Abstract: The present invention provides a switch mechanism module and a line base module, useable separately or in combination, for an interior assembly of an electrical distribution device having a plurality of modules. The electrical distribution device has an enclosure with a handle external to the enclosure for operator control. The switch mechanism module and line base module include a modular housing having a generally planar base with upstanding side walls around the circumference of the base. The side walls have a top edge defining a mating surface. The modular housing is demountably secured to at least one adjacent module with a manually operated securement which is integrally formed with the modular housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit breaker having a terminal nut retainer 10 for securely holding a nut 65 in a fixed position adjacent and below a circuit breaker terminal 60. The circuit breaker is placed in a circuit by securing a source electrical connector to a source terminal and/or a load electrical connector to a load terminal. A screw 61 is used to fasten the electrical connector 67 to its respective terminal 60. The nut 65 for the screw 61 is held in a fixed position by the terminal nut retainer 10. The terminal nut retainer 10 has a nut retaining cavity 14 defined by walls which hold the nut 65 and keep it from turning while the screw 61 is tightened to establish a tight electrical connection between the connector 67 and the terminal 60. The terminal nut retainer 10 is held in position by a sliding and locking engagement between projections 30 and 34, respectively, on the terminal nut retainer 10 and slots 52 and 54, respectively, in the circuit breaker casing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enclosure for housing a circuit breaker therein which utilizes a flange system to prevent enclosure components from separating from each other when an electrical fault occurs therein. The flange system includes flanges, on enclosure walls and doors, which slide into corresponding channels and interlock therein to prevent the components from separating and hot gases from escaping the enclosure when an electrical fault occurs.

Abstract: A molded plastic current limiting circuit breaker includes an interrupter assembly that includes an over-molded magnet, arc stack, baffle stack, and a chamber liner in which a trip unit is described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mounting system for circuit breakers in an electrical panelboard assembly. The base and cover forming the circuit breaker casing has an integral foot extending from a bottom side. The foot is angled and has a notch on a side forming an acute angle with the bottom. The panelboard assembly has a bus cover adapted with a opening or opening to receive the foot. This secures the circuit breaker on one end, and a screw into a bus secures the circuit breaker on an opposing end. The bus cover has a rail which engages the notch in the foot. On an opposing side of the foot, a spring engages the foot and forces the foot into the rail. The spring is an integral part of the bus cover and is cantilevered at an angle to the main body of the bus cover. Ledges are formed integrally into the bus cover on opposing sides of the spring. The ledges prevent overstressing the spring while inserting the foot during installation of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An improved ground fault protection system is provided for protecting an electrical power distribution system having multiple sources and multiple grounds. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, an electrical power distribution circuit having a primary electrical circuit for distributing electrical power from a plurality of sources to a plurality of loads is provided with a ground fault protection circuit magnetically coupled to the primary circuit. The primary electrical circuit includes conventional main and tie buses for distributing power to the loads and switches or circuit breakers for interrupting power from flowing in the buses. The ground fault protection circuit includes current sensors, tripping functions or ground fault relays associated with each circuit breaker and a novel use of an auxiliary transformer. When a ground fault occurs, the ground fault protection circuit is capable of sensing and determining the specific bus in which a ground fault condition exists.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (1) with a terminal connector (5). The terminal connector (5) has engagement means provided by outwardly extending male spade connectors (9a-9d) arranged in two spaced-apart offset parallel rows (7, 8). The circuit breaker (1) can therefore accommodate a maximum number of connectors (9a-9d) while allowing female spade connectors to be positioned regardless of orientation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interior assembly for an electrical distribution device having a fuse for each phase in a circuit. The interior assembly includes a plurality of modules having an operating mechanism for opening and closing a switch contact. The switch contact is connected to each fuse and phase of the circuit. Each module has a housing and means for demountably securing one of the modules to at least one adjacent module. The securing means is manually operated and integrally formed with the housing of each module. The present invention also provides a method of assembling the interior assembly of an electrical distribution device having a fuse for each phase in a circuit. The step of the method includes manually and demountably affixing a plurality of modules to one another without discrete fasteners. The plurality of modules have an operating mechanism for opening and closing a switch contact. The switch contact is connected to each fuse and phase of the circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a handle for controlling a switch mechanism of an interior assembly of an electrical distribution device having a plurality of modules. The electrical distribution device has an enclosure for housing the interior assembly. The handle includes a first piece having an elongated shape with two ends. The first end is adapted to be manually controlled by an operator and has a mating surface. The opposite end is secures the handle to the switch mechanism. A second piece has a complimentary shape for abutting the mating surface of the first piece at least near the first end. The first and second pieces are fastened without discrete fasteners.

Abstract: An improved metering unit is described which samples a power-related waveform and simultaneously captures its analog signal parameters for temperature and all phases of voltage and current, providing a more accurate and clearer waveform sample that effectively detects harmonics problems and does not require signal interpolation methods. The improved metering unit comprises signal conditioning circuitry interfacing with the power line for sensing temperature and all desired phases of voltage and current parameters of the waveform. The metering unit further comprises a processor having a timer output. The timer output controls track and hold circuitry and an A/D converter. The timer output places the track and hold circuitry in the hold mode to simultaneously capture temperature and all the desired phases of voltage and current of the waveform, and, at the same time, the timer output triggers the A/D converter to convert the captured analog signal parameters into digital sample values.

