Abstract: An autotrip plunger of a circuit breaker is disclosed for opening contacts of the circuit breaker to install and uninstall the circuit breaker from a current source. In an embodiment, the autotrip plunger includes a compression spring, a first body section and a second body section, the first body section including a contact surface for contacting a tripping element of the circuit breaker and the second body section including an arbor shaft for fitting in the compression spring. At the free end of the arbor shaft, the arbor shaft includes at least one radial protrusion for holding the compression spring. A circuit breaker with such an autotrip plunger is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrically isolated rotor assembly for a cassette assembly of a circuit breaker includes a rotor having a first side and an opposing second side, a first isolation cap disposed on the first side, a second isolation cap disposed on the second side. Each isolation cap preferably includes a centrally located knob with a bushing surrounding each knob, wherein the bushings are sized for securement within apertures within first and second cassette half pieces.

Abstract: An advanced circuit breaker system and method includes first and second terminals to electrically couple the advanced circuit breaker to an electrical circuit. A cam applies a first torque to a rotatable contact arm, having an arm contact electrically coupled to the first terminal, from a first position to a second position of the contact arm and a second torque to the contact arm from the second position to a third position. A bimetal blade, having a blade contact electrically coupled to the second terminal, changes shape when electrical current flowing through it exceeds a threshold for at least a predetermined amount of time. The arm contact maintains contact with the blade contact when the first torque occurs and separates from the blade contact when the second torque occurs. The blade contact changes shape to increase separation from the arm contact if electrical current exceeds at least a certain amount above the threshold.

Abstract: This invention is related to an auto tripping key switch, comprising a switch housing being formed with at least one guide groove and one slideway at an inner side thereof; a first contact plate and a second contact plate that are fastened to the switch housing, the first contact plate being provided with a first contact and the second contact being connected to a deformable bi-metallic strip provided with a second contact that opposes to and is spaced from the first contact at an appropriate distance. This invention further comprises a key that is provided with a first protrusion engaging the guide groove within the switch housing such that the key is only slidable along the guide groove, the key having an inner serrate edge; and a cylindrical insulative housing that is slidable in the switch housing and has an end being formed with a serrate edge matching the serrate edge of the key so as to subject rotation of the cylindrical insulative housing when the key is being pushed.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (10) is shown having a movable electrical contact (36) adapted to move into and out of engagement with a stationary electrical contact (38, 40). A current carrying thermostatic trip member (42) has a portion movable in response to changes in temperature with a motion transfer member (46) transferring the motion to latch/catch mechanism (20, 24, 30, 32). The catch portion (30, 32) comprises a generally U-shaped adjustment element (30) formed of thermostatic material whose legs are fixed to the base (32a) of a catch member (32) which in turn is pivotably mounted in the casing of the circuit breaker. The bight (30c) of the adjustment element is free to move in response to temperature changes relative to the catch member. Overcurrent will cause the thermostatic trip member to transfer motion to the bight of the adjustment element causing the adjustment element and catch member to pivot and release a latch to thereby open the circuit breaker.

Abstract: This invention is related to an auto tripping multi-state key switch, comprising a switch housing being formed with at least one guide groove and one slideway at an inner side thereof; a first contact strip and a second contact strip both fastened to the switch housing, the first contact strip including a first contact and the second contact strip including a second contact; a bi-metallic strip having thereon a third contact and being connected to a connection plate include thereon a fourth contact; a key being provided with at least one first protrusion thereon for engaging the guide groove within the switch housing, the key having an end that is formed with a serrated edge; a rotary housing being provided with at least one second protrusion thereon for engaging the guide groove and the slideway allowing sliding movement of the rotary housing within the switch housing, the rotary housing having a top end being formed with a serrated edge that cooperates with the serrated edge at the bottom of the key, and th

Abstract: A circuit package comprises at least one IC chip bonded directly in a hole provided in a wafer such that the surface of the chip and the surface of the wafer are in the same plane thereby accommodating TAB bonding of the chip to bonding pads provided on the wafer. The structure can include multilayer circuitry on the wafer.

Abstract: A trip bar interlock for a circuit breaker characterized by an electrically insulating housing having an apertured bottom wall. A rotatable trip bar is in the housing for releasably holding the circuit breaker in an untripped condition. An actuator is provided for releasing the trip bar when the circuit breaker is dismounted from a mounting surface. The trip bar and the actuator have engaging surfaces and the actuator has an end portion extending through the aperture. The actuator is biased toward the mounting wall.

Abstract: A multi-pole circuit breaker is provided with a trip bar subassembly including a molded bar having integrally formed bearings defining a pivot axis for the subassembly remote from the bar. The bar also includes an integrally formed projection for releasing a latch of a trip free contact operating mechanism. The subassembly also includes an extension unit of formed sheet metal and an elongated pin pivotally connecting the unit to the bar. The unit includes an elongated main section and links individually connected to overload sensing devices of each pole. The links are spaced along the length of the main section extending transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof with the latter being generally parallel to the pin.

Abstract: A compact three-pole circuit breaker is modularly constructed utilizing two identical operating mechanisms in controllably articulating three movable contact arms. The operating mechanisms are ganged together for concerted manual operation by an external handle tie and internal means intercoupling the three movable contact arms and the operating mechanisms. Trip units, one in each breaker pole, independently act on an internal common trip bar to simultaneously trip the two operating mechanisms and thereby effect concerted opening movement of the contact arms in quick break fashion under the urgence of mechanism springs and assisting helper springs.

Abstract: The following specification describes a circuit breaker trip crossbar having diverging radial surfaces receiving a tapered rail therebetween. The rail extends from the bottom edge of the conventional breaker barrier wall recess and forms a small area pivot adjacent the crossbar axis to reduce the torque required to pivot the bar and to render the torque reproducible for calibration purposes.The radial surfaces are economically formed by flat mold surfaces in opposite mold halves to avoid mold flash in the pivot area while enabling one of the mold halves to conventionally form the latch plate securing hole in the crossbar.

Abstract: A multi-pole circuit breaker is provided with a molded common trip bar means including a bar having integrally formed bearings defining a pivot axis remote from the bar, integrally formed links individually connected to the overload sensing means of each pole, and an integrally formed projection for releasing a latch of a trip free contact operating means.

Abstract: A multi-pole circuit breaker characterized by a circuit breaker structure including a releasable arm for opening a circuit through the breaker, a bimetal element for each pole which is responsive to an overload current condition to effect release of the releasable arm, a latch bracket and a trip bar coaxially mounted and having an adjustment screw to vary the position of the trip bar in relation to the bimetal to change thermal rating of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A multipole excess current switch composed of a plurality of single pole excess current switches each arranged to be placed in series in a respective circuit to be protected, each single pole switch including a U-shaped bimetallic member connected to conduct the current through such circuit and to undergo a change in shape when conducting an excess current, and a spring loaded switching arrangement arranged to open the switch in response to movement of the bimetallic member, and the switching arrangements of all of the single pole switches being mechanically connected to trigger operation of the spring loaded switching arrangements of the other single pole switches when one of the switches opens in response to an excess current through its associated circuit.