Patent ID: 12212968

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Communication enabled circuit breakers and circuit breaker panels are provided. Methods associated with such communication enabled circuit breakers and circuit breaker panels are also provided.

Embodiments provided herein, can be implemented to provision a circuit breaker panel with several communication enabled circuit breakers. Said differently, the present disclosure provides examples and embodiments to deploy, pair, and commission communication enabled circuit breakers in a circuit breaker panel. For example, the present disclosure might be implemented at initial installation of a circuit breaker panel including communication enabled circuit breakers. As a specific example, the communication enabled circuit breakers and a circuit breaker controller can implement one of the various examples described herein at the time of installation or deployment of the communication enabled circuit breaker(s) and/or circuit breaker controller, such as, by an electrician or installer.

It is noted, that the present disclosure often uses examples of communication enabled circuit breakers and panels, which may be wirelessly coupled. It is to be appreciated that the examples given herein can be implemented using wired communication technologies (e.g., Ethernet, RS232, USB, or the like) instead of wireless communication technologies. As such, the use of the term “wireless” when referring to the communication technologies that may be implemented by the breakers and/or panels is not intended to be limiting to breakers and panels which only communicate wirelessly. Furthermore, system components can be referred to as “wireless” without implying that the elements recited thereto are devoid of wires or physical conductors/conductive paths.

FIG.1illustrates a communication enabled circuit breaker and panel system100in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The communication enabled circuit breaker and panel system100includes a circuit breaker panel102. The circuit breaker panel102may include any number of communication circuit breakers104-n, where n is a positive integer. For example, system100is depicted including communication enabled circuit breakers104-1,104-2,104-3,104-4,104-5,104-6,104-7,104-8,104-9and104-10. It is noted, system100is depicted with communication enabled circuit breaker104-1to104-10for purposes of clarity and not limitation. For example, system100can include panel102having any number (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or more) of communication enabled circuit breakers104-n. Additionally, panel102may include both communication enabled circuit breakers (e.g.,104-1to104-10) as well as conventional circuit breakers (not shown).

Additionally, although each of the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10are labeled as breaker104, it is to be understood that communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10are not necessarily identical. For example, communication enabled circuit breaker104-1may be a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) device; communication enabled circuit breaker104-2may be an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) device; communication enabled circuit breaker104-3may be a conventional overcurrent circuit breaker, an overcurrent hydraulic-magnetic circuit breaker, an overcurrent thermal magnetic circuit breaker, or the like; communication enabled circuit breaker104-4may include both GFCI and AFCI functionalities. Furthermore, each of the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10may be rated for a predefined trip amperage or overcurrent state, and not necessarily the same predefined trip amperage or overcurrent state.

Furthermore, communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10may be shaped and sized differently. For example, communication enabled circuit breaker104-1may be a double pole circuit breaker having a 2 inch width; communication enabled circuit breaker104-2may be a single circuit breaker having a 1 inch width; communication enabled circuit breaker104-2may be a circuit breaker having a ¾ inch width; communication enabled circuit breaker104-2may be a circuit breaker having a 1½ inch width; etc. The width of the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10refers to the shorter side of the generally rectangular visible face of the wireless circuit breakers104-1to104-10once it is installed in the circuit breaker panel102.

Each of the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10may include communication components (refer toFIGS.2-3), which in some examples can be wireless. Such communication components associated with each of the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10may enable the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10to communicate (e.g., send and/or receive information elements including data, indications of operating conditions, instructions, updated fault interruption instructions, or the like) using any of a variety of communication standards. For example, in the case of wireless communication, the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10can include wireless communication components arranged to communicate via a wireless communication protocol, e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE), thus enabling the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10to communicate using BLE communication schemes. In the case of wired communication, the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10can include wired communication components arranged to communicate via a wired communication protocol, e.g., USB or MTP, thus enabling the wired circuit breakers to communicate using a wired communication scheme.

The circuit breaker panel102further houses a circuit breaker controller106. The circuit breaker controller106may include communication components (refer toFIG.4). In an alternative embodiment, the circuit breaker controller106is coupled to the circuit breaker panel102in an external arrangement. For example, the controller106could be housed in a different panel than panel102or disposed external to the panel102. The communication components associated with the circuit breaker controller106may enable the controller106to communicate (e.g., send and/or receive information elements including data, indications of operating conditions, instructions, updated fault interruption instructions, or the like) using any of a variety of communication standards.

In general, the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10and the circuit breaker controller106(and particularly, the communication components of these devices) can be arranged to communicate using a variety of communication technologies, which may be wireless or wired in nature. For example, the circuit breaker controller106can be arranged to wirelessly communicate via ZigBee®, Z-Wave, Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE), 6LowPan, Thread, Cellular, Sigfox®, NFC, Neul®, LoRaWAN™, or the like. In some implementations, the communication enabled circuit breakers104and circuit breaker controller106may communicate via wired (as opposed to wireless) technologies. For example, the communication enabled circuit breakers104may be communicatively coupled via a wired link to the circuit break controller106.

The circuit breaker controller106may be configured to communicate via multiple communication components. For example, circuit breaker controller106may be configured to communicate with communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10via BLE as described above. Additionally, the circuit breaker controller106can be configured to communicate (e.g., send and/or receive information elements including data, indications of operating conditions, instructions, updated fault interruption instructions, or the like) via a second wireless communication scheme or via a wired communication scheme. For example, the circuit breaker controller106could include wireless communication components arranged to wirelessly communicate via Wi-Fi® technology, thus enabling the circuit breaker controller106to communicate using Wi-Fi communication schemes. Accordingly, the circuit breaker controller106can communicate with devices external to the circuit breaker panel102via wireless channel108, for example, using Wi-Fi communication schemes. In general, however, the circuit breaker controller106may be enabled to communicate with devices external to the circuit breaker panel102using any suitable type of communication technology, either wireless or wired (e.g., BLE, 4G, LTE, Wi-Fi, USB, RS232, MTP, etc.).

Component from the circuit breaker panel102may communicate (e.g., wirelessly or wired) with one or more remote entities120. For example, the communication enabled circuit breakers104and/or the circuit breaker controller106of panel102may communicate wirelessly with a mobile device110(e.g., tablet computer, mobile phone, etc.), a computing device112(desktop computer, server, etc.) and/or the Internet114(e.g., a server device or computing device linked to the Internet). For example, the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10can communicate with the circuit breaker controller106, which can itself, communicate with any one of remote entities120. It is noted, remote entities120are depicted including mobile device110, computing device112, and Internet114. However, remote entities120could include just a single device or entity remote to circuit breaker panel120. The term remote entities120is used herein to refer to one or more devices remote to the panel120, such as, for example, mobile device110, computing device112, and Internet114. Furthermore, although the term remote entity120is sometimes used herein in the plural, it is not intended to imply or denote multiple devices or multiple entities remote to panel102but could simply refer to a single entity remote to the system (e.g., just the Internet114, just the mobile device110, or the like).

In some examples, the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10can directly couple to remote entities120. For example, the mobile device110can communicate directly (e.g., via BLE) with at least one of the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10. In addition, the circuit breaker panel102(e.g., via the circuit breaker controller106) may include wireline connectivity functionality, such as an Ethernet port, to enable wireline communication with one or more remote entities. In some implementations, the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10may establish a mesh network. For example, communication enabled circuit breaker104-1may share a wireless connection with a remote entity120with communication enabled circuit breaker104-2. Furthermore, in such a mesh network topology, communication enabled circuit breaker104-2may share the wireless connection to the remote entity120with communication enabled circuit breaker104-3and communication enabled circuit breaker104-4. Therefore, using the mesh network topology, the wireless connection to the remote entity120may be shared between the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10. The mesh network may be implemented in accordance with wireless communication schemes, or standards, such as, BLE standards, Wi-Fi standards, or the like.