Abstract: The present invention provides a neutral base module for an interior assembly of an electrical distribution device having a plurality of modules. The neutral base module connects the electrical distribution device to a circuit having at least one phase and includes a generally rectangular body having a mounting surface. The body demountably secures to at least one adjacent module of the interior assembly with a manually operated securement which is integrally formed with the modular housing. A terminal for making an electrical connection abuts the mounting surface of the body. An electrically insulating shield having sufficient size to substantially isolate the body from the adjacent module of the interior assembly abuts the body and terminal. The terminal is releasably retained to abut the mounting surface and the shield between the body and the adjacent module.

Abstract: A molded plastic current limiting circuit breaker includes an interrupter assembly that includes an over-molded magnet, arc stack, baffle stack, and a chamber liner in which a trip unit is described.

Abstract: A cable clamp terminal for use with an electrical apparatus is provided, the cable clamp terminal including a terminal block having a threaded hole defined therein. An intermediate screw and an upper screw are disposed in the threaded hole, whereby the intermediate screw divides the threaded hole into a lower housing and an upper housing. A lower opening extending through the terminal block and communicating with the lower housing provides access for an end of a corresponding lower cable to be positioned and secured in the lower housing. An upper opening extending through the terminal block and communicating with the upper housing provides access for an end of a corresponding upper cable to be positioned and secured in the upper housing. The lower cable can be secured in the lower housing by tightening the intermediate screw without removing the upper screw from the threaded hole.

Abstract: An accessory module for monitoring and controlling the status of a circuit breaker. The accessory module attaches to the side of a circuit breaker and has a mechanism similar to the mechanism in a circuit breaker. The mechanism has multiple positions that correspond to multiple states of a circuit breaker Actuators transform relatively large-scale motions of the mechanism into small-scale motions and transfers these to buttons on switches. Depressing these switches depending on the position of the mechanical assembly makes and breaks circuits that are in communication with a remote site. A circuit board designed specifically to hold and locate the switches and actuators and provide tracings that can withstand high currents. The invention further provides a terminal plug having a pull tab which can be grasped to remove an otherwise inaccessible terminal plug. A dual-function base, which serves both as an enclosure and as a spacer.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (1) mountable on a channel section rail (8) with a pair of elongate flanges (9, 10) and secured in position by a mounting clip (17) mounted in an elongate groove (18). The mounting clip (17) is movable along the groove (18) from a disengaged position to an operating rail engaging position with a release head portion (23) of the mounting clip (17) being within the outer boundary of the circuit breaker housing (2).

Abstract: A toggle spring for a circuit breaker operating mechanism which provides better performance and reliability is provided. The toggle spring includes a unique spring eye having a back hook portion extending around a spring shank so as to dramatically increase the force supportable by the spring eye. The toggle spring is provided having a body portion having a first end and a second end. A first spring eye extends from the first end of the body portion and a shank extends from the second end of the body portion. A second spring eye extends from the shank and includes the back hook portion which extends around the shank.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (1) with a trip assembly (5) provided by an armature (7) carried on a yoke (6). The circuit breaker (1) trips in the event of a fault condition moving the yoke (6) and integrally formed flag section (8) so that an indicating flag section is visible through a window (15).

Abstract: A system to detect arcing faults in an electrical distribution system with a line conductor connected to a utility power transformer. The system monitors the rate of change of electrical current in the line conductor and produces a signal which represents the rate of change. The system produces a pulse each time the rate-of-change signal exceeds a selected threshold, filters the rate-of-change signal and/or the pulses to substantially eliminate a signal or pulse which represents changes in the electrical current outside a selected frequency range, monitors the remaining pulses to detect when the number of pulses that occur within a selected time interval exceeds a predetermined threshold, and generates an arc-fault-detection signal in response to the occurrence of a number of pulses which exceed the threshold within the selected time interval.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a first section and a second section with independently operating pairs of contact assemblies in each respective section. In the first section, at least one of the contact assemblies is constructed and arranged to interrupt the current by moving from a normally closed position to a blown-open position and latching with the contact assemblies separated. The second section has a biasing extension spring for biasing the contact assemblies of the second section so as to permit interruption of the current in response to a blow-open force, which causes the contacts to separate only momentarily and then return to a normally closed position. The first and second pairs of contact assemblies separate substantially simultaneously in response to the blow-open force, and only the first section reacts to lower-level over-current conditions. In addition to the contact assemblies, the second section of the circuit breaker is designed to operate using only a spring which is "Z-axis" mountable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a meter socket arrangement wherein a tubular bus is coupled between each planar bus bar connected to the power source and meter input terminals for transporting electrical power from the planar bus bars to their respective meter input terminals. This invention also provides a novel boot for connection between the tubular bus and the planar bus bar to provide improved electrical connection between the bus bar and the tubular bus. The present invention may be utilized in any meter socket arrangement, including meter socket arrangements used in combination service entrance devices.