Universal trip unit

1. A universal trip unit for use with any one of multiple circuit breaker apparatuses each having a personality module and into each one of which the universal trip unit is installable, the universal trip unit comprising:

a communication unit configured to communicate with the personality module of the one of the multiple circuit breaker apparatuses and to thereby receive from the personality module key breaker personality parameters that relate to operational characteristics of the circuit breaker apparatus; and

a controller, including:

a memory on which a universal register, previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters are stored, the controller being configured to control the communication unit to receive the key breaker personality parameters of the selected-one of the multiple circuit breaker apparatuses from the personality module thereof in accordance with information determined from the universal register upon installation of the universal trip unit in the one of the multiple circuit breaker apparatuses, and

components to execute trip protection when at least one of a current and a voltage within the circuit breaker apparatus exceeds a respective predetermined threshold as defined by the previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters.

2. The universal trip unit according to claim 1 , further comprising a housing to allow for a removable insertion of the universal trip unit into a receiving unit of the circuit breaker apparatus.

3. The universal trip unit according to claim 1 , further comprising a power supply unit to receive power from the circuit breaker apparatus.

4. The universal trip unit according to claim 1 , further comprising a power supply unit to receive power from a 24V auxiliary unit.

5. The universal trip unit according to claim 1 , wherein the universal register comprises numerical data set to a specified value.

6. The universal trip unit according to claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to recognize the specified value of the universal register.

7. The universal trip unit according to claim 5 , wherein the specified value of the universal register is set to zero.

8. The universal trip unit according to claim 1 , wherein the key breaker personality parameters comprise at least a frame size, a short circuit rating, a sensor, and a circuit breaker (CB) standard of the circuit breaker apparatus.

9. The universal trip unit according to claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the communication unit to read the key breaker personality parameters in accordance with the information determined from the universal register.

10. The universal trip unit according to claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the communication unit to request a transmission of the key breaker personality parameters in accordance with the information determined from the universal register.

11. The universal trip unit according to claim 1 , wherein the memory of the controller comprises a non-volatile memory.

12. A universal trip unit comprising:

a power supply unit;

a communication unit, coupled to the power supply unit and configured to receive key breaker personality parameters from a personality module of any one of multiple circuit breaker apparatuses into which the universal trip unit is installed; and

a controller, including:

a memory on which a universal register, previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters are stored, the controller being configured to control the communication unit to receive the key breaker personality parameters of the one of the multiple circuit breaker apparatuses from the personality module thereof in accordance with information determined from the universal register upon installation of the universal trip unit in the one of the multiple circuit breaker apparatuses, and

components to execute trip protection in accordance with sensed conditions as defined by the previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters.

13. The universal trip unit according to claim 1 , wherein the universal register comprises numerical data set to a specified value.

14. The universal trip unit according to claim 12 , wherein the key breaker personality parameters comprise data reflective of at least a frame size, a short circuit rating, a sensor, and a circuit breaker (CB) standard.

15. The universal trip unit according to claim 12 , wherein the controller controls the communication unit to read the key breaker personality parameters in accordance with the information determined from the universal register.

16. The universal trip unit according to claim 12 , wherein the controller controls the communication unit to request a transmission of the key breaker personality parameters in accordance with the information determined from the universal register.

17. The universal trip unit according to claim 12 , wherein the memory of the controller comprises a non-volatile memory.

18. A method of operating a universal trip unit for installation in any one of multiple circuit breaker apparatuses each having a personality module, the method comprising:

recognizing upon installation of the universal trip unit in the one of the multiple circuit breaker apparatuses a universal register of the universal trip unit;

following the recognizing, receiving key breaker personality parameters of the one of the multiple circuit breaker apparatuses from the personality module thereof in accordance with information determined from the universal register; and

controlling components of the universal trip unit to execute trip protection when at least one of a current and a voltage within the circuit breaker apparatus exceeds a respective predetermined threshold as defined by previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters.

19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein the receiving of the key breaker personality parameters comprises reading the key breaker personality parameters in accordance with the information determined from the universal register.

20. The method according to claim 18 , wherein the receiving of the key breaker personality parameters comprises issuing a request for the key breaker personality parameters in accordance with the information determined from the universal register.