The present disclosure provides several example embodiments that can be implemented to “pair” communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-10to circuit breaker controller106, thereby commissioning panel system100or to decommission wireless communication circuit breaker(s)104-1to104-10from circuit breaker controller106. Such example embodiments are depicted inFIGS.6-10and described below.

In general, circuit breaker controller106and a remote entity, such as, mobile device110can be arranged to pair, or otherwise commission communication enabled circuit breakers104to circuit breaker controller106of panel102. Various examples of such pairing and commissioning, or decommissioning are given further below when describingFIGS.6-10. As part of the commissioning process, information including indications of the arrangement, connection, type, characteristics, position, capacity, or the like of breakers104can be identified and stored in a database118(seeFIGS.4-5). As depicted and described below, database118can be stored in storage of controller106or a remote entity, such as, mobile device110, the Internet, or the like. Access to database118can be facilitated and/or provided via a graphical user interface (GUI) or user interface (UI). Thus, a user can determine, via the GUI and/or UI information about breakers104within panel102.

However, prior to describing these several example embodiments, a description of the system100and particularly components and operation of exemplary communication enabled circuit breakers104and an exemplary circuit breaker controller106of the system100is given. As described above, the present disclosure can be implemented to provide communication enabled circuit breakers104, circuit breaker controller106, and remote entities120, arranged to communicate via either wired or wireless communication protocols and technologies. However, for clarity of presentation, the following examples depict and describe communication enabled circuit breakers104and a circuit breaker controller106arranged to communicate via wireless communication protocols. As such, many of the communication enabled circuit breakers104described in the following examples are referred to as “wireless circuit breakers”104or “communicating circuit breaker”104. Likewise, the circuit breaker controller106may be referred to as a “wireless circuit breaker controller”106. This is not intended to be limiting and the example breakers, controller, remote entities, techniques, and systems depicted and described below can be implemented with wired communication technologies without departing from scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the wireless circuit breakers104and the wireless circuit breaker controller106are described herein to communicate via BLE for purposes of convenience and clarity of presentation. This is also not intended to be limiting.

FIGS.2-5illustrate example embodiments of wireless circuit breakers, a wireless circuit breaker controller, and a mobile device.FIGS.6-9illustrate example techniques that can be implemented by these exemplary devices to pair wireless communication enabled circuit breakers with a wireless circuit breaker controller to commission a panel system. The example breakers, controller, and mobile device, along with components included in these example embodiments, are first described followed by the description of example commissioning techniques.

FIG.2illustrates a wireless circuit breaker200in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In some examples, the wireless circuit breaker200can be implemented as any one of the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-1of the system100ofFIG.1. Generally, the wireless circuit breaker200may be used in a wide range of commercial, residential, and industrial circuit breaker panels. The wireless circuit breaker200may be configured to operate in conjunction with different electrical power distribution systems, including single-phase, split-phase, 3-phase delta, and 3-phase star. These systems may operate at any suitable voltage such as 120/240 (120V phase-neutral, 240 phase-to-phase), 120/208, 265/460, 277/480.

The wireless circuit breaker200includes multiple connections or “terminals.” Specifically, wireless circuit breaker200includes a line side phase connection202, a line side neutral connection203, a load side phase connection204, and a load side neutral connection205. The line side phase connection202and line side neutral connection203are coupled to a power source. The load side power phase connection204and load side neutral connection205are coupled to a load. Thus, current can enter the wireless circuit breaker200via the line side phase connection202, exit the wireless circuit breaker200via the load side phase connection204, return to the wireless circuit breaker200via load side neutral connection205, and travel back to the power source via line side neutral connection203. The line side phase connection202and neutral connection203may be coupled to a power source (e.g. an electrical grid). The load side phase connection204and the load side neutral connection205may be coupled to a load (e.g., HVAC system, refrigerator, TV, etc.).

The wireless circuit breaker200may include a power supply207. The power supply207receives an input power from the line side phase connection202and the line side neutral connection203. The power supply207converts, in some implementations, an AC voltage to a regulated DC voltage for use by some or all the electrical components associated with the wireless circuit breaker200. To that end, the voltage provided by the power supply207is uninterrupted even when the wireless circuit breaker200is caused to trip because of a trip incident. In some examples, the power supply207includes circuitry to condition the current and/or voltage supplied to the electrical components of the wireless circuit breaker200. In some examples, power supply207includes a fuse, which can in some embodiments be replaceable, to protect the power supply207and wireless circuit breaker200from overcurrent conditions. In some examples, the power supply207itself includes a circuit breaker to protect the power supply207and wireless circuit breaker200from overcurrent conditions. In some examples, power supply207itself includes a circuit breaker to protect the power supply207and wireless circuit breaker200from overcurrent conditions.

A memory208is disposed in the wireless circuit breaker200. The memory208may comprise an article of manufacture. In some examples, the memory208may include any non-transitory computer readable medium or machine readable medium, such as an optical, magnetic or semiconductor storage. The memory208may store various types of computer executable instructions210. The memory208may be coupled to a processor212. The processor212could be any of a variety of processors, such as, for example, a central processing unit, a microprocessor, a field programmable gate array, an application specific integrated circuit, or the like. The processor212can be arranged to execute instructions210to aid in performing one or more techniques described herein.

In some implementations, the memory208is configured store fault interrupter instructions210-1. The processor212can be arranged to execute fault interrupter instructions210-1during operation of breaker200, to for example, cause the wireless circuit breaker200to trip, cause the wireless circuit breaker200to set, wirelessly transmit data related to a remote entity120(e.g., via controller106, or the like). Additionally, the memory208is configured store commissioning instructions210-2. The processor212can be arranged execute commissioning instructions210-2to aid in initially pairing and/or commissioning breaker104to a panel (e.g., panel102, or the like) as detailed herein. In general, processor212can be arranged to execute commissioning instructions210-2to aid in initially commissioning breaker200per one or more techniques described herein. For example, the processor212can cause the wireless circuit breaker200to broadcast a pairing beacon via radio226and antenna224upon an initial powering up of breaker200. In some examples, processor212, in executing commissioning instructions210-2can cause radio226, via antenna224, to transmit an information element including indications of a pairing code, a breaker type, a serial number, a breaker capacity, or the like to a remote entity, such as, for example, mobile device110. Such examples are described in greater detail below.

In some examples, the wireless circuit breaker200could be provisioned with more than one set of fault interrupter instructions210-1. For example, memory208could store different sets (or types) of fault interrupter instructions210-1while processor212could be arranged to execute a selected one of the sets of fault interrupter instructions210-1depending upon certain condition(s), e.g., whether the building in which the panel is coupled is occupied, whether the building in which the panel is coupled is under constructions, a time of day, a time of year, a geographic location of the panel, or the like.

Examples of a memory208, which may be a non-transitory computer readable or machine-readable storage medium, may include any tangible media capable of storing electronic data, including volatile memory or non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writeable or re-writeable memory, and so forth. Examples of computer executable instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, object-oriented code, visual code, and the like. The examples are not limited in this context. The memory208may be one or more memory chips capable of storing data and allowing any storage location to be directly accessed by the processor212, such as any type or variant of Static random-access memory (SRAM), Dynamic random access memory (DRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), Ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), NAND Flash, NOR Flash and Solid State Drives (SSD).

