Abstract: A contact system of a circuit breaker includes a fixed contact. The contact system also includes a moveable contact arm assembly comprising at least one moveable contact arm having a moveable contact thereon, the moveable contact arm moveable to define a closed condition and a blow open condition. The contact system further includes a carrier assembly operatively coupled to the moveable contact arm. The contact system yet further includes a latch plate operatively coupled to the carrier assembly. The contact system also includes a trip shaft operatively coupled to the carrier assembly, the trip shaft having a non-circular region defining an engagement surface disposed in contact with the latch plate in the closed condition. The contact system further includes a biasing portion of the moveable contact arm configured to rotate the trip shaft out of engagement with the latch plate and into the blow open condition.

Abstract: A profiled arc splitter plate for a switch having a fixed contact and a movable contact is provided to increase electromagnetic attractive forces on the arc generated during contact separation. The plate (300) comprises a body (306) defining an operatively inverted substantially V-shaped recess having a center notch (302) provided at the vertex of the recess and at least one protrusion (304) defined on either side of the center notch (302) along the inclined side walls of the recess, the movable contact of the switch displaceable through the recess without contacting the inclined side walls, in a spaced apart manner from the protrusions (304) and the center notch (302). Chamfers 308 are provided at an end of the plate (300) proximal to the vertex of the recess to provide an exit for hot gases towards the vent of the arc chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments disclose a circuit breaker shock absorber apparatus configured to absorb impact due to blow-off of one or more circuit breaker contact arms. The circuit breaker shock absorber apparatus has a base directly or indirectly coupled to a circuit breaker housing and an absorber body comprising a damping material having a tangent delta at 10% strain and 10 Hz and at room temperature of greater than about 0.45, and a durometer of less than about 60 per ASTM D2240 Type A. Circuit breaker shock absorber assemblies and methods of operating the breaker shock absorber assemblies are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having a movable contact arm for opening and closing the circuit which is controlled separately by a circuit breaker mechanism for circuit protection and by a switch lever mechanism which does not require actuation of the circuit breaker mechanism to function. The switch lever may also be activated remotely by a remote actuator, for example, a solenoid. A manual reset mechanism is provided so that, actuation of which, when power has been lost to the remote actuator when the remote actuator is in the off position, moves the remote actuator to the on position, thereby resetting the circuit to the closed state.

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: The electromagnetic switch includes an excitation coil serving as an electromagnet when energized, a fixed core magnetized by the electromagnet, a movable core configured to move by being attracted by the fixed core being magnetized, a pair of fixed contacts interposed in an electrical circuit, and a movable contact configured to move in accordance with movement of the movable core to make and break electrical connection between the fixed contacts. The electromagnetic switch further includes a stopper for restraining movement of the movable core for preventing short-circuit between the fixed contacts through the movable core due to abrasion of members of the electromagnetic switch.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for protecting a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) from being faultily reset. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism has a blocking member secured onto a lateral side of the movable assembly, a resilient member, and a locking member having a first end portion positioned against the resilient member, a second end portion positioned in relation to the blocking member, and a body portion defined between the first end portion and the second end portion. When the movable assembly is in a first (tripping) position, the expanding force of the resilient member applied to the first end portion of the locking member causes the second end portion of the locking member to be positioned against the blocking member so that no movement of the movable assembly from the first position to a second (resetting) position is allowed.

Abstract: A movable contacting device in a circuit breaker comprises: a crossbar linked with the opening/closing mechanism and carried so as to pivot cooperatively with the opening/closing mechanism; a movable contact arm engaged, so as to cooperational with the crossbar, with a shaft fitted into a mutually opposing recesses in the crossbar; and a movable contact arm support fixed to the case accomodating the opening/closing mechanism and having mutually opposing through-holes through which the shaft is passed; and the movable contact being configured so that the movable contact slides between surfaces of movable contact arm support having the mutually opposing through-holes; and the construction of a single-pole portion of the movable contact arm is constituted by arranging in parallel two movable contact arm members each having a movable contact at one end, and in a shaft-supporting portion at the other end, an elastic member is sandwiched between the two movable contact arm members.

