Abstract: A power circuit interrupter includes a housing having an opening, one or more vacuum interrupters including separable contacts, and an operating mechanism, supported by the housing, adapted to open and close the contacts. A linear actuator cooperates with the operating mechanism to open and close the contacts, and is responsive to a close signal to close the contacts. A pivotable trip member protrudes through the opening of the housing and cooperates with the operating mechanism and the linear actuator to open the contacts when pivoted from a first position to a second position. A close circuit includes an input inputting the close signal. A micro-switch includes an operator and a contact electrically connected in series with the input of the close circuit. The operator is engaged by the pivotable trip member to open the contact in response to partial pivoting thereof from the first position toward the second position.

Abstract: A gas segregator barrier is for quenching, segregating and controllably directing ionized gases discharged from a pair of spaced-apart circuit breakers double-branch mounted within a panelboard assembly. The spaced-apart circuit breakers include corresponding pairs of opposing poles, and a housing with exhaust vent openings for discharging ionized gases developed from an electrical fault. The gas segregator barrier includes at least substantially parallel segregator fins divided into first and second portions by a transverse dividing member. Baffles in the transverse dividing member quench the ionized gases and provide fluid communication between exhaust channels formed between the segregator fins of the first portion, and gas ducts disposed between the segregator fins of the second portion. The gas ducts include one or more lateral members structured to controllably direct the discharged ionized gases.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing and an operating mechanism having a cross bar supported by a first housing surface and moving in an arcuate path between open/tripped and closed positions, a pivotally mounted cradle including a latch, and pivotally mounted primary and secondary latches. The primary latch includes a pivot, an opening and a free end. The cradle latch rests within the opening when the contacts are not tripped open. The secondary latch includes a pivot and a surface. The latches are between a second housing surface and the cross bar in a first position. The cross bar is offset from the latches in a second position. The secondary latch surface and pivot are between the second housing surface and the primary latch pivot. The secondary latch surface engages the primary latch free end when the contacts are not tripped open and maintain the cradle latch within the opening.

Abstract: A circuit breaker trip unit includes a housing and a rotary plunger pivotally mounted within the housing. The rotary plunger has an on position and a tripped position. A portion of the rotary plunger is pivoted outside of the housing in the tripped position. A trip bar is pivotally mounted within the housing and includes a first tab latching the rotary plunger in the first position and releasing the rotary plunger from the first position. The trip bar also includes a second tab. A trip actuator includes a solenoid and a rotary trip lever engaging the second tab of the trip bar, in order to pivot the trip bar and release the rotary plunger from the on position. A spring biases the trip bar, in order that the first tab latches the rotary plunger in the on position. A pair of springs biases the rotary plunger to the tripped position.

Abstract: A renovation load center includes an enclosure, a branch circuit assembly mounted in the enclosure, and two renovation terminal blocks having a side and a plurality of first terminations electrically connected to at least some of the incoming lines and the branch conductors of a distribution system. Each renovation terminal block includes a plurality of second terminations. Each of the first terminations is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the second terminations. Each pair of one of the first terminations and the corresponding one of the second terminations is disposed on the same side of the renovation terminal block and is electrically isolated from at least one adjacent pair of another one of the first terminations and a corresponding one of the second terminations. A plurality of cables are electrically connected between the second terminations and the branch circuit assembly.

Abstract: A trip spring electrical isolation device for a circuit breaker operating mechanism assembly, where the operating mechanism assembly has an operating arm and a cradle member with a trip spring disposed therebetween. The isolation device includes a non-conductive barrier structured to be coupled to either end of the trip spring.

Abstract: A meter for power lines includes first input channels having AC signals with DC values of about zero. A second input channel has an analog output with a predetermined non-zero DC bias value. Plural biasing and scaling circuits input the AC signals and output corresponding analog outputs. Plural analog-to-digital converters input the corresponding analog outputs and output corresponding digital values. A serial output circuit serially communicates the corresponding digital values for a first set of A/D conversions before serially communicating digital values for a subsequent second set of conversions without providing any synchronization of the corresponding digital values for both the first and second sets of conversions. A serial input circuit serially receives the serially communicated digital values and saves the same in a memory. A processor averages the digital values for the channels and determines whether only the average associated with the second channel has the DC bias value.

Abstract: An improved shock resistant auxiliary switch mechanism for a circuit breaker includes a common conductor having a conduction plate that is slidably translatable between electrically conductive contact with first and second conductors. The conduction plate is biased by a spring in a direction toward contact with the first conductor. An improved shock resistant circuit breaker including the improved auxiliary switch mechanism includes a crossbar that is operatively engageable with the conduction plate to releasably retain the conduction plate in a position in contact with the second conductor. When the circuit breaker is in an ON position, the conduction plate is operatively interposed between the crossbar and the bias of the spring.

