Abstract: Hot spots in power conductors are monitored by apparatus comprising a temperature probe embedded in an electrically insulative thermally conductive material in surface-to-surface contact with the power conductor, typically at a joint being monitored. The temperature probe is spaced from the power conductor by the electrically insulative thermally conductive material a distance sufficient to provide electrical isolation, while the material has sufficient thermal conductivity that the temperature probe is able to substantiate trends in temperature changes at the joint. The invention can be incorporated into existing electrically insulative supports for the power conductors.

Abstract: An assist mechanism is for a handle attachment of a circuit breaker having a housing with an operating member operable among a plurality of positions. The handle attachment includes a casing coupled to the circuit breaker housing and enclosing an actuating assembly which interconnects the circuit breaker operating member with a handle that is operable from the exterior of the casing. The assist mechanism is a wave spring having a first end coupled to the casing, and a second end having a wave bend that divides the second end into three sections having three corresponding tangential vector forces. The tangential vector forces provide a bias to the actuating assembly of the handle attachment that differs depending on the position of the circuit breaker operating member. In this manner, the assist mechanism augments energy generated by movement of the operating member and translates it into a corresponding handle attachment movement.

Abstract: A receptacle interrupts a power circuit including a glowing contact and a gas, such as hydrogen chloride, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or a combination of those gases, associated with the glowing contact. The receptacle includes a set of separable contacts for interrupting the power circuit, an operating mechanism controlling the set of separable contacts, and a trip mechanism, such as a trip coil, cooperating with the operating mechanism to open the set of separable contacts in response to a trip signal. A gas detector detects the gas and outputs a gas concentration signal based upon a level of the gas. A microprocessor outputs the trip signal responsive to the gas concentration signal whenever a predetermined concentration level of the gas is detected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motor control cam having a relief channel adjacent to the switch lever notch. The relief channel extends generally circumferentially from said switch lever notch under the second, wide diameter portion of the cam surface. In this configuration, when the switch lever is in the switch lever notch and a counter rotation of the cam occurs, the switch lever enters the relief channel and does not impact against the cam. As such, the switch lever is not damaged or moved out of adjustment by a counter rotation of the cam.

Abstract: A vacuum circuit interrupter includes a line conductor, a vacuum interrupter, a load conductor, a ground conductor and an operating mechanism. The vacuum interrupter includes a fixed conductor and a vacuum envelope containing a fixed contact and a movable contact movable between a closed circuit position in electrical connection with the fixed contact and an open circuit position spaced apart from the fixed contact. The fixed conductor is outside of the vacuum envelope and is electrically connected to the fixed contact. The load conductor is electrically connected to the movable contact. The operating mechanism is structured to: open and close the fixed and movable contacts, and move the vacuum interrupter and the fixed conductor thereof between a first position wherein the fixed conductor is electrically connected to the line conductor, and a second position wherein the fixed conductor is electrically connected to the ground conductor.

Abstract: An offset assembly for a circuit breaker includes at least one two plane member having a first plate and a second plate. The first and second plates are joined at an edge and extend generally perpendicular to each other. The second plate is structured to be coupled to the quick disconnect and the first plate is structured to be coupled to the circuit breaker terminal so that the second plate is not aligned with the centerline of the circuit breaker terminal.

Abstract: A bus assembly that is structured to be coupled to a multiple pole circuit breaker and to a plurality of horizontally aligned vertical line conductors is disclosed. The circuit breaker has a back side with a line terminal and a load terminal for each pole extending therefrom. At least two terminals are associated with different poles are vertically aligned. The bus assembly includes a first set of line buses structured to be coupled to the line terminals, and include at least one line bus having a horizontal offset, as well as a second set of load buses structured to be coupled to the load terminals and extending in a direction generally parallel to the load terminals.

Abstract: A method monitors a vacuum interrupter for leakage or loss of vacuum. The vacuum interrupter includes a line side, a load side and separable contacts electrically connected therebetween. The line side has a line side voltage and the load side has a load side voltage. The method includes determining whether the separable contacts of the vacuum interrupter are intended to be open or closed, comparing the line side voltage to the load side voltage, and determining the leakage or the loss of vacuum when the separable contacts of the vacuum interrupter are intended to be open and when the load side voltage is within a predetermined amount of the line side voltage.

Abstract: A meter socket base coupling assembly that includes a base bracket having a planar member with a plurality of openings, the base bracket openings defining a retaining device first component, and at least one elongated, non-conductive base member coupled to the base bracket, the non-conductive base member having a body with an upper side and a lower side, the base member body lower side having a plurality of pins extending therefrom, the pins structured to align with, and pass through, the base bracket openings and having a retaining device second component.

Abstract: A voltage sensing device automatically scales the source and network phase voltages of a power distribution system having one of two operating voltages for input to a network protector relay and also automatically scales a voltage for operating the trip and close circuit of the circuit breaker in the network protector. A latching tap select relay only switches the system voltages to the lower operating voltage input taps of step down transformers after a short delay if all the system voltages are in the lower operating range. A diagnostic circuit verifies proper switch position and voltages before closing output contacts to connect the scaled voltages to the relay and circuit breaker.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting a two-line electric power distribution system includes a circuit breaker pole in each line. Each pole includes a fault detector generating a fault signal in response to either an arc fault or a ground fault in the protected line, and a trip unit responsive to the fault signal. Each trip unit includes a trip coil and an SCR connected in series at a node with the trip coil connected to the neutral conductor and the SCR connected to the associated line conductor. A jumper connects the two nodes together directly without electrical isolation so that a fault signal from either detector energizes both trip coils to open both poles in response to an arc fault or a ground fault in either line, even if one of the line conductors is not energized.

