Abstract: Circuit breakers having a cover that includes a medial segment with an aperture for a switch handle. The medial segment merges into a line side segment having at least one channel overlying a lug compartment. The at least one channel has an inner end portion overlying a lug access path to the lug compartment. The circuit breakers also include at least one gas-blocking member coupled to the at least one channel.

Abstract: A guide member is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a primary cover, a secondary cover structured to move between a closed position and an open position, a first printed circuit board, a second printed circuit board spaced from the first printed circuit board, and a cable member electrically connecting the first and second printed circuit boards. The guide member includes a body having a base coupled to the primary cover, a ramp engaging the cable member when the secondary cover is in the closed position, the ramp having first and second opposing end portions, the first end portion extending from the base, and a number of guide portions each extending from the ramp and engaging the cable member when the secondary cover moves between the closed position and the open position in order to minimize twisting and folding of the cable member.

Abstract: A guide member is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a primary cover, a secondary cover structured to move between a closed position and an open position, a first printed circuit board, a second printed circuit board spaced from the first printed circuit board, and a cable member electrically connecting the first and second printed circuit boards. The guide member includes a body having a base coupled to the primary cover, a ramp engaging the cable member when the secondary cover is in the closed position, the ramp having first and second opposing end portions, the first end portion extending from the base, and a number of guide portions each extending from the ramp and engaging the cable member when the secondary cover moves between the closed position and the open position in order to minimize twisting and folding of the cable member.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a body and a display apparatus. The body has a housing, a handle partially extending through the housing, separable contacts located within the housing, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, a main printed circuit board located within the housing, and a number of electrical rating settings associated with the main printed circuit board. Each of the number of electrical rating settings has a magnitude. The display apparatus is electrically connected to the main printed circuit board and is structured to display the magnitude of at least one of the number of electrical rating settings.

Abstract: A trip assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, an electrical communication assembly coupled to the housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The trip assembly has an indication assembly including a plunger member and a number of auxiliary switches each structured to be coupled to the housing. The plunger member is structured to actuate each of the number of auxiliary switches, thereby electrically communicating a circuit status to the electrical communication assembly.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a body and a display apparatus. The body has a housing, a handle partially extending through the housing, separable contacts located within the housing, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, a main printed circuit board located within the housing, and a number of electrical rating settings associated with the main printed circuit board. Each of the number of electrical rating settings has a magnitude. The display apparatus is electrically connected to the main printed circuit board and is structured to display the magnitude of at least one of the number of electrical rating settings.

Abstract: An interface assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, a first handle partially extending through the housing, separable contacts located within the housing, an operating mechanism to open and close the separable contacts, a main printed circuit board located within the housing, and a number of electrical rating settings associated with the main printed circuit board. Each of the electrical rating settings has a magnitude. The interface assembly includes: a base assembly comprising a base, the base being disposed on the housing, the base having a mounting surface; and a second handle coupled to the mounting surface, the second handle and the first handle being structured to drive each other. The mounting surface has at least one port. The magnitude of a corresponding one of the electrical rating settings is visible through the at least one port.

Abstract: A trip assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, an electrical communication assembly coupled to the housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The trip assembly has an indication assembly including a plunger member and a number of auxiliary switches each structured to be coupled to the housing. The plunger member is structured to actuate each of the number of auxiliary switches, thereby electrically communicating a circuit status to the electrical communication assembly.

Abstract: A trip assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus has a housing, an electrical communication assembly coupled to the housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The trip assembly includes an actuating element structured to be coupled to the housing and structured to be electrically connected to the electrical communication assembly; and an indication assembly cooperating with the actuating element in order to electrically communicate a circuit status to the electrical communication assembly.

Abstract: A trip assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus has a housing, an electrical communication assembly coupled to the housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The trip assembly includes an actuating element structured to be coupled to the housing and structured to be electrically connected to the electrical communication assembly; and an indication assembly cooperating with the actuating element in order to electrically communicate a circuit status to the electrical communication assembly.

