Abstract: The invention provides a combination service entrance device which contains a common enclosure, divided by a center barrier into two sections. One houses a watt-hour meter socket and the other houses a panel board containing circuit breakers. The panel board is installed on an elevated mounting pan placed in the circuit breaker section. One side of the mounting panel preferably has a pair of tabs, each of which slides into a separate lance or guide formed in the center barrier. A pair of spaced posts are attached between the side opposite the barrier and the back panel of the enclosure. The length of the posts defines the gap between the back panel and the panel board. An elevated neutral bar is attached to the back panel along and distant from the mounting panel. The panel board remains parallel to and raised from the back panel. The elevated mounting pan provides for routing wires in the circuit breaker section and easier access to the load connections of the circuit breakers compared to prior art devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides an overhead/underground combination service entrance device having a common enclosure that is divided by a center barrier into a first section for housing a watt-hour meter socket and a second section for housing a panel board containing a number of circuit breakers. The top panel of the common enclosure has a hole bringing electrical conductors into the first section from top of the common enclosure. A rain cap made from a suitable material is securely placed on the top panel. The rain cap has a hole therein that lies above the hole in the top panel so as to provide access to the first section from the outside. A hub closure plate is attached on the rain cap to cover sealingly cover the hole in the top panel. Means are provided for mounting the combination service entrance device on a flat surface and on vertical poles for temporary use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combination service entrance device which contains a common enclosure that is divided by a center barrier into a first section for housing a watt-hour meter socket and a second section for housing a panel board containing at least two service disconnects. The meter socket provides power for use at least two output terminals. A separate connector having at least two connection points in a first plane and at least one connection point in a second plane is coupled to each of the socket meter output terminals. Substantially flexible insulated conductors are coupled to the connection points in the connectors and the service disconnects to provide power to the service disconnects.

Abstract: A conducting spring is provided for exerting a biasing force against a test button to open a circuit interrupter test circuit. The spring includes a one-piece, elongated cantilever having a first and second end. The cantilever is formed from an electrically conducting material. One of the cantilever ends is adapted to directly secure to a first terminal of the test circuit. The other cantilever end is adapted to directly and reversibly contact a second terminal of the test circuit. The spring also includes means for resiliently flexing the second end of the cantilever in relation to the first end. The flexing means is integrally formed with the cantilever. Also provided is a ground fault circuit interrupter and a ground fault circuit module for protecting a circuit interrupter with a push-to-test feature.

Abstract: A ground fault module is provided for protecting a circuit interrupter connected between the load and line terminals of a phase and neutral power line. The module includes a sensor for detecting a current imbalance between the phase and neutral power lines. A phase conductor having a rigid, elongated body made of solid, electrically-conducting material with a first and second end is adapted for connection to the load and line phase power line. A neutral conductor having a rigid, elongated body made of solid, electrically-conducting material with a first and second end is adapted for connection to the load and line neutral power line. Preferably, terminals are used to clamp the ends of the phase and neutral conductors to the load power line and load neutral line. The phase and neutral conductor are operatively connected to the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wireway assembly for mounting to the housing wall of an electrical distribution device to enclose and protect electrical wiring therein. Generally rectangular, u-shaped channels have at least one aperture positioned in the channel wall to overlap the aperture of an adjacent channel to define a wireway through which the electrical wiring extends from the bight portion of one channel to the bight portion of the adjacent channel. An interlocking means manually attaches and detaches each channel with an adjacent channel and with the housing wall.The present invention also includes a method of safely protecting electrical wiring extending across a housing wall of an electrical distribution device. The method includes the step of interlocking a plurality of u-shaped channels in an abutting position to each other and the housing wall.

Abstract: The invention provides a spring exerting a non-linear force between a contact carrier and a contact blade in a circuit interrupter. The inventive spring includes at least one elongated cantilever. The length of the cantilever has the shape of an arch made with a non-uniform angle and is formed from an elastic material. The cantilever is supported at one end against the carrier with the length of the cantilever positioned parallel to the carrier and the opposite end of the cantilever abutting the contact blade so that the carrier supports more of the length of the cantilever as the displacement between the carrier and the contact blade decreases.The invention also includes a method of operating a circuit interrupter by non-uniformly increasing the force exerted against a movable contact as it engages a stationary contact to complete a circuit.

Abstract: A circuit breaker drawout arrangement includes a drive mechanism for moving a circuit breaker along a pair of rails between a Connect and a Disconnect position by means of a drive tool. A torque limited clutch permits a lower maximum torque when moving the breaker to the Connect position and a greater maximum torque when moving from the Connect position to the Disconnect position. In one embodiment the clutch is formed by a pair of oppositely orientated unidirectional roller clutches in the drive nut and in another by a ball and detent arrangement in the drive nut.

Abstract: A racking mechanism for a fused circuit breaker includes a drive assembly that is removable as a unit from the breaker and fuse truck. A modular assembly includes a drive unit having a drive shaft and a travelling nut and yoke for rotating a pair of levering arms for moving the breaker among a plurality of positions in a cubicle. All interlocks are included on the modular drive assembly. An indicator is cam operated by the travelling nut and includes a face having indicia that identifies the direction of rotation of the drive shaft.