Power distribution system with circuit breakers remotely resetable by signals transmitted over the power lines

摘要

Circuit breakers (13) in an electric power distribution system (3), such as in a residence or a light commercial facility, are remotely reclosed using a power line communications system (51) such as an X10 or CEBus system, which transmits a reclose signal over the power conductors (5, 7) to a recloser (47) controlling the separable contacts of the circuit breaker (13) in the load center (15). A remote master unit (53) which generates the reclose signal is connected to an unaffected branch circuit (9), preferably by plugging into a receptacle (59) located in a convenient part of the house or office remote from the load center (15). The reclosers (47) may be addressed individually or globally.