apparatus  10 , such as exemplary apparatus  10  of  FIG. 1 , of the present invention. The numbers of circuits configured with the apparatus can be determined by considering factors such as total number of branch circuits. 
         [0034]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , it is noted that the bus, or AC bus  18  is supplied by an AC power source  30  (shown in  FIG. 7 ). The exemplary circuit breaker  20  of  FIG. 1  and the other embodiments described herein is connected to the controller  16  and line  12  via several connections illustrated in an exploded view of FIG,  1 A. The circuit breaker  20  is connected at a first connection  11  to the controller  16  to provide output proportional to the current in the circuit  12 , at a second connection  13  the circuit breaker  20  obtains operating signal from the controller  16 , at third and fourth connections the circuit breaker  20  is connected to the power source  18  at the third connector  15  proximate the power source and to the circuit  12  at the fourth connector  17  distal to the power source. 
         [0035]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , which illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of the method of the present invention, the flowchart corresponds to the exemplary apparatus embodiment of  FIG. 1 . At operator  200 , the method begins. Next, operator  202  indicates that the controller is ready for input signal. Next at operator  204 , load current i load  is obtained using current transformer  22  and provided to the controller  16  at operator  206 , via an output from the current transformer  22  to an input (not shown) at controller  16 . 
         [0036]    Continuing with the flowchart of  FIG. 2 , at operator  208  a query is made as to whether a fault condition is present. The fault condition could be an arc fault current, a ground fault current, an over current or an instantaneous over current as discussed above. It should be noted that the processor  16  can be, for example, a microprocessor or ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). 
         [0037]    Returning to the query of operator  208 , if the answer to the query of operator  208  is YES, then the method proceeds to operator  210  and the controller  16  sends a trip signal to circuit breaker  20 . Next, at operator  212 , the circuit breaker  20  trips. The switch  23 , further illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  6 A,  6 B and  6 C can be a typical circuit breaker of  FIG. 6A ; a typical single pole switch, of  FIG. 6B  comprising one-blade, on-and-off switch; or a MEMS (micro-electromechanical system based) switch. Other suitable switches can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. When choosing an appropriate switch, factors such as material content of the switch, power rating and ampere rating are considered. 
         [0038]    Trip or opening of the switch  22  of circuit breaker  20 , at operator  212 , is performed to disconnect the load  14  from the power source, bus  18 . The disconnect of the source  20  from load  14  stops i load  from flowing, and feeding the fault; When the trip determination is made, i load  is a current of competent value to indicate a fault condition. Following operator  212 , the method ends at terminator  214 . 
         [0039]    Returning to operator  208 , if the answer to the query of operator  208  is NO, then a fault condition is not present and there is a return to operator  202 . Operator  202  is followed by the operators previously described herein to follow operator  202 . The controller  16  is ready for a load current signal and the load current signal is provided at operator  204 . Operator  204  is followed by the operators previously described herein to follow operator  204 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 3 , which illustrates another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. Again, the designations n through n+z are used in the illustration. Since these designations are addressed above, they are not used in the written description of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of another exemplary embodiment of apparatus  10  of the present invention for fault current interruption according to the description herein.  FIG. 3  illustrates several electrical circuits or lines  12 , each with a load current i load . Each line provides electric power to a corresponding load  14 . The embodiment further comprises a controller  16  connected to the circuit breaker  20 . Each circuit breaker  20  comprises, for example, trip mechanism  21 , current transformer  22  (explained above), switch  23 , and analog to digital converter  24  for converting the current transformer  22  current to a digital format. 
         [0042]    The circuit breaker  20 , of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3 , further comprises a processor  25  that performs current sampling, and a communications device  26  illustrating connection of the current sample output of the processor  25  to the controller  16 , at an appropriate input to the controller  16 . The controller  16  is configured to send control signal via route R 1  for signal from the controller  16  to the trip mechanism  21  of the circuit breaker  20  wherein by signaling to trip circuit breaker  20 , switch  23  is opened or tripped thereby disconnecting the load  14 , associated with the circuit or line  12 , from power source, AC bus  18 . In making the trip decision, the controller  16  determines whether a fault condition is present using, for example, predetermined current values. As noted previously, the fault condition could be for example, but not limited to, an arc fault current, a ground fault current, an over current or an instantaneous over current as discussed above. Thus in the function block diagram of  FIG. 3 , note that solid line R 1  illustrates aspects of the embodiment of the flowchart of  FIG. 5 . The solid line R 1  illustrates a route for signal from controller  16  to trip mechanism  21 . This differs from the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 4  explained below. 
