Abstract: A surge clamp for use on sectionalized electrical busway distribution system housings. The surge clamp is cut to length from an extruded rawstock. The extruded rawstock is provided with at least one generally flat longitudinal surface for engaging a generally flat surface of the busway housing duct top and duct bottom. The extruded rawstock also defines a passage extending along its longitudinal axis. The passage receives a fastening device such a screw at each end for attaching the surge clamp to the busway housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spring for a tripping mechanism in a circuit breaker for connection to a circuit. The tripping mechanism has a first component which is accelerated along a predetermined path of travel to a trip release velocity upon occurrence of a trip event in the circuit and a second component which is initially stationary prior to engaging the first component. The spring includes a body for decreasing the trip release velocity of the first component prior to engaging the second component. A tripbar for a tripping mechanism in a circuit breaker for connection to a circuit is also provided. The tripping mechanism has an armature which is accelerated along a predetermined path of travel to a trip release velocity upon occurrence of a trip event in the circuit while the tripbar is initially stationary prior to engaging the first component. The tripping mechanism further includes a spring having at least two ends.

Abstract: A switch mechanism module for a switch including a first housing member, a second housing member, and an operating mechanism between the first and second housing members. The first housing member has first and second integral stops depending therefrom, and the second housing member has first and second integral legs depending therefrom. The operating mechanism rotates upon rotation of the handle of the switch causing rotation of the rotor of the switch. Movement of the operating mechanism ceases upon engagement of the operator cam with the stop of the first housing member. The integral legs of the second housing member provide reinforcement for the stops to prevent movement of the stops in the direction of the rotating cam.

Abstract: A modular sensor array has a housing at least one current sensor in the housing responsive to a current in an electrical conductor for developing a corresponding current signal and at least one voltage signal producing circuit in the housing for developing a voltage signal corresponding to a voltage present on an electrical conductor. A connector mounted on housing is configured for engagement with a mating connector of an external measurement device. A circuit delivers the current and voltage signals to the connector. A metering module has a housing, a metering circuit in the housing for receiving and processing at least one signal corresponding to an electrical quantity, and developing an output signal. A connector mounted to the said housing is coupled to the metering circuit, and configured for engagement with a mating connector at least one of a sensor array module and a mounting and connection base.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for communication with at least one device which resides on a standard communications network using a standard communications protocol. The apparatus has a scanner for scanning the device, a device scan table for storing data relating to the device, and a standard communications interface for interfacing between the device scanner and the standard communications network using the standard communication protocol. The present invention is also directed to a device scanner for a first device located on a first node of a standard communications network. The device scanner is provided for scanning devices on the standard communications network, and for identifying a second device on a second node of the standard communications network.

Abstract: A snap-in hinge for an enclosure having provisions to prevent binding of the attached cover. The hinge includes at least two legs extending from the ends of a curved portion of the hinge and a blocking means integral with the corresponding hinge slot located in the enclosure. The legs, extending from the ends of the hinge, provide a smooth and continuous bearing surface for the enclosure cover, thereby preventing the enclosure cover from being trapped under an extended portion of the hinge which might be used to prevent over insertion of the hinge into the hinge slot. The blocking means of the corresponding hinge slot engaging parallel edges of the curved portion on the hinge prevents the hinge from being over inserted into the slot and thereby binding on the portion of the enclosure cover captivated by the curved portion of the hinge.