The wireless circuit breaker200includes a fault interrupter214or a “circuit interrupter”214. In some implementations, the fault interrupter214is operable to interrupt faults (e.g., decouple the load side phase connection204from the line side phase connection202) based in part on the fault interrupter instructions210-1stored in the memory208. As used herein, the term “fault” could include any of a variety of conditions with which it may be desirable for the wireless circuit breaker200to disconnect the line side connection from the load side connection. For example, “fault” may be a fault within the breaker, a fault on the load side, a fault on the line side, or the like. As another example, “fault” may be a ground fault, an arc fault, an overcurrent fault, or the like. Examples are not limited in these contexts. The fault interrupter214may comprise various hardware elements. In some examples, the fault interrupter214includes at least a trip solenoid and/or an energy storage element to trip the trip solenoid and cause the line side connection202to decouple from load side connection204. In further examples, the fault interrupter214can include a set solenoid and/or energy storage element to set the breaker200and cause the line side connection202to couple to the load side connection204. The fault interrupter instructions210-1may be executed (e.g., by fault interrupter214, by processor212, or the like) to cause the trip solenoid to break current flowing from the line side phase connection202to the load side phase connection204in specific conditions or to cause the trip solenoid to restore current flowing from the line side phase connection202to the load side phase connection204in specific conditions. For example, when the current exceeds a threshold defined by the fault interrupter instructions210. In another example, the fault interrupter214includes functionality, controllable by way of the fault interrupter instructions210, to sense characteristics of a line current, for example an amount of current, a frequency of the current, high-frequency current components, dynamic distribution of the frequency components over time and within a half cycle of a power line frequency, various profiles of power line characteristics, etc. As another example, the fault interrupter214includes functionality, controllable by way of the fault interrupter instructions210, to set the breaker200, such as, upon receipt of a control signal from a remote entity120where the control signal includes an indication to set the breaker.

The fault interrupter214may be sensitive to radio frequency (RF) signals (i.e., wireless signals). Therefore, the fault interrupter214may be partially or completely surrounded by an RF shielding216. The RF shielding216may comprise any suitable material such as ferrous material, to attenuate wireless signals. In some implementations, the RF shielding216shields the fault interrupter214from wireless signals generated by the wireless circuit breaker200, other wireless circuit breakers200, wireless circuit breaker controller106, and/or entities external of the circuit breaker panel102.

The wireless circuit breaker200includes wireless communication components218. The wireless communication components218enable the wireless circuit breaker200to communicate wirelessly using any suitable type of wireless communication technology, such as that described herein. The wireless communication components218may include at least a radio226, an antenna224, and processor222. In general, the radio226can be any radio configured to communicate using a wireless transmission scheme, such as, for example, BLE. The antenna224can be coupled to the radio226and configured to emit and receive RF signals. For example, the antenna224can emit RF signals received from the radio226(or radio transceiver circuitry, which is not depicted for clarity) coupled between the radio226and the antenna224. The antenna224could be any of a variety of antennas (or antenna arrays) having different shapes and/or configurations arranged to emit/receive RF signals on a frequency, range of frequencies, or the like. Furthermore, the antenna224could be internal to the housing228of the wireless circuit breaker200or external to the housing228or packing of the breaker200. The processor222can be any of a variety of processors (e.g., application processor, baseband processors, etc.) arranged to perform at least transmission and reception of wireless signals associated with the wireless circuit breaker200.

As described, the wireless communication components218receives power from the power supply207, which is coupled to the line side phase connection. Therefore, the wireless communication components218enable the wireless circuit breaker200to communicate wirelessly even if the fault interrupter214interrupts current flowing between the line side phase connection202and the load side phase connection204. In some examples, the transmission power for radio226can be throttled and/or power limited. For example, radio226transmission power can be throttled to reduce incidences of interference with adjacent devices (e.g., other breakers in a panel, devices adjacent to panel, or the like).

An indicator may be implemented on the wireless circuit breaker200. The indicator may be any suitable type of indicator such as a visual or audible indicator including but not limited to, an LED, neon bulb, and/or piezoelectric buzzer. In the present embodiment, the indicator is a light emitting diode (LED)220. The LED220may be illuminated to a predefined color as part of the commissioning process. This is described in greater detail below.

The wireless circuit breaker200may comprise the housing228. The housing228may be a miniature circuit breaker (MCB) housing. In some implementations, the MCB housing has a width of1inch. It is noted, that the dimensions of the breakers are given for example only. Breaker widths could be any width, e.g., ½ inch, ¾ inch, 1 inch, 1½ inches, 2 inches, or the like.

FIG.3illustrates a wireless circuit breaker300in accordance with another exemplary embodiment. In some examples, the wireless circuit breaker300can be implemented as any one of the communication enabled circuit breakers104-1to104-1of the system100ofFIG.1. Generally, the wireless circuit breaker300may be used in a wide range of commercial, residential, and industrial circuit breaker panels. The wireless circuit breaker300may be configured to operate in conjunction with different electrical power distribution systems, including single-phase, split-phase,3-phase delta, and3-phase star. These systems may operate at any suitable voltage such as 120/240 (120V phase-neutral, 240 phase-to-phase), 120/208, 265/460, 277/480. It is noted, wireless circuit breaker300includes several similar components to wireless circuit breaker200, such as memory208including fault interrupter instructions210-1and commissioning instructions210-2; processor212, power supply207, LED220; and wireless communications components218including processor222antenna224and radio226. Such similar components are numbered consistently betweenFIGS.2-3. Furthermore, a description of such components is not repeated when describing breaker300for purposes of brevity.

The wireless circuit breaker300includes line side phase connections301and302, a line side neutral connection303, load side phase connections304and305, and a load side neutral connection306. The line side phase connections301and302and the line side neutral connection303are coupled to a power source. The load side phase connections304and305and the load side neutral connection306are coupled to a load. Thus, current can enter the wireless circuit breaker300via the line side phase connections301and302, exit the wireless circuit breaker300via the load side phase connections304and305, and return to the wireless circuit breaker300via the load side neutral connection306, and travel back to the power source via the line side neutral connection303. The line side phase connections301and302and the line side neutral connection303may be coupled to a power source (e.g., an electrical grid). The load side phase connections304and305and the load side neutral connection306may be coupled to a load (e.g., HVAC system, refrigerator, TV, etc.).

The power supply207receives an input power from one or more of line side phase connections301and302and the line side neutral connection303. The power supply207converts, in some implementations, an AC voltage to a regulated DC voltage for use by some or all of the electrical components associated with the wireless circuit breaker300.

FIG.4illustrates a wireless circuit breaker controller400in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In some examples, the wireless circuit breaker controller400can be implemented as the circuit breaker controller106of the system100ofFIG.1. Generally, the wireless circuit breaker controller400may be used in a wide range of commercial, residential, and industrial power panels. In some embodiments, the wireless circuit breaker controller400can be implemented within a circuit breaker panel (e.g., panel102) while in other embodiments, the wireless circuit breaker controller400can be implemented externally to a panel (e.g., panel102) and coupled to wireless breakers (e.g., breakers104-n) within the panel. In an alternative implementation, the wireless circuit breaker controller400can be implemented as part of a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, having hardware/software functionality to enable the mobile device to function as the described wireless circuit breaker controller400.

