Switch input termination array

Claim 2

For an electrical distribution system used to control current paths through a plurality of associated electrical switching means, at least one of which is operable by remote control in at least open and closed circuit positions, a circuit arrangement comprising: a loadcenter-type enclosure which receives loadcenter power to source the current paths and which contains an array of termination points which are used in sets, such that each set includes a plurality of termination points, wherein each said set receives a remotely generated control signal designated for controlling said at least one electrical switching means; and a control circuit including control processing means, coupled to the array of termination points and responsive to said remotely generated control signal, for controlling said at least one electrical switching means between said at least open and closed circuit positions, wherein said termination points couple said remotely generated control signal to the arrangement wherein said termination points couple said remotely generated control signal to the arrangement, wherein said array of termination points includes an X by Y grid, X and Y being integers greater than one, said control circuit further includes termination processing means for reading the array of termination points and for informing said control processing means of the remotely generated control signal, said termination processing means includes a microcomputer, and wherein the array of termination points is read by sending a plurality of pole signals from said microcomputer and reading a plurality of associated status signals.

Claim 3

A circuit arrangement, according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of poll and status signals respectively correspond to the X and Y axis on the grid.

Claim 4

A circuit arrangement, according to claim 2, wherein the remotely generated control signal includes a pulsed signal for indicating that the associated electrical switching means should change positions between the open and closed circuit positions.

Claim 5

A circuit arrangement, according to claim 2, wherein the remotely generated control signal includes a level-indicating signal having an open position level and a closed position level for indicating the open and closed positions for the associated electrical switching means.

Claim 6

A circuit arrangement, according to claim 2, wherein the remotely generated control signal includes a level-indicating signal having an open position level and a closed position level for indicating the open and closed positions for the associated electrical switching means and includes a pulsed signal for indicating that the associated electrical switching means should change positions between the open and closed circuit positions.

Claim 7

An electrical distribution system for controlling a plurality of electrical switching devices, each electrical switching device operating in response to a remotely generated signal so as to provide at least open-circuit and closed-circuit positions, the system comprising: signal generation means for generating the remotely generated signals; a loadcenter-type enclosure which receives loadcenter power to source the current paths and contains the electrical switching means, and includes: an array of termination points which are used in sets such that each set includes a plurality of termination points, wherein each said set receives an associated remotely generated control signal from the signal generation means designated for controlling at least one o the plurality of electrical switching means; and a control circuit including control processing means, coupled to the array of termination points and responsive to said remotely generated control signals, for controlling said plurality of electrical switching means between said at least open and closed circuit positions, wherein said termination points couple said remotely generated control signal to the enclosure, wherein said array of termination points includes an X by Y grid, X and Y being integers greater than one, said control circuit further includes a microcomputer which reads the array of termination points and informs said control processing means of the remotely generated control signals, and said microcomputer reads the remotely generated control signals at the array of termination points by sending a plurality of pole signals and reading a plurality of associated status signals.

Claim 8

An electrical distribution system for controlling a plurality of electrical switching devices, each electrical switching device operating in response to a remotely generated signal so as to provide at least open-circuit and closed-circuit positions, the system comprising: signal generation means for generating the remotely generated signals; a loadcenter-type enclosure which receives loadcenter power to source the current paths and contains the electrical switching means, and includes: an array of termination points which are used in sets such that each set includes a plurality of termination points, wherein each said set receives an associated remotely generated control signal from the signal generation means designated for controlling at least one o the plurality of electrical switching means; and a control circuit including control processing means, coupled to the array of termination points and responsive to said remotely generated control signals, for controlling said plurality of electrical switching means between said at least open and closed circuit positions, wherein said termination points couple said remotely generated control signal to the enclosure, wherein said array of termination points includes an X by Y grid, X and Y being integers greater than one, said control circuit further includes a microcomputer which reads the array of termination points and informs said control processing means of the remotely generated control signals, and said microcomputer reads the remotely generated control signals at the array of termination points by sending a plurality of pole signals and reading a plurality of associated status signals.

Claim 9

An electrical distribution system, according to claim 6, wherein said array of termination points includes a prescribed arrangement of sets.

Claim 10

An electrical distribution system, according to claim 7, wherein each said set is connected to a group of wires so as to make a dry-contact termination.

Claim 11

An electrical distribution system, according to claim 8, wherein the control circuit is a user-operable programmable control circuit includes means for programming a prescribed map which correlates said sets to said plurality of electrical switching means.

Claim 12

An electrical distribution system, according to claim 9, wherein the remotely generated control signals include at least one of the following: (1) a level-indicating signal having an open position level and a closed position level for indicating the open and closed positions for the associated electrical switching means, and (2) a pulsed signal for indicating that the associated electrical switching means should change positions between the open and closed circuit positions.

Claim 13

An electrical distribution system for controlling a plurality of electrical switching devices, each electrical switching device operating in response to a remotely generated signal so as to provide at least open-circuit and closed-circuit positions, the system comprising: signal generation means for generating the remotely generated signals; an enclosure which contains the electrical switching means and contains: an array of termination points which are used in sets, such that each set includes a plurality of termination points, wherein each said set receives an associated remotely generated control signal from the signal generation means for commanding at least one of the plurality of electrical switching means; and a programmable control circuit including control processing means, coupled to the array of termination points and responsive to said remotely generated control signals, for controlling said plurality of electrical switching means between said at least open and closed circuit positions, said control circuit being removable from said enclosure; wherein said array includes an X by Y grid, wherein X and Y are both integers greater than 1 and said control circuit further includes a microcomputer which reads the array of termination points and informs said control processing means of the remotely generated control signals, wherein the microcomputer reads the remotely generated control signals at the array of termination points by sending a plurality of poll signals form said microcomputer and reading a plurality of associated status signals, and wherein the control circuit includes means for programming a prescribed map which correlates said sets to said plurality of electrical switching means.

Claim 14

An electrical distribution system for controlling a plurality of electrical switching devices, each electrical switching device operating in response to a remotely generated signal so as to provide at least open-circuit and closed-circuit positions, the system comprising: signal generation means for generating the remotely generated signals; an enclosure which contains the electrical switching means and contains: an array of termination points which are used in sets, such that each set includes a plurality of termination points, wherein each said set receives an associated remotely generated control signal from the signal generation means for commanding at least one of the plurality of electrical switching means; and a programmable control circuit including control processing means, coupled to the array of termination points and responsive to said remotely generated control signals, for controlling said plurality of electrical switching means between said at least open and closed circuit positions, said control circuit being removable from said enclosure; wherein said array includes an X by Y grid, wherein X and Y are both integers greater than 1 and said control circuit further includes a microcomputer which reads the array of termination points and informs said control processing means of the remotely generated control signals, wherein the microcomputer reads the remotely generated control signals at the array of termination points by sending a plurality of poll signals form said microcomputer and reading a plurality of associated status signals, and wherein the control circuit includes means for programming a prescribed map which correlates said sets to said plurality of electrical switching means.

Claim 15

An electrical distribution system, according to claim 11, wherein the array of termination points is electrically isolated from the control circuit.