         [0043]    An alternate embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 3  is illustrated in  FIG. 4  wherein the circuit breaker  20  comprises for example, a trip mechanism  21 , a current transformer  22 , a switch  23 , and an analog to digital converter  24  for converting the current transformer  22  output or secondary current to a digital signal. The circuit breaker  20 , of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3 , further comprises a processor  25  that performs current sampling of the digital signal, and a communications device  26  for providing the current sample output of the processor  25  to the controller  16 , at an appropriate input to the controller  16 . 
         [0044]    In the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the controller  16  is configured to provide control signal to the processor  25  of the circuit breaker  20  wherein the controller  16  signals the appropriate processor  25  to fire the trip mechanism  21  of the circuit breaker  20 , as is illustrated with dashed lines from the controller  16  to the processor  25  and to the trip mechanism  21 . When the trip mechanism  21  fires, the associated switch  23  is opened (or tripped) thereby disconnecting the load  14 , associated with the circuit or line  12 , from power source, AC bus  18 . In making the trip decision, the controller  16  determines whether a fault condition is present using, for example, predetermined current values. As noted previously, the fault condition could be an arc fault current, a ground fault current, an over current or an instantaneous over current as discussed above. 
         [0045]    In summary, for the embodiments of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the processor  25  transmits the sampled current via a communication device  26  to the centralized controller  16 . The centralized controller  16  determines if it should trip the breaker  20  in the apparatus  10  whose current sensing device, or current transformer  22  provides a current that indicates a fault condition is present on the line  12 . The embodiments differ in the steps that follow the indication of a fault condition. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , if the circuit breaker  20  is tripped, the controller  16  transmits a trip signal to the appropriate breaker&#39;s trip mechanism  21 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , if the circuit breaker  20  is tripped, the controller  16  transmits a trip signal to the appropriate processor  25  associated with breaker  20 , which will signal the trip mechanism  21  to trip or open the switch  23 . The differing configuration of  FIG. 3  is illustrated with dashed lines connecting the controller  16  to processor  25 , and processor  25  to trip mechanism  21 . 
         [0046]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , which illustrates a flowchart of another exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention, the flowchart of  FIG. 5  corresponds to the exemplary apparatus embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . At operator  500 , the method begins. Next, operator  502  indicates that the controller is ready for input signal. Next at operator  504 , load current i load  is obtained from output of current transformer  22 . At operator  506  i load  and provided to analog to digital or A/D converter  24 . Next, at operator  508 , the load current signal is converted to a digital signal using A/D converter  24 , and the digital signal is provided to processor  25 . At operator  510  digital current load signal is sampled at processor. At operator  514  the digital sample of current load is sent to controller  16  via a communications device  36 . 
         [0047]    Continuing with the flowchart of  FIG. 5 , at operator  515  a query is made as to whether a fault condition is present. The digital current data is processed at controller  16  to determine if a fault condition exists. The fault condition could be an arc fault current, a ground fault current, an over current or an instantaneous over current as discussed above. It should be noted that the processor  16  can be, for example, a microprocessor or ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). 
         [0048]    Returning to the query of operator  515 , if the answer to the query of operator  515  is YES, then the flowchart proceeds to operator  517  and the controller  16  sends a trip signal to trip mechanism  21  of circuit breaker  20 . Next, at operator  518 , the circuit breaker  20  trips. The switch  22  can be for example the switch illustrated in FIGS.  FIGS. 6 ,  6 A,  6 B and  6 C, described above. Other suitable switches, also discussed above, can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0049]    Trip or opening of the switch  22  of circuit breaker  20 , at operator  518 , is performed to disconnect the load  14  from the power source, AC bus  18 . The disconnect of the source  20  from load  14  stops i load  from flowing, and feeding the fault; When the trip determination is made, i load  is a current of competent value to indicate a fault condition. Following operator  517 , the method ends at terminator  520 . 
         [0050]    Returning to operator  515 , if the answer to the query of operator  515  is NO, then a fault condition is not present and there is a return to operator  502 . Operator  502  is followed by the operators previously described herein to follow operator  502 . The controller  16  is ready for a load current signal at operator  502 , and the load current signal is provided at operator  504 . Operator  504  is followed by the operators previously described herein to follow operator  504 . 
