Abstract: A linear actuator includes an electromagnetic coil and a stator cover extending over the electromagnetic coil. A set of magnets are disposed end-to-end to form a ring. The magnets are adjacent the electromagnetic coil but offset from the center of the coil. A ferromagnetic central ring disposed within the coil at the inner diameter thereof and next to the magnets. A non-ferromagnetic ring disposed within the coil at the inner diameter thereof extending between the central ring and the other side of the stator cover. A translator is disposed between the magnets and the central axis. The translator is latchable between two positions within the linear actuator depending on the magnetic flux and the direction in which the electric current is flowing.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes a bus plug having an electrical switch configured to selectively control energization of the bus plug. The bus plug includes an electrical switch having a control knob operable to selectively control energization of the bus plug, and an actuator having an actuator adaptor coupling that couples movement of the actuator to the control knob. The bus plug includes a partition wall separating the internal volume into a line side and a load side. The bus plug includes an external handle coupled to mechanical linkages, and an adaptor bracket fixed to at least one of the mechanical linkages and oriented to interact with the control knob. The bus plug includes an actuator operable to move the mechanical linkages. Methods of controlling energization of a bus plug with a remote application and communication module configured to operate an actuator are also provided.

Abstract: A mechanical latching device of an electromagnetic contactor eliminates a need to adjust a gap between portions mechanically preventing returning of a latch support. A latch support includes a protrusion protruding laterally and formed with a latch surface facing a released side. A rotating member has one end side rotatably supported and the other end side biased toward the protrusion. When the latch support is on the released side, an outer peripheral surface of the other end side contacts with a tip of the protrusion to allow the latch support to be displaced to a closed side. When the latch support is on the closed side, the other end side rotates according to a position of the latch support in a displacement direction, and a tip surface faces the latch surface to mechanically prevent the latch support from returning to the released side at plural positions along the displacement direction.

Abstract: A receptacle including a housing having a front cover, an outlet located on the front cover, and a light configured to project light through the front cover. The receptacle further including a photo sensor, a motion detector, and a controller. The photosensor is configured to detect light and output a light signal corresponding to the detected light. The motion detector is configured to detect motion and output a motion signal corresponding to the detected motion. The controller includes a memory and an electronic processor. The controller is configured to receive the light signal, receive the motion signal, compare the light signal to a light signal threshold, compare the motion signal to a motion signal threshold, and activate at least one selected from a group consisting of the light and the outlet, when the light signal crosses the light signal threshold and the motion crosses the motion signal threshold.

Abstract: A linear actuation assembly includes an electromagnetic coil configured to allow electric current to pass therethrough in either direction creating magnetic flux based on the electric current and its direction. The electromagnetic coil defines a center axis, an inner diameter, and first and second sides. A first set of magnets is disposed in end-to-end relation adjacent the first side of the electromagnetic coil at the inner diameter thereof. A second set of magnets is disposed in end-to-end relation adjacent the second side of the electromagnetic coil about the inner diameter thereof. The linear actuation assembly further includes at least one translator disposed adjacent the first and second sets of magnets opposite the electromagnetic coil. The at least one translator is latchable between a first position adjacent the first set of magnets and a second position adjacent the second set of magnets in response to the magnetic flux and the direction in which the electric current is flowing.

Abstract: A module assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus assembly. The electrical switching apparatus assembly includes an electrical switching apparatus having a housing, a pair of separable contacts located internal with respect to the housing, and a shunt trip device for tripping open the pair of separable contacts. The module assembly includes a mounting member structured to be coupled to the housing, and an internet of things (IOT) module coupled to the mounting member. The IOT module is structured to be electrically connected to the shunt trip device in order to trip open the pair of separable contacts.