Abstract: A translator apparatus includes a first transceiver for a Modbus RTU network having a register map of values, and a second transceiver for an INCOM network of INCOM devices having a plurality of different maps of objects and INCOM commands. A processor includes first and second interfaces to the respective first and second transceivers, and a communication routine adapted to: receive a request based upon the register map through the first transceiver related to the INCOM device objects which are responsive to different INCOM commands, send an INCOM command related to one or more of the INCOM device objects through the second transceiver, receive a response based upon the command through the second transceiver related to the INCOM device objects, and send a response based upon the register map through the first transceiver related to the INCOM device objects.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a molded housing having a base and a cover forming a recess. A cylindrical steel pivot pin is disposed in the recess of the housing. Fixed and movable separable contacts are disposed within the molded housing. An operating mechanism is disposed within the molded housing for moving the separable contacts between an open position and a closed position. The operating mechanism includes a cradle having a latch portion and a generally U-shaped pivot portion which pivotally engages the cylindrical steel pivot pin. A trip mechanism cooperates with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes a portion which engages the latch portion of the cradle when the separable contacts are in the closed position.

Abstract: A hood is for preventing moisture from penetrating an outdoor electrical enclosure. The outdoor electrical enclosure includes a housing having a panel member, two sidewalls and a bottom wall extending from the panel member to define an opening. A telescoping door covers the opening when closed. The hood includes a unitary top portion with two sides and a panel tab for engaging the housing, and an integral gutter member which overlaps and extends beyond the sidewalls of the housing, in order to divert moisture from the hood to exterior portions of the sidewalls of the outdoor electrical enclosure housing. The integral gutter member has an s-shaped cross-section with an upper portion and a lower portion. When the telescoping door is closed, a door flange overlaps a gutter flange formed by the lower portion. Pin-slide hinges permit the door flange to rest flushly upon the gutter flange.

Abstract: A surge counter/detector apparatus includes current sensors communicating with power lines to sense a surge condition. A trigger circuit communicates with the current sensors and outputs a first signal in response to the sensed surge condition. The trigger circuit is reset and enabled by a second signal in order to enable subsequent output of the first signal. A processor detects the first signal from the trigger circuit and responsively increments and displays a count value at a display. The processor provides the second signal having a first state to reset the trigger circuit and a second state to enable the trigger circuit. The processor includes a timer to vary a time between (a) detecting the first signal, and (b) resetting and enabling the trigger circuit.

Abstract: An improved lockable fastener that can be employed in a circuit breaker application includes a first member and a second member that are threadably cooperable with one another and a locking member that extends between the first and second members to resist loosening of the first and second members. The second member includes a threaded shank that is threadably received in a first threaded portion of a cavity formed in the first member. The locking member includes a threaded body and a taper, with the threaded body being threadably receivable in a second threaded portion of the first member, and with the taper being at least partially receivable in a receptacle formed in the shank of the second member. The receptacle defines a seat on the shank, and the taper engages the seat to deform at least a portion of the shank into engagement with a ledge that is interposed between the first and second threaded portions of the cavity.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts and an operating mechanism having a cradle for opening and closing the separable contacts. A trip mechanism cooperates with the cradle of the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes a bimetal conductor, which is electrically connected in series with the separable contacts. The trip mechanism is responsive to a predetermined condition of current flowing in the bimetal conductor. The trip mechanism also includes a magnetic yoke coupled to the bimetal conductor, an armature pivotally mounted to the magnetic yoke, and a spring biasing the armature away from the magnetic yoke. The spring is set apart from the bimetal conductor. The spring is coupled to the armature and engages the magnetic member.

Abstract: An integrated circuit breaker levering in and hoist crank tool provides a single tool for operating both a winch for raising and lowering a circuit breaker, and a levering in assembly for moving a circuit breaker forward and rearward within its cabinet.

Abstract: A trip unit for a circuit interrupter includes a power supply, a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals. A heater conductor is electrically connected between each pair of the input and output terminals. The heater conductor is adapted to generate heat responsive to current flowing through the conductor. A diode is disposed proximate each of the conductors for heating thereby. The diodes are electrically interconnected with the power supply and are adapted to provide a forward voltage representative of the temperature of the corresponding conductor. Another diode is electrically interconnected with the power supply and is adapted to provide a forward voltage representative of ambient temperature. A thermal trip circuit generates a trip signal for the circuit interrupter responsive to the forward voltage of the diodes.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a case having an opening, separable contacts housed within the case, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a pivot and a pair of extension springs for moving the operating mechanism to close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism also includes an operating handle for operating the operating mechanism. The operating handle includes a first handle portion extending through the opening of the case and a second portion having a pair of elongated arms within the case. The extension springs extend between the elongated arms and the pivot.

Abstract: An improved circuit breaker includes an inertial time delay mechanism that permits a self-powered trip unit to become fully operational before inputting into the trip unit a signal indicating a change in the state of the circuit breaker. The time delay mechanism includes an inertia member, a first spring, and a second spring, and is activated upon the rotation of a lay shaft of an operating mechanism of the circuit breaker. The first spring extends between the inertia member and a housing of the circuit breaker and biases the inertia member from an initial position toward a terminal position. The second spring extends between the lay shaft and the inertia member and biases the inertia member toward the initial position when the circuit breaker is in an OFF condition. The combined action of the first and second springs on the inertia member provides a time delay using a relatively small inertial mass.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, a pair of separable contacts within the housing, and an operating mechanism having an operating handle for opening and closing the separable contacts. A micro-switch cooperates with the operating handle and provides a first output when the separable contacts are open and a second output when the separable contacts are closed. A first LED indicator protrudes through the housing and cooperates the first output of the micro-switch. The first LED indicator is illuminated when the separable contacts are open. A second LED indicator protrudes through the housing and cooperates with the second output of the micro-switch. The second LED indicator is illuminated when the separable contacts are closed.