Abstract: A compression tool (10) crimps both cylindrical (12) and "H" type (75) connectors. The jaws (22) of the compression tool have a first part which is defined by a nib area in which there is a nib (44) on either jaw and a base nib (46) which is moved into the nib area by a yoke (36) which is in turn moved by a manually operated hydraulic section (18) of the tool. Operation of the hydraulic section causes the nibs to converge upon a connector placed therebetween to effect the crimp. Alternatively, a connector, e.g., an "H" type connector, may be placed in a second part of the jaws. The second part includes opposing "C" shaped sections which also effect a crimp in response to the hydraulic operation. Additionally, the tool is adaptable to receive dies (76 and 78) which allow customized crimping and cutting.

Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter which continues to provide ground fault protection in the event of loss of neutral includes a blocking means formed by a pair of back-to-back Zener diodes which complete an energizing path for a circuit breaker on loss of neutral. The circuit interrupter also includes a standby rectifier circuit formed by a pair of diodes which complete a full wave rectifier having line and earth inputs in the event of loss of neutral.

Abstract: A junction box apparatus for an electrical raceway system to be placed in a floor includes a base and a removable access unit. A removable tunnel insert is provided which can be inserted down through the access unit after the access unit is mounted upon the base. The tunnel insert defines a plurality of passages through the junction box. A removable extension collar is also provided which is adapted to be sandwiched between the base and the access unit for determining a nominal height of the junction box apparatus. Also, removable duct separators having spring metal clips with serrated edges are provided which are adapted to be connected to the base for separating a plurality of ducts received in the duct openings. By a combination of the removable tunnel insert, the removable extension collar, and the removable duct separators, a basic base and access unit assembly can be readily modified to be compatible with a plurality of duct combinations and arrangements and a plurality of floor thicknesses.

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 an arrangement, comprising mouldings (46 and 48) of the baseplate (10) and a clip member (108), for retaining the live busbar (24) and neutral bar (90) in position.

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 a flexible plastic cover piece (252), adapted to clip onto the baseplate (10) in order to shield unused portions of the live busbar (24) against accidental contact.

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 an adaptor (300) which may be mounted on the baseplate (10) to allow the utilization of components and accessories other than those for which the unit was specifically configured.

Abstract: A loss of neutral or ground protection circuit is disclosed which uses a simple capacitive circuit which discharges through the neutral or ground leads in normal conditions, and in the event of loss of neutral or ground charges sufficiently to trip a circuit breaker. The protection circuit may include other circuits such as ground fault detection circuits and may be in a one or three phase system. By virtue of the fact that a capacitive circuit is used to trip the circuit breaker, an inherent time delay is involved and thus the circuit breaker will not be tripped as a result of a momentary loss of neutral or ground. This is particularly important where continuity of operation of a load is important.

Abstract: A preset insert construction is provided for a raceway system designed for placement in a concrete floor. A duct has an access opening defined in a top wall thereof. The access opening has a primary perimeter and a plurality of notches extending beyond the primary perimeter. A preset insert has an extension collar defining an insert opening therethrough similar in size and shape to the access opening. A support flange extends outwardly from a lower end of the collar. A plurality of locking tabs extend downward from the collar below the support flange. Each locking tab includes an outwardly extending locking lip portion. The locking tabs are located relative to each other in a pattern corresponding to the notches of the access opening, and are located on the preset insert so that when the tabs are initially inserted into the notches, the insert opening is partially out of alignment with the access opening.

Abstract: A field installable motor operator for a circuit breaker includes a bidirectionally controllable motor that is coupled through a torque limited module to a circuit breaker operating mechanism. The motor is bidirectionally driven by a transistor switching bridge that supplies output current in reversible flow directions through one of the windings of the motor to the input of a rectifier bridge that supplies the other winding with currents that flow in the same direction. The torque limited module includes a centering and spacing ring which precisely confines the clutch elements to provide consistent torque. The motor is supplied with a current pulse of 250 milliseconds duration that is longer than the time required to fully operate the breaker. The clutch slips when breaker opeation is completed and permits the motor to overrun without damage.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having a movable upper blade with a free floating pivot end. The operating mechanism is solidly connected to the upper blade. The contact force is generated by a contact spring which exerts an upward force on the lower blade. No other resilient force acts directly upon the upper blade. As the contacts separate, the force exerted on the upper blade is virtually eliminated, reducing substantially the resistance at the pivot end of the upper blade. The load terminal and pivot end of the upper blade provide a current path parallel to that of the load side flexible connector.

