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: An electric arc extinction chamber system, especially for low-voltage circuit breakers of very high nominal current intensities, wherein parallel electric arc extinction chamber inserts are provided in a housing extending over the entire width of a pole-face arc. The housing of the chamber is sub-divided by a partition wall or several partition walls which are embodied as components of the housing. The compartments thus formed receive arc splitter cartridges.

Abstract: An arc extinguisher for low voltage switchgear, switching in air, includes a universally applicable variable attachment for adjustment of the arc extinguisher chamber to meet increased demands. The attachment is in the form of a chimney-like arc extinguisher chamber extension, for increasing the volume of the arc extinguisher chamber. It represents a moulded piece with a lower outline which exactly matches the outline of the arc extinguisher chamber cover, normally located on the arc extinguisher chamber and with an upper outline, identical to the upper outline of the switchgear housing for mounting the arc extinguisher chamber cover. Any number of attachments may be used in a stacked manner.

Abstract: An arc chamber for low-voltage circuit breakers, whose particularity consists of the fact that it comprises: multiple substantially U-shaped metallic plates; an enclosure made of insulating material which is substantially shaped like a parallelepiped and comprises two side walls, a bottom wall, a top wall and a rear wall, the side walls having, on the inside, multiple mutually opposite slots for the insertion of the metal plates, the bottom and top walls each having at least one opening and the enclosure being open at the front.

Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a pair of separable contacts arranged in an opening volume. A plurality of flat de-ionization fins are arranged inside an arc extinguishing chamber opening out onto the opening volume. The chamber is bounded by two opposite side walls, a rear wall located away from the opening volume, a bottom wall and a top wall. Each fin has a free attack edge exposed to the arc. The free edges of the fins laterally bound a longitudinal gulley extending in a heightwise direction from the bottom electrode to the top wall, and longitudinally from a first longitudinal end opening out onto the opening volume at a second longitudinal end tapering to form a stack near to the rear wall, passing via a narrow intermediate portion. A bottom longitudinal electrode partially covers the bottom wall and extends longitudinally facing the gulley at least from the second contact up to the stack.

Abstract: An electrically isolating iso bearing for a circuit breaker is provided that comprises an inner surface, an outer surface, and a body extending therebetween, said inner surface comprising a pair of bosses and a pair of openings, said outer surface comprising at least one boss, said body comprising a pair of rotor protective flaps.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device, especially a contactor, includes a base, an arc chamber removable from the base, a contact bridge support and a spring-loaded locking element. The contact bridge support projects into the arc chamber and can be displaced in a direction of actuation. The contact bridge support can be locked by the locking element when the arc chamber is taken off. The locking element is configured as a lever that is swiveled about a swiveling axis which extends in perpendicular to the direction of actuation.

Abstract: An arc quenching configuration for an electrical switching device has an arcing chamber in which an arc is produced between a stationary contact piece and a moving contact piece during a switching operation. An arc splitter stack is provided and has a number of arc splitter plates and into which the arc is passed via guide rails. At least one plate composed of an insulating material is disposed in or adjacent to the arc splitter stack, an external circumference of the plate does not project beyond the external circumference of the arc splitter plates, and the plate has an internal recess.

Abstract: An arc-extinguishing system for a contact switching apparatus having a plurality pieces of grid plate for arc extinction arranged outside the contact switching apparatus so as to be substantially vertical to a movable contact, and an arc box as well as an arc cover for covering the contact switching apparatus as well as arc-extinguishing grid plates, in which a thin-plate rib extending in a direction of an array of the arc-extinguishing grid plates is provided on the arc cover made of resin having elasticity, and the arc-extinguishing grid plates are fixed to the thin-plate rib by being pressed against end surfaces of the arc-extinguishing grid plates through connecting of the arc box to the arc cover.

Abstract: An arc chute including a first side wall having a plurality of holes, a second side wall having a plurality of holes and spaced apart from the first side wall, and a plurality of arc chute plates mounted between the first and second side walls. Each of the plurality of arc chute plates include a laterally extending tab on two sides of the arc chute plate, each of the laterally extending tabs being shaped to be interference fitted within one of the plurality of holes. The laterally extending tabs are dimensioned to not substantially extend beyond an outer surface of each of the side walls.