A memory402is disposed in the wireless circuit breaker controller400. The memory402is configured to store commissioning instructions404-1. Furthermore, the memory402may be configured to store database118, which can in some examples, include commissioned breaker information404-2. The commissioned breaker information404-2may form the basis of database118including information regarding breakers104commissioned, or deployed, in panel102. The memory402may comprise an article of manufacture. In some examples, the memory402may include any non-transitory computer readable medium or machine readable medium, such as an optical, magnetic or semiconductor storage. The memory402may be one or more memory chips capable of storing data and allowing any storage location to be directly accessed by the processor406.

The memory402may be coupled to a processor406. Processor406could be any of a variety of processors, such as, for example, a central processing unit, a microprocessor, a field programmable gate array, an application specific integrated circuit, or the like. Processor406can be arranged to execute instructions stored in the memory402to aid in performing one or more techniques described herein. For example, processor406, in executing commissioning instructions404-1, can cause controller400to pair with breakers104and to populate information about breakers104in database118. This is described in greater detail below.

The wireless circuit breaker controller400may include a power supply408. The power supply408is to convert, in some implementations, an AC voltage to a regulated DC voltage for use by some or all the electrical components associated with the wireless circuit breaker controller400.

The wireless circuit breaker controller400includes wireless communication components410. The wireless communication components410enable the wireless circuit breaker controller400to communicate wirelessly using any suitable type of wireless communication technology (e.g., a short-range wireless/near field wireless technology, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, ZigBee®, etc. Therefore, the wireless communication components410may include at least radio418-1, antenna416-1, and processor414-1. In general, the radio418-1can be any radio configured to communicate using a wireless transmission scheme, such as, for example, BLE. The antenna416-1can be coupled to radio418-1and configured to emit and receive RF signals. For example, the antenna416-1can emit RF signals received from the radio418-1(or a radio front, which is not depicted for clarity) coupled between the radio418-1and the antenna416-1. The antenna416-1could be any of a variety of antennas (or antenna arrays) having different shapes and/or configurations arranged to emit/receive radio waves on a particular frequency, range of frequencies, or the like. Processor414-1can be any of a variety of processors (e.g., application processor, baseband processors, etc.) arranged to perform at least transmission and reception of wireless signals associated with the wireless circuit breaker controller400. Furthermore, the antenna416-1could be internal to the physical housing or packaging of the breaker controller400or external to the physical housing or packing of the breaker controller400.

As detailed, some embodiments provide wireless communication components410of wireless circuit breaker controller400are operable to communicate over several wireless frequencies or schemes. As such, processor414-1, radio418-1and antenna416-1could be arranged to communicate over multiple wireless communication technologies, such as, for example, BLE and Wi-Fi. In other examples, wireless communication components410can include multiple sets of processor, radio and antenna. For example, as depicted, components410further include radio418-2, antenna416-2and processor414-2. Thus, the first set of radio418-1, antenna416-1and processor414-1can be arranged to communicate using a first wireless communication scheme, such as, BLE while the second set of radio418-2, antenna416-2and processor414-2can be arranged to communicate using a second wireless communication scheme, such as, Wi-Fi. In some examples, the transmission power for radio(s)418-1and/or418-2can be throttled and/or power limited. For example, radio(s)418-1and/or418-2transmission power can be throttled to reduce incidence of interference with adjacent devices (e.g., breakers in the panel, devices adjacent to panel, or the like).

The wireless circuit breaker controller400may further include a wireline network interface412. The wireline network interface412enables the wireless circuit breaker controller400to be coupled via a wireline connection to various devices. For example, in some implementations, the wireless circuit breaker controller400is a standalone device that may be wireline connected (e.g., via Ethernet) to a remote device (e.g., Internet cloud114) and wirelessly connected to wireless breakers (e.g., breakers104-n) within a circuit breaker panel (e.g., panel102). In such an example, the controller400could optionally omit one of the wireless communication components (e.g., wireless communication components410arranged to communicate via Wi-Fi, or the like). As another example, the wireless circuit breaker controller400could be wireless coupled to wireless circuit breakers (e.g., wireless circuit breaker200, or the like) via wireless communication components410and coupled via a wired communication connection to other communication enabled circuit breakers (not shown) via wireless module412.

FIG.5illustrates a mobile device500in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In some examples, the mobile device500can be implemented as the mobile device110of the system100ofFIG.1. In general, the mobile device500can be any of a variety of mobile devices, such as, for example, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or the like. A memory502is disposed in mobile device500. The memory502is configured to store commissioning instructions504-1. Furthermore, the memory502may be configured to store database118, which can in some examples, include commissioned breaker information504-2. The commissioned breaker information504-2may form the basis of database118including information regarding communication enabled circuit breakers104commissioned, or deployed, in panel102. The memory502may comprise an article of manufacture, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

In some examples, commissioned breaker information404-2and504-2may comprise indications of the same information. Furthermore, with some examples, database118, including commissioned breaker information404-2and/or504-2can be stored on a server accessible via the Internet114. For example, database118can be stored to a server accessible via the Internet as part of the example commissioning processes detailed herein. However, for purposes of clarity, database118is depicted stored in memory of either controller400or mobile device500. Examples are not limited in this context.

The memory502may be coupled to a processor506. Processor506could be any of a variety of processors, such as, for example, a central processing unit, a microprocessor, a field programmable gate array, an application specific integrated circuit, or the like. Processor506can be arranged to execute instructions stored in the memory502to aid in performing one or more techniques described herein. For example, processor506, in executing commissioning instructions504-1, can cause mobile device500to receive information elements from a controller (e.g., controller106, or the like) and/or breakers (e.g., breakers104, or the like) and populate database118based on the received information elements and/or additional breaker information received, for example, via an input device (e.g. camera520, touch display530, or the like).

The mobile device500may further include camera520and display530. Camera520can be any of a variety of cameras arranged to capture an image, such as, for example, a digital camera including an optical sensor arranged to capture light and convert the light to images. Display530can be any of a variety of displays arranged to manipulate light to display and/or project an image and may include touch functionality. Furthermore, mobile device500can include several components not depicted, such as, for example power supplies, batteries, graphics processing units, speakers, input controls, or the like.

FIGS.6-9illustrate techniques, implementable by a communication enabled circuit breaker and panel system, such as, the system100ofFIG.1. In general, these logic flows can be implemented by any communication enabled circuit breaker and panel system or component(s) of such a system, such as, the system100, breaker(s)104-n,controller106, remote entity120, breaker200, breaker300, controller400, mobile device500and/or the like. The following description ofFIGS.6-9breakers200, controller400and mobile device500for purposes of convenience and clarity only. However, it is to be understood that the logic flows described could be implemented by different combinations of components of a wireless circuit breaker and panel system without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.

In general, commissioning a panel, such as, panel102, is a multi-step process that involves both pairing individual breakers200with the controller400and populating a database (e.g., database118) with information about the individual breakers. For example, each of the breakers200needs to be paired with the controller400. Furthermore, each of the breakers200can be commissioned and parameters, settings, or characteristics related to each breaker established in database118. The database118, might be maintained in the controller400, on a server accessible over the Internet114, or the like.FIGS.6-8depict example techniques to pair breakers200to the controller400as well as commission the breakers whileFIG.9depicts an example technique to finalize the commissioning of the breakers200.