Abstract: A spring assembly is provided for a yoke assembly of an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a pole shaft. The yoke assembly is coupled to the pole shaft and is movable among first and second positions corresponding to the separable contacts being closed and open, respectively. The spring assembly includes a number of first springs having a first spring rate and being coupled to the yoke assembly, and a number of second springs having a second spring rate and being coupled to the yoke assembly. The second spring rate is different than the first spring rate. The number of first springs and the number of second springs bias the yoke assembly toward the second position.

Abstract: An actuating unit or actuating mechanism and release for a circuit breaker. The magnetic mechanism of the release includes a magnet armature, which can move linearly in a magnet coil, is in the form of a tripping plunger and can be moved towards a permanent magnet counter to the force of a storage compression spring and is held fixedly by said permanent magnet in the case of a magnet coil through which no current is flowing. The tripping unit is in the form of a mechanical force store. After a tripping action, the mechanical force store needs to be reset manually again. For this purpose, a rotary movement of the drive shaft with an angular displacement of from 20 to 30 degrees takes place in the opposite direction to the ON switching rotary movement.

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 switch contact arrangement for a power switch is provided with a device for increasing the contact force acting between switch contacts. The device includes a cavity which is made in a stationary conductive element of the switch contact arrangement in such a manner that the direction of the current in the conductive element adjacent to the stationary switch contact runs essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the conductive element and therefore essentially parallel to the direction of current in an associated displaceable conductive element. The above-mentioned arrangement is suitable for low-voltage power switches with a selective form, whereby the switch contacts thereof allow a short-circuit current to be guided without premature opening.

Abstract: A trip spring electrical isolation device for a circuit breaker operating mechanism assembly, where the operating mechanism assembly has an operating arm and a cradle member with a trip spring disposed therebetween. The isolation device includes a non-conductive barrier structured to be coupled to either end of the trip spring.

Abstract: In order to prevent a mistrip caused by a closing operation by a toggle mechanism, a trip lever 23 is not mounted on a fixed frame of a mechanism portion 8, but is mounted on a yoke 30 of a disengaging device 9 serving as a support base for this trip lever. The mechanism portion 8 and the disengaging device 9 are held on a common casing 10, and therefore an impact force, produced at the time of closing the contact between two contacts 2 and 3 by the toggle mechanism, is not completely prevented from being transmitted to the trip lever 23, while this impact force is transmitted through the casing 10, and therefore is far smaller as compared with the case where the trip lever 23 is supported on the fixed frame 13, so that such a mistrip can be prevented.

Abstract: A circuit breaker cassette comprises a housing having a fixed contact, and a movable contact on a contact arm. The contact arm is positionable in a closed position and an open position, wherein the contact arm is closed when the movable contact is in contact with said fixed contact. A spring biases the movable contact arm towards the closed position A kinetic energy-absorbing stop is positioned to absorb kinetic energy of the contact arm resulting from magnetic repulsive forces forcing the movable contact and the fixed contact apart during a short circuit condition.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided wherein the circuit breaker comprises a contact arm movable between a closed position, an open position and a blown open position wherein the contact arm is disposed in the circuit breaker. A bumper disposed to contact the contact arm when the contact arm is in the blown open position. In addition, a stop member disposed to be in contact with a linkage assembly so as to create a gap between the bumper and the contact arm when the contact arm is disposed in the open position.

Abstract: A shock-resistant solenoid assembly includes a trip solenoid and an inertia lock, the inertia lock being operable to resist unintended engagement of a core of the trip solenoid with a trip plunger of a trip unit of a circuit breaker. The core is movable along a tripping path between a retracted position and an extended position, with the core engaging the trip plunger in the extended position. The inertia lock includes an inertia member and a latch. In response to shock loading, the inertia member interposes the latch into the tripping path to engage the core and resist the core from operatively engaging the tripping plunger under inappropriate conditions. The Abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the Claims.