Abstract: The present invention is a linkage assembly for a double throw safety switch. In one embodiment, the linkage assembly includes a frame connected to a first slider plate and a second slider plate. The first and second slider plates are moveably connected to the frame by guides in the form of slots which cooperate with slider supports on the frame. The profile of the slots define a range of movement of the slider plates. A driver arm is used to effect simultaneous movement of the slider plates either toward or away from a central portion of the driver arm. A first follower arm which controls a first single throw switch, and a second follower arm which controls a second single throw switch, are also connected to the frame by a spline coupling. The first follower arm includes a slider support which cooperates with a guide, again a slot, in the first slider plate. Similarly, the second follower arm includes a slider support which cooperates with a guide in the second slider plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power distribution system with a split section panelboard that provides two interior sections. Each section is supplied power from a separate power source. A common bus bridges the two sections. Remotely-operated circuit breakers for both the sections are connected to the common bus. A power interface unit converts power from one of the power sources to provide low voltage power for the circuit breaker motors and a control unit. The control unit in the panelboard controls the operation of the circuit breakers of both the sections.

Abstract: An interface allows for the transfer of real time control data with guaranteed delivery times between devices on a general purpose network and an industrial control system. A proxy server takes the role of a TCP/IP router and is configured to control the rate at which messages are forwarded from the non-real time to the real time portion of the network, keeping the loading of the real time portion stable regardless of the external non-real-time communication demand. Real time data is preconfigured and exchanged in a regular sequence, with the cyclic update period known. The length of any communication message necessary to transmit this information, plus any sequencing and acknowledgment overhead, is calculated in advance and aggregated. Each device with authority to transmit on the shared medium is given a time budget, calculated so that the total transmission quantity in unit time is deliberately limited to some fraction of the maximum transmission capability of the network.

Abstract: A system for detecting arcing faults in an electrical distribution network having a line conductor carrying an electrical signal between a power source and a load, the system being capable of detecting series arcs, line-to-neutral arcs and line-to-ground arcs. The system includes a sensor coupled to the line conductor for monitoring the electrical signal and generating a sensor signal representing the electrical signal. The system generates an arc-indicative signal in response to the sensor signal having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault. The system can include a testing system in which a test wire is coupled to the sensor simultaneously with the line conductor and a test signal is periodically produced on the test line. The sensor simultaneously monitors the test signal and the electrical signal and produces a sensor signal representing both the test signal and the electrical signal when the test signal is present on the test line.

Abstract: A system for testing an arcing fault detection system in an electrical distribution network having a line conductor carrying an electrical signal between a power source and a load, the arcing fault detection system including a sensor coupled to the line conductor for monitoring the electrical signal and generating a sensor signal representing the electrical signal, the arcing fault detection system generating an arc-indicative signal in response to the sensor signal having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault. The testing system couples the sensor to a test line simultaneously with the line conductor and periodically produces a test signal on the test line. The sensor simultaneously monitors the test signal and the electrical signal and produces a sensor signal representing both the test signal and the electrical signal when the test signal is present on the test line.

Abstract: A zone selective interlocking system for electronic trip circuit breakers includes a plurality of downstream terminals, each downstream terminal connecting with at least one of a plurality of downstream electronic trip circuit breakers having input terminals. A restraint input circuit module, including a voltage comparator, is connected to the input terminals of each of the downstream electronic trip circuit breakers and the input terminals are shorted together providing a self-restraint signal for each downstream electronic trip circuit breaker at the occurrence of a downstream fault condition. The system also includes a plurality of upstream terminals, each upstream terminal connecting with at least one of a plurality of upstream electronic trip circuit breakers having input terminals.

Abstract: A circuit breaker and method for interrupting the flow of electric current in a line having a load and a source including a first switch connected in series with the line and a first actuating device coupled to the first switch and adapted to be actuated by at least one activating signal, to move the first switch from the closed position to the open position. A resistor having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity is connected in series with the first switch and a voltage limiting device is connected in parallel with the resistor. A second actuating device is coupled to the first switch and is adapted to be actuated by at least one remote control activating signal, to move the first switch to the open position or to the closed position. The second actuating device further includes a coil and a second switch connected to the coil and to the line, the second switch adapted for activating the coil upon the receipt of the remote control activating signal.