Abstract: An interface assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, a first handle partially extending through the housing, separable contacts located within the housing, an operating mechanism to open and close the separable contacts, a main printed circuit board located within the housing, and a number of electrical rating settings associated with the main printed circuit board. Each of the electrical rating settings has a magnitude. The interface assembly includes: a base assembly comprising a base, the base being disposed on the housing, the base having a mounting surface; and a second handle coupled to the mounting surface, the second handle and the first handle being structured to drive each other. The mounting surface has at least one port. The magnitude of a corresponding one of the electrical rating settings is visible through the at least one port.

Abstract: A trip assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, a reset assembly, an electrical communication assembly, separable contacts, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a trip bar and a crossbar. The trip assembly includes: a mounting assembly coupled to the housing; an actuating element coupled to the mounting assembly, the actuating element being electrically connected to the electrical communication assembly; a trip cam coupled to the mounting assembly, the trip cam cooperating with the reset assembly in order to reset the actuating element; and an indication assembly coupled to the mounting assembly. The actuating element is structured to drive the trip cam into the trip bar in order to trip open the separable contacts. The actuating element cooperates with the indication assembly to electrically communicate a circuit status to the electrical communication assembly.

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: 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 includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes a trip latch, and an arc chamber operatively associated with the separable contacts. The arc chamber includes a plurality of arc plates and a barrier disposed between the arc plates and the trip latch. The barrier has an opening therein. A trip member is disposed in or about the opening of the barrier of the arc chamber. During interruption of current flowing through the separable contacts, pressure arising from an arc in the arc chamber pushes the trip member away from the barrier of the arc chamber to engage the trip latch and cause the trip mechanism to trip open the separable contacts.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes a trip latch, and an arc chamber operatively associated with the separable contacts. The arc chamber includes a plurality of arc plates and a barrier disposed between the arc plates and the trip latch. The barrier has an opening therein. A trip member is disposed in or about the opening of the barrier of the arc chamber. During interruption of current flowing through the separable contacts, pressure arising from an arc in the arc chamber pushes the trip member away from the barrier of the arc chamber to engage the trip latch and cause the trip mechanism to trip open the separable contacts.

Abstract: A load conductor is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing having a number of recesses. The load conductor includes first and second opposing sides, an intermediate portion extending between the first and second sides, and a number of protrusions extending outwardly from the second side. Each of the protrusions is disposed within a corresponding one of the recesses of the housing to secure the load conductor without a separate fastener.

Abstract: A movable arm assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus including a stationary contact and an operating mechanism. The arm assembly includes a biasing member and an arm member having a first end, an opposite second end, a pivot point therebetween, and a portion having a longitudinal axis. A movable contact is disposed at or about the first end. The arm member engages a crossbar member at or about the pivot point such that the arm member can pivot from a first position to a second position. The biasing member engages the arm member at a point between the pivot point and the second end and includes a portion that engages and biases against a housings of the crossbar member. The longitudinal axis of the portion of the arm member is oriented generally parallel to the portion of the biasing member when the arm member is at the first position.

Abstract: A push-to-trip assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The push-to-trip assembly includes a push-to-trip actuator having first and second ends and being movable among a first position corresponding to the circuit breaker separable contacts being closeable, and a second position corresponding to the second end cooperating with a trip bar to cause the circuit breaker operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The first end is accessible from the exterior of the housing to actuate the push-to-trip actuator from the first position to the second position. A biasing element biases the push-to-trip actuator away from the base toward the first position. At least one cover stop of the push-to-trip actuator engages a corresponding portion of the housing cover to stop movement of the push-to-trip actuator. An overtravel restraint proximate the second end of the push-to-trip actuator restrains movement of the trip bar.

Abstract: A load conductor is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing having a number of recesses. The load conductor includes first and second opposing sides, an intermediate portion extending between the first and second sides, and a number of protrusions extending outwardly from the second side. Each of the protrusions is disposed within a corresponding one of the recesses of the housing to secure the load conductor without a separate fastener.