Abstract: A circuit interrupter has first and second contacts that are actuatable relative to each other between a closed position wherein a power source and a load are in electrical communication and an open position wherein the power source and the load are not in electrical communication. An arc extinguisher is also provided for extinguishing an arc that develops in the vicinity of the contacts. An electromagnetic coil, when energized, generates a magnetic field that permeates an area where the arc develops, the magnetic field urging the arc toward the arc extinguisher regardless of a polarity of the contacts. An auxiliary switch is operably connected to the contacts, such that upon movement of the contacts relative to each other from the closed position toward the open position, the auxiliary switch is activated so as to energize a circuit feeding power to the electromagnetic coil, thereby generating the magnetic field.

Abstract: An assembly includes a circuit board having at least two conductor traces formed thereon, each of the conductor traces having at least one hole associated therewith, a circuit breaker having at least two conductive terminals, each of the conductive terminals having a screw-receiving threaded opening, the threaded openings being aligned with the holes formed in the circuit board, and a spacing bracket comprising a floor positioned between the circuit board and the circuit breaker when the circuit breaker is attached to the circuit board, the floor having at least two terminal receiving openings passing therethrough, the openings separated from one another by a barrier and being aligned with the threaded openings of the circuit breaker and the holes of the circuit board. The spacing bracket further includes an affixation member that affixes the spacing bracket to at least one of the printed circuit board and the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A circuit breaker design allows for the circuit breaker to have an overall height (i.e., measured vertically along the circuit breaker's exposed outwardly-facing surface in the typical orientation of circuit breaker panels) that is slimmer than achievable with known typical configurations, while at the same time still providing robust power (e.g., voltage) handling and arc interruption capabilities. This is achieved, for example, by providing various components formed from polymer materials (which are generally less conductive of heat than metals), reinforced by metal members in certain areas, if needed, as well as a very particular configuration of a permanent magnet that is employed for enhanced arc quenching.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter has first and second contacts that are actuatable relative to each other between a closed position wherein a power source and a load are in electrical communication and an open position wherein the power source and the load are not in electrical communication. An arc extinguisher is also provided for extinguishing an arc that develops in the vicinity of the contacts. An electromagnetic coil, when energized, generates a magnetic field that permeates an area where the arc develops, the magnetic field urging the arc toward the arc extinguisher regardless of a polarity of the contacts. An auxiliary switch is operably connected to the contacts, such that upon movement of the contacts relative to each other from the closed position toward the open position, the auxiliary switch is activated so as to energize a circuit feeding power to the electromagnetic coil, thereby generating the magnetic field.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a first set of contacts connected in series with a second set of contacts, with both sets of contacts configured to open and close simultaneously. First and second arc extinguishers are associated with the first and second sets of contacts, respectively. A moveable permanent magnet moves as the sets of contacts simultaneously open and close, the moveable magnet generating a moveable magnetic field, a first stationary permanent magnet associated with the first arc extinguisher, the first stationary magnet generating a first stationary magnetic field, where the first stationary magnetic field and the moveable magnetic field are additive, and a second stationary permanent magnet associated with the second arc extinguisher, the second stationary magnet generating a second stationary magnetic field, where the second stationary magnetic field and the moveable magnetic field are also additive.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a first set of contacts connected in series with a second set of contacts, with both sets of contacts configured to open and close simultaneously. First and second arc extinguishers are associated with the first and second sets of contacts, respectively. A moveable permanent magnet moves as the sets of contacts simultaneously open and close, the moveable magnet generating a moveable magnetic field, a first stationary permanent magnet associated with the first arc extinguisher, the first stationary magnet generating a first stationary magnetic field, where the first stationary magnetic field and the moveable magnetic field are additive, and a second stationary permanent magnet associated with the second arc extinguisher, the second stationary magnet generating a second stationary magnetic field, where the second stationary magnetic field and the moveable magnetic field are also additive.

