Patent ID: 7532955

Claim:
A protection system for a power distribution system having a plurality of breakers arranged in a hierarchy, the protection system comprising: a network; a first breaker of said plurality of breakers coupled to the power distribution system; a first module coupled to said network and said first breaker at a first level in the hierarchy, said first module sampling an electrical condition of the power distribution system at said first breaker and monitoring said first electrical condition for a predetermined trip condition; a synch controller coupled to said network, said synch controller broadcasting a time synchronization message to all modules coupled to said network, wherein said first module, upon detection of said predetermined trip condition and receipt of said time synchronization message within a predetermined period of time, trips said first breaker if said first level is a lowest level of the hierarchy, but monitors said network for a first notification message if said first level is not said lowest level of the hierarchy, and wherein said first module, upon detection of said predetermined trip condition and failure to receive said time synchronization message within said predetermined period of time, trips said first breaker regardless of said first level.