Abstract: An improved communication system is disclosed wherein at least one reprogramming station is added to a communication system. The reprogramming station is constructed and arranged to communicate with the subscriber units thereby either reprogramming or regrouping them. The subscribing units receive the reprogramming command and acknowledge individually, altering a memory means until either reprogrammed back to the original state, or to another state. In another mode, the reprogramming station transmits a regrouping command wherein two or more groups are combined to form a super group.

Abstract: A receptacle is provided which snaps into and seals an opening in a circuit breaker case. A pair of opposed, resilient tabs hold the receptacle within the opening, and substantially prevent withdrawal of the receptacle from the opening. A pair of resilient legs form a flexible U-shaped notch which is adapted to receive and hold a male member attached to a circuit breaker access cover. Therefore screws are not needed for securing the circuit breaker access cover to the circuit breaker case, and the cover is easily removed and replaced any number of times without the use of special tools.

Abstract: An accessory module (104) for use with a circuit breaker (10) is configured for mounting to the breaker, and has a rotor (142) which follows the movement of the circuit breaker blade (24) in the breaker by means of a coupling member (118) passing through a passage (110) in the circuit breaker wall. A portion of the rotor is configured as a cam (162) operating a switch (152) in the module, the switch thus giving a reliable indication of the position of the breaker blade. The breaker is preferably of the type which has a trip lever (50) carried on the breaker blade and mounted for slight movement thereon, and the rotor is preferably coupled to the trip lever. A solenoid (148) within the accessory module is disposed to rotate the rotor when energized, this rotation being coupled to trip the breaker to provide for remote tripping. Since the trip lever is carried with the breaker blade, the blade position is monitored by the switch.

Abstract: A circuit breaker auxiliary device is housed in its own separate enclosed container and is accessible by a drive pin through an opening in the container mounting surface. A drive pin is inserted into an opening in a circuit breaker housing mounting surface. The container is snap-fitted flushly to a side of the circuit breaker housing. The internal trip mechanism of the circuit breaker and the operative mechanism of the auxiliary device communicate via the drive pin cooperatively linked to each mechanism and operating through the aligned openings in the container and the circuit breaker housing.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system uses a microprocessor for calculating at least one function of a measured current flow.

Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter is described which provides protection in the event of loss of neutral or ground, excess potential between neutral and ground and reversed input connections. Separate, independent tripping circuits are used for these latter faults and for ground faults, thus eliminating problems due to interfering signals and reducing reliance on any one component or group of components. An opto-emitter and opto-detector arrangement is used for detecting and causing tripping of a circuit breaker in the event of faults other than ground faults.

Abstract: An improved power supply is provided for circuit breaker applications and draws power from the power lines which the associated circuit breaker protects. The alternating current on the power lines is sensed by a current transformer and rectified by a full-wave rectifier. The full-wave rectified signal is alternately switched between a low impedance path, which does not provide power to the power supply, and a charging path, which does provide power to the power supply. During the major portion of the a.c. cycle, the full-wave rectified signal follows the low impedance path without loading the current transformer or distoring the current signal. However, near the zero crossings of the a.c. current signal, the low impedance path is opened so that the full-wave rectified signal charges a charging circuit. The charging circuit feeds a voltage regulator to provide output power from the power supply.

Abstract: A circuit breaker line terminal includes a uniform width, flat, sheet metal body having end portions for coupling to a line conductor and an arc runner, respectively. An integral tongue has an end forming a return loop spaced from the body and includes a lanced out portion that carries a contact. The contact may be supported through the opening formed by lancing the body.

Abstract: An assembly frame having first and second frame plates secures the movable parts of a breaker assembly together for ready assembly of the breaker assembly in a housing. A pivot pin supports the trip lever between the frame plates. The movable contact carrying blade has an elongated hole through which the pivot pin passes, the elongated hole forming a floating point for the pivot pin.

Abstract: A three-condition constantly illuminated status indicator is provided in a circuit breaker to provide three luminesce displays indicating that the breaker is in the on, off or tripped condition. Associated electrical circuitry employs diode-steered capacitive charging elements for selective, common or simultaneous energization of a three-color light emitting diode display without acting as a bypass around the circuit breaker, thus eliminating shock hazard. Selective energization of the light emitting elements is achieved by auxiliary switching means operable to a plurality of switching conditions according to switching conditions of the circuit breaker. The capacitors serve as an impedance to current for the light emitting diodes, eliminating the need for ballasting resistors, resulting in a cooler operating, lower power consumption unit.

