Abstract: A circuit breaker having at least one capacitor assembly connected in parallel across a contact of the circuit breaker. The capacitor assembly can be housed with the contact within a sealed enclosure of the circuit breaker. The enclosure can be configured to house an insulating medium that is configured to reduce or quench an arc(s) that may form at least when the contact of the circuit breaker is displaced from a closed position to an open position. The capacitor assembly, which includes a transient recovery voltage (TRV) capacitor, can be configured to delay terminal fault and short line fault TRV and the rate of rise of the initial TRV (ITRV) that can appear across the open contact of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A particle extraction system for an electrical interrupter is disclosed in the present application. The particle extraction system includes a support bay configured to hold an electrical interrupter in position during a particle extraction event. An actuator system is operable for cycling the interrupter to dislodge and release foreign particles internal to the interrupter. A fluid source and pumping system is in fluid communication with at least one internal flowpath within the interrupter to entrain and transport the released particle from the interrupter. A vacuum slot is operable for receiving a fluid flow with entrained particles and transporting the particles to a particle capture device.

Abstract: A particle extraction system for an electrical interrupter is disclosed in the present application. The particle extraction system includes a support bay configured to hold an electrical interrupter in position during a particle extraction event. An actuator system is operable for cycling the interrupter to dislodge and release foreign particles internal to the interrupter. A fluid source and pumping system is in fluid communication with at least one internal flowpath within the interrupter to entrain and transport the released particle from the interrupter. A vacuum slot is operable for receiving a fluid flow with entrained particles and transporting the particles to a particle capture device.

Abstract: A particle extraction system for an electrical interrupter is disclosed in the present application. The particle extraction system includes a support bay configured to hold an electrical interrupter in position during a particle extraction event. An actuator system is operable for cycling the interrupter to dislodge and release foreign particles internal to the interrupter. A fluid source and pumping system is in fluid communication with at least one internal flowpath within the interrupter to entrain and transport the released particle from the interrupter. A vacuum slot is operable for receiving a fluid flow with entrained particles and transporting the particles to a particle capture device.

Abstract: A particle extraction system for an electrical interrupter is disclosed in the present application. The particle extraction system includes a support bay configured to hold an electrical interrupter in position during a particle extraction event. An actuator system is operable for cycling the interrupter to dislodge and release foreign particles internal to the interrupter. A fluid source and pumping system is in fluid communication with at least one internal flowpath within the interrupter to entrain and transport the released particle from the interrupter. A vacuum slot is operable for receiving a fluid flow with entrained particles and transporting the particles to a particle capture device.

Abstract: Mounting structure is provided for mounting a tank to support structure. The tank has a flange extending from a body thereof. The mounting structure includes at least a pair of first bores extending into the flange in a first direction. At least a pair of second bores. Each second bore extends into the flange in a direction generally transverse with respect to an associated first bore so that each second bore communicates with the associated first bore. A pin is disposed in each of the second bores. Each pin has a threaded pin bore that aligns axially with the associated first bore. A bolt is disposed through a bolt hole in the support structure, into an associated first bore and in threaded engagement with the threaded pin bore of an associated pin so as to secure the tank to the support structure.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant fastening provision includes a fastener cover having a first flange and second flange joined at one end. The first flange has an elongate opening slidably receiving a shaft of a fastener, and the second flange has an opening disposed closer to a second end of the cover than the first end. The cover is moveable to a first position such that the fastener head is operably accessible through the second opening and the fastener shaft is disposed at an end of the elongate opening proximate to the second end of the cover. The cover is also moveable to a second position such that the cover is in an interference position relative to the fastener head and the shaft is disposed at an end of the elongate opening proximate to the first end of the cover.

Abstract: Mounting structure is provided for mounting a tank to support structure. The tank has a flange extending from a body thereof. The mounting structure includes at least a pair of first bores extending into the flange in a first direction. At least a pair of second bores. Each second bore extends into the flange in a direction generally transverse with respect to an associated first bore so that each second bore communicates with the associated first bore. A pin is disposed in each of the second bores. Each pin has a threaded pin bore that aligns axially with the associated first bore. A bolt is disposed through a bolt hole in the support structure, into an associated first bore and in threaded engagement with the threaded pin bore of an associated pin so as to secure the tank to the support structure.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant fastening provision includes a fastener cover having a first flange and second flange joined at one end. The first flange has an elongate opening slidably receiving a shaft of a fastener, and the second flange has an opening disposed closer to a second end of the cover than the first end. The cover is moveable to a first position such that the fastener head is operably accessible through the second opening and the fastener shaft is disposed at an end of the elongate opening proximate to the second end of the cover. The cover is also moveable to a second position such that the cover is in an interference position relative to the fastener head and the shaft is disposed at an end of the elongate opening proximate to the first end of the cover.

Abstract: A pole assembly for a three phase breaker includes a center pole and a pair of outer poles positioned on opposed sides of the center pole. A pair of brackets are positioned at opposed ends of the pole, and include a center groove and a pair of outer grooves. The center pole is positioned in the center groove. The outer poles are secured in the outer groove in a shipping configuration and an installed configuration. When in the shipping configuration the bushings of all the poles are parallel. When in the installed configuration the bushings of the outer poles are angled away from the bushings of the center pole.