Abstract: A circuit breaker consisting of a housing having a fixed contact and a movable contact mounted on a blade which in turn is pivotally supported on a blade carrier that is pivoted within the housing and a handle that cooperates with the blade carrier to pivot the carrier between positions. A trip lever is pivotally mounted in the housing and has biasing means interposed between the blade and the trip lever to pivot the blade between respective positions with latch means holding the trip lever in a position where the blade and blade carrier are biased to close the contacts. The handle and carrier have cooperating camming surfaces that magnify the forces applied to the handle for pivotal movement of the carrier.

Abstract: A field installable motor operator for a circuit breaker includes a bidirectionally controllable motor that is coupled through a torque limited module to a circuit breaker operating mechanism. The motor is bidirectionally driven by a transistor switching bridge that supplies output current in reversible flow directions through one of the windings of the motor to the input of a rectifier bridge that supplies the other winding with currents that flow in the same direction. The torque limited module includes a centering and spacing ring which precisely confines the clutch elements to provide consistent torque. The motor is supplied with a current pulse of 250 milliseconds duration that is longer than the time required to fully operate the breaker. The clutch slips when breaker operation is completed and permits the motor to overrun without damage.

Abstract: An electrical distribution load center consists of a non-conductive enclosure and a circuit breaker bus bar support panel that are interconnected by interlock members that can be snap-fitted to secure the two panels to each other. The support panel also has a latch member so that the bus bars can be mounted onto the panel in a heat-staking, insert-molded or snap-fit arrangement. The support panel also has elements for locking the circuit breakers onto the panels in conducting contact with the bus bars. The enclosure and the support panel are enclosed by a non-metallic trim panel that has a non-metallic door hinged thereto and which carries a latch for latching the door to the trim panel.

Abstract: A field installable motor operator for a circuit breaker includes a bidirectionally controllable motor that is coupled through a torque limited module to a circuit breaker operating mechanism. The motor is bidirectionally driven by a transistor switching bridge that supplies output current in reversible flow directions through one of the windings of the motor to the input of a rectifier bridge that supplies the other winding with currents that flow in the same direction. The torque limited module includes a centering and spacing ring which precisely confines the clutch elements to provide consistent torque. The motor is supplied with a current pulse of 250 milliseconds duration that is longer than the time required to fully operate the breaker. The clutch slips when breaker operation is completed and permits the motor to overrun without damage.

Abstract: A multi-pole circuit breaker apparatus includes first and second circuit breakers having first and second handles extending therefrom for switching the circuit breakers between "On" and "Off" positions. The circuit breakers are connected together with the handles extending generally parallel to each other. A handle tie connects the first and second handles for simultaneous operation. The handle tie has first and second handle openings disposed therethrough. The first and second handles extend all the way through the first and second handle openings, respectively, so that a forwardmost extension of the combined handles and handle tie is no greater than a forwardmost extension of the handles in the absence of the handle tie. The handle tie is slidably received about the handles so that it is free to float along at least a portion of a length of the handles.

Abstract: A fastening system comprises a push in-screw out fastener having a slotted head, threaded cylindrical shank with a plurality of resilient thread segments thereon and a tubular receptacle. The diameter of the receptacle is less than the diameter of the thread segments and greater than the shank diameter such that the thread segments are deformed by insertion of the fastener into the receptacle. The receptacle has an internal thread formed at its entry. The internal thread engages the resilient thread segments to impart a removal force to the fastener when its slotted head is rotated in a counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: A plug-in power supply includes a housing dimensioned to fit into a space designed to accept a circuit breaker in a load center to provide D.C. power from an A.C. main power. The housing encloses a circuit card that has components that are connected between A.C. inlet terminals and D.C. output terminals to provide a peak current for a short duration, limit the output to a D.C. voltage maximum, and interrupt the output current when the output voltage drops below a certain level.

Abstract: An add on ground fault detection system including a module readily connected to the distribution line and to the associated circuit breaker, and including circuit means for sensing a metering signal while providing a low resistance burden to summing transformers, and providing a relay tripping signal if the metering signal is above a selected level.

Abstract: A low wattage metal halide discharge lamp includes a arc tube having a temperature equalizing means telescoped thereover and an evacuated outer envelope enclosing the arc tube and convection current reducing means.