Abstract: A common power supply (20) is often used to provide power for actuating a plurality of circuit breakers (18a-18z) in response to actuation signals from remote control lines (16a-16z). But a large and expensive power supply (20) must be used to deliver enough power to actuate several circuit breakers simultaneously. Moreover, if the circuit breakers (18a-18z) are connected to large electrical loads (21a-21z) and are actuated simultaneously, then the line voltage (V1) will sag substantially. To solve these problems, a time-sharing device (14) enables respective ones of the circuit breakers to respond to their actuation signals only at different times. Preferably, the time-sharing device (14) polls each of the remote control lines (16a-16z) and delivers an actuation signal from each polled remote control line to a preselected number of circuit breakers (21a-21z) which are associated with the polled remote control line.

Abstract: A fastenerless electromagnetic trip assembly employs minimal parts for effecting the release of a set of circuit breaker contacts. The parts include an armature, an armature bias spring, a yoke and a trip bar, all of which may be retractably supported in associated compartments within the circuit breaker housing. The yoke provides an electromagnetic field in response to electric current flowing in the circuit breaker. A spring biases the armature until the electromagnetic field reaches a predetermined strength, at which point the bias is overcome, and the armature strikes the trip bar and is drawn toward the yoke, thereby causing the trip member to actuate the release of the circuit breaker contacts.

Abstract: A low wattage metal halide discharge lamp includes an evacuated envelope wherein is disposed a heat loss reducing member having an arc tube therein and means for interrupting the circuit for the current flow which sustains the electrolytic sodium loss process. In one embodiment, the circuit interruption means includes supporting the arc tube and dome sleeve by a supporting rod that is affixed by a metal strap to the glass stem within the lamp. The primary circuit interrupting effect occurring upon the heat loss reducing member being supported about the arc tube in an electrically insulated manner so as to create a high path of resistance back to the power supply. A substantial reduction of sodium loss along with improved color constancy and voltage stability resulted from interruption of the electrolysis circuit.

Abstract: An automation and energy management system includes an automation panel box which may be positioned adjacent to a circuit breaker panel box. The automation panel box includes one or more circuit breaker control modules, one or more device control modules and a power module for providing power to the control modules. The circuit breaker control module provides signals to operate motorized circuit breakers, so as to turn on or off the power to a device being managed and the device control module provides signals to control individual appliances. Each of the two control modules is capable of controlling up to eight different circuit breakers or eight different individual devices and each includes a manual override button for each breaker or device controlled, which override button can be manually pressed by a person desiring to override the automation and energy management control.

Abstract: An electrical consumer unit comprises a moulded plastics baseplate (10) and a cover member (280), the baseplate (10) being adapted to mount a live busbar (24) and a neutral bar (90) to which a main, power-supply switch (196) and a plurality of circuit-breakers (212), for protecting a number of outgoing sub-circuits may be mounted. The unit is particularly intended for use with plug-in type switches and circuit breakers whereby a clip for mounting the switch also establishes electrical connection with the live busbar (24) and neutral bar (90). The present invention concerns the format of the moulded enclosure comprising the baseplate (10) and cover (280), and the manner in which these are adapted to receive the necessary components and to facilitate installation of the unit.

Abstract: A monument fitting for use with an electrical raceway system to be placed in a floor provides for alternative selection of top or side access. The monument fitting provides openings permitting either top or side access, and an electrical outlet placed in the openings can be relocated after the monument fitting has been placed in service.

Abstract: An undervoltage tripping unit for a power line circuit breaker features a holding solenoid and a boostig solenoid having their associated plungers coupled to move together so as to be retracted against the force of plunger biasing springs when both solenoids are energized. Release of the plungers from the retracted position is used to trip the associated power line circuit breaker when the line voltage falls below a tripping voltage level. The holding solenoid is continuously coupled to the circuit breaker power input terminals. The booster solenoid is energized through a plunger-actuated switch so as to be de-energized when the plungers are fully retracted or in a position proximate thereto.

Abstract: A motor and manual actuated switch includes a motor control circuit for controlling the motor to rotate in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to actuate a mechanical switch between the open circuit and short circuit states. The control circuit includes a capacitor coupled in series with the motor winding to form a series circuit and a control switch for connecting a source of d.c. power across said serial circuit when in a first position and a short circuit across said series circuit when in a second position. When the control switch is moved to the first position, the capacitor charges, causing a current to flow through the motor winding during the charge time, thereby causing rotation in one direction. When the control switch is moved to the second position, the capacitor discharges through the winding, thereby causing opposite current flow and shaft rotation.

Abstract: A push to install, quarter turn to release fastening system includes a fastener having a plurality of radially extending frustum-shaped projections spaced along a shank and a pair of diametrically opposed ribs extending along the shank forming smooth surfaces outside the periphery of the frustum-shaped projections. The receptacle includes a split cylinder forming a pair of spring latches that are displaced to permit entry and captivation of the fastener. When the fastener is turned 90.degree., the ribs displace the spring latches to positions out of engagement with the frustum-shaped projections to enable removal of the fastener from the receptacle.