Abstract: A pole assembly for a three phase breaker includes a center pole and a pair of outer poles positioned on opposed sides of the center pole. A pair of brackets are positioned at opposed ends of the pole, and include a center groove and a pair of outer grooves. The center pole is positioned in the center groove. The outer poles are secured in the outer groove in a shipping configuration and an installed configuration. When in the shipping configuration the bushings of all the poles are parallel. When in the installed configuration the bushings of the outer poles are angled away from the bushings of the center pole.

Abstract: A trip system for a circuit breaker having a support frame, a trip unit, a crossbar, and a trip bar, is disclosed. The trip unit is responsive to an electric current for generating a trip force, the crossbar is directly coupled to the trip unit and to the support frame, and the trip bar is directly coupled to the support frame. The electric current at the trip unit generates a trip force that acts upon the trip bar to trip the circuit breaker. The crossbar remains substantially stationary during the tripping action.

Abstract: A method and magnetic trip unit for actuating a latching mechanism to trip a circuit breaker upon an overcurrent condition, the magnetic trip unit including: a first electrically conductive strap configured to conduct an electrical current; a first magnet yoke disposed proximate to the first electrically conductive strap; and a first armature pivotally disposed proximate to the first magnetic yoke in operable communication with the latching mechanism; the first armature providing a magnetic path having a reluctance to magnetic flux; and the reluctance is adjusted to prevent saturation of the magnetic flux when the current through the strap is a first number times a rated current of the circuit breaker and the reluctance is adjusted to promote saturation of magnetic flux when the current through the strap is a second number times the rated current of the circuit breaker, wherein the first number is a number smaller than the second number.

Abstract: A trip system for a circuit breaker having a support frame, a trip unit, a crossbar, and a trip bar, is disclosed. The trip unit is responsive to an electric current for generating a trip force, the crossbar is directly coupled to the trip unit and to the support frame, and the trip bar is directly coupled to the support frame. The electric current at the trip unit generates a trip force that acts upon the trip bar to trip the circuit breaker. The crossbar remains substantially stationary during the tripping action.

Abstract: Another preferred embodiment of a valve for a puffer interrupter assembly includes a body for mounting in the puffer interrupter assembly. The body has a through hole formed therein and extending between a first and a second major surface thereof. The valve also includes a ring member having a first major surface contacting the second major surface of the body and covering the through hole on a selective basis. The valve also includes a wave spring contacting a second major surface of the ring member.

Abstract: A magnetic trip unit for actuating a latching mechanism to trip a circuit breaker upon an overcurrent condition, the magnetic trip unit includes: a flux return component in electromagnetic communication with an electrically conductive strap; a tube disposed within the flux return component; a stator disposed at a first end of the tube and connected to the flux return component, the stator having a stator surface at one end; and a plunger slidably extending from a second end of the tube, the plunger comprises a plunger surface at one end facing the stator surface, the plunger further includes another end adapted to operably interact with the latching mechanism, the plunger is biased to a predetermined gap position.

Abstract: A motor protection trip unit for a circuit breaker includes an electrically conductive strap, a yoke including a body including a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall. The third side wall extends between the first and second side walls, the fourth side wall extending from the first and second side walls and comprising a yoke gap extending therethrough. A motor protection trip unit for a circuit breaker also includes a flapper holder coupled to the strap, a flapper pivotally coupled to the flapper holder, and a biasing mechanism coupled between the flapper holder and the flapper. The biasing mechanism is configured to maintain the flapper a distance from the yoke such that a yoke-flapper gap is defined between the yoke and the flapper.

Abstract: A magnetic trip unit for actuating a latching mechanism to trip a circuit breaker upon an overcurrent condition, the magnetic trip unit includes: a flux return component in electromagnetic communication with an electrically conductive strap; a tube disposed within the flux return component; a stator disposed at a first end of the tube and connected to the flux return component, the stator having a stator surface at one end; and a plunger slidably extending from a second end of the tube, the plunger comprises a plunger surface at one end facing the stator surface, the plunger further includes another end adapted to operably interact with the latching mechanism, the plunger is biased to a predetermined gap position.

Abstract: A method and magnetic trip unit for actuating a latching mechanism to trip a circuit breaker upon an overcurrent condition, the magnetic trip unit including: a first electrically conductive strap configured to conduct an electrical current; a first magnet yoke disposed proximate to the first electrically conductive strap; and a first armature pivotally disposed proximate to the first magnetic yoke in operable communication with the latching mechanism; the first armature providing a magnetic path having a reluctance to magnetic flux; and the reluctance is adjusted to prevent saturation of the magnetic flux when the current through the strap is a first number times a rated current of the circuit breaker and the reluctance is adjusted to promote saturation of magnetic flux when the current through the strap is a second number times the rated current of the circuit breaker, wherein the first number is a number smaller than the second number.

Abstract: A motor protection trip unit for a circuit breaker includes an electrically conductive strap, a yoke including a body including a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall. The third side wall extends between the first and second side walls, the fourth side wall extending from the first and second side walls and comprising a yoke gap extending therethrough. A motor protection trip unit for a circuit breaker also includes a flapper holder coupled to the strap, a flapper pivotally coupled to the flapper holder, and a biasing mechanism coupled between the flapper holder and the flapper. The biasing mechanism is configured to maintain the flapper a distance from the yoke such that a yoke-flapper gap is defined between the yoke and the flapper.