Abstract: A levering assembly for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, which is removably disposed in a cassette, includes a mounting member coupled to the housing of the circuit breaker. A drive assembly is coupled to the mounting member and cooperates with the cassette. A powered actuator, such as an electric motor, is disposed on the mounting member and actuates the drive assembly to move the circuit breaker with respect to the cassette. The powered actuator is disposed within the housing of the circuit breaker. The mounting member, drive assembly and powered actuator form a self-contained sub-assembly, which is substantially disposed behind the circuit breaker cover. The levering assembly is operable from a remote location to automatically move the circuit breaker with respect to the cassette, to provide enhanced safety among other benefits.

Abstract: A levering assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, which is removably disposed in a cassette. The levering assembly includes a mounting member coupled to the housing of the circuit breaker. A drive assembly is coupled to the mounting member and cooperates with the cassette. A powered actuator, such as an electric motor, is disposed on the mounting member and actuates the drive assembly to move the circuit breaker with respect to the cassette. The powered actuator is disposed within the housing of the circuit breaker. The mounting member, drive assembly and powered actuator form a self-contained sub-assembly, which is substantially disposed behind the circuit breaker cover. The levering assembly is operable from a remote location to automatically move the circuit breaker with respect to the cassette, to provide enhanced safety among other benefits.

Abstract: A gassing insulator assembly for a line conductor assembly of an electrical switching apparatus is provided having a line conductor and first and second gassing insulator members. The insulator members are constructed from a gassing material. The first gassing insulator member is disposed near a first end of the line conductor and the second gassing insulator member is generally disposed between the line conductor and a cantilevered arc runner near a second end of the line conductor.

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 gassing insulator for the arc chute assembly of a circuit breaker includes a number of insulating members. The arc chute assembly includes first and second opposing sidewalls, and arc plates having first and second ends and first and second legs. Each insulating member includes a first side coupled to one of the first and second opposing sidewalls of the arc chute assembly, a second side disposed generally opposite the first side, a first end disposed at or about the first ends of the arc plates, and a second end disposed distal from the first end of the insulating member and extending toward the second ends of the arc plates. The first side of the insulating member overlays at least one of the first and second legs of the arc plates, in order to electrically insulate them. An arc chute assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.

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 gassing insulator assembly for a line conductor assembly of an electrical switching apparatus is provided having a line conductor and first and second gassing insulator members. The insulator members are constructed from a gassing material. The first gassing insulator member is disposed near a first end of the line conductor and the second gassing insulator member is generally disposed between the line conductor and a cantilevered arc runner near a second end of the line conductor.

Abstract: An arc baffle for an arc chute assembly of a circuit breaker includes a first baffle member disposed at or about the second end of the arc chute assembly and including a plurality of first venting holes, a second baffle member including a plurality of second venting holes and being coupled to and disposed opposite from the first baffle member, and a filter assembly disposed at or about the second baffle member and including a number of filter elements. The first and second venting holes of the first and second baffle members are offset to induce turbulent flow of ionized gases being discharged from the arc chute assembly. The filter elements of the filter assembly filter the turbulent flow. An arc chute assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A contact spring assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a movable contact assembly and a stationary contact assembly having stationary electrical contacts. The movable contact assembly includes a carrier assembly, and movable contact arms pivotably coupled to the carrier assembly and carrying movable electrical contacts. The contact spring assembly includes a first contact spring housing member, a second contact spring housing member coupled to and disposed opposite from the first contact spring housing member, a spring guide disposed between and coupled to at least one of the first and second contact spring housing members and including spring holes, springs received in the spring holes, and sliders coupled to the springs. The springs and sliders individually bias the movable contact arms and movable electrical contacts toward engagement with corresponding stationary electrical contacts. A movable contact assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.

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 contact spring assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a movable contact assembly and a stationary contact assembly having stationary electrical contacts. The movable contact assembly includes a carrier assembly, and movable contact arms pivotably coupled to the carrier assembly and carrying movable electrical contacts. The contact spring assembly includes a first contact spring housing member, a second contact spring housing member coupled to and disposed opposite from the first contact spring housing member, a spring guide disposed between and coupled to at least one of the first and second contact spring housing members and including spring holes, springs received in the spring holes, and sliders coupled to the springs. The springs and sliders individually bias the movable contact arms and movable electrical contacts toward engagement with corresponding stationary electrical contacts. A movable contact 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 gassing insulator for the arc chute assembly of a circuit breaker includes a number of insulating members. The arc chute assembly includes first and second opposing sidewalls, and arc plates having first and second ends and first and second legs. Each insulating member includes a first side coupled to one of the first and second opposing sidewalls of the arc chute assembly, a second side disposed generally opposite the first side, a first end disposed at or about the first ends of the arc plates, and a second end disposed distal from the first end of the insulating member and extending toward the second ends of the arc plates. The first side of the insulating member overlays at least one of the first and second legs of the arc plates, in order to electrically insulate them. An arc chute assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An arc baffle for an arc chute assembly of a circuit breaker includes a first baffle member disposed at or about the second end of the arc chute assembly and including a plurality of first venting holes, a second baffle member including a plurality of second venting holes and being coupled to and disposed opposite from the first baffle member, and a filter assembly disposed at or about the second baffle member and including a number of filter elements. The first and second venting holes of the first and second baffle members are offset to induce turbulent flow of ionized gases being discharged from the arc chute assembly. The filter elements of the filter assembly filter the turbulent flow. An arc chute assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.