Abstract: A switching device has an openable contact arrangement including at least one movable contact member disposed on a movable contact arm and at least one stationary contact member. At least one movable braking body is provided for limiting the movement of the contact arm in opening the contact arrangement. The inertias of the contact arm with the movable contact member and the braking body are designed so that the contact arm is braked and the braking body is moved upon an impact of the contact arm with the braking body.

Abstract: A circuit breaker has a shock absorber to prevent nuisance tripping which results from shock generated during ON to OFF operation of the circuit breaker. The shock is primarily caused by a snap action which occurs within the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker when the handle is moved from the ON to OFF position. The snap action results from the circuit breaker employing, as part of the operating mechanism, a toggle mechanism within an over center tension spring as a means for imparting motion in the operating mechanism. By strategically positioning the shock absorber for engagement with the operating mechanism when the circuit breaker is in the OFF position, the shock may be effectively absorbed thereby preventing the undesirable nuisance tripping.

Abstract: The movable contact arms of a circuit breaker are latched in the blow open position to prevent rebound and possible restrike of the arc in response to the very high magnetic repulsion forces generated by a short circuit in the protected electrical system. Each movable contact arm is mounted on a secondary carrier coupled to a main carrier by a spring loaded cam mechanism which allows the movable contact arm to blow open before the main carrier is rotated to the open position by the spring driven circuit breaker operating mechanism. In one embodiment of the invention, the movable contact arm is latched in the blow open position by a latching detent in the cam surface of the cam mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the secondary carrier is latched by a detent formed by a leaf spring cantilevered from a fixed support. Subsequent rotation of the main carrier by the operating mechanism releases the latch by rotating the secondary carrier clear of the detent formed by the leaf spring.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having a chassis, an electrical contact structure, and a shock absorber mechanism. The contact structure includes a movable first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. The first contact has a first movement range. The shock absorbing mechanism, which absorbs energy from the movement of the first contact, includes a metallic bar pivotally mounted on the chassis, and first and second limit members fixed to the chassis. The first and second limit members define a second movement range which overlaps the first movement range. A spring weakly biases the metallic bar towards the second limit member. The first contact, during movement thereof to an open position, strikes the metallic bar. Kinetic energy is removed from the first electrical contact by the metallic bar without bounce of the electrical contact, and the metallic bar pivots against the first limit member, transferring the shock of stopping the first contact to the chassis.

Abstract: A compact molded case circuit breaker with increased ampere rating employs a latch assembly for maintaining the circuit breaker operating mechanism in a closed condition against a pair of powerful operating springs. To increase the mechanical advantage required to move the operating handle against the springs, a retractable handle extender is attached to the handle. For higher-rated circuit applications, a lug cover extension is added to the line end of the breaker to assist in extinguishing the intense arc that occurs during circuit interruption and to protect the line lugs from inter-phasal circuit faults. A visual access slot is arranged next to the circuit breaker handle to ascertain and verify the condition of the circuit breaker contacts. A rebound cushion is inserted on the interior surface of the circuit breaker cover to deter the return of the movable contact arm during contact separation under extreme overcurrent conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a circuit breaker having an open-and-close shaft; holding member coupled to the open-and-close shaft; at least one movable contactor coupled to the holding member; support member for rotatably supporting the open-and-close shaft; and stopper member coupled with the support member so as to restrict an open-and-separation position of the movable contactor, wherein the circuit breaker is disposed within a case, the stopper member are formed on side faces of between-phase partitions of the case and a portion of the holding member contacts the stopper member. Thereby, it is possible to improve an insulation function and to lessen the impact between the holding member and the stopper member.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker is provided with rubber stop assemblies disposed between the contact assemblies adjacent the outside poles and the cover portion of the housing. The rubber stop assemblies are disposed such that they prevent the contact assemblies from damaging the cover. The stop assemblies include a dual purpose U-shaped bracket having two parallel sets of arms. One set of arms is provided with aligned apertures at the free ends for receiving a pin which defines a pivot point for the crossbar assembly. The other set of arms is also provided with aligned apertures at the free end for receiving a metal pin for carrying a cylindrical shock absorber assembly. The shock absorber assembly is mounted adjacent outside poles above the contact carrier but spaced away from the inside of the cover of the circuit breaker. Thus, when the contact arm is opened, it will stop against the shock absorber and not damage the circuit breaker cover.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter comprises, in a housing, a movable contact assembly having a movable contact carrier and a contact arm supporting the movable contact carrier, and a cross bar secured to the movable contact assembly for allowing the movable contact assembly to rotate thereabout. The circuit interrupter also comprises a bearing assembly secured to the housing for rotatably supporting the cross bar, and the bearing assembly has a stop surface capable of being engaged by the movable contact assembly for determining the OFF position of the movable contact assembly.