Abstract: A heater-bimetal apparatus is disclosed. The heater-bimetal apparatus has a heating element having a first portion and a second portion, a bimetal element coupled to the heating element at a third portion between the first and second portions, and a support member coupled to the heating element at the third portion, the support member including registration surfaces adapted to be received in pockets formed in spaced portions of circuit breaker housing. Assemblies including the heater-bimetal apparatus and methods of assembly of heater-bimetal assemblies are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: This patent document provides an electronic device capable of improving the characteristics of a variable resistance element. An electronic device in accordance with an implementation of this document includes semiconductor memory, and the semiconductor memory includes a variable resistance element capable of being included in the semiconductor memory, and including a fixed layer, a tunnel barrier layer, and a variable layer laminated therein, wherein the variable resistance element is capable of allowing a slope of a graph of a switching current density as a function of an external magnetic field to be proportional to the square of “H/Hk” when the magnetization directions of the fixed layer and the variable layer are switched from a parallel state to an antiparallel state. In accordance with the electronic device of this patent document, the characteristics of the variable resistance element can be improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a switching device for opening and closing a load circuit, in particular in an electric vehicle, having at least one switch contact which can be moved from an open position into a closed position and which is held at a distance from a counter-contact in the open position and is in electrically conductive abutment with the counter-contact in the closed position. The invention further relates to a method for switching a load circuit, in particular in an electric vehicle, at least one switch contact being moved from an open position into a closed position and thereby being brought into electrically conductive contact with a counter-contact. In order to provide the most compact, light, cost-effective and reliable switching and separation unit for load currents, it is provided according to the invention that, in a safety position, the at least one switch contact is held separated from the counter-contact in order to protect the load circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnet fixing means having a circuit breaker including a heater generating heat due to a conduction current induced to a moving contact of the circuit breaker; a bimetal deformed due to heat generated by the heater to separate a contact point of the moving contact; a magnet generating a magnetic force to move an armature bar when a current above a previously set reference current is induced; a trip case accommodating the bimetal and magnet, at least part of which is made of a synthetic resin material; a magnet fixing portion integrally formed in the trip case, and made of a synthetic resin material; a magnet fixing means fastening the magnet to the magnet fixing portion; and a bimetal fixing means fixing the bimetal to the heater, where a magnet-side separating gap exists between the magnet and the heater such that the heater does not contact the magnet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit breaker, including a housing; a trip rod and locking device being disposed in the housing. The locking device includes a lock head, a mounting portion, a sliding member and at least one elastic element. The mounting portion includes a base plate and a first side plate. At least one protruding portion is provided on the base plate and a through-hole is formed in the first side plate. The lock head includes a first driving member. The sliding member includes a body and a push rod. A second driving member and at least one mounting slot are formed on the body. The second driving member is mated with the first driving member and the protruding portion is located in the mounting slot. The push rod is formed on the body and can pass through the through-hole to trigger the trip rod.

Abstract: A power circuit breaker is disclosed wherein an electric current is monitored by an electronic trip unit in order to detect an electrical fault. In an embodiment, a first magnetic device of the power circuit breaker, in the event of a fault being detected, is configured to be excited which, when it is excited, trips a trip mechanism via a plunger. As a result of tripping, the trip mechanism disconnects two contacts via which the current flows. The power circuit breaker of an embodiment includes a second magnetic device which is likewise able to be excited by the ETU and by which the trip mechanism is likewise able to be tripped.

Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker having a pair of operable contacts in a main current path between a line terminal and load terminal, a trip mechanism for opening the contacts if an overcurrent condition occurs, and an electric motor to close the contacts via a contact closing mechanism. The trip mechanism includes a trigger mechanism and a contact opening mechanism, a current sensor arranged to detect current through the main current path, and a control unit. The trigger mechanism triggers the contact opening mechanism if a trip signal is produced. The control unit produces a trip signal to operate the trigger mechanism if it determines a short circuit condition occurs based on output of the current sensor; and the control unit is arranged to operate the electric motor to trigger the contact opening mechanism into opening the contacts independently of the trigger mechanism if it determines that an overload condition occurs.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a magnetic actuator having more than one air gap. After the trip unit is triggered, a first armature is accelerated to quickly close a first air gap and then mate with a second armature. The first and second armature then move toward a core to close a second air gap and reach the final combined armature position, causing a contact to open. A faster reaction time is provided, yet without increasing the number of turns of the trip coil winding, and provides a more efficient actuator.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a portable actuator for actuating a trip button and a close button of a circuit breaker. In one embodiment, the trip button is actuated by a linear actuator that transmits rotation forces produced by a motor to the trip button in response to a trip signal. The close button is actuated by a rotating arm that uses an anti-friction roller to apply a rotating motion to the close button in response to a close signal. The portable actuator is configured to receive the input signals from a remote location with a remote controller that is in electronic communication with the portable actuator.

Abstract: A thermal overload relay includes a main bimetal for detection of an overload current, a shifter associated with the main bimetal, a release lever working according to a displacement of the shifter, a contact reversing mechanism for changing-over contacts by reversing action caused by rotation of the release lever, and a manipulation structure for manipulating the release lever and the contact reversing mechanism. The manipulation structure includes a reset bar for returning the contact reversing mechanism to an initial state. The reset bar is arranged to change-over between a manual reset state in which the reset bar can be pushed-in and an automatic reset state in which the reset bar is pushed-in and turned from the manual reset state and held in that state.

Abstract: A switching device, for example a circuit breaker, has an input terminal and an output terminal for connection to electrical conductors, and two switching contacts which, when closed, close a current path between the input terminal and the output terminal. A disconnect device is provided for disconnecting the two switching contacts. For triggering the disconnect device, an overcurrent trigger device and/or a short-circuit trigger device are in mechanical operative connection with the disconnect device by way of a reversing lever. The reversing lever includes a first lever arm with a trigger extension that can be actuated by the overcurrent trigger device and/or by the short-circuit trigger device, and a second lever arm with an actuating extension for triggering the disconnect device. To ensure safe operation, the actuating extension is configured to be resiliently compliant.

Abstract: A thermal overload relay includes main bimetals which bend upon detection of an overload current; a release lever displaced via movement of a shifter moved in response to the bending of the main bimetals; and a contact reversing mechanism for changing-over contacts responsive to a rotation of the release lever. The main bimetals, the release lever and the contact reversing mechanism are all disposed in a case. The contact reversing mechanism includes a pivotable movable plate; a reversing spring reversing the movable plate by coupling with a rotated release lever; and an interlock plate rotating around a support shaft together with the movable plate. Each contact has a normally opened contact piece and a normally closed contact piece and is disposed respectively in the vicinity of a front surface and in the vicinity of a back surface of the interlock plate.

Abstract: A circuit breaker and method includes a mechanical pole moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position to open an electrical connection between a pair of electrical contacts. An electronic tripping device is configured to respond to a sensor signal. The sensor signal is output from a condition sensor wherein upon receiving the sensor signal the electronic tripping device trips the mechanical pole into the unlatched position.

Abstract: A push-to-trip assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The push-to-trip assembly includes a push-to-trip actuator having first and second ends and being movable among a first position corresponding to the circuit breaker separable contacts being closeable, and a second position corresponding to the second end cooperating with a trip bar to cause the circuit breaker operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The first end is accessible from the exterior of the housing to actuate the push-to-trip actuator from the first position to the second position. A biasing element biases the push-to-trip actuator away from the base toward the first position. At least one cover stop of the push-to-trip actuator engages a corresponding portion of the housing cover to stop movement of the push-to-trip actuator. An overtravel restraint proximate the second end of the push-to-trip actuator restrains movement of the trip bar.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a trip sensitivity in a thermal overload protection apparatus, including setting an adjusting reference point; measuring a normal position of bimetals; measuring a moving distance at a time of trip operation of a trip latch mechanism; deciding an assembling position of a shifter mechanism based on the measured moving distance at the time of trip operation of the trip latch mechanism, information on a trip distance between a pre-determined shifter mechanism and the trip latch mechanism and information on a size of the shifter mechanism; conducting a predetermined overcurrent to the thermal overload protection apparatus; measuring a conducting time of the overcurrent until a trip event; calculating a difference between the conducting time measured in the measuring step and a predetermined trip time by converting a rotation angle; and marking a graduation of a set trip operation current by the rotation angle calculated in the calculating step.

