Instantaneous protection device and method for a circuit breaker

摘要

The present invention involves a power circuit breaker that conditionally and temporarily enables instantaneous trip protection. A position sensor senses whether the breaker contacts are open or closed. When the breaker contacts are open, the circuit breaker enables the instantaneous trip protection. After the circuit breaker contacts are closed, the circuit breaker continues to enable the instantaneous trip protector for a predetermined period of time. After this time delay, the circuit breaker disables the instantaneous trip protection and the circuit breaker reverts to providing its ordinary protection, such as long-time or short-time protection.