Abstract: An improved triggered arc flash arrester includes a shield apparatus disposed within an interior of an evacuated envelope and includes a first shield element and a second shield element. A plurality of conductors are partially disposed within the interior and are separated from one another by a gap. A first element of the shield apparatus is situated adjacent the envelope and is structured to protect the envelope from damage due to the high temperature plasma that results from an arc across the gap. A second element of the shield apparatus is interposed between the gap and at least a portion of the first element and is structured to protect the at least portion of the first element from damage due to an arc across the gap.

Abstract: An improved triggered arc flash arrester includes a shield apparatus disposed within an interior of an evacuated envelope and includes a first shield element and a second shield element. A plurality of conductors are partially disposed within the interior and are separated from one another by a gap. A first element of the shield apparatus is situated adjacent the envelope and is structured to protect the envelope from damage due to the high temperature plasma that results from an arc across the gap. A second element of the shield apparatus is interposed between the gap and at least a portion of the first element and is structured to protect the at least portion of the first element from damage due to an arc across the gap.

Abstract: An improved triggered arc flash arrester includes a shield apparatus disposed within an interior of an evacuated envelope and includes a first shield element and a second shield element. A plurality of conductors are partially disposed within the interior and are separated from one another by a gap. A first element of the shield apparatus is situated adjacent the envelope and is structured to protect the envelope from damage due to the high temperature plasma that results from an arc across the gap. A second element of the shield apparatus is interposed between the gap and at least a portion of the first element and is structured to protect the at least portion of the first element from damage due to an arc across the gap.

Abstract: A direct current arc chute includes a ferromagnetic base having first and second ends; first and second ferromagnetic side members disposed from the respective first and second ends; a third ferromagnetic member disposed from the base intermediate the side members and having an end portion opposite the base; and first and second magnets on the respective first and second members have a magnetic polarity facing the third member. A first arc chamber is between the first and third members; and a second arc chamber is between the second and third members. The first magnet and first member extend away from the first end and beyond the end portion, and toward the second magnet and second member after the end portion. The second magnet and second member extend away from the second end and beyond the end portion, and toward the first magnet and first member after the end portion.

Abstract: A direct current arc chute includes a ferromagnetic base having first and second ends; first and second ferromagnetic side members disposed from the respective first and second ends; a third ferromagnetic member disposed from the base intermediate the side members and having an end portion opposite the base; and first and second magnets on the respective first and second members have a magnetic polarity facing the third member. A first arc chamber is between the first and third members; and a second arc chamber is between the second and third members. The first magnet and first member extend away from the first end and beyond the end portion, and toward the second magnet and second member after the end portion. The second magnet and second member extend away from the second end and beyond the end portion, and toward the first magnet and first member after the end portion.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes an electrical conductor, at least one of a voltage sensor and a current sensor disposed about the electrical conductor, and a first insulator molded about the electrical conductor. The first insulator includes a plurality of structures structured to maintain concentricity between the electrical conductor and the at least one of the voltage sensor and the current sensor. A second insulator is molded about the first insulator and the at least one of the voltage sensor and the current sensor.

Abstract: A direct current electrical switching apparatus includes a first contact in electrical communication with first and third arc runners, a second contact in electrical communication with second and fourth arc runners, a movable contact, a first arc chamber including first arc plates having a first width, a second arc chamber including second arc plates having a greater second width, an operating mechanism, and a magnet assembly cooperating with the arc chambers to establish generally oppositely directed magnetic fields. The magnetic fields cause one of a first arc and a second arc to enter one of the arc chambers depending upon a direction of current flow between the contacts. The electrical switching apparatus is rated for a first magnitude of current flowing from the first contact to the second contact and for a greater second magnitude of opposite second current flowing from the second contact to the first contact.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and an arc chamber. The arc chamber includes a slot motor having a core and a housing with an opening therein, an arc chute, and a number of gassing inserts disposed in the opening of the housing. The number of gassing inserts and the housing are structured to form a number of gas flow circulation paths. The number of gas flow circulation paths are structured to drive an arc into the arc chute.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes an electrical conductor, at least one of a voltage sensor and a current sensor disposed about the electrical conductor, and a first insulator molded about the electrical conductor. The first insulator includes a plurality of structures structured to maintain concentricity between the electrical conductor and the at least one of the voltage sensor and the current sensor. A second insulator is molded about the first insulator and the at least one of the voltage sensor and the current sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring voltage of a medium to high voltage line conductor is disclosed. The system includes an electrical insulator having a surface and an edge, the surface having an opening therein to allow passage of a line conductor therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface. The system also includes first and second electrodes positioned about the opening on the surface of the electrical insulator and spaced apart from one another to provide a common capacitive divider signal indicative of a voltage potential of the line conductor.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and an arc chamber. The arc chamber includes a slot motor having a core and a housing with an opening therein, an arc chute, and a number of gassing inserts disposed in the opening of the housing. The number of gassing inserts and the housing are structured to form a number of gas flow circulation paths. The number of gas flow circulation paths are structured to drive an arc into the arc chute.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring voltage of a medium to high voltage line conductor is disclosed. The system includes an electrical insulator having a surface and an edge, the surface having an opening therein to allow passage of a line conductor therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface. The system also includes first and second electrodes positioned about the opening on the surface of the electrical insulator and spaced apart from one another to provide a common capacitive divider signal indicative of a voltage potential of the line conductor.