Abstract: A power control apparatus in the form of a standard, toggle, wall-mounted light switch for remote actuation of an electrical load or local manual override. A switch housing supports and retains a latching relay that includes power terminals, a switching terminal for remote actuation by a control signal, and a manual override. A switch lever extends from the body of the switch housing for manual actuation to override the state of the relay. The switch lever engages the manual override of the latching relay upon manual actuation by a person. A centering structure maintains the switch lever in a centered position to allow unimpeded movement of the manual override. The latching relay can be remotely actuated by a signal at its switching terminal to switch a power load connected to the power terminals on or off, or the relay can be manually overridden by actuation of the switch lever.

Abstract: A thermal overload trip apparatus capable of minimizing inferiority caused by variations during manufacturing of an adjusting means and simply adjusting sensitivity by duplicating the means for adjusting a sensitivity to a trip operation current, comprising: a trip mechanism driven to a trip position by a driving force from a shifter mechanism on occurrence of an overload in a circuit; a release lever mechanism for driving the trip mechanism to the trip position by pressing it when there is the driving force from the shifter mechanism or for releasing the trip mechanism when there is no driving force, on occurrence of the overload in the circuit; an adjusting lever for operating the release lever mechanism to be horizontally moved by rotation; an adjusting knob having an upper surface having a setting groove and a lower portion having a cam portion; and a means independently adjusting the sensitivity to the trip operation current regardless of manipulation of the adjusting knob.

Abstract: An electrical switch for connecting and breaking a circuit including a connecting and breaking mechanism for connecting and breaking the circuit provided with at least a set of movable contacts and stationary contacts; a electromagnetism drive mechanism for controlling the contacts to be actuated so as to realize closed circuit; a housing for accommodating the movable contact and stationary contact; an arc-extinguishing mechanism disposed in the housing and corresponded to the movable and stationary contact; a case connected to a base for accommodating the electromagnetism drive mechanism; a bedplate associated with the case; and a holding mechanism disposed on the bedplate for holding the contacts to connect the circuit, the electromagnetic holding mechanism is electromagnetic and has a set of electromagnetic attracting mechanism in which the movable iron core is made to be a pothook or a baffle mechanism, the movable iron core is attracted so that the pothook or baffle keeps the switch closed by means of hi

Abstract: There is described a switching device whose disconnection cause can be identified, and a method for displaying the disconnection cause of a switching device. The switching device has a switch latch for mechanical activation of the switching device, a first tripper for overload protection, a second tripper for short-circuit protection, and a handle for activating the switch latch. The switching device is embodied in such a way that the handle is moved to a first position or a second position if the first tripper or second tripper is tripped, with the first position and the second position being different.

Abstract: A manual opening device is for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a synchronous circuit breaker, including a housing having an opening, a plurality of pole mechanisms each comprising separable contacts, and at least one operating mechanism including a number of actuators adapted to open and close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism is supported by the housing and includes a corresponding pole shaft. The manual opening device comprises an operating handle, a cam assembly, and a drive assembly. A first end of the operating handle protrudes through the opening of the housing and the second end is coupled to the cam assembly. The drive assembly couples the cam assembly to the corresponding pole shaft of the operating mechanism and cooperates with the corresponding pole shaft and actuators to simultaneously open the separable contacts when the operating handle is moved from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A manual trip control method and arrangement is provided to manually trip a plurality of circuit interrupters. Specifically, where the circuit interrupters include magnetic-actuator-driven vacuum interrupters including permanent magnets that hold the contacts of the circuit interrupter in the closed position via a plunger, a first of the circuit interrupters is manually tripped via movement of the plunger. To operate the remaining circuit interrupters to trip open, the voltage generated in the magnetic actuator of the first circuit interrupter is coupled to the magnetic actuators of the remaining circuit interrupters for tripping thereof.

