Abstract: A mechanism assembly is for a vacuum circuit interrupter including a vacuum housing including a stationary contact and a moveable contact, and an operating mechanism including a drive rod. The mechanism assembly cooperates with the drive rod to open and close the contacts. The mechanism assembly includes a housing having a pair of first longitudinal openings and a pair of second longitudinal openings, the first longitudinal openings defining a first plane, the second longitudinal openings defining a different second plane. A first trunnion member is pivotally and translationally mounted with respect to the first longitudinal openings. The first trunnion member is coupled to the moveable contact. A second trunnion member is pivotally and translationally mounted with respect to the second longitudinal openings. The drive rod is pivotally connected to the second trunnion member. A pair of compression springs are biased between the first and second trunnion members.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved and more efficient methods and apparatus for maintaining and/or adjusting over-travel gaps and contact wipe portions in operating rod assemblies of circuit interrupters.

Abstract: A latch kit comprising a member with at least one hook end, a tension member, and a hook plate. The hook plate is connected to the member by a tension member. The kit is intended to be used in conjunction with an industrial circuit breaker which is secured in a cell by a catch plate. When the hook plate is attached to the circuit breaker, the hook end can be used to support the circuit breaker's catch plate handle in the open position so that the circuit breaker can be extracted from the cell.

Abstract: A flexible shunt in the form of a flexible member made up of a stack of electrically conductive laminations each of a thickness of no more than about 0.002 inch (0.051 mm) has a moveable end secured by a moveable mount to a moveable contact support of an electric power switch for movement along a linear path. A fixed mount secures the fixed end of the flexible member to a fixed conductor termination spaced laterally from the moveable end along a neutral axis perpendicular to the linear path of the moveable end by an offset distance such that the installed length of the intermediate section between the fixed and moveable ends is less than the free length of the intermediate section. With this arrangement the stroke of the moveable end along the linear path can be up to at least ⅓ and even ½ of the free length of the intermediate section of the flexible member and with very low operating forces.

Abstract: A compact power circuit breaker has a molded insulative casing providing the structural support and electrical isolation for the pole mechanisms mounted in cavities in the casing and the operating mechanism mounted to the front of the casing. A grounded barrier between the pole mechanisms and the operating mechanism protects the operator actuating push buttons controlling the operating mechanism and accessible through a molded insulative cover. Preferably, the grounded barrier is sandwiched between a rear section of the molded casing containing the pole cavities and a forward section to which the operating mechanism is secured. The grounded barrier is connected to an electrically conductive pan extending under the molded insulative casing which also houses electrically grounded linkages coupling the operating mechanism to the vacuum interrupters of the pole mechanisms.

Abstract: A compact power circuit breaker has a molded insulative casing providing the structural support and electrical isolation for the pole mechanisms mounted in cavities in the casing and the operating mechanism mounted to the front of the casing. A grounded barrier between the pole mechanisms and the operating mechanism protects the operator actuating push buttons controlling the operating mechanism and accessible through a molded insulative cover. Preferably, the grounded barrier is sandwiched between a rear section of the molded casing containing the pole cavities and a forward section to which the operating mechanism is secured. The grounded barrier is connected to an electrically conductive pan extending under the molded insulative casing which also houses electrically grounded linkages coupling the operating mechanism to the vacuum interrupters of the pole mechanisms.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker having current limiting capabilities is dimensionally optimized for relatively smaller frame size circuit breakers. The handle yoke is supported with rollers thereby allowing the crossbar to be disposed in the space normally utilized for the handle yoke pivot axis. A clinch joint arcer assembly with a plurality of arcing contact arms, each pivotally connected by a clinch joint to a pivotally mounted main contact arm permits additional main contact arms to be provided in the same space normally occupied by the arcing contact arms alone. Additionally, arcing contact spring housings protect the arcing contact springs from deterioration due to corrosive ionizing gases generated during interruption. A positive off link assembly prevents the operating handle from being placed on an OFF position when the main contacts are welded together and transfers the force applied to the operating handle to the upper link to allow the weld to be broken.