Abstract: An arc chute including a first side wall having a plurality of holes, a second side wall having a plurality of holes and spaced apart from the first side wall, and a plurality of arc chute plates mounted between the first and second side walls. Each of the plurality of arc chute plates include a laterally extending tab on two sides of the arc chute plate, each of the laterally extending tabs being shaped to be interference fitted within one of the plurality of holes. The laterally extending tabs are dimensioned to not substantially extend beyond an outer surface of each of the side walls.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for interrupting the flow of current upon the detection of excess current or temperature is provided that contains an arc plate assembly which includes a pair of insulative mounting plates having mounted thereon a set of arc plates arranged in an arcuate array generally tracing the arcuate path of movement of a circuit breaker moveable contact blade. A baffle plate is mounted between the insulative mounting plates and positioned above the uppermost arc plate in the set of arc plates for blocking arc-formed debris from projection into the operating mechanism of said circuit breaker. Mounting tabs, which are extending toward the insulative mounting plates from edges of the arc plates, are being used to connect the mounting plates with the arc plates by passing the tabs through corresponding apertures located in the mounting plates. The tabs are crimped against the exterior surface of the mounting plates.

Abstract: An arc quenching device for an air-switching low-voltage switching device includes quenching plates, which are arranged between and attached to parallel insulating walls, as well as a cover. A separate cooling device may be introduced into the space between the quenching plates and the cover. The cooling device is in the form of an insert cartridge and contains deionization technology for switching gases. Attachment pins on the cooling device and corresponding holding openings on the inside of the cover make it possible to fit the cooling device to the cover before this cover engages with the insulating walls.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for interrupting the flow of current upon the detection of excess current or temperature is provided that contains an arc plate assembly which includes a pair of insulative mounting plates having mounted thereon a set of arc plates arranged in an arcuate array generally tracing the arcuate path of movement of a circuit breaker moveable contact blade. A baffle plate is mounted between the insulative mounting plates and positioned above the uppermost arc plate in the set of arc plates for blocking arc-formed debris from projection into the operating mechanism of said circuit breaker. Mounting tabs, which are extending toward the insulative mounting plates from edges of the arc plates, are being used to connect the mounting plates with the arc plates by passing the tabs through corresponding apertures located in the mounting plates. The tabs are crimped against the exterior surface of the mounting plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blow-out system for a plug-in component, for example an automatic cutout or a circuit breaker, and has a component housing (10, 20), at least one contact stud (40) arranged on a housing back, as well as at least one latching element (30), arranged on the housing back, for securing the component housing in the installed position. A bundle of laminations provided in the component for extinguishing an electric arc forming in the component has a blow-out channel (50), which is formed adjoining the bundle of laminations and leads to the outside of the housing, the blow-out channel (50) being partially limited by the latching element (30) on the housing outside.

Abstract: A current-limiting contact arrangement includes a conductor rail including a stationary contact and including two current loops extending at opposite sides of the conductor rail in respective planes parallel to a center plane of the contact arrangement. A contact arm including a movable contact which can be brought into and out of contact with the stationary contact is provided, the current loops extending in respective planes parallel to a center plane of the contact arrangement and along an entire opening travel of the movable contact. An arc control device including arc splitters and a cassette including a first part and a second part and an insulating material are also provided. The arc splitters are disposed in a positive-locking manner in an interior of the cassette, the contact arm and a part of the conductor rail including the stationary contact extending into the interior of the cassette, and the current loops being disposed in a positive-locking manner at outer walls of the cassette.

Abstract: A cassette assembly for rotary contact circuit breakers utilizing a first electrically insulative cassette half piece and a second electrically insulative cassette half piece which are arranged to mate with each other to form an enclosure. The electrically insulative cassette half pieces include improper installation rejection features for both the rotor and arc chute assemblies. The inner surface of a electrically insulative cassette half piece including a groove and recesses formed therein. A rotor is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a pin on the face of the rotor into the groove. An arc chute assembly is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a tab located on a side member of the arc chute assembly into a corresponding recess located in the electrically insulative cassette half piece.

Abstract: A cassette assembly for rotary contact circuit breakers utilizing a first electrically insulative cassette half piece and a second electrically insulative cassette half piece which are arranged to mate with each other to form an enclosure. The electrically insulative cassette half pieces include improper installation rejection features for both the rotor and arc chute assemblies. The inner surface of a electrically insulative cassette half piece including a groove and recesses formed therein. A rotor is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a pin on the face of the rotor into the groove. An arc chute assembly is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a tab located on a side member of the arc chute assembly into a corresponding recess located in the electrically insulative cassette half piece.