Abstract: A circuit breaker design allows for the circuit breaker to have an overall height (i.e., measured vertically along the circuit breaker's exposed outwardly-facing surface in the typical orientation of circuit breaker panels) that is slimmer than achievable with known typical configurations, while at the same time still providing robust power (e.g., voltage) handling and arc interruption capabilities. This is achieved, for example, by providing various components formed from polymer materials (which are generally less conductive of heat than metals), reinforced by metal members in certain areas, if needed, as well as a very particular configuration of a permanent magnet that is employed for enhanced arc quenching.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter adapted to be detachably connected to a rail system includes a housing having a notch disposed thereon adapted to receive a first leg of the rail system. An engagement member having a notch disposed therein adapted to receive a second leg of the rail system is slideably carried by the housing such that the notch in the engagement member is moveable in a first plane toward and away from the notch in the housing between an engaged position and a disengaged position. An actuation member is slideably carried by the housing and is moveable in a second plane, different than the first plane, between an actuated position and an unactuated position, movement of the actuation member in the second plane being translated into movement of the engagement member in the first plane.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter adapted to be detachably connected to a rail system includes a housing having a notch disposed thereon adapted to receive a first leg of the rail system. An engagement member having a notch disposed therein adapted to receive a second leg of the rail system is slideably carried by the housing such that the notch in the engagement member is moveable in a first plane toward and away from the notch in the housing between an engaged position and a disengaged position. An actuation member is slideably carried by the housing and is moveable in a second plane, different than the first plane, between an actuated position and an unactuated position, movement of the actuation member in the second plane being translated into movement of the engagement member in the first plane.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device includes line and load terminals and an interrupter electrically coupled therebetween, the interrupter having open and closed conditions. The device also includes a fault detector configured to detect a fault in an electrical signal in the load circuit. When such a fault is detected, the fault detector causes actuation of the interrupter to the open condition. A communication interface is adapted to receive a remote test command signal, and a processor generates, in response to receipt of the remote test command signal, a simulated fault in the load circuit, such that the fault detector attempts to cause actuation of the interrupter to the open condition. The processor determines whether or not the fault detector successfully caused actuation of the interrupter to the open condition in response to receipt of the remote test command signal, and if not, generates an alarm signal indicative of a malfunction.

Abstract: A latching relay includes first and second coils and a common plunger operatively connected therebetween such that activation of the first coil moves the plunger in a first direction and activation of the second coil moves the plunger in a second direction, opposite the first direction, the first and second directions lying in a first plane. A limit switch includes a common contact and first and second coil contacts, where a position of the common contact is alternately switched between electrical connection to either the first or second coil contact based on a position of the plunger. A slide toggle accessible by a user is operatively connected to the plunger and slideable together with the plunger such that actuation of the slide toggle by the user causes manual actuation of the plunger. The slide toggle is slideable in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

Abstract: A rocker switch assembly includes a housing having at least one bracket with a bracket stop formed therein, and a rocker actuator pivotably mounted on the housing. At least one wedge lock is pivotably mounted on the rocker actuator, the wedge lock pivotable between a locked position in which the wedge lock engages the bracket stop formed in the bracket, thereby preventing pivoting of the rocker actuator with respect to the housing in at least one direction, and a retracted position in which the wedge lock is disengaged from the bracket stop formed in the bracket so as to allow for pivoting of the rocker actuator with respect to the housing. A lock release button is also provided, actuation of which from a resting position to a release position causes the wedge lock to move to the retracted position.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device includes line and load terminals and an interrupter electrically coupled therebetween, the interrupter having open and closed conditions. The device also includes a fault detector configured to detect a fault in an electrical signal in the load circuit. When such a fault is detected, the fault detector causes actuation of the interrupter to the open condition. A communication interface is adapted to receive a remote test command signal, and a processor generates, in response to receipt of the remote test command signal, a simulated fault in the load circuit, such that the fault detector attempts to cause actuation of the interrupter to the open condition. The processor determines whether or not the fault detector successfully caused actuation of the interrupter to the open condition in response to receipt of the remote test command signal, and if not, generates an alarm signal indicative of a malfunction.

Abstract: A rocker switch assembly includes a housing having at least one bracket with a bracket stop formed therein, and a rocker actuator pivotably mounted on the housing. At least one wedge lock is pivotably mounted on the rocker actuator, the wedge lock pivotable between a locked position in which the wedge lock engages the bracket stop formed in the bracket, thereby preventing pivoting of the rocker actuator with respect to the housing in at least one direction, and a retracted position in which the wedge