POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM WITH CIRCUIT BREAKERS REMOTELY RESETTABLE BY SIGNALS TRANSMITTED OVER THE POWER LINES

摘要

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