Enhancements to microprocessor-based tripping systems for low voltage power circuit breakers

The author describes recent enhancements to microprocessor-based tripping systems for low-voltage power circuit breakers that combine protection, metering, and communication features. The benefits of integrating basic overcurrent protection with power metering and supplementary protective relaying functions are examined from an applications perspective. The added benefits of providing remote access to the protection, metering, and circuit breaker status information over a communications link are examined using several examples. These tripping system enhancements make it possible for a user to deal more effectively with today´s complex electrical power distribution environment