Abstract: The present invention provides for an electrical switching apparatus operating mechanism opening assembly wherein the toggle assembly stop/kicker pin has been separated into a kicker pin and a stop pin. By separating the functions of the stop/kicker pin into separate pins, the kicker pin may now be located at the pivot point of the associated link. Further, the kicker pin and the stop pin are now disposed upon a cradle assembly as opposed to an elongated link. The cradle assembly further supports one of the toggle assembly links. Thus, rotation of the cradle assembly causes the toggle assembly to move. The operating mechanism opening assembly is configured so that, when an associated latch assembly latch plate assembly is released, the cradle assembly rotates so that the toggle assembly is moved away from a closing assembly closing device.

Abstract: A latch engagement control mechanism is provided for a latch assembly of a circuit breaker including a housing, separable contacts, and an operating mechanism having a pole shaft, and at least one link coupled to the pole shaft. The latch assembly includes a pivot member cooperable with such link. The latch engagement control mechanism includes a latch pin having a cut-out portion and pivoting among a first position in which the latch pin prevents the pivot member from pivoting, and a second position in which the cut-out portion provides a clearance for the pivot member to pivot. A latch member coupled to the latch pin at or about the cut-out portion, includes at least a first protrusion engageable by the pivot member to establish the first position of the latch pin.

Abstract: A catchment mechanism for an electrical switching apparatus operating mechanism is provided. The catchment mechanism includes a catchment wheel with a radially extending surface, a catchment prop, and a catchment prop reset pin. The catchment wheel rotates with the cam in the closing assembly as the closing springs are being charged. During the charging of the springs, the catchment prop stop edge travels over, but preferably does not engage, the wheel outer surface. When the closing springs are released, the catchment prop stop edge engages the catchment wheel radially extending surface thus causing the catchment wheel to stop rotating. As the catchment wheel is fixed to the cam shaft, the rotation of the cam shaft, and therefore the cam, is also stopped. The catchment wheel radially extending surface is positioned so that the cam is stopped in an appropriate position to begin recharging the closing spring.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an enclosure with a first side and a second side opposite and distal from the first side. A number of separable contacts are enclosed by the enclosure. An operating mechanism is structured to open and close the separable contacts. A plurality of terminals are electrically interconnected with the number of separable contacts. The terminals protrude through the second side of the enclosure. A number of phase barrier apparatus is disposed on the second side of the enclosure. Each of the number of phase barrier apparatus includes a plurality of separate phase barrier members, each of which is disposed about a corresponding one of the terminals, and a number of interlocking members. Each of the number of interlocking members interlocks with an adjacent pair of the separate phase barrier members.

Abstract: A latch assembly for an electrical switching apparatus operating mechanism is provided. The latch assembly is structured so that force from the closing spring is directed along a line extending through the pivot point of a latch prop. A reset assembly for the latch prop is also provided.

Abstract: A shunt assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a conductor assembly having a load conductor and a movable contact assembly with a number of movable contact arms. The movable contact assembly is movable in response to a fault current. The shunt assembly includes a number of flexible conductive elements each having a first end electrically connected to the load conductor, a second end electrically connected to a corresponding one of the movable contact arms, and a number of bends disposed between the first and second ends. At least one constraint element is disposed proximate a corresponding one of the bends and constrains movement of the flexible conductive element in response to the fault current, thereby translating the magnetic repulsion force associated with the fault current into a corresponding torque of the movable contact arms of the movable contact assembly.

Abstract: A charging handle is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing having an exterior, an interior and a recess extending from the exterior toward the interior, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts, and a charging assembly. A first end of the charging handle is coupled to the charging assembly within the interior of the housing. The second end includes a finger pull. An elongated body extends between the first and second ends and includes first and second sides, and inner and outer surfaces. The charging handle is movable among first and second positions. The finger pull is disposed on the outer surface of the elongated body at or about the second end of the charging handle, and is readily accessible from all of the second end and the first and second sides of the charging handle.

