Method and apparatus for setting trip profiles in electrical switches using a portable unit with a non-volatile memory

DETAILED DESCRIPTION These needs and others are satisfied by the invention which is directed to apparatus and a method for setting and reading trip profiles in electrical switches such as circuit breakers and overload relays.
A portable unit which is temporarily interfaced with the electrical switch contains a non-volatile memory in which trip profiles are stored.
The portable unit is interfaced with the electrical switch through communication means in the switch using the unique address assigned to the switch.
The profiles can be generated remotely from the switch by a remote processor such as a personal computer.
The portable unit is temporarily connected with the remote processor for uploading of the trip profiles, together with the associated addresses, into the non-volatile memory of the portable unit.
The portable unit is then transported to the location of the electrical switch for uploading into the trip unit of the switch identified by the unique address associated with each profile.
This arrangement provides a reliable, efficient way of assuring that the proper trip profile is entered into each of the switches.
This is particularly important where the trip profiles are coordinated, such as in an electric power distribution system.
The portable unit can also be utilized to download trip profiles from the electrical switches for transport to a remote processor for verification and for modification.
The modified trip profiles can then be transported in the non-volatile memory of the portable unit back to the electrical switch for upload.
In particular, the invention includes the combination of at least one electrical switch having trip means tripping the separable contacts open in response to currents which exceed an assigned trip profile comprising a set of parameter settings, and communication means for transmitting and receiving messages incorporating the assigned trip profile.
The combination further includes a portable unit separate from the switch and having non-volatile memory means for storing a plurality of trip profiles, and interface means for temporarily interfacing the portable unit with the communication means in the electrical switch