Abstract: For a hybrid circuit interrupter that includes a secondary actuator disposed in series with a primary actuator, with the primary actuator used for opening the switch at ultra-fast speeds and the secondary actuator used for opening the switch at normal speeds, a performance monitoring system is disclosed. The monitoring system can use either an optical sensor or position sensitive device (PSD) to detect movement of the primary actuator. The optical sensor is coupled to the circuit interrupter housing, and a distance detection means is disposed within the secondary actuator in a manner that enables the optical sensor to detect the movement of a reference surface on the moving assembly of the primary actuator. The PSD is positioned to face a thru-hole formed in a drive shaft of the circuit interrupter, and to sense a change in position of light emitted through the thru-hole during an opening stroke.

Abstract: Coil-based actuators for use in opening and closing the separable contacts of circuit interrupters provide increased initial velocity for opening strokes and improved damping at the end of opening strokes by utilizing current-based damping and omitting contact springs and contact dampeners.

Abstract: An electrical contact is for a vacuum switching apparatus. The electrical contact includes a hub portion and a plurality of petal portions extending radially outwardly from the hub portion. The electrical contact is made from conductive materials and insulating materials.

Abstract: An electrical contact is for a vacuum switching apparatus. The electrical contact includes a hub portion and a plurality of petal portions extending radially outwardly from the hub portion. The electrical contact is made from conductive materials and insulating materials.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and a motor cooperating with the operating mechanism to open or close the separable contacts. The motor includes an input structured to input power. The electrical switching apparatus also includes an electronic circuit structured to condition the input power to the motor.

Abstract: A spout assembly is provided. The spout assembly includes a spout and a spout base. The spout base has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a spout sized to enclose an electrical switching apparatus electrical coupling. That is, the spout base includes a CT support surface with a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the spout cross-sectional area. Current transformers are disposed upon the spout base CT support surface.

Abstract: A spout assembly is provided. The spout assembly includes a spout and a spout base. The spout base has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a spout sized to enclose an electrical switching apparatus electrical coupling. That is, the spout base includes a CT support surface with a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the spout cross-sectional area. Current transformers are disposed upon the spout base CT support surface.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and a motor cooperating with the operating mechanism to open or close the separable contacts. The motor includes an input structured to input power. The electrical switching apparatus also includes an electronic circuit structured to condition the input power to the motor.

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 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 medium voltage circuit interrupter includes a circuit interrupter housing and a plurality of poles. Each of the poles includes an encapsulated pole unit. The encapsulated pole unit includes a first unit having a first conductor, a second conductor, a vacuum interrupter electrically connected between the first conductor and the second conductor, and a first housing housing the vacuum interrupter. A removable second unit includes a third conductor, a fourth conductor having a first portion electrically connected to the third conductor and a second portion removably electrically connected to one of the first conductor and the second conductor, an electronic device structured to sense a characteristic of the pole, and a second insulative housing encapsulating the third conductor, the first portion of the fourth conductor and the electronic device. An operating mechanism is structured to open and close the vacuum interrupter of each of the poles.

Abstract: A stored energy assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The stored energy assembly includes a mount removably coupled to the circuit breaker housing. A stored energy mechanism, such as a spring, is coupled to the mount and is movable among charged and discharged positions. An actuating element is cooperable with the gears of a gear assembly in order to move among first and second positions corresponding to the spring being disposed in the charged and discharged positions, respectively. A manual charging mechanism and an automatic charging mechanism are coupled to the gear assembly, and move the gears, in order to move the actuating element and charge the spring. The spring, the actuating element, the gear assembly, and the charging mechanisms are coupled to the mount, thereby forming a sub-assembly. The sub-assembly is removeably coupled to the circuit breaker housing.

Abstract: A time delay mechanism is provided for a circuit breaker stored energy assembly including a mount, a spring coupled to the mount, at least one charging mechanism for charging the spring to store energy, at least one actuator for releasing the stored energy, and a drive assembly for transferring the stored energy into movement of the circuit breaker operating mechanism. First and second trip shafts of the time delay mechanism are pivotably coupled to the mount. Linking elements interconnect the first and second trip shafts. A trip catch and a drive lever are coupled to the first trip shaft. The linking elements and a damper, which is connected to the drive lever, contribute to a delay from a first time that the first trip shaft initially moves, to a second time that the second trip shaft moves to release the trip catch. The damper is adjustable to adjust the delay.

Abstract: A medium voltage circuit interrupter includes a circuit interrupter housing and a plurality of poles. Each of the poles includes an encapsulated pole unit. The encapsulated pole unit includes a first unit having a first conductor, a second conductor, a vacuum interrupter electrically connected between the first conductor and the second conductor, and a first housing housing the vacuum interrupter. A removable second unit includes a third conductor, a fourth conductor having a first portion electrically connected to the third conductor and a second portion removably electrically connected to one of the first conductor and the second conductor, an electronic device structured to sense a characteristic of the pole, and a second insulative housing encapsulating the third conductor, the first portion of the fourth conductor and the electronic device. An operating mechanism is structured to open and close the vacuum interrupter of each of the poles.

Abstract: A time delay mechanism is provided for a circuit breaker stored energy assembly including a mount, a spring coupled to the mount, at least one charging mechanism for charging the spring to store energy, at least one actuator for releasing the stored energy, and a drive assembly for transferring the stored energy into movement of the circuit breaker operating mechanism. First and second trip shafts of the time delay mechanism are pivotably coupled to the mount. Linking elements interconnect the first and second trip shafts. A trip catch and a drive lever are coupled to the first trip shaft. The linking elements and a damper, which is connected to the drive lever, contribute to a delay from a first time that the first trip shaft initially moves, to a second time that the second trip shaft moves to release the trip catch. The damper is adjustable to adjust the delay.

Abstract: A stored energy assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The stored energy assembly includes a mount removably coupled to the circuit breaker housing. A stored energy mechanism, such as a spring, is coupled to the mount and is movable among charged and discharged positions. An actuating element is cooperable with the gears of a gear assembly in order to move among first and second positions corresponding to the spring being disposed in the charged and discharged positions, respectively. A manual charging mechanism and an automatic charging mechanism are coupled to the gear assembly, and move the gears, in order to move the actuating element and charge the spring. The spring, the actuating element, the gear assembly, and the charging mechanisms are coupled to the mount, thereby forming a sub-assembly. The sub-assembly is removably coupled to the circuit breaker housing.