         [0051]    Trip or opening of the switch  22  of circuit breaker  20 , at operator  518 , is performed to disconnect the load  14  from the power source, for example residential 120V AC bus  18 . The disconnect of the source  20  from load  14  stops i load  from flowing, and feeding the fault; When the trip determination is made, i load  is a current of competent value to indicate a fault condition. Following operator  518 , the method ends at terminator  520 . 
         [0052]    In an alternate embodiment corresponding to the functional block diagram of  FIG. 4  and further illustrated with dashed lines in the flowchart of  FIG. 5 , the presence of fault conditions is managed differently than in the embodiment corresponding to the functional block diagram of  FIG. 3 . The difference being that after operator  514 , and a query of operator  511  (substantially similar to the query of operator  515  but illustrated as separate operators for ease of description), the controller  16  directs the trip signal differently. At operator  511  a query is made as to whether a fault condition is present. The digital current signal is processed at controller  16  to determine if a fault condition exists. Thus in the function block diagram of  FIG. 4 , note that dashed lines illustrate aspects of the alternate embodiment of the flowchart of  FIG. 5 . The dashed lines illustrate a route R 2  for signal from controller  16  to processor  25  and another route R 3  for signal from processor  25  to trip mechanism  21 . Note that routes R 1 , R 2  and R 3  of the embodiments of  FIGS. 3 and 4  are also substantially shown using brackets adjacent to operators  517 ,  513  and  515  in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0053]    If the answer to the query of operator  515  is NO, then a fault condition is not present and there is a return to operator  502 . Operator  502  is followed by the operators previously described herein to follow operator  502 . The controller  16  is ready for a load current signal at operator  502 , and the load current signal is provided at operator  504 . Operator  504  is followed by the operators previously described herein to follow operator  504 . 
         [0054]    Returning to operator  511 , if the answer to the query of operator  515  is YES, then the flowchart proceeds to operator  513  and the controller  16  sends a trip signal to processor  25 . Next at operator  515 , the processor  25  sends trip signal to trip mechanism  21  of circuit breaker  20  to actuate the circuit breaker  20  trip. 
         [0055]    Next, at operator  518 , the circuit breaker  20  trips. Trip or opening of the switch  22  of circuit breaker  20 , at operator  518 , is performed to disconnect the load  14  from the power source, for example residential 120V AC bus  18 . The disconnect of the source  20  from load  14  stops i load  from flowing, and feeding the fault; When the trip determination is made, i load  is a current of competent value to indicate a fault condition. Following operator  518 , the method ends at terminator  520 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 7  illustrates a functional block diagram of an exemplary embodiment the apparatus  10  present invention configured in a power distribution panel  32  and comprising a controller  16  and circuit interrupters  20  connected to circuits or lines  12  with load  14 . As explained previously, the quantity of N through N+Z circuit breakers is a factor of the capacity of the controller  16  and other factors discussed previously. 
         [0057]    The functional block diagram further comprises the AC power source  30  connected to AC bus  18 . Each circuit breaker  20  also receives an input of proportional load current signal. The load current signal is typically obtained through the use of current transformers  22  configured such that the primary current is i load  and the secondary current is a stepped down current substantially proportional to i load  and of a current in magnitude compatible with the controller  16  and/or other components connected thereto. Each circuit or line  12  feeding load  14  connects to the AC Bus  18 , and to circuit breaker  20  which is configured to trip the circuit  12  if load current i load  is a competent value to indicate a fault condition. 
         [0058]    The exemplary apparatus  10  of the present invention, as configured in  FIG. 7 , further comprises various components interconnected with controller  16 . These components can be included in alternate embodiments of the apparatus  10  previously discussed. The components include a memory or data storage component  31 . The memory  31  could be used for energy management of one or more circuits  12  connected to the controller  16 . For example, the memory  31  could be used for storing energy consumption for one or more circuits  12  connected to the controller  16 . The energy consumption could be obtained by a user via a communication interface  39 , such as, for example, an LAN connection to a personal computer (PC)  41 . The communication interface  39  can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art and could also be, for example, a telecommunications interface. The PC could be configured, for example with application specific software with a graphical user interface (not shown) 
         [0059]    Returning to the discussion of energy management, load shedding could be included in the features of the controller  16  such that one or more of the circuits  12  could be disconnected, using circuit breaker(s)  20 , at various predetermined times. For example, in a residential environment, a circuit  12  providing electric energy to lighting of a basement could be disconnected at a time during which the basement is forecasted to not be in use. This forecast time could be a typical bedtime for a family, for example 10 pm. Or, for example, the forecast time could be during working and/or school hours, when the residence is unoccupied. A timer  37  could be used in addition to the controller  16 , or other timing apparatus or methods could be used, as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. The apparatus could also be similarly used in a commercial environment. 
