Abstract: Adding "plug in" surge protective devices, particularly in loadcenters already installed and in use, reduces the number of "stab spaces" available for circuit breakers. A breaker may be combined with a surgeprotector, both connected in parallel to a "stab" on the load center bus, or having a common bus contact within the combination breaker/protector, is thus both desirable and frequently necessary. The apparatus provides greater flexibility of location for a "plug in" surge protector in a loadcenter by making the surge protector adaptable for mounting in single "thick" or "thin" breaker spaces, and for combining a "thin" breaker with a "thin" surge protector for use within a single "thick" breaker space in the loadcenter. The invention provides a method for separating a defective breaker or surge protector from the combination and for easy replacement of the defective element.

Abstract: A method, installation tool, termination fittings, and test apparatus, for mass-production retrofit of aluminum wiring systems installed in buildings from 1965 to 1973, when aluminum was approved by many inspection departments. The re-termination fittings are customized for mass production on the basis of the sizes (10, 12, etc.) of the existing wire, the required movement of which with this method is minimal, an important factor in view of its frangibility. The battery-operated portable tool solidly swages the fittings to one, two, or more wires. Connection is made to duplex receptacles, the most frequently encountered device, by copper stubs which engage with both screws of the same polarity, assuring that the re-termination fittings are thus firmly fixed to the receptacle, and minimum wire movement will be required. With the re-termination fittings and the method of conductor arrangement, the electrician's work is easier and faster.

Abstract: Surge protector components are enclosed within a housing similar in size and shape to that of a "plug-in" circuit breaker. The surge protector enclosure is provided with "stabs" for plugging in to the loadcenter bus, thus connecting the protector line contact solidly to the service conductors. The breaker enclosure is large enough to provide for generously sized surge-protecting components, and the outside case is usually made of phenolic, which can confine the energy of even relatively large surges. Furthermore, the loadside terminal will accept a good sized wire, such as #10 or even #8, which can solidly ground the protective element to the system grounding bus. In most small systems, the loadcenter acts as service equipment, and contains the ground/neutral bus. Instead of the unnecessary breaker handle, there may be a holder for a renewable fuse to limit the follow current after a heavy strike and even a neon lamp to indicate that the surge protective element has been made inoperative by lightning.

Abstract: Escalating energy costs are forcing many landlords to seek methods of eliminating the single watthourmeter for the entire apartment complex and the like, and replacing it with individual meters for each tenant. A problem encountered is the aggregation of many circuit breakers within one enclosure, circuits to several apartments originating therein. By use of special insulating barriers, individual circuit-breaker assemblies accessible to each apartment dweller may be closely grouped within old existing electrical enclosures, and a sealable gutter within the same enclosure for use by the metering utility is provided. Installation of separate circuit breaker enclosures for each apartment and use of the existing circuit breaker enclosure only as a splicing and junction box is avoided, resulting in a more compact and less expensive installation. An improved meter mounting assembly is combined with the apparatus.

Abstract: Conversions to multiple electrical energy metering, in which a group of meters must be installed near an existing panelboard containing circuits for several apartments present problems, especially when the new meter column must be installed on a brick veneer wall in which the existing panel is recessed. Special wire bussing, transition enclosures, connectors and replacement panelboard interiors are combined to make a safe and economical conversion kit for ease of installation by electricians, while minimizing potential maintenance problems for the electrical utility.

Abstract: Fixed indoor ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures can be inexpensively and simply dimmed automatically in response to natural daylight availability, by photocell-controlled relay.An illustration of the technique is shown for modification of a two-ballast four-lamp fluorescent fixture, to reduce consumption of electrical energy by fifty percent when daylight permits.