FIG.6depicts a technique600to provision a circuit breaker panel with wireless communication enabled circuit breakers. The technique600may start at circle6.1. At circle6.1, any number of breakers200can broadcast pairing beacons610. Each pairing beacon610may also include an authentication key (more on this below). For example, this figure depicts breakers200-1,200-2, and200-3, each broadcasting a pairing beacon610at circle6.1. In some examples, at circle6.1, each breaker200can periodically broadcast a pairing beacon610. With some examples, breakers200can initiate periodic broadcasting of pairing beacons after a delay, which may be determined based on a random number, based on a unique identifier associated with each breaker, or the like. For example, upon initialization (or initial power up) of a panel including several breakers200(e.g., panel102ofFIG.1, or the like), each breaker200may begin broadcasting paring beacon610. Said differently, upon initial startup, or when breakers200have not otherwise or are not currently paired with controller400, breakers200may begin broadcasting paring beacons610, as at circle6.1.

In some embodiments, at circle6.1, breakers200-1to200-3can calculate a delay to apply prior to starting periodic broadcasting of paring beacon610. Said differently, breakers2300can determine a delay time, or a time to delay initiating broadcasting of pairing beacons. For example, breakers200-1to200-3can determine the delay based on a random number and/or a unique identifier of the breaker. For example, at detailed inFIGS.2-3, breaker200comprises several hardware components, each of which may have a unique identification number. For example, processor212, processor222, radio226, or the like may each have a unique identification number set at manufacturing. Processor212, in executing commissioning instructions210-2, can generate a random number and delay broadcasting pairing beacon610an amount of time corresponding to the generated random number. In some examples, processor212, in executing commissioning instructions210-2, can delay broadcasting pairing beacon610an amount of time corresponding to the unique identification number. In some examples, processor212, in executing commissioning instructions210-2, can generate a random number and can delay broadcasting pairing beacon610an amount of time corresponding to a product of the generated random number and the unique identification number. In some examples, processor212, in executing commissioning instructions210-2, can generate multiple random numbers and can determine the delay based on a calculation using the multiple random numbers (e.g., sum, product, or the like). In some examples, processor212, in executing commissioning instructions210-2, can generate one or more random numbers using the unique identifier number as a seed to the random number generator.

In general, pairing beacon610can include indications of an address of the breaker200broadcasting the pairing beacon210. In some examples, pairing beacon610can also include a device access code (DAC) and/or an inquiry access code (IAC) to enable establishing a link between the broadcasting breaker200and the controller400, such as, for example, in accordance with the Bluetooth Core Specification (e.g., Bluetooth Specification Version 4.2, 5.0, or the like).

Continuing to circle6.2, controller400can receive broadcast pairing beacon(s)610and can add a descriptor or indication, of the breaker(s)200corresponding to the received broadcast pairing beacon(s), to a white list of breakers. Furthermore, controller400can send an acknowledgement620to breakers200to include an indication to stop broadcasting pairing beacons610. For example, at circle6.2, controller400can receive a pairing beacon610from one of breakers200(e.g.,200-1,200-2,200-3, or the like); add a descriptor of the breaker200to a white list (e.g., commissioned breaker information404-2, or the like); and can send acknowledgement620to the respective breaker200. Upon receipt of the acknowledgment, the respective breaker can stop broadcasting pairing beacon610. Said differently, each breaker200may continue to repeatedly (e.g., on a set period after the initial delay, or the like) broadcast pairing beacons610until the respective breaker200receives an acknowledgment or “quiet command” from circuit breaker controller400.

Upon receipt of all pairing beacons610, or upon expiration of a threshold amount of time without receiving a pairing beacon610, controller400can proceed to commission the breakers. Said differently, circuit breaker controller400can continue to receive pairing beacons and add breakers200to the whitelist of breakers to pair until no pairing beacons are being broadcast. At which point, controller400can continue to commission the breakers200based on technique900described inFIG.9. Upon commissioning of breakers200, technique600can continue to circle6.3. At circle6.3breakers200and controller400can communicate information elements630, for example, via BLE, including indications of status of the breakers200, updates from controller400to breakers200, or the like.

In some examples, controller400can periodically, or continually, “listen” for broadcast pairing beacons. For example, controller400could continually perform circle6.2. In other examples, controller400can perform circle6.2upon receiving a command to initiate pairing operations.

FIG.7depicts a technique700to provision a circuit breaker panel with wireless communication enabled circuit breakers. The technique700may start at circle7.1. At circle7.1, any number of breakers200can broadcast information elements710including indications of an address of the breaker200broadcasting the pairing information element710. In some examples, information elements710can further include a device access code (DAC) and/or an inquiry access code (IAC) to enable establishing a link between the broadcasting breaker200and the controller400, such as, for example, in accordance with the Bluetooth Core Specification (e.g., Bluetooth Specification Version 4.2, 5.0, or the like).

In some examples, information elements710can be transmitted by breakers200and/or received by mobile device500via various wireless communication protocols, such as, for example, near filed communication (NFC), BLE, WiFi, or the like. In some examples, breakers200can illuminate an LED (e.g., LED220) in a pattern sufficient to communicate information elements710. Mobile device500can capture the illuminating LED (e.g., via a camera, via a video recording, or the like) and can receive the information element710. For example, based on decoding a pattern illuminated by LED220, mobile device500can receive information element710.

At block7.3mobile device500can send an information element720to controller400. For example, mobile device500can communicate with controller400via WiFi (e.g., peer-to-peer WiFi, or the like) and can communicate information element720including indications of information elements710received at circle7.2. For example, mobile device500can send information element720to controller400to include breaker200device addresses, as well as DAC and/or IAC for breakers200.

At block7.4, controller400can receive information element720and can add descriptions of breakers200(e.g., breaker200-1, breaker200-2, breaker200-3, or the like) to a whitelist of breakers to commission (e.g., commissioned breaker information404-2, or the like). Upon receipt of information element720at circle7.4, controller400can commission the breakers. For example, controller400can continue to commission the breakers200based on technique900described inFIG.9. Alternatively, with some examples, mobile device500can directly pair breakers200with controller400. For example, mobile device500may establish a pairing relationship between breakers200and controller400(e.g., as described with respect to technique900ofFIG.9) and share and/or provide details of the pairing relationship with controller400such that controller400inherits the pairing relationship.

Upon commissioning of breakers200, technique700can continue to circle7.5. At circle7.5breakers200and controller400can communicate information elements730, for example, via BLE, including indications of status of the breakers200, updates from controller400to breakers200, or the like.

FIG.8depicts a technique800to provision a circuit breaker panel with wireless communication enabled circuit breakers. The technique800may start at circle8.1. At circle8.1, mobile device500can receive input and/or capture an indication of an address of the breaker(s)200(e.g., breaker200-1, breaker200-2, breaker200-3, or the like). In some examples, mobile device can capture an image (e.g., via camera520, or the like) of a unique identifier physically visible on breaker200(e.g., a QR code, a manufacture specific ID number, or the like). Mobile device500can determine a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, or the like) address and optionally, a device access code (DAC) and/or an inquiry access code (IAC) to enable establishing a link between the respective breaker200and the controller400, such as, for example, in accordance with the Bluetooth Core Specification (e.g., Bluetooth Specification Version 4.2, 5.0, or the like). In some examples, mobile device500can receive (e.g., via a user interface or the like) input including an indication of a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, or the like) address and optionally, a device access code (DAC) and/or an inquiry access code (IAC) to enable establishing a link between the respective breaker200and the controller400. For example, an installer may input such information into a user interface provided on a display (e.g., display530, or the like) of mobile device500.