Abstract: A breaker includes a housing (10) having two terminals (11, 12), two bars (17, 18) electrically coupled to the terminals (11, 12), an arm (30) supported in the housing (10) and movable to engage with the bars (17, 18) to electrically couple the terminals (11, 12) together. A control device (4) may control the arm (30) to engage with the bars (17, 18), and includes a lever (50) to maintain the arm (30) in engagement with the bars (17, 18). A spring (33) may bias the arm (30) away from the bars (17, 18), and another spring (53) may be engaged with the lever (50) to bias and disengage the lever (50) from the arm (30).

Abstract: A manual tripping device for a magnetic operating mechanism is provided with a connecting body which is connected with an operating rod of the magnetic operating mechanism at the time of manual operation for the switches, a spring compressing shaft one end of which is movably engaged to the connecting body to compress spring means, and a rotating shaft which is engaged to the other end of the spring compressing shaft with the spring compressing shaft being movable within the given range, and which is rotated with a handle.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes main circuit contact shoes disposed in a circuit breaker case and urged by a contact spring, a contact opening and closing mechanism located above the contact shoes and including an opening and closing lever, a toggle link, an opening and closing handle and a latch, and an overcurrent tripping device located above the contact shoes. The toggle link includes a first link extending between the opening and closing lever and a toggle shaft located above, and a second link extending between the toggle shaft and the latch to overlap the first link in the V-form, and an opening and closing spring extends between the toggle shaft and a tip of a handle lever coupled to the opening and closing handle to extend downward. As a result, a space occupied by the contact opening and closing mechanism section in the height direction can be reduced to make the circuit breaker more compact.

Abstract: In a circuit breaker, a power source current transformer (2) comprises: a secondary coil (6) arranged between two legs (1a and 1b) of a U-shaped part of a main circuit conductor (1), and an iron core (7) including an iron core leg (7a) which penetrates the secondary coil, and yokes (7b and 7b) which embrace the two legs (1a and 1b) of the U-shaped part of the main circuit conductor, the power source current transform supporting the current detecting means. As a result, the power source current transformer (2) is arranged compact inside the main circuit conductor (1), and the main circuit current, when flowing in each of the legs (1a and 1b) of the U-shaped part, produces the magnetic flux output acting on the secondary coil. Hence, even if the main circuit current is small, a great power source output can be obtained.

Abstract: A residential circuit breaker electromagnetic trip unit facilitates the assembly of the trip unit components by use of a pair of braid connectors for connection between the trip unit magnet and the circuit breaker contact arm. The trip unit bimetal is directly welded to the trip unit magnet and the braid connectors for reduction in material and labor costs. The contact arm and the magnet are shaped to present a parallel path connection between the contact arm and the magnet for close fit tolerance. The front surface of the magnet is configured to prevent magnetic adhesion between the magnet and the trip unit armature under intense short circuit overcurrent conditions.

Abstract: A safety device for mechanical switching devices such as circuit breakers which can be mounted on mounting surfaces or plugged into plug-in pin bases. The safety device ensures that the mechanical switching device is tripped both when it is being installed, and also when it is being removed.

Abstract: A latching solenoid device comprising an encasement, a portion of which is manually translatable in order to vary reluctance in a magnetic circuit which extends through the encasement, thereby providing the device with manual override capability.

Abstract: An electromagnetically activated mechanism has mechanical input and output members, at least one of which cooperates with the armature of an electromagnet which is energisable to prevent or limit movement of that member. The electromagnet and its armature are located so that when the electromagnet is de-energized the armature can be urged by the aforesaid one member towards a position in which the magnetic gap between the armature and the electromagnet is a minimum.