Abstract: A manual opening device is for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a synchronous circuit breaker, including a housing having an opening, a plurality of pole mechanisms each comprising separable contacts, and at least one operating mechanism including a number of actuators adapted to open and close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism is supported by the housing and includes a corresponding pole shaft. The manual opening device comprises an operating handle, a cam assembly, and a drive assembly. A first end of the operating handle protrudes through the opening of the housing and the second end is coupled to the cam assembly. The drive assembly couples the cam assembly to the corresponding pole shaft of the operating mechanism and cooperates with the corresponding pole shaft and actuators to simultaneously open the separable contacts when the operating handle is moved from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: An inflatable coupling component tube for a fluid-operated brake or clutch includes an elongated, generally tubular-shaped structure of predetermined length having two ends and a joint between the two ends that closes the tube to form a generally toroidal-shaped cavity. A coupling component for a fluid-operated brake or clutch that includes an inflatable tube, and a method of making an inflatable coupling component tube are also disclosed.

Abstract: An operating mechanism is provided for a circuit interrupter, such as a battery disconnect apparatus, including a housing and a number of stationary electrical contacts enclosed by the housing. The operating mechanism includes a cam member having a profile with first and second portions. A movable contact assembly includes at least one movable electrical contact, and is cooperable with the cam member to move the movable electrical contact into and out of electrical contact with the stationary electrical contacts. An actuating assembly pivots the cam member between a first position corresponding to the first portion of the profile maintaining the movable electrical contact in electrical contact with the stationary electrical contacts, and a second position corresponding to the second portion of the profile releasing the movable contact assembly in order that the movable electrical contact is movable out of electrical contact with the stationary electrical contacts.

Abstract: A switchgear apparatus includes a switchgear device, such as a circuit breaker, having a power bus, and an antenna element including an antenna member and one or more antenna leads. A material encapsulates the antenna member and is adapted to suppress dielectric breakdown through the material to the encapsulated antenna member from the power bus. The circuit breaker also includes a conductive housing having an opening receiving the antenna leads. The conductive housing is mounted on or proximate to the power bus. A sensor circuit is disposed in the conductive housing and is adapted to output a radio frequency signal to the antenna leads or to input a radio frequency signal from the antenna leads.

Abstract: The auxiliary switch includes a non-contact sensor, such as a Hall effect device, that is switched by the condition of a magnetic field. The magnetic field condition is effected by a movable contact indicator that moves between open and closed positions with the separable contacts of the electric power apparatus. A magnet may be attached to the movable contact indicator, or the movable contact indicator can be magnetized to form the magnet. Alternatively, the moving contact indicator can intercept or not intercept a magnetic field produced by a fixed magnet spaced from the sensor. The Hall effect device may be mounted on the outside of the nonmagnetically permeable housing of the electric power apparatus, or inside if there is sufficient room. In either case, no mechanical coupling is required for the sensor.

Abstract: A subminiature circuit breaker is equipped with an arc fault auxiliary switch actuated by the arc fault trip motor through an indicator actuator that also deploys a pop-up arc fault indicator. An additional auxiliary switch actuated by the drive link on the toggle mechanism provides an indication of the open/closed state of the circuit breaker separable contacts. Both the arc fault auxiliary switch and the contact state auxiliary switch are mounted on the outside of the subminiature circuit breaker housing and are operated by an operating member and a pivoted member, respectively, extending through openings in the housing.

Abstract: The auxiliary switch includes a non-contact sensor, such as a Hall effect device, that is switched by the condition of a magnetic field. The magnetic field condition is effected by a movable contact indicator that moves between open and closed positions with the separable contacts of the electric power apparatus. A magnet may be attached to the movable contact indicator, or the movable contact indicator can be magnetized to form the magnet. Alternatively, the moving contact indicator can intercept or not intercept a magnetic field produced by a fixed magnet spaced from the sensor. The Hall effect device may be mounted on the outside of the nonmagnetically permeable housing of the electric power apparatus, or inside if there is sufficient room. In either case, no mechanical coupling is required for the sensor.

Abstract: A subminiature circuit breaker is equipped with an arc fault auxiliary switch actuated by the arc fault trip motor through an indicator actuator that also deploys a pop-up arc fault indicator. An additional auxiliary switch actuated by the drive link on the toggle mechanism provides an indication of the open/closed state of the circuit breaker separable contacts. Both the arc fault auxiliary switch and the contact state auxiliary switch are mounted on the outside of the subminiature circuit breaker housing and are operated by an operating member and a pivoted member, respectively, extending through openings in the housing.