Abstract: A wire terminating post formed from a conductive material includes a first end structured to interlock with a portion of an electrical component and a second end disposed opposite the first end. The second end includes a first aperture defined therethrough, the first aperture having a first diameter, and a second aperture defined therethrough, the second aperture have a second diameter less than the first diameter.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus housing assembly for an electrical switching apparatus assembly is provided. The electrical switching apparatus housing assembly including a body assembly and a movable door member. The body assembly includes a number of outer sidewalls. The outer sidewalls define an enclosed space. The outer sidewalls include a top sidewall. The top sidewall includes a limited opening to the enclosed space. The movable door member is movably coupled to the top sidewall. The door member is movable between an open, first position, wherein the door member is not disposed in the limited opening, and a closed, second position, wherein the door member is disposed in the limited opening.

Abstract: Circuit breakers include an arc chamber and an arc chute comprising a plurality of arc plates in the arc chamber. The circuit breakers also include a line conductor assembly with at least one arc runner attached to a line conductor in the arc chamber. The arc runner can extend below but adjacent to a bottom arc plate to thereby guide a respective arc into the arc chute.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus housing assembly for an electrical switching apparatus assembly is provided. The electrical switching apparatus housing assembly including a body assembly and a movable door member. The body assembly includes a number of outer sidewalls. The outer sidewalls define an enclosed space. The outer sidewalls include a top sidewall. The top sidewall includes a limited opening to the enclosed space. The movable door member is movably coupled to the top sidewall. The door member is movable between an open, first position, wherein the door member is not disposed in the limited opening, and a closed, second position, wherein the door member is disposed in the limited opening.

Abstract: An arc runner assembly for use in a circuit interrupter provides a pair of arc runners that are situated at opposite sides of a stationary contact of the circuit interrupter. If used in a DC application, the arc runner assembly is configured to communicate a positive DC arc along one of the arc runners in a first direction away from the stationary contact and is further configured to communicate a negative DC arc along the other arc runner in another direction away from the stationary contact. The arc runner assembly additionally includes a support that is electrically engaged with a conductor of the circuit interrupter on a surface opposite that on which the stationary contact is disposed. The improved arc runner assembly advantageously facilitates extinction of electrical arc and extinguishes both positive and negative DC arcs in a DC application.

Abstract: Circuit breakers include an arc chamber and an arc chute comprising a plurality of arc plates in the arc chamber. The circuit breakers also include a line conductor assembly with at least one arc runner attached to a line conductor in the arc chamber. The arc runner can extend below but adjacent to a bottom arc plate to thereby guide a respective arc into the arc chute.

Abstract: An arc runner assembly for use in a circuit interrupter provides a pair of arc runners that are situated at opposite sides of a stationary contact of the circuit interrupter. If used in a DC application, the arc runner assembly is configured to communicate a positive DC arc along one of the arc runners in a first direction away from the stationary contact and is further configured to communicate a negative DC arc along the other arc runner in another direction away from the stationary contact. The arc runner assembly additionally includes a support that is electrically engaged with a conductor of the circuit interrupter on a surface opposite that on which the stationary contact is disposed. The improved arc runner assembly advantageously facilitates extinction of electrical arc and extinguishes both positive and negative DC arcs in a DC application.

Abstract: A levering assembly for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, which is removably disposed in a cassette, includes a mounting member coupled to the housing of the circuit breaker. A drive assembly is coupled to the mounting member and cooperates with the cassette. A powered actuator, such as an electric motor, is disposed on the mounting member and actuates the drive assembly to move the circuit breaker with respect to the cassette. The powered actuator is disposed within the housing of the circuit breaker. The mounting member, drive assembly and powered actuator form a self-contained sub-assembly, which is substantially disposed behind the circuit breaker cover. The levering assembly is operable from a remote location to automatically move the circuit breaker with respect to the cassette, to provide enhanced safety among other benefits.

Abstract: A levering assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, which is removably disposed in a cassette. The levering assembly includes a mounting member coupled to the housing of the circuit breaker. A drive assembly is coupled to the mounting member and cooperates with the cassette. A powered actuator, such as an electric motor, is disposed on the mounting member and actuates the drive assembly to move the circuit breaker with respect to the cassette. The powered actuator is disposed within the housing of the circuit breaker. The mounting member, drive assembly and powered actuator form a self-contained sub-assembly, which is substantially disposed behind the circuit breaker cover. The levering assembly is operable from a remote location to automatically move the circuit breaker with respect to the cassette, to provide enhanced safety among other benefits.

Abstract: A tool is provided to manipulate an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, with respect to a housing structure. The circuit breaker has a mechanical interface. The tool includes an actuating mechanism having a plurality of segments and joints, which movably connect the segments. One segment is engageable with the mechanical interface of the circuit breaker. Another segment comprises a handle portion structured to be gripped by a user. The actuating mechanism is movable between a first position in which the segments are substantially parallel with respect to one another, and a second position in which adjacent segments are substantially perpendicular to each other. When disposed in the first position, the tool is stowable in an opening of the circuit breaker. When disposed in the second position, the tool is operable to move the circuit breaker in a predetermined manner with respect to the housing structure.