Abstract: A switch assembly for a circuit having an insulating base, a blade, a blade hinge member that allows for rotation of the blade about a pivot position, a first contact member, identical in construction to the blade hinge member, having opposing sidewalls that electrically engage and disengage the blade in response to pivoting movement of the blade, a rotor member for engaging and rotating the blade, and a second contact member, identical in construction to blade hinge member and the first contact member, for retaining a fuse is provided. The opposing sidewalls of the either the blade hinge member or the first and second contact members, being identical in construction, are adapted to either pivotally support the blade, engage and disengage the blade, or secure the fusible member thereto, depending on their position on the insulating base. Identical spring members are connected to the blade hinge member and contact members for retention force.

Abstract: An indexing ring providing automatic continuity between metallic parts of an operator interface device and a support panel in which the operator interface device is mounted. Continuity between the operator interface device and support panel is automatically provided by a continuity rib integrally formed from the indexing feature of an indexing ring. The indexing ring is installed between the operator interface device and the support panel to ensure the relative position of the operator interface device with the support panel. As the indexing feature of the indexing ring is slidably received within the indexing features of the support panel and operator interface device a generally sharp distal edge of the continuity rib will cut through any corrosion protection, such as paint, which might be covering the support panel. Thus, a metal-to-metal connection providing electrical continuity is automatically established and maintained between the operator interface device, indexing ring and the support panel.

Abstract: A control system includes an Internet web interface to a network of at least one programmable logic control system running an application program for controlling output devices in response to status of input devices. The Web interface runs Web pages from an Ethernet board coupled directly to the PLC back plane and includes an HTTP protocol interpreter, a PLC back plane driver, a TCP/IP stack, and an Ethernet board kernel. The Web interface provides access to the PLC back plane by a user at a remote location through the Internet. The interface translates the industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the Internet into data recognizable to the PLC. Using this interface, the user can retrieve all pertinent data regarding the operation of the programmable logic controller system.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for welding together current carrying members of an electrical distribution device that are made of similar conductive material. The arrangement includes an electron beam gun capable of generating an electron beam sufficient to penetrate and heat the material, thereby providing mixing of the material to form a joint which is constructed substantially of a portion of each of the current carrying members.

Abstract: A transformer including a core having first and second portions, and first and second primary winding sections. The first primary winding section includes a plurality of winding layers (L1−Ln) about the first portion of the core, and the second primary winding section includes a plurality of winding layers (L1−Ln) about the second portion of the core. Corresponding winding layers of the first and second winding sections are separated by a distance (D1−Dn). The distance (D1−Dn) between the corresponding layers of first and second primary winding sections increases as the number of winding layers (L1−Ln) increases.

Abstract: An electrical isolation device is provided for use in an electrical distribution network having a plurality of branch circuits each defined by line and neutral conductors connected between a power source and a load, the line conductor being electrically connected to one of a plurality of line buses at an electrical distribution panelboard, the neutral conductor being electrically connected to a neutral bus at the electrical distribution panelboard. The isolation device includes a capacitance coupled between the line and neutral conductor of each of the branch circuits and is designed to provide a low impedance path for an arcing fault occurring on the line conductor of the branch circuit. The capacitance is sufficiently large to provide power factor correcting current.

Abstract: A pressure switch device and method of forming the device is disclosed. The switch has a hinge terminal having a fixed end of a blade apparatus pivotally attached thereto, a jaw terminal adapted to receive a free end of the blade apparatus at a receiving portion, the blade apparatus having two blades fastened together and a spacer between the blades. Pairs of cams at either end of the blades rotate to engage protrusions in order to create a pressure lock. The pressure is enhanced by a spring washer. A connecting link attached one of each pair of cams, a drive link attached to the blades and connecting link, and a drive shaft cooperate to open and close the switch such that the switch may be first placed in a closed position, and then locked by further rotation of the drive shaft as the cam protrusions engage. The drive shaft is spring loaded to create torsional force which must be overcome to rotate the drive shaft in either direction.