Abstract: A multi-pole circuit interrupter having a first pole unit provided with an operating mechanism and a second pole unit provided with no operating mechanism for interrupting current flowing therethrough by separating a movable contact from a stationary contact as a result of an electromagnetic repulsive force generated upon occurrence of a large overcurrent irresepective of the automatic trip operation of an operating mechanism. Each of the pole units of the circuit interrupter comprises a contact arm assembly for supporting the movable contact including a first contact arm and a second contact arm pivotally supported by a common pivot pin. The first contact arm in the first pole unit has an elongated guide hole extending in a direction of movement of the movable contact and is directly connected to the operating mechanism. The first contact arm in the second pole unit is connected to the operating mechanism through a cross bar.

Abstract: The kinetic energy generated by the rapidly moving contact and coupled operating mechanism of a tripped circuit breaker or similar apparatus is dissipated by a compressible shock-absorbing assembly comprising a loose stack of freely-movable magnetized metal plates which is mounted in laterally-extending position on a stationary upstanding part of the breaker and is struck by a lever fastened to the main operating shaft of the breaker operating mechanism. The metal plates are freely movable toward and away from one another and are so magnetized that adjacent plates repel one another. The plates are accordingly normally spaced from each other and produce a series of sequentially-occurring impacts and collisions between the plates and the advancing striker lever when the breaker is tripped.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operated relay having a spring which compensates for misalignment of a moveable block as shown and described. The movable block reciprocates within said relay housing in response to forces exerted by the electromagnet. The block includes projections which engage openings in an leaf spring which biases the block. The spring to block engagement provides compensation for misalignment of the block, and for unequal forces applied to the block and/or spring.The compensation provided by the spring to block engagement is achieved by a loose fit between projections on the slidable block and openings in the spring. The freedom of movement provided by the slots allows the spring to bulge in a direction opposite to the force on the spring end with respect to the sliding block. By creation of this bulge between the two two projections on the sliding block, compensation is provided to the spring system.

Abstract: The gap distance separating the contacts of a low-voltage circuit breaker in the tripped position is increased by utilizing resilient stop means which is located at the bottom wall of the breaker housing rather than at the top wall (or on the handle of the breaker) in accordance with prior art practice. The movable contact arm is pivotally mounted and structured to strike the stop means as the contacts are separated and being blown open during short circuit conditions and, after the circuit breaker is tripped, the collapsed toggle assembly of the operating mechanism shifts the movable contact arm away from the stop means and allows the arm to move an additional distance away from the fixed contact and thus increase the gap distance between the opened contacts.

Abstract: An improvement to prevent alteration of the circuit breaker calibration due to high overloads. A circuit breaker has a U-shaped current path with a brazed junction at the bend of the "U". Upon the occurrence of a large overload, the opposing current in the two legs of the U-shaped path will force the two legs of the "U" apart, possibly weakening the brazed junction. When one of the legs is a closely calibrated component of a trip assembly, the breaker will no longer operate within the proper range. A stop is placed within the housing to prevent the two legs from moving apart such a distance as will cause the brazed junction to fail.