At block8.2mobile device500can send an information element810to controller400. For example, mobile device500can communicate with controller400via WiFi (e.g., peer-to-peer WiFi, or the like) and can communicate information element810including indications of device addresses of breakers200and optionally, DACs and/or IACs.

At block8.3, controller400can receive information element810and can add descriptions of breakers200(e.g., breaker200-1, breaker200-2, breaker200-3, or the like) to a whitelist of breakers to commission (e.g., commissioned breaker information404-2, or the like). Upon receipt of information element810at circle8.3, controller400can commission the breakers. For example, controller400can continue to commission the breakers200based on technique900described inFIG.9. Upon commissioning of breakers200, technique800can continue to circle8.4. At circle8.4breakers200and controller400can communicate information elements820, for example, via BLE, including indications of status of the breakers200, updates from controller400to breakers200, or the like.

FIG.9depicts a technique900to commission a circuit breaker panel with wireless communication enabled circuit breakers. The technique900may start at circle9.1. At circle9.1, mobile device500can receive an information element910from controller400including indications of breaker200with which controller400can pair. In some embodiments, mobile device500can communicate with controller400over a wireless peer-to-peer link (e.g., WiFi Direct, of the like). In some examples, information element910includes an indication of breakers200with which controller400received pairing beacons (e.g., as in technique600ofFIG.6, or the like).

Continuing to circle9.2, mobile device500can select one of breakers200indicated in information element910with which to commission. In some examples, mobile device500can present a list of breakers200indicated in information element910on a display (e.g., display530, or the like) and can receive an indication of one of the listed breakers200to select. For example, an installer of panel system102can select one of the listed breakers to commission. In some examples, information element910can include an indication of a serial number of other indicator for breakers200which is physically visible on a housing of breakers200. As such, an installer can select a specific breaker from the list based on the visible indicator on the housing of the breaker and the displayed list.

Continuing to block9.3, mobile device500can send a control signal to the selected breaker (e.g., breaker200-1, or the like) and/or controller400including an indication to complete the pairing process. In some examples, at block9.3, mobile device500sends the control signal to controller400which initiates completing of the pairing process with the selected breaker200. For example, this figure depicts breaker200-1selected and paring with controller400. Continuing to block9.4, controller400and the selected breaker200-1can complete the pairing process. In some examples, controller400can generate encryption keys and complete the pairing process by validating the received DAC and/or IAC with breaker200-1, establish the wireless communication channel based on an assigned channel ID, and exchanging encryption keys to use for subsequent wireless communication. In some examples encryption keys can be generated based on the wireless address of the breaker, the DAC, the IAC, and/or any of a variety of encryption schemes (e.g., PGP encryption, ECDH encryption, or the like). Each controller400includes a block of code, a public encryption key and a private encryption key. The public encryption key and a private encryption key, taken together, form an encryption key pair. The public and private encryption keys are each generated based on different operations performed on the same block of code.

Likewise, each breaker200includes a block of code, a public encryption key and a private encryption key. The public encryption key and a private encryption key, taken together, form an encryption key pair. The public and private encryption keys are each generated based on different operations performed on the same block of code.

The public encryption key of the controller400is shared with the breaker200. Likewise, the public encryption key of the breaker200is shared with the controller400.

When the public encryption key of the breaker200is shared with the controller400, the controller generates a random number (via an encryption algorithm such as PGP, ECDH, or other suitable algorithm) based on its own private key and the public key of the breaker200. The controller400then sends the random number to the breaker200. The breaker200uses this random number, via an algorithm, to calculate the private key of the controller.

When the public encryption key of the controller400is shared with the breaker200, the breaker200generates a random number (via an encryption algorithm) based on its own private key and the public key of the controller400. The breaker200then sends the random number to the controller400. The controller400uses this random number, via an algorithm, to calculate the private key of the breaker200.

Once the controller400and the breaker200have exchanged public keys and calculated private keys, then an encrypted communication channel is established between the controller400and the breaker200. Once the encrypted communication channel is established, an authentication process is initiated. Having received the authentication key as part of the broadcast pairing beacon610, the controller400then decrypts the authentication key using an CCM, or other suitable, encryption algorithm. Controller400then transmits the decrypted authentication key back to the breaker200via the encrypted communication channel. In this manner, the controller400and the breaker200are authenticated with each other. It is noted, that with some examples, the authentication process and encrypted communication channel can be initialized prior to commissioning the breaker. As such, the commissioning process can utilize the secure communication channel. Additionally, the secure communication channel can be utilized to communication between the breakers and controller400post commissioning. If the authentication fails, new authentication keys are generated and broadcasted during the next broadcast pairing beacon610. During this subsequent broadcast pairing beacon610, the new authentication key will be used as opposed to the previously generated authentication key.

Continuing to circle9.5, the selected breaker can be arranged to physical indicate a completion of the paring process. For example, breaker200-1can be arranged to flash LED220based on completing the paring process at circle9.4. Continuing to block9.6, controller400can send a control signal to mobile device500including an indication of a confirmation of completion of pairing with the selected breaker200.

Continuing to block9.7, mobile device500can populate entries in database118with information about the selected breaker200. For example, mobile device500can assign a position within panel (e.g., position1, position2, position3, etc.), assign a name (e.g., master bedroom, kitchen, range, HVAC, etc.), detail other characteristics of the breaker (e.g., AFCI, GFCI, breaking capacity, voltage rating, model number, firmware version, manufacturer, serial number, etc.), which can be added to commissioned breaker information404-2in database118. In some examples, mobile device500can capture an image of panel102and/or breakers200to populate such entries in database118. For example, mobile device500can capture an image of panel102with breakers102deployed therein and can determine a position within panel102of the selected breaker, for example, based on the selected breaker flashing an LED while the image is captured, based on a serial number visible on breaker200, or the like. Such information (e.g., column, row, column and row, or the like) of the location of breaker200in panel102can be added to database118.

Continuing to decision diamond9.8, mobile device500can determine whether to commission another breaker200. For example, mobile device500can determine to commission another breaker based on determining that more breakers200indicated in information element910remain uncommission. Based on a determination that more breakers200are to be commissioned, technique900can return to circle9.2. For example, mobile device500could determine that breakers200-2and200-3remain uncommissioned (e.g., breaker200-2, breaker200-3, etc.) but were indicated in information element910are ready to pair with controller400. As such, mobile device500could update the list previously displayed at circle9.2(e.g., remove fully commissioned breakers, or the like), redisplay the list, and proceed as detailed above.

FIG.10depicts a technique1000to decommission wireless communication circuit breaker(s) from a panel system. Said differently, technique1000can be implemented to disassociated a number of wireless communication enabled circuit breakers from a panel system. In general, once the wireless communication enabled circuit breakers are commissioned to a panel system and paired to a controller within the panel system, the breakers will only communicate with the controller in the panel system to which they were commissioned (or paired). As a result, if it is desired to remove the breaker from the panel (e.g., to troubleshoot it, install it into another panel, or the like) the breaker will need to be “decommissioned” or “unpaired” from the controller before it will be able to communicate with another panel or system.

Technique1000can be used to decommission breaker(s). The technique1000may start at circle10.1. At circle10.1, mobile device500can send an information element1010to controller400including an indication to decommission breakers. In some embodiments, mobile device500can communicate with controller400over a wireless peer-to-peer link (e.g., WiFi Direct, of the like). In some examples, mobile device500can be a device in the cloud accessing controller, for example, via the Internet.

