Patent ID: 8817438

Claim:
A device for interrupting a flow of electrical power in an electrical distribution system, the device comprising: a sensor operably coupled to the electrical distribution system, the sensor configured to generate a signal in the event of loss of system power; a switching mechanism coupled to the electrical distribution system, the switching mechanism movable between an open position and a closed position; a controller operably coupled to the sensor and the switching mechanism, the controller having a processor that is responsive to executable computer instructions when executed on the processor incrementing a first counter in a first mode of operation and a second counter in a second mode of operation; wherein the processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for switching from the first mode to the second mode in response to the signal from the sensor; and wherein the processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for receiving a signal from the sensor and response to detecting a predetermined electrical fault and incrementing the first counter in response to the detection of the predetermined electrical fault.