Abstract: A latching mechanism is arranged to engage one of the movable contact arms upon magnetic repulsion of the contact arms independent of the operating mechanism to prevent the contact arm from re-closing until the operating mechanism has responded. An operating lever reacts with the contact arm latching mechanism to articulate the operating mechanism to trip the breaker after the latching mechanism has fully engaged the contact arm.

Abstract: An electromagnetic contactor having an improved contact structure comprising a cantilever mounted contact leaf spring with the free end portion thereof longitudinally slotted into three tongues, the center one of which is bent at an obtuse angle to serve as an overtravel spring. The free end of the contact leaf spring is engaged with a linearly reciprocating actuator which flexes the center tongue toward the outer tongues upon engagement of a fixed contact by a movable contact carried by the contact leaf spring to damp contact bounce.

Abstract: An improved anti-rebound mechanism for circuit breakers having a blow-off, current-limiting feature is provided. The improvement consists of a ferromagnetic latch which is activated by any massive current surge through the circuit breaker sufficient to cause blow-off current interruption. The latch is caused to be magnetically attracted to, and engage with, a notch on a movable arm of a circuit breaker to maintain the arm in an open position until the circuit breaker is manually reset in a closed position.

Abstract: A multiphase circuit breaker structure characterized by stationary and movable contact means for each phase, a cross bar operatively connected to the movable contact means, a stop plate for stopping movement of the cross bar during opening of the contacts, and shock absorbing means on one of the stop plate and cross bar for absorbing energy released when the cross bar moves to the open position of the contacts.

Abstract: A single pole molded case circuit breaker having a spring powered trip free contact operating mechanism including a releasable cradle, a latch for holding the cradle in reset position, and an automatic trip means for operating the latch to release the cradle upon the occurrence of predetermined overload conditions, is provided with test means for manually tripping the latch. The test means consists of an insulating depressible button accessible from outside the circuit breaker housing and connected directly to the latch by a formed wire link which also connects the latch to a trip member operated by thermal and magnetic elements of the automatic trip means.

Abstract: A multipole circuit breaker is constructed with a single rod pivotally mounting all of the movable contact arms to a common one piece molded insulating carrier. Individual torsion springs engage each of the contact arms to provide contact pressure when the circuit breaker is closed. The construction of the contact arms and carrier are such that under severe overcurrent conditions electrodynamic blowoff forces acting on the contact arms may bring about contact separation that is substantially as great as the contact separation that takes place when the circuit breaker is opened normally by its contact operating mechanism. An individual anti-rebound pin for each pole engages the contact arm of the associated pole to prevent rebound reclosing after electrodynamic opening. A camming means on the carrier releases the anti-rebound latches to permit manual closing of the contacts.

Abstract: A single pole molded case circuit breaker having a spring powered trip free contact operating mechanism including an extendable toggle connected at one end to a releasable cradle and connected at the other end to a movable contact, a latch for holding the cradle in reset position, and an automatic trip means for operating the latch to release the cradle upon the occurrence of predetermined overload conditions, is provided with anti-rebound means which prevents the movable contact from moving toward closed circuit position except under the influence of the operating mechanism. The anti-rebound means includes a single resilient member which is positioned to block the toggle from being extended unless the cradle is in its reset position.

Abstract: An energy absorbing and contact pressure applying arrangement which minimizes bounce of a movable electrical contact upon engagement with a stationary or fixed electrical contact. In an illustrated embodiment, an armature member is attracted by an electromagnet means to draw the movable contact into engagement with the fixed contact. The movable contact engages the fixed contact before the armature has completed its travel into magnetically sealed engagement with the core of the electromagnet means. During the additional increment of travel necessary for the armature to move into magnetically sealed relation to the core of the electromagnet means, means connected to the moving armature causes compression of an energy absorbing and contact pressure applying device against the carrier arm on which the movable contact is mounted.