Abstract: An automatic canceling device for a winker which comprises a container, a winker operation lever rockably held in the container, an engaging unit extensibly or contractibly provided through a compression spring mounted in the lever, a locking cam provided in the container for holding the lever engaged with the engaging unit at neutral, right or left positions, a solenoid energized by an unlock signal, an unlocking member for rotating the lever in the unlocking direction in contact with the second cam unit provided on the lever, and an energizing member engaged with the unlocking member for energizing the locking cam toward its neutral position. Thus, the automatic canceling device can hold the compression spring at a neutral position without fluctuation even if the spring tension of the spring is small, and reduce the size and the cost of the solenoid by reducing the operating force in case of unlocking.

Abstract: A linear electromechanical actuator has a spring-loaded plunger disposed in a housing. When a solenoid in the housing is energized, the armature of the solenoid moves linearly and, after some initial "lost" motion, engages and releases the latch mechanism holding the plunger in the housing. The spring associated with the plunger is then free to extend the plunger from the housing. The actuator can be designed so that it is highly immune from unintended actuation due to acceleration of the actuator. The condition of the actuator (e.g., fully cocked or released) can be monitored by switches disposed in the actuator. The actuator can also be constructed to allow manual release as an alternative to release by energization of the solenoid.

Abstract: A circuit breaker device has a chamber in which is disposed a single break contact system using low contact resistance material mounted on movable and stationary supports arranged in a loop configuration in order to direct arcs between the contacts through an arc chute into a remote portion of the chamber. A push-button is connected through a kinematic linkage which transfers motion using minimal frictional engagement to a movable contact to bring the movable contact into and out of engagement with a stationary contact and to latch the contacts in engagement during normal operation. A cantilevered current carrying bimetal transfers motion caused by I.sup.2 R heating of the bimetal to an ambient compensating bimetal connected to the latch mechanism. The kinematic linkage includes a latch surface which engages a rollable cylindrical reaction surface of the latch mechanism to cause the movable contact to come into engagement with the stationary contact upon depression of the push-button.

Abstract: A circuit breaker characterized by a circuit breaker structure having separable contacts and a releasable mechanism which mechanism is retained in untripped position by a latch including a rotatable trip bar. A solenoid, that is operable automatically in response to overload current conditions, is located adjacent to the trip bar and has a plunger movable parallel to the axis of the trip bar. A lever is disposed between the plunger and the trip bar to translate longitudinal motion into rotational trip bar motion.

Abstract: A variable composition switching device which comprises one basic modular component incorporating at least one controllable switching device, one direct switching control modular component and/or one indirect switching control modular component. This indirect switching control component acts on the basic modular component through a potential energy accumulation tripping device.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker includes a manually resettable undervoltage trip mechanism for initiating a trip operation of the circuit breaker upon an undervoltage condition. The undervoltage trip mechanism includes a solenoid having a fixed electrical coil surrounding a pair of separable movable ferromagnetic plungers. Disposed between and captured by the two plungers is a compression spring for physically separating the two plungers upon the occurrence of an undervoltage condition. Upon such an undervoltage condition, one of the plungers is positioned to engage and rotate a trip lever for initiating a trip operation of the circuit breaker. The other plunger is secured to an elongated manually depressible reset button that extends through the molded case of the circuit breaker. After a trip operation, the reset button can be depressed to reestablish physical engagement between the first and second plungers, enabling the circuit breaker to be reset.

Abstract: A circuit breaker characterized by a pair of separable contacts, trip means operable automatically in response to overload current conditions to open the contacts which means include a rotatable trip bar biased in an untripped position, and interlock means including a manually operable button for rotating the trip bar to a tripped position when the button is pushed and for rotating a cam into tripped and untripped positions when the button is rotated.

Abstract: A current limiting circuit breaker utilizes a first pair of contacts for carrying continuous current and controlled by an operating mechanism. A second pair of contacts is arranged on a pair of movable contact arms ahead of an arc chute for rapid repulsion under high current fault conditions.