Abstract: A decoupling assembly structured to decouple the charging motor and the charging assembly cam shaft is provided. The decoupling assembly includes a lifter pin assembly and an elongated second end to a link member in the over-running clutch assembly. The link member supports a pawl which engages an over-running clutch assembly sprocket. The pawl is disposed on one side of a link member that is pivotally attached to an over-running clutch assembly hub assembly. The link member is structured to pivot in a “see-saw” like manner and thereby move the pawl between a first position, wherein the pawl engages the sprocket, and a second position, wherein the pawl does not engage the sprocket. The lifter pin assembly includes a spring loaded lifter pin that is structured to engage the link member second end and thereby move the pawl between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A flexible conductive element is provided for the conductor assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The conductor assembly includes a load conductor, a movable contact assembly including a number of movable contact arms, movable electrical contacts mounted on the movable contact arms, and a plurality of flexible conductive elements. Each flexible conductive element includes a first end electrically connected to the load conductor, a second end electrically connected to a corresponding one of the movable contact arms of the movable contact assembly, and a plurality of bends between the first end and the second end. A first one of the bends is in a first direction and at least a second one of the bends is in a second direction which is generally opposite the first direction, in order that the flexible element is generally S-shaped. A conductor assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pole shaft assembly for a circuit breaker includes a receiving portion disposed on the exterior side of the housing, a pole shaft pivotably disposed within the receiving portion and including at least one protrusion, a number of cover members overlaying the pole shaft and the receiving portion, at least one first seal disposed between the receiving portion and a corresponding protrusion, and at least one second seal disposed between such protrusion and a corresponding one of the cover members. The seals resist undesired entry of debris between the receiving portion and the pole shaft, and control the discharge of arc gases from the circuit breaker. The first seal is formed by the interaction between the receiving portion and the corresponding protrusion. The second seal is formed by the interaction between the protrusion and the corresponding one of the cover members.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing having at least one parting line and an exterior side, a stationary contact assembly disposed on one side of the parting line, a movable contact assembly, and an operating mechanism with a pole shaft for moving the movable contact assembly into and out of electrical contact with the stationary contact assembly. The bearing assembly includes a number of primary bearings pivotably supporting the pole shaft on the same side of the parting line as the stationary contact assembly. An integral bearing section including secondary bearings pivotably couples the pole shaft to the housing at least one bearing cover member having a fastening portion. The pole shaft is pivotably disposed at or about the integral bearing section on the exterior side of the housing. A housing and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pivot assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, including a housing having a molded cover and a molded base, a stationary contact assembly with stationary electrical contacts, and a movable contact assembly. The movable contact assembly includes at least one carrier assembly with a pivot, movable contact arms pivotably coupled to the carrier assembly, and movable electrical contacts coupled to the movable contact arms. The pivot assembly includes pivot members. Each pivot member includes an aperture for pivotably receiving the pivot of the carrier assembly in order that the carrier assembly is pivotably coupled between a corresponding pair of pivot members. Each pivot member is a separate independent component disposed between the molded cover and molded base of the circuit breaker housing. An electrical switching apparatus and a carrier assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible conductive element is provided for the conductor assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The conductor assembly includes a load conductor, a movable contact assembly including a number of movable contact arms, movable electrical contacts mounted on the movable contact arms, and a plurality of flexible conductive elements. Each flexible conductive element includes a first end electrically connected to the load conductor, a second end electrically connected to a corresponding one of the movable contact arms of the movable contact assembly, and a plurality of bends between the first end and the second end. A first one of the bends is in a first direction and at least a second one of the bends is in a second direction which is generally opposite the first direction, in order that the flexible element is generally S-shaped. A conductor assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Within a closing assembly that utilizes a ram assembly having a spring driven ram body, an energy dissipating spring seat assembly is provided. The ram body is mounted on a guide assembly having at least one pin. The guide assembly also includes a base plate and a stop plate. A ram assembly spring is disposed between the ram body and the base plate and is structured to bias the ram body toward the stop plate. The spring seat assembly includes a spring seat bracket and a spring seat. The spring seat is, preferably, a generally flat, plate-like leaf spring that is disposed between the ram assembly springs and the base plate of the ram body. The spring seat is sufficiently rigid so as to not deflect fully under the force created by the compressed ram assembly springs, but not so rigid as to resist deflecting under the force created when the ram body impacts the stop plate.

Abstract: A current limiting power switch has a monolithic stationary conductor with a conductor section that mounts fixed contacts that engage moving contacts on moving contact fingers to form a reverse current loop with the contacts closed. A terminal section projects transversely from one end of the conductor section and an arc runner section extends from the other end. The tapered arc runner has a generally laterally centered tapered area that gathers the arcs and urges them along a raised rib on the arc runner to an arc chute. A reinforcing rib running from the back of the conductor and arc runner sections to the terminal section resists distortion of the monolithic stationary conductor by the high temperatures and closing and electromagnetic forces during interruption.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter arc chute includes first and second support portions, an exit portion supported by the support portions, and a plurality of arc plates supported by the support portions. The exit portion has one or more vent openings. The arc plates have a first edge offset from the exit portion and an opposite second edge distal from the exit portion. A plurality of insulating dividing members are disposed between the arc plates. The members have a first edge proximate the exit portion and an opposite second edge distal from the exit portion. The second edge of the members extends beyond the arc plate first edges and toward the arc plate second edges. The first edge of the dividing members extends beyond the arc plate first edge and away from the arc plate second edge.

Abstract: A moving contact assembly for a high-current interruption electric power switching apparatus has an inner carrier for the contact fingers that is rigidly held in a withstand position in an outer carrier by a spring biased cam follower pin engaging a cam profile on the inner carrier and configured to positively seat an inner carrier stop against an outer carrier stop on the outer carrier and to rapidly drive the inner carrier to a blow open position in response to a fault. The cam profile has an extended width divided between spaced apart cam profile sections to absorb the high closing and withstand forces. An abutment on the outer carrier resists bowing of the cam follower pin between the cam profile sections. Complementary convex and concave partial cylindrical surfaces on the inner carrier and a gas shield on the moving assembly carrier body maintain an arc gas seal during blow open.

Abstract: A moving contact assembly for a high-current interruption electric power switching apparatus has an inner carrier for the contact fingers that is rigidly held in a withstand position in an outer carrier by a spring biased cam follower pin engaging a cam profile on the inner carrier and configured to positively seat an inner carrier stop against an outer carrier stop on the outer carrier and to rapidly drive the inner carrier to a blow open position in response to a fault. The cam profile has an extended width divided between spaced apart cam profile sections to absorb the high closing and withstand forces. An abutment on the outer carrier resists bowing of the cam follower pin between the cam profile sections. Complementary convex and concave partial cylindrical surfaces on the inner carrier and a gas shield on the moving assembly carrier body maintain an arc gas seal during blow open.

Abstract: An arc hood includes a housing having a first chamber with two ends, a top and a bottom having an opening, and a smaller second chamber disposed on the top of the first chamber. The smaller second chamber includes two ends, a top and a bottom. Each of the ends of the second chamber have an opening, are disposed above the top of the first chamber, and are recessed from a corresponding one of the ends of the first chamber. The chambers define a passageway between the opening of the bottom of the first chamber and the openings of the ends of the second chamber. One or more baffles are within the housing and are disposed between the opening of the bottom of the first chamber and the openings of the ends of the second chamber. A seal is disposed about the opening of the bottom of the first chamber.