Abstract: A trip actuator assembly is provided for a circuit breaker including a housing having a mounting surface, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The trip actuator assembly includes a trip actuator cooperable with the operating mechanism, and a planar member having first and second ends, first and second edges, and an aperture. The trip actuator is at least partially disposed within the aperture and is further disposed between the planar member and the mounting surface of the housing. The first edge of the planar member is removably coupled to the mounting surface, thereby removably coupling the trip actuator to the housing. The circuit breaker may include an accessory tray which is insertable on and is removable from the mounting surface. When inserted, the accessory tray abuts the body of the trip actuator enclosure further securing the trip actuator.

Abstract: A tool is provided for removing a circuit breaker from a mounting member or a housing. The tool includes a housing having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a surface, and an axis. Disposed at the first end of the housing is a recess that is structured to receive the operating handle or actuator lever of the circuit breaker, while a number of apertures are disposed substantially adjacent to the second end of the housing. One or more mechanical fasteners extend through the apertures and secure the housing to the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A tool is provided to manipulate an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, with respect to a housing structure. The circuit breaker has a mechanical interface. The tool includes an actuating mechanism having a plurality of segments and joints, which movably connect the segments. One segment is engageable with the mechanical interface of the circuit breaker. Another segment comprises a handle portion structured to be gripped by a user. The actuating mechanism is movable between a first position in which the segments are substantially parallel with respect to one another, and a second position in which adjacent segments are substantially perpendicular to each other. When disposed in the first position, the tool is stowable in an opening of the circuit breaker. When disposed in the second position, the tool is operable to move the circuit breaker in a predetermined manner with respect to the housing structure.

Abstract: A trip actuator assembly is provided for a circuit breaker including a housing having a mounting surface, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The trip actuator assembly includes a trip actuator cooperable with the operating mechanism, and a planar member having first and second ends, first and second edges, and an aperture. The trip actuator is at least partially disposed within the aperture and is further disposed between the planar member and the mounting surface of the housing. The first edge of the planar member is removably coupled to the mounting surface, thereby removably coupling the trip actuator to the housing. The circuit breaker may include an accessory tray which is insertable on and is removable from the mounting surface. When inserted, the accessory tray abuts the body of the trip actuator enclosure further securing the trip actuator.

Abstract: A tool is provided for removing a circuit breaker from a mounting member or a housing. The tool includes a housing having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a surface, and an axis. Disposed at the first end of the housing is a recess that is structured to receive the operating handle or actuator lever of the circuit breaker, while a number of apertures are disposed substantially adjacent to the second end of the housing. One or more mechanical fasteners extend through the apertures and secure the housing to the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for a circuit breaker includes a cradle having a generally planar body with a first link opening, at least one first link having an elongated body with a cradle opening, and a toggle rivet having a bushing component and a stake component. The bushing component has a hollow, generally cylindrical body with a first end and a second end, the first end having a radial flange extending outwardly. The stake component has an elongated body with a first end and a second end, the first end having a generally flat head and the second end having a distal tip. When assembled, the bushing component extends through the cradle body first link opening and the first link body cradle opening from a first direction, the stake component extends through the cradle body first link opening and the first link body cradle opening from a second direction, the stake component also extending through the hollow bushing component.

Abstract: A side plate structured to support an intermediate latch for a telecommunication system circuit breaker is provided. The intermediate latch has at least one keyed hub. The keyed hub has a circular portion and a radial extension. The side plate has a generally flat body with a plurality of openings including a keyed opening structured to support the intermediate latch. The keyed opening has a circular portion and a circumferential slot with at least one stop cam structured to arrest the rotation of an intermediate latch keyed hub disposed therein.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism for preventing a first circuit breaker having a first actuating mechanism and a second circuit breaker having a second actuating mechanism from simultaneously being in a closed condition. The interlock mechanism includes a frame, a sliding bar slideably mounted within the frame, and one or more retaining protrusions extending outwardly from one or more inner edges of the frame. The sliding bar is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the sliding bar blocks a path of movement of the first actuating mechanism and in the second position the sliding bar blocks a path of movement of the second actuating mechanism. The one or more retaining protrusions frictionally engage the sliding bar when the sliding bar is in the first position and holds it in place, preferably with a frictional force sufficient to resist the force of gravity and/or vibrations.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism for preventing a first circuit breaker having a first actuating mechanism and a second circuit breaker having a second actuating mechanism from simultaneously being in a closed condition. The interlock mechanism includes a frame, a sliding bar slideably mounted within the frame, and one or more retaining protrusions extending outwardly from one or more inner edges of the frame. The sliding bar is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the sliding bar blocks a path of movement of the first actuating mechanism and in the second position the sliding bar blocks a path of movement of the second actuating mechanism. The one or more retaining protrusions frictionally engage the sliding bar when the sliding bar is in the first position and holds it in place, preferably with a frictional force sufficient to resist the force of gravity and/or vibrations.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts, a trip mechanism having an armature mechanism responsive to selected conditions of current flowing through the contacts, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the contacts. The operating mechanism includes an open position, a closed position, a tripped open position, a lock, a first link and a second link having a base and a pair of legs. The lock is pivotally mounted to and substantially between the legs of the second link. The first link is pivotally mounted to the second link. The first link and the second link have an unbroken state in the closed position and a broken state in the tripped open position. The lock maintains the unbroken state in the closed position and responds to the armature mechanism to release the first link and the second link to the broken state in the tripped open position.