Continuing to circle10.2, any number of breakers200can be transitioned between an ON and OFF state. For example, if the breaker is in the ON state, it must be turned OFF and then ON. If the breaker is in the mid-tripped state or the OFF state, it must be turned ON, then OFF, then ON again. As depicted in this figure, breakers200-1and200-2are indicated as transitioning between the ON and OFF states at circle10.2. Thus, breakers200-1and200-2would be decommissioned from controller400. However, breaker200-3is not depicted as transitioning between the ON and OFF states at circle10.2. Thus, breaker200-3would not be decommissioned from controller400but would remain commissioned to controller400.

Continuing to circle10.3, controller400can send an information element1020to breakers200including an indication to decommission breakers200that transitioned from the ON to OFF state (e.g., at circle10.2). In some embodiments, circles10.1to10.3need to be completed within a specified time period10.4for decommissioning to be accepted. For example, circles10.1to10.3may need to be completed within a15second time period, a30second time period, a45second time period, a60second time period, or the like. Continuing to circle10.5, breakers receiving a decommissioning signal (e.g., information element1020) at circle10.3and having transitioned from an ON to an OFF state at circle10.2are decommissioned from panel400. As depicted in this figure, breakers200-1and200-2are indicated as transitioning between the ON and OFF states at circle10.2and receiving decommissioning signals1020at circle10.3within time period10.4. Thus, breakers200-1and200-2would be decommissioned from controller400. However, breaker200-3is not depicted as transitioning between the ON and OFF states at circle10.2, even though breaker200-3is depicted as receiving decommissioning signal1020at circle10.3. Thus, breaker200-3would not be decommissioned from controller400but would remain commissioned to controller400. It is important to note, that decommissioning signal10.3need not original from a controller to which breakers200are commissioned. For example, a breaker could be removed from a panel system without decommissioning and then could be decommissioned by another panel system and controller via the same technique illustrated in this figure.

As an alternative method to decommission a breaker, a controller can issue decommissioning commands directly to a commissioned breaker. For example, controller400could send information element1020to one of breakers200(e.g., breaker200-1) including an indication to unpair from controller400. Upon receipt of information element1020, the breaker200(e.g., breaker200-1) would decommission (e.g., circle10.5), even without transitioning from the ON to OFF state.

FIG.11illustrates an embodiment of a storage medium1100. The storage medium600may comprise an article of manufacture. In some examples, the storage medium1000may include any non-transitory computer readable medium or machine readable medium, such as an optical, magnetic or semiconductor storage. The storage medium1100may store various types of processor executable instructions e.g.,1102executable by a processor (e.g., processor212, processor222, processor406, processor414-1, processor414-2, processor506, processor514, etc.). Storage medium1102may store processor executable instructions1002, which when executed by a processor can cause the processor to implement any one or more of techniques600,700,800,900and/or1000.

Examples of a computer readable or machine readable storage medium may include any tangible media capable of storing electronic data, including volatile memory or non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writeable or re-writeable memory, and so forth. Examples of computer executable instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, object-oriented code, visual code, and the like. The examples are not limited in this context.

While a wireless circuit breaker, a wireless circuit breaker controller, wireless technology enabled circuit breakers and methods for using the same have been described regarding certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims of the application. Other modifications may be made to adapt a situation or material to the teachings disclosed above without departing from the scope of the claims. Therefore, the claims should not be construed as being limited to any one of the embodiments disclosed, but to any embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims.

Furthermore, the following examples are provided to more fully described the embodiments of the present disclosure:

EXAMPLE 1

A method for commissioning a communicating circuit breaker, comprising: energizing the circuit breaker; electronically retrieving a unique identifier of the circuit breaker; calculating a delay time based on the unique identifier; periodically broadcasting a pairing beacon after the delay time has lapsed until a quiet command is received from a controller; receiving a channel ID assignment from the controller; receiving an encryption key pair from the controller; initializing secure communication with the controller using the encryption key pair across the assigned channel ID; receiving a device information command from the controller; and transmitting device information from the circuit breaker to the controller.

EXAMPLE 2

The method of example 1, the unique identifier comprising a serial number of a wireless radio or a serial number of a processor.

EXAMPLE 3

The method of example 1, the pairing beacon comprising an indication of at least one of an address of the circuit breaker, a device access code, or an inquiry access code.

EXAMPLE 4

The method of any one of examples 1 to 3, calculating the delay based on the unique identifier comprising: generating a first random number; generate a second random number, wherein the unique identifier is a seed for the generation of the first and the second random numbers; and deriving the delay based on a sum of the first and the second random numbers.

EXAMPLE 5

A method for commissioning a communicating circuit breaker, comprising: receiving, from a communicating breaker, a pairing beacon; sending a quiet command to the communicating breaker to cause the communicating breaker to cease broadcasting the paring beacon; sending a channel ID assignment to the communicating breaker; receiving an encryption key pair from the communicating breaker; initializing secure communication with the communicating breaker using the encryption key pair across the assigned channel ID; sending a device information command to the communicating breaker; and receiving device information from the communicating breaker in response to the sent device information command.

EXAMPLE 6

The method of example 5, the pairing beacon comprising an indication of at least one of an address of the circuit breaker, a device access code, or an inquiry access code.

EXAMPLE 7

The method of any one of example 5 or 6, comprising receiving the pairing beacon via a wireless communication.

EXAMPLE 8

The method of example 7, wherein the wireless communication is Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, ZigBee, near field communication, or WiFi.

EXAMPLE 9

The method of any one of example 5 or 6, receiving an encryption key pair comprising receiving a public key of an encryption key pair.

EXAMPLE 10.

The method of any one of examples 5 or 6, wherein the encryption key pair is generated based in part on the pretty good privacy (PGP) encryption scheme or the elliptic-curve diffie-hellman (ECDH) encryption scheme.

EXAMPLE 11

A method for commissioning a communicating circuit breaker, comprising: receiving, from a communicating breaker, a pairing beacon; sending a quiet command to the communicating breaker to cause the communicating breaker to cease broadcasting the paring beacon; capturing a location of the communicating breaker in a panel; sending pairing information for the communicating breaker to a circuit breaker controller, the pairing information based in part on the pairing beacon and the captured location; and sending a command to the circuit breaker controller to cause the circuit breaker controller to pair with the communicating breaker using, in part, the pairing information.

EXAMPLE 12

The method of example 11, capturing a location of the communicating breaker comprising: sending a command to the communicating breaker to cause the communicating breaker to illuminate a light emitting diode (LED); taking a picture of a panel comprising the communicating breaker; and determining a column and row of installation of the communicating breaker from the picture based on the illuminated light emitting diode.

EXAMPLE 13

The method of any one of examples 11 or 12, comprising: receiving a pairing beacon from each of one or more additional communicating breakers; and sending a quiet command to each of the one or more additional communicating breaker to cause the one or more additional communicating breakers to cease broadcasting the paring beacons.

EXAMPLE 14

The method of example 13, comprising: generating a whitelist of communicating breaker comprising the communication breaker and the one or more additional communicating breakers; and sending an indication of the whitelist to the circuit breaker controller.

EXAMPLE 15

A circuit breaker, comprising: a wireless radio; a processor coupled to the wireless radio; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising commissioning instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the wireless radio to broadcast a pairing beacon after a delay calculated based on a random number and a unique identifier of the circuit breaker.

EXAMPLE 16

The circuit breaker of example 15, the unique identifier comprising a serial number of the wireless radio or a serial number for the processor.