Abstract: A flux shifting circuit breaker trip device is disclosed which includes a permanent magnet for retaining a solenoid armature in opposition to a spring force. Energization of the solenoid winding produces a magnetic flux in opposition to the permanent magnet flux to extend the armature under the spring force. In order to provide ambient temperature response, the solenoid armature is formed from a stem part and a barrel part held together by a meltable material. Increase in ambient temperature above a predetermined value causes the material to melt allowing the stem part to extend under the spring force to trip the breaker.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker includes a manually resettable undervoltage trip mechanism for initiating a trip operation of the circuit breaker upon an undervoltage condition. The undervoltage trip mechanism includes a solenoid having a fixed electrical coil surrounding a pair of separable movable ferromagnetic plungers. Disposed between and captured by the two plungers is a compression spring for physically separating the two plungers upon the occurrence of an undervoltage condition. Upon such an undervoltage condition, one of the plungers is positioned to engage and rotate a trip lever for initiating a trip operation of the circuit breaker. The other plunger is secured to an elongated manually depressible reset button that extends through the molded case of the circuit breaker. After a trip operation, the reset button can be depressed to reestablish physical engagement between the first and second plungers, enabling the circuit breaker to be reset.

Abstract: A high speed electromagnetically actuated electromechanical switch is provided by a bistable electric snap blade operated by an electromagnetic actuator. A magnetically permeable yoke directs the flux paths of a pair of coaxial coils. An armature plunger shuttles axially reciprocally in the coils between first and second positions. The snap blade has a pair of cantilever arms extending towards each other to engage the armature plunger in the gap therebetween for lateral flexing actuation. Energization of a given coil provides a primary flux path around that coil through the yoke and the armature plunger, and provides a secondary flux path around both coils through the yoke and the armature plunger. The primary flux path force around either coil is always stronger than the secondary path.

Abstract: An electric receptacle for trade size outlet boxes having a ground fault circuit interrupting machanism incorporated therein. A receptacle housing includes contact jaws seated therein to receive the plug of a conductor leading to a load, electronic components to detect a ground fault and grounded neutral condition on the load side of the receptacle, plus a coil and trip mechanism to open the receptacle circuit on occurrence of a ground fault or grounded neutral condition. The complete receptacle assembly is approximately the same depth as conventional household receptacles which do not have ground fault circuit interrupting means included therein. Means to periodically test the ground fault interrupting mechanism is also included in the receptacle assembly, as well as means to indicate the circuit has been interrupted and means to reset.

Abstract: An electromagnetic contactor is fitted with an electromagnet sensitive to overcurrents, to cause the limitation and cut-off of excess currents.A movable contact bridge is controlled by a spring which holds it against the fixed contacts, and is struck by at least one component which is not connected to it, and which is positioned between it and the armature of the control electromagnet.

Abstract: Apparatus drivingly couples a rotary motor operator mechanism to a reciprocating circuit breaker operator member such as to provide a braking zone intermediate the end of an operating member charging stroke and the start of an operating member return stroke during which the deactivated motor operator mechanism is brought to a stop without disturbing the operator member in its home position. Apparatus includes a latch for latching the operator member in its home position during the braking zone and a link assembly constructed to accommodate shortening of its effective drive length while a spring absorbs the kinetic energy of the motor operator mechanism. By the conclusion of the braking zone, the operator member is unlatched from its home position, and the spring discharges to propel the operator member to its return stroke while re-establishing the full effective driving length of the link assembly, thereby rendering the operator member charging and return stroke lengths equal.

Abstract: The contacts of a conventional molded case residential circuit breaker are opened and closed in relay fashion by a remotely controllable operator module. The operator module, utilizing the compliance of the breaker operating mechanism in its ON condition, acts directly on the breaker movable contact arm to effect a separation of the movable contact from the stationary contact sufficient to switch rated current.