Circuit Interrupting System with Remote Test And Reset Activation

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to resettable circuit interrupting devices and system and methods capable of being tested and reset from remote locations, and in particular to circuit interrupting devices and system capable of being tested and reset from remote locations. A remote monitoring device can also be included which can be used to control an actuation device which is capable of controlling a circuit interrupting device. Alternatively, the remote monitoring or control device can be used to control the circuit interrupting device directly.

1 . A circuit interrupting system comprising:
 a housing   a circuit interrupting device disposed in said housing, said circuit interrupting device being configured to change from a reset state to a trip state upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition, said circuit interrupting device including test circuitry configured to cause said circuit interrupting device to change from the reset state to the trip state when activated, and reset circuitry configured to cause said circuit interrupting device to change from the tripped state to the reset state when activated; and   at least one activating device capable of remotely activating the test circuitry or the reset circuitry.   
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising an output connection coupled to said housing, wherein said output connection comprises a cable hard wired to said circuit interrupting device in said housing, said cable comprising at least one communication line. 
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising an output connection coupled to said housing wherein said output connection comprises a plurality of prongs extending out from said housing. 
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a power cable, wherein said power cable comprises a plurality of power lines and a plurality of communication lines and wherein said at least one activating device is in communication with said circuit interrupting device via said plurality of communication lines. 
     
     
         5 . The circuit interrupting system as in  claim 4 , wherein said at least one communication line further comprise Ethernet lines. 
     
     
         6 . The circuit interrupting system as in  claim 4 , wherein said at least one communication line comprise fiber optic lines. 
     
     
         7 . The circuit interrupting system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a power cable and at least one additional cable and at least one branching element wherein said branching element is coupled to said power cable and said at least one additional cable is coupled to said branching element. 
     
     
         8 . The circuit interrupting system as in  claim 2 , wherein said at least one activating device communicates with said circuit interrupting device via X-10 protocol. 
     
     
         9 . The circuit interrupting system as in  claim 2 , wherein said at least one activating device communicates with said circuit interrupting device via TCP/IP protocol. 
     
     
         10 . The circuit interrupting system as in  claim 1 , wherein said circuit interrupting device further comprises addressable circuitry which allows said circuit interrupting device to be identified on a network. 
     
     
         11 . The circuit interrupting system as in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one activating device further comprises addressable circuitry which allows said at least one activating device to be identified on a network. 
     
     
         12 . The circuit interrupting system as in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one activating device comprises at least one of a transmitter and receiver disposed to communicate with said circuit interrupting device using a wireless protocol. 
     
     
         13 . The circuit interrupting system as in  claim 12 , wherein said wireless protocol is taken from the group consisting of: 802.11x; all IEEE 802 channels; Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT); Cellular; personal area networks; UltraWideband (UWB); WLAN; WMAN; Broadband Fixed Access; Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS); WiMax; HiperMAN. 
     
     
         14 . The circuit interrupting system as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one remote device for monitoring said circuit interrupting device. 
     
     
         15 . The circuit interrupting system as in  claim 14 , wherein said remote device is disposed to activate said test circuitry of said fault circuit interrupter. 
     
     
         16 . The circuit interrupting system as in  claim 14 , wherein said remote device is disposed to monitor said circuit interrupting device. 
     
     
         17 . The circuit interrupting system as in  claim 14 , wherein said at least one remote device is in the form of one of: a computer, a computer workstation, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a server, a personal digital assistant, a telephone, a cellular telephone, and a text messaging device. 
     
     
         18 . A circuit interrupting system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein said circuit interrupting system comprises addressable circuitry for identification of said circuit interrupting system on a network;   a remote device which is in communication with said circuit interrupting via a communication protocol.   
     
     
         19 . The system as in  claim 18 , wherein said remote device is in the form of a computer. 
     
     
         20 . The system as in  claim 18 , wherein said remote device is in communication with said circuit interrupting via a wired communication protocol. 
     
     
         21 . The system as in  claim 18 , wherein said remote device is in communication with said circuit interrupting via a wireless communication protocol. 
     
     
         22 . A circuit interrupting device comprising:
 a power cable,   a housing coupled to said power cable;   a circuit interrupting device disposed in said housing and said circuit interrupting device being configured to change from a reset state to a trip state upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition, said circuit interrupting device including test circuitry configured to cause said circuit interrupting device to change from the reset state to the trip state when activated, and reset circuitry configured to cause said circuit interrupting device to change from the tripped state to the reset state when activated;   at least one additional cable coupled to said circuit interrupting device at a first end;   at least one activating device coupled to said second end of said at least one additional cable and wherein said at least one activating device is capable of remotely activating the test circuitry or the reset circuitry.   
     
     
         23 . The device as in  claim 22 , wherein said at least one additional cable comprises a signal cable. 
     
     
         24 . The device as in  claim 22 , wherein said at least one additional cable comprises a signal cable and a power cable. 
     
     
         25 . A method for remotely communicating with a circuit interrupting device comprising the steps of:
 sending a signal from a remote location to a circuit interrupting device, wherein said signal comprises at least one of a test signal and a reset signal;   receiving said signal by said circuit interrupting device;   performing an action on at least one component of said circuit interrupting device wherein said action comprises at least one of a test of one of said components of said circuit interrupting device and a reset of said circuit interrupting device.   
     
     
         26 . The method as in  claim 25 , further comprising a step of providing an indication of a result of said action. 
     
     
         27 . The method as in claim,  26 , wherein said step of providing an indication of a result of said action further comprises providing at least one of a visual indication, an audio indication, and sending a signal from said circuit interrupting device to a remote location to indicate a result of said test. 
     
     
         28 . The method as in  claim 25  wherein said step of testing at least one component further comprises testing said circuit interrupting device to determine if said circuit interrupting device is operating properly. 
     
     
         29 . The method as in  claim 28 , wherein said step of testing at least one component includes tripping at least one set of contacts of said circuit interrupting device. 
     
     
         30 . The method as in  claim 28 , wherein said step of testing said fault circuit interrupter from a remote location comprises testing said fault circuit interrupter using a wireless protocol. 
     
     
         31 . The method as in  claim 30 , wherein said wireless protocol is taken from the group consisting of: 802.11x; all IEEE 802 channels; Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT); Cellular; personal area networks; UltraWideband (UWB); WLAN; WMAN; Broadband Fixed Access; Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS); WiMax; HiperMAN.