Abstract: A switching device with an arc extinguishing device includes filigree-shaped arc splitters of an arcing chamber to be mounted and fixed in an operationally reliable manner. Branches and bases of the arc splitters are kept apart by spacers, in particular by grooves formed on the outside of an arcing chamber insert.

Abstract: A switch comprises a long, slender stationary contact means and a movable contact means moving between an open position and a closed position. The contact zone of the contact means is separated from the electrical connection zone by a slot which opens out on the side where the movable contact means are situated in the open position. The depth of the slot is sufficient so that, when opening takes place, the current lines passing through the contact means are curved and run approximately parallel to the flank of the slot. This arrangement prevents the foot of the electrical arc from being directed towards the free end of the contact means, away from the arc extinguishing chamber.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (10) including an electrical arc extinguishing apparatus (105). The electric arc extinguishing arc apparatus (105) includes a first sidewall (106) in a spaced relationship with the second sidewall (107) with a top arc plate (110) mounted between the first and second sidewalls (106, 107). A plurality of intermediate arc plates (114) are mounted between the first (106) and second sidewalls (107) below the top arc plate (110) with each in a spaced apart relationship. A bottom arc plate (116) is mounted between the first and second sidewalls below and apart from the intermediate plates (114) forming an arc chute. The electric arc extinguishing apparatus (105) can also be provided with two end caps (120) with each end cap (120) having an interior cavity (121) with one leg (111) of each arc plate (58) mounted in the cavity (121) of one end cap (120) and the other leg (111) of each arc plate (58) mounted in the cavity (121) of the other end cap (120).

Abstract: An arc quenching chamber for low-voltage circuit breakers has a quenching chamber enclosure and a quenching chamber cover, which is detachably attached to the quenching chamber enclosure by fastening elements. Opposite a hollow extension the quenching chamber enclosure has a nose which may be gripped by a claw-like extension of the quenching chamber cover. Another method of fastening the quenching chamber cover involves lateral nose-like webs on the quenching chamber enclosure and projections on both sides of the quenching chamber cover to grip the noses.

Abstract: An improved exhaust baffle for a circuit protective device such as a circuit breaker utilizes material having elastomeric characteristics to provide for variable apertures where the cross-sectional opening of the apertures is dependent on the pressure gradient across the exhaust baffle, thereby effectively controlling arc pressure and arc effluent during short circuit interruption. Fabrication of the exhaust baffle with geometric symmetry about one or more axes or planes also facilitates assembly during product construction.

Abstract: An arcing chamber system having one or more chamber bodies connected in series, wherein one or more arcing chamber modules, are arranged in each chamber body is present. A plurality of arcing chamber modules may be employed to achieve for various contact ratings. This allows the arcing chamber system of the present invention to be adapted, in simple fashion, to a variety of working voltages and a variety of contact ratings.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device, in particular a high capacity contactor, includes switch contacts which are arranged inside interrupter chambers formed by an interrupter chamber housing. Also provided is a deionizing device which is in the form of an arcing chamber and assigned to each interrupter chamber with a switch contact. The arcing chamber is formed by arcing plates which are assembled to form a packet. In addition, a cover is provided for closing the interrupter chambers on the upper side. The uppermost arcing plate which faces the cover is configured as a shielding plate of each arcing chamber and has at least one upward bent clip. Recesses which correspond with the clips of the arcing chambers are formed on the underside of the cover. The arcing chambers can be fastened to the cover to provide an interlocking connection by plugging the clips into the recesses.

Abstract: An electric switch has an arc extinguishing mechanism that includes a plurality of splitter plates located adjacent to the switch contacts. An electromagnet coil is connected between one of the contacts and a splitter plate to produce a magnetic field that drives an arc into the extinguishing mechanism. The unique electromagnet coil is formed by a lamination of a plurality of flat open loops of conductive material alternating with layers of insulation. The flat open loops are interconnected to form a helical coil.

Abstract: A multi-phased switch support base including a molded top cover and a molded bottom base each having interior and exterior walls which divide the interiors. When assembled together the base is divided into compartmentalized arc chambers which function to isolate each line contact and each load contact of each phase of the switch from each other as well as from each other line and each other load contact of each of the other phases of the switch. A multiplicity of unique snap-in arc chutes and baffles to help control and extinguish the arc generated during disconnect operations of the rotor from the stationary contacts are provided in each arc chamber.