EXAMPLE 17

The circuit breaker of example 15, the pairing beacon comprising an indication of at least one of an address of the circuit breaker, a device access code, or an inquiry access code.

EXAMPLE 18

The circuit breaker of example 15, the circuit breaker comprising a light emitting diode (LED), the memory further comprising commissioning instructions, which when executed by the processor cause the processor to illuminate the LED.

EXAMPLE 19

The circuit breaker of example 15, the memory further comprising commissioning instructions, which when executed by the processor cause the processor to generate an encryption key pair and initialize a secure communication channel with a controller based on the encryption key pair.

EXAMPLE 20

The circuit breaker of any one of examples 15 to 19, wherein once paired, the wireless radio ceases to broadcast the pairing beacon.

EXAMPLE 21

The circuit breaker of any one of examples 15 to 18, the memory further comprising commissioning instructions, which when executed by the processor cause the processor to pair with a controller for future communication using the secure communication channel.

EXAMPLE 22.

The circuit breaker of any one of examples 15 to 19, wherein the wireless radio is a Bluetooth radio, a WiFi radio, a ZigBee radio, or a near field communication radio.

EXAMPLE 23

The circuit breaker of any one of examples 15 to 19, the random number a first random number, the memory further comprising commissioning instructions, which when executed by the processor cause the processor to: generate the first random number; generate a second random number, wherein the unique identifier is a seed for the random number generation; and calculate the delay based on a sum of the first and second random numbers.

EXAMPLE 24.

A circuit breaker controller, comprising: a wireless radio; a processor coupled to the wireless radio; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising commissioning instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the wireless radio to: send an information element comprising an indication of one or more circuit breakers with which the controller can pair; receive an indication to pair with a first one of the one or more circuit breakers; generate an encryption key pair and initialize a secure communication channel with the first one of the one or more circuit breakers based on the encryption key pair; pair the first one of the one or more circuit breakers with the controller for future communication using the secure communication channel; and send an indication on completion of the pairing with the first one of the one or more circuit breakers.

EXAMPLE 25

The circuit breaker controller of example 24, the first one of the one or more circuit breakers comprising a light emitting diode (LED), the commissioning instructions further cause the wireless radio to send a command to cause the LED to illuminate to indicate a completion of pairing between the first one of the one or more circuit breakers and the controller.

EXAMPLE 26

The circuit breaker controller of example 24, the commissioning instructions further cause the wireless radio to receive a pairing beacon broadcast from the first one of the one or more circuit breakers, the pairing beacon to be broadcast after a delay determined based on a random number and a unique identifier of the first one of the one or more circuit breaker.

EXAMPLE 27

The circuit breaker controller of example 26, the commissioning instructions further cause the wireless radio to receive characteristic information of the first one of the one or more circuit breakers, the characteristic information comprising an indication of at least one of a model number a serial number, or a firmware version.

EXAMPLE 28

The circuit breaker controller of example 26, the pairing beacon comprising an indication of at least one of an address, a device access code, or an inquiry access code of the first one of the one or more circuit breaker.

EXAMPLE 29

The circuit breaker controller of any one of examples 24 to 28, the encryption key pair a first encryption key pair, the commissioning instructions further cause the wireless radio to receive a portion of a second encryption key pair, wherein initializing the secure communication channel with the first one of the one or more circuit breakers is based on the first encryption key pair and the portion of the second encryption key pair.

EXAMPLE 30

The circuit breaker controller of example 29, wherein the first encryption key pair is generated based in part on the pretty good privacy (PGP) encryption scheme or the elliptic-curve diffie-hellman (ECDH) encryption scheme.

EXAMPLE 31

The circuit breaker controller of example 29, wherein the portion of the second encryption key pair is a public key of the second encryption key pair.

EXAMPLE 32

At least one non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor element of a mobile device, cause the mobile device to: capture an indication of a communicating circuit breaker; generate pairing information for the communicating circuit breaker based on the captured indication; and send the pairing information to a circuit breaker controller, the circuit breaker controller to pair with the communicating circuit breaker in response to the pairing information.

EXAMPLE 33

The at least one machine-readable storage medium of example 32, the medium comprising instructions that further cause the processor to send a command to the circuit breaker controller to cause the circuit breaker controller to pair with the communicating breaker using, in part, the pairing information.

EXAMPLE 34

The at least one machine-readable storage medium of example 33, the medium comprising instructions that further cause the processor to: send a command to the communicating breaker to cause the communicating breaker to illuminate a light emitting diode (LED); take a picture of a panel comprising the communicating breaker; and determine a column and row of installation of the communicating breaker from the picture based on the illuminated light emitting diode.

EXAMPLE 35

The at least one machine-readable storage medium of any one of examples 33 or 34, the medium comprising instructions that further cause the processor to: receive a pairing beacon from each of one or more additional communicating breakers; and send a quiet command to each of the one or more additional communicating breaker to cause the one or more additional communicating breakers to cease broadcasting the paring beacons

EXAMPLE 36

The at least one machine-readable storage medium of any one of examples 35, the medium comprising instructions that further cause the processor to: generate a whitelist of communicating breaker comprising the communication breaker and the one or more additional communicating breakers; and send an indication of the whitelist to the circuit breaker controller.

EXAMPLE 37

A circuit breaker and panel system, comprising: a circuit breaker controller; and a communicating circuit breaker, comprising: a processor coupled; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising commissioning instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause processor to: retrieve a unique identifier of the circuit breaker; calculate a delay time based on the unique identifier; broadcast, on a periodic basis, a pairing beacon after the delay time has lapsed; receive a quiet command from the circuit breaker controller; cease broadcasting the pairing beacon in response to the received quiet command; receive a channel ID assignment from the circuit breaker controller; receive an encryption key pair from the circuit breaker controller; and initialize secure communication with the circuit breaker controller using the encryption key pair across the assigned channel ID.

EXAMPLE 38

A circuit breaker and panel system, comprising: a communicating circuit breaker; and a circuit breaker controller, comprising: a processor coupled; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising commissioning instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause processor to: receive pairing information for the communicating breaker from a mobile device; and pair with the communicating breaker to communicate with the communicating breaker using, in part, the received pairing information, the pairing comprising at least receiving an encryption key pair from the communicating breaker and initializing secure communication with the communicating breaker using the encryption key pair across the assigned channel ID.

EXAMPLE 39

At least one non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor element of a mobile device, cause the mobile device to: capture an indication of a communicating circuit breaker; generate pairing information for the communicating circuit breaker based on the captured indication; and send the pairing information to a circuit breaker controller, the circuit breaker controller to pair with the communicating circuit breaker in response to the pairing information.

EXAMPLE 40

A method for commissioning a communicating circuit breaker, comprising: receiving an indication of a one of a plurality of communicating breakers with which to pair from a mobile device; receiving command from the mobile device to pair with the one of the plurality of communicating breakers; sending a channel ID assignment to the one of the plurality of communicating breakers; receiving an encryption key pair from the one of the plurality of communicating breakers; and initializing secure communication with the one of the plurality of communicating breakers using the encryption key pair across the assigned channel ID.

EXAMPLE 41

A method for decommissioning a communicating circuit breaker, comprising: receiving, at a circuit breaker controller paired with a plurality of communicating breakers, an indication of a one of the plurality of communicating breakers with which to decommission; sending, a command to the one of the plurality of communicating breakers to un-pair with the circuit breaker controller.