         [0060]    Energy management could also be used advantageously with vacation homes, pool or hot tub heating. Energy management techniques can be included in the apparatus  10  in configurations determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. Hardware and/or software can be included in such determinations. 
         [0061]    In the apparatus  10  of the present invention, the determination of fault condition is made by the controller  16 . The fault currents include, as previously discussed, arc fault, ground fault, over current trip and instantaneous trip. Fault current determination is typically made, in residential applications, through the use of current magnitudes such as, those made standard by UL or NEC. These standards are often updated (i.e. yearly), which means that the current magnitudes for fault current determination change when a standard is updated. Municipalities typically adopt a standard of a certain year, which new construction or even residential remodeling must adhere under the municipalities building codes. These standards changes can present difficulties since, as is the case with prior art electrical service wiring, the only way to update a circuit breaker to a new standard is via replacement. However, with the apparatus of the present invention, the controller  16  can be reprogrammed or even replaced such that the data therein conforms to the presently effective building code. This is an important feature and advantage of the present invention since the update can be done easily, quickly and thus less expensively. 
         [0062]    The programming of the controller  16  can be done by one of ordinary skill in the art. And the updating or swapping out of the controller  16  can be done by a trained technician or electrician as may be required by municipal building code. Programs can be designed to determine various fault currents. Those programs can be loaded onto controller  16  via a communications interface. The controller can be updated in situ, or can be updated at the manufacturer and provided to a technician for swapping with an controller comprising outdated fault current settings. 
         [0063]    The controller  16  configured to determine the occurrence of various fault currents or undesirable current magnitudes including 1) arcing faults (series and parallel); 2) ground faults; 3) over currents; and 4) instantaneous currents. 
         [0064]    In the case of the arc fault, it can be detected using the controller  16  or a properly configured circuit interrupter. So, if the properly configured circuit interrupter is installed in the panel a secondary means of fault arcing fault current protection is available during a period when the controller  16  is being upgraded via replacement or software installation. 
         [0065]    Referring to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 7 , an exemplary embodiment of an arc fault current interrupter (AFCI)  10  includes the controller  16  having a series and parallel arc detection methods (not shown) resident thereon. Such arc detection method can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. In addition to the arc detection method of the controller  16 , the circuit breaker  20 , if configured with an appropriate switch  23  can also operate independently of the controller under arc fault conditions. 
         [0066]    A method (not shown) uses a mathematical approach to series arc detection. The method processes one or more signal features that can identify characteristics of the signal. In addition to being activated by the mathematical method, trip mechanism  26  can also be actuated by a conventional thermal-magnetic over current device having a bimetal connected in series with line  12  conductor. The AFCI feature of circuit breaker  20  is configured to place a load  12  in electrical communication with a neutral conductor (not shown) and the line conductor  12  across a branch circuit (not shown). The AFCI feature of circuit breaker  20 , also detects series arcing in branch circuit (not shown) and to interrupt power to the branch circuit. 
         [0067]    In a similar fashion, the controller can detect ground fault conditions by use of an appropriate method that can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. And the circuit breaker  20 , if configured with an appropriate switch, can also operate independently of the controller under arc fault conditions. 
         [0068]    The determination of various conditions such as arc current, ground current, instantaneous trip and over current trip can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, for example, by providing controller  16  with appropriate instructions or methods. 
         [0069]    The exemplary electronic control circuits of the present invention include components such as a microprocessor controller  16 . In an alternate embodiment of the present invention a different microprocessor controller chip may be used. Yet in another embodiment of the present invention an ASIC application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The type of microprocessor used in the control circuit could be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, software running on a personal computer may be used with the present invention in place of the controller with the appropriate signals from the circuit breaker  20  provided to the personal computer. One of ordinary skill in the art could determine an appropriate microprocessor for the present invention. 
         [0070]    There are advantages of the embodiments of the present invention. The invention provides advantages such as accomplishing easy setting or code updates with minimal changes to the apparatus. Also, the present invention provides a cost saving design with respect to future upgrades. 
         [0071]    In addition to the accomplishment discussed above, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention accomplish circuit interruption through the use of a replaceable or programmable controller that can be easily upgraded. The controller configuration allows the apparatus of the present invention to be less expensive to upgrade, easier to upgrade, quicker to upgrade and more flexible than previous circuit interrupting apparatus. 
         [0072]    It should also be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated. 
         [0073]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.