Abstract: A circuit breaker contact assembly includes a line conductor having a folded back fixed contact end, a fixed contact mounted on the contact end, and a movable contact arm having an inner edge and first and second ends. A movable contact is mounted on the first end. The movable contact arm is pivotable about the second end between a closed position in which the inner edge extends adjacent the contact end with the movable contact in contact with the fixed contact to form a reverse current loop, and an open position in which the movable contact is pivoted away from the fixed contact. The contact arm includes a first inner longitudinal member extending along the inner edge and a second outer longitudinal member. The first inner longitudinal member has a higher electrical conductivity than the second outer longitudinal member, which has a higher shear strength and a lower specific density.

Abstract: A circuit breaker detects a fault, such as an arc fault or glowing contact, of a power circuit. The circuit breaker includes a first lug and a second acoustic lug adapted to be electrically connected to the power circuit. Separable contacts are electrically connected in series between the first lug and the second acoustic lug. An operating mechanism is adapted to open and close the separable contacts. An acoustic sensor is coupled to the second acoustic lug. The acoustic sensor is adapted to sense an acoustic signal from the second acoustic lug. The acoustic signal is operatively associated with the fault of the power circuit. A circuit inputs the sensed acoustic signal and is adapted to detect the fault therefrom.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism for preventing a first circuit breaker having a first actuating mechanism and a second circuit breaker having a second actuating mechanism from simultaneously being in a closed condition. The interlock mechanism includes a frame, a sliding bar slideably mounted within the frame, and one or more retaining protrusions extending outwardly from one or more inner edges of the frame. The sliding bar is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the sliding bar blocks a path of movement of the first actuating mechanism and in the second position the sliding bar blocks a path of movement of the second actuating mechanism. The one or more retaining protrusions frictionally engage the sliding bar when the sliding bar is in the first position and holds it in place, preferably with a frictional force sufficient to resist the force of gravity and/or vibrations.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for a power bus including a current and a temperature includes a housing and one or more sensors. Each of the sensors is adapted to sense one of the current or the temperature of the power bus. A radio transceiver circuit is adapted to transmit a first wireless signal and to receive a second wireless signal. A processor is adapted to input the sensed current and the sensed temperature from the sensors and to output corresponding signals to the radio transceiver circuit in order to transmit the first wireless signal. A power supply is adapted to employ voltage produced by magnetically coupling the power bus to one or more coils, in order to power the sensors, the radio transceiver circuit and the processor from flux arising from current flowing in the power bus.

Abstract: A support structure for a circuit interrupter latch member includes a first side plate having a first opening, and a second side plate having a second opening. A first hardened bushing includes a first opening and a first perimeter. The first opening of the first hardened bushing is adapted to pivotally mount a first tab of the latch member. The first perimeter is coupled to the first side plate at the first opening thereof. A second hardened bushing includes a second opening and a second perimeter. The second opening of the second hardened bushing is adapted to pivotally mount a second tab of the latch member. The second perimeter is coupled to the second side plate at the second opening thereof. The hardened material of the first and second side plates is harder than the unhardened material of the first and second side plates.

Abstract: A shorting system, which eliminates persistent arcing faults in power distribution equipment, includes a first shorting switch having separable contacts, an actuation input and a fuse electrically connected in series with those contacts. A second shorting switch includes an actuation input and separable contacts, which are electrically connected in parallel with the series combination of the fuse and the first shorting switch contacts. A detection circuit includes one or more arcing light sensors and an actuation circuit. The light sensors detect arcing fault light and the actuation circuit responsively outputs a first trigger signal to the first shorting switch actuation input to close its contacts. For a persistent arcing fault, which is not eliminated by the first shorting switch, a predetermined time after the first trigger signal, the actuation circuit responsively outputs a second trigger signal to the second shorting switch actuation input to close its contacts.

Abstract: The support for the moving contact of a circuit breaker has a piston that is driven by arc gases generated by initial separation of the contacts through magnetic repulsion to rapidly open the contacts. A pair of telescoping shield sleeves that have aligned openings through which the moving contact is extended to close with the fixed contact are oppositely driven transversely to piston movement by the arc gases to cut off the arc.

Abstract: A trip indicator is for a circuit breaker having a housing including first and second openings, separable contacts and an operating mechanism having an operating handle for opening and closing the separable contacts. The trip indicator includes a trip indicating member with a first end having a trip indicia and a second end with first and second projections. The first projection is engaged by a cradle of the operating mechanism when the separable contacts are not tripped, in order to prevent the trip indicia from being viewable at the second opening of housing. The first projection is disengaged and released when the separable contacts trip, causing the trip indicating member to move in order that the trip indicia is viewable at the second opening. A locking feature in which the second projection engages and locks operating handle, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A moisture-resistant mount is provided for mounting enclosures, such as air conditioner disconnect enclosures, to a support structure, such as a building wall or other structure. The enclosure includes a back panel having a plurality of holes. The mount, which preferably includes a single molded piece, includes a mounting portion receiving the back panel of the enclosure and forming an interface therebetween, a plurality of weatherproofing mechanisms including a shield, a flange, receptacles and protrusions to resist moisture from entering the enclosure, and an engagement portion coupling the mount to the support structure. The shield extends from the mounting portion to shield the interface, and the receptacles and protrusions engage the holes in the back panel. The support structure includes a number of layers. An integral flange on the mount engages one of the layers, and a second, finishing layer overlies the integral flange of the mount, but not the enclosure.