Abstract: An arc chute assembly for a circuit breaker includes a plurality of U-type grids respectively including an engagement protrusion extended from each side thereof, the engagement protrusion having a key pin opening formed therethrough, a plurality of side walls respectively including a plurality of engagement slots formed therethrough, and a key pin inserted through corresponding ones of the key pin openings formed through the engagement protrusions which are inserted through the side walls and extended to an extent from an outer surface of each of the side walls. The apparatus employs the key pin for fixing the grids to the side walls, thereby facilitating assembly steps as well as decreasing an assembly time thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas deionization device and an arc extinguishing chamber notably for a multipole low voltage circuit breaker with a molded case. A porous shield comprising one or more superposed metallic wire cloths. Each cloth is formed by a criss-crossing of straight wire yarns spaced apart from and parallel to one another with tight joined undulated wire yarns that extend appreciably perpendicular to the straight wire yarns, and pass alternately over and under at least one of the successive straight wire yarns. At least three superposed wire cloths have progressive mesh openings.

Abstract: An electric arc extinguishing mechanism is provided for an electric current switching apparatus of the type having a pair of contacts which selectively engage to complete an electric circuit. The mechanism includes a plurality of splitter plates located adjacent to the contacts and formed of electrically conductive material. Each splitter plate has a body of electrically conductive material, and a casing with a pair of planar portions on opposite sides of the body and connected by the curved edge portion. The edge portion is adjacent the contacts with the planar portions extending from the edge portion in an open loop having a gap. Any arc introduced between adjacent splitter plates moves around the open loop before being extinguished thereby not residing in one spot long enough to cause gross melting and associated erosion of the splitter plate.

Abstract: A baffle for use in a circuit breaker includes a first baffle mechanism and a second baffle mechanism. Each of the first and second baffle mechanisms includes a base, a plurality of elongated members supported by the base, and cross-pins or other elongated members for supporting the base of one of the baffle mechanisms substantially parallel to the base of the other baffle mechanism. The elongated members of the first and second baffle mechanisms are interleaved to form a labyrinth.

Abstract: A contactor for switching electric current has a stationary contact and a movable contact which when driven by a solenoid moves into and away from abutment with the stationary contact. An arc extinguishing chamber is adjacent to the movable and stationary contacts and includes two rows of splitter plates with a gap therebetween. Each row comprises alternating splitter plates of first and second types. The first type of splitter plate has a first member of non-magnetic material with an aperture within which a permanent magnet is received and a second member of a magnetic material abutting the first member remote from the gap. An outer casing of a non-ferrous, electrically conductive material extends at least partially around the first and second members. The second type of splitter plates are formed of non-ferrous, electrically conductive material. The magnets produce a magnetic field around each of the first type of splitter plates which causes the electric arc to move about the surface of the outer casing.

Abstract: An arrangement in an electrical switching device for protection against electrical arcs comprises a tripping mechanism, a stationary contact carrier, a movable contact carrier, an exhaust vent, an arc runner, and an arc extinguishing barrier. The stationary contact carrier has a stationary contact mounted thereon, and the movable contact carrier has a movable contact mounted thereon. In response to an overcurrent condition, the tripping mechanism causes the movable contact carrier to rotate from a closed position to an open position, thereby generating an electrical arc. In the closed position the movable contact abuts the stationary contact, and in the open position the movable contact is separated from the stationary contact. The arc extinguishing barrier is composed of an outgassing material and is located between the stationary contact and a portion of the tripping mechanism.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is formed of a stationary contact member bent back into a U-shape and having a stationary contact at a bent back portion thereof, a moving contact member situated adjacent to the stationary contact member to be able to contact with the stationary contact, a plurality of grids laminated vertically with a space therebetween, and a unitary molded insulator situated around the stationary contact member. The insulator includes a pair of side walls facing to each other, and a plurality of slots arranged in the opposed side walls to vertically space apart from each other. The grids are inserted into the slots to be vertically piled when the circuit breaker is assembled. The circuit breaker can be easily assembled.

Abstract: An arc grid plate for an arc box of a contactor includes a conductive plate having two sides, a rear edge, and a front arc edge. The sides are slidable within a pair of grooves of the side walls of the arc box. The rear edge of the conductive plate has two arms which are rearwardly disposed therefrom. Each of the arms has a pointed end for gripping an associated one of the side walls. The pointed ends are generally disengaged from the associated side walls during insertion of the conductive plate into the arc box. The arms are engaged by the rear wall of the arc box and flex forwardly toward the rear edge of the conductive plate in order that the pointed ends of the arms engage the associated side walls and retain the conductive plate within the grooves of the arc box.