Abstract: An anti-rotational fastening system consisting of a primary bolt or screw that is fabricated with an axial passage at the center of the drive head extending through the entire length. The threaded end has a tapered counterbore that is sectioned to provide radially expandable segments. The segments expand by means of an internally threaded conical shaped lock pin that is drawn into the tapered counterbore of the primary fastener by clockwise rotation of a secondary threaded device positioned in the axial passage. As these segments expand, clearance is reduced between the external threads of the primary member and the internal threads of the tapped hole or nut of the bolted connection. Frictional resistance to rotation is increased as the clearance between the threads decrease. The friction increases to a point where the fastening system is locked and resists all but deliberate loosening of the bolted connection.

Abstract: A portable programming device is provided for communicating with and downloading tripping characteristics to a circuit breaker electronic trip unit. The programming device incorporates an umbilical cable which is attached to a connector on the trip unit, over which power is supplied to the trip unit and data is exchanged, a keypad with function keys including On/Off, Function, Breaker/Pane, Sensor and Program keys, and a LCD display which is capable of showing pertinent parameters such as circuit breaker type, sensor size, pickup and delay settings, current flowing through the circuit breaker and the trip characteristics to be downloaded to the trip unit. The portable programming device has a provision to operate from power supplied by a built in battery or from an external AC adapter. The programming device is presented with a fiber optic cable which, when coupled to a trip unit which is attached to a powered circuit breaker, can pass data to the device display.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for use with a circuit breaker operating handle to selectively keep the handle locked and prevented from moving between ON and OFF positions. The locking device includes a support frame with at least two oppositely directed mounting grips for securing the frame to the circuit breaker housing, and a locking arm movably disposed on support means extending from the support frame for movement between at least first and second engaged positions and a disengaged position. The locking arm prevents the operating handle from moving from the ON position to the OFF position when it is in the first engaged position and prevents the operating handle from moving from the OFF position to the ON position when it is in the second engaged position. A bracket on the support frame receives a locking member for securing the locking arm in either of the one engaged positions.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for welding together current carrying members of an electrical distribution device which 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: The present invention provides an enclosure for housing a circuit breaker therein which utilizes a flange system to prevent enclosure components from separating from each other when an electrical fault occurs therein. The flange system includes flanges, on enclosure walls and doors, which slide into corresponding channels and interlock therein to prevent the components from separating and hot gases from escaping the enclosure when an electrical fault occurs.

Abstract: An improved ground fault protection system is provided for protecting an electrical power distribution system having multiple sources and multiple grounds. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, an electrical power distribution circuit having a primary electrical circuit for distributing electrical power from a plurality of sources to a plurality of loads is provided with a ground fault protection circuit magnetically coupled to the primary circuit. The primary electrical circuit includes conventional main and tie buses for distributing power to the loads and switches or circuit breakers for interrupting power from flowing in the buses. The ground fault protection circuit includes current sensors, tripping functions or ground fault relays associated with each circuit breaker and a novel use of an auxiliary transformer. When a ground fault occurs, the ground fault protection circuit is capable of sensing and determining the specific bus in which a ground fault condition exists.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (1) with a terminal connector (5). The terminal connector (5) has engagement means provided by outwardly extending male spade connectors (9a-9d) arranged in two spaced-apart offset parallel rows (7, 8). The circuit breaker (1) can therefore accommodate a maximum number of connectors (9a-9d) while allowing female spade connectors to be positioned regardless of orientation.

Abstract: A molded plastic current limiting circuit breaker includes an interrupter assembly that includes an over-molded magnet, arc stack, baffle stack, and a chamber liner in which a trip unit is described.

Abstract: A cable clamp terminal for use with an electrical apparatus is provided, the cable clamp terminal including a terminal block having a threaded hole defined therein. An intermediate screw and an upper screw are disposed in the threaded hole, whereby the intermediate screw divides the threaded hole into a lower housing and an upper housing. A lower opening extending through the terminal block and communicating with the lower housing provides access for an end of a corresponding lower cable to be positioned and secured in the lower housing. An upper opening extending through the terminal block and communicating with the upper housing provides access for an end of a corresponding upper cable to be positioned and secured in the upper housing. The lower cable can be secured in the lower housing by tightening the intermediate screw without removing the upper screw from the threaded hole.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (1) mountable on a channel section rail (8) with a pair of elongate flanges (9, 10) and secured in position by a mounting clip (17) mounted in an elongate groove (18). The mounting clip (17) is movable along the groove (18) from a disengaged position to an operating rail engaging position with a release head portion (23) of the mounting clip (17) being within the outer boundary of the circuit breaker housing (2).

Abstract: A quick change adapter is provided for quickly changing a tool. The adapter includes a tubular-shaped inner member having an axial bore for receiving a shank of a tool, the inner member including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a diameter which is greater than a diameter of the second portion thereby defining a shoulder portion. The first portion includes at least one aperture extending between the outer surface and the axial bore. A ball is retained in the aperture and extends into the axial bore and beyond the outside surface of the inner member. The second portion of the inner member has an end which is adapted to be coupled to a tool chuck. A hollow tubular outer member is slidably mounted around the inner member and has a tapered inner wall therein and an end wall at one of its ends. A spring surrounds the second portion of the inner member and rests against the end wall at one end and rests against the shoulder portion at its other end.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism in a motor control unit is provided for preventing the motor control unit from being engaged with current carrying bus bars within an enclosure when a handle disposed on the motor control unit is in an ON position, the handle controls a switching device disposed in the motor control unit, the interlock mechanism interacts with the switching device and automatically engages when the control unit is connected to the current carrying bus bars whereby preventing the motor control unit from being disengaged from the current carrying bus bars once the control unit becomes engaged with the current carrying bus bars and the handle is moved to the ON position.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided having a stationary contact, a movable contact and a blade which has a first end and a second end. The movable contact is secured to the first end of the blade. The blade is rotatable about a pin between a BLOWN OPEN position and a CLOSED position, wherein the movable contact is separated from the stationary contact when the blade is in the BLOWN OPEN position and the movable contact engages the stationary contact when the blade is in the CLOSED position. The blade further has a protrusion portion extending from its second end. The circuit breaker further includes a catcher rotatably coupled to a pivot pin and having a nose portion for engagement with the blade protrusion portion.

Abstract: An interlock assembly is provided for a fusible switch which has a fuse in series with a switch and an operating mechanism for controlling the operation of the switch. The interlock assembly is mechanically coupled to the operating mechanism and includes an indicator member disposed adjacent to the fuse for indicating the status of the fuse and an actuator member mechanically coupled to the operating mechanism for actuating the operating mechanism to open the switch when the fuse is BLOWN. A toggle member is coupled to the indicator member and to the actuator member for mechanically communicating the status of the fuse to the actuator member from the indicator member wherein the toggle member is in one position when the fuse is CONDUCTIVE and the toggle member is in another position when the fuse is BLOWN.

Abstract: A molded plastic current limiting circuit breaker includes an interrupter assembly that includes an over-molded magnet, arc stack, baffle stack, and a chamber liner in which a trip unit is described.

Abstract: A blade suspension assembly for a circuit breaker comprises a pivot pin, a torsion spring, an elongated blade, and a blade carrier. The torsion spring includes a lateral middle section, a pair of end legs disposed on opposite sides of the middle section, and a lateral hole extending therethrough. The blade includes an electrical contact mounted thereto, a lower bearing surface, and a lateral circular aperture. The blade carrier includes first and second pairs of bearing surfaces. To assemble the blade suspension assembly, the torsion spring is placed over the blade with the lateral middle section abutting the lower bearing surface of the blade, with the end legs disposed on opposite sides of the blade, and with the lateral hole in the torsion spring disposed in line with the circular aperture in the blade. Next, the pivot pin is inserted through the lateral hole in the torsion spring and through the circular aperture in the blade.

Abstract: A power distribution switchboard assembly is provided which is adapted to accept plug-in outgoer mechanical base fixing/location arrangements or units having different physical size and format. The switchboard assembly includes at least two rear mounting plates each formed with interspersed different format apertures in a longitudinal direction. The two rear mounting plates are located in juxtaposed relationship and are adjustable in a lateral direction so as to be spaced apart by different specified distances and together be capable of accepting different sized plug-in outgoer arrangements.

Abstract: A remotely controllable circuit breaker device for interrupting power in a circuit path between a source and a load includes local and remote monitoring capabilities and a worm-gear mechanism for reliable control of the interruption mechanism. The device includes a first contact and a second contact cooperatively arranged in the circuit path so as to provide current from the source to the load. At least one of the contacts are movable for interrupting the power provided to the load. The worm gear mechanism includes a motor with a rotatable shaft which responds to open and closed control signals generated from a remote location, and a gear, rotatably responsive to the rotatable shaft, for controlling the movable contact so that the circuit path is interrupted and established, respectively. The worm gear mechanism controls the movable contact using a coupling arrangement, which has a first part coupled to the movable contact and a second part coupled to the gear.

Abstract: A motor control unit for use in an electrical enclosure is provided, the motor control unit includes a connector stab assembly of a molded plastic housing having a base portion, at least one jaw connector cover extending from one side of the base portion and a corresponding bar cover extending from the other side of the base portion opposite the jaw connector. The jaw connector cover includes a pair of opposing u-shaped sidewall members. A metal bar is provided having a first end extending through the base into the jaw connector cover and a second end extending through the bar cover. The second end of the metal bar is adapted for connection to a wire conductor. A pair of jaw fingers extend from the first end of the metal bar and are partially enclosed in the jaw connector cover and are adapted to secure to a vertical bus bar. A pair of spring members are secured to the first end of the metal bar and engage each one of the jaw fingers for biasing the jaw fingers toward each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a terminal and base for connecting a circuit through a fusible switch. The base has a plurality of undercut prongs upstanding therefrom and an interlock snap resiliently attached thereto. The prongs are positioned on the base to prevent movement vertically and in at least one direction horizontally. The snap is positioned on the base to prevent movement in the remaining horizontal directions. The terminal includes a generally planar body made of conductive material. The body has a plurality of edges adapted to insert into the undercut prongs. The terminal positions an opposing edge on the body opposite the plurality of edges. The opposing edge is adapted to abut one end of the interlock snap. The terminal includes a first and second means for electrically and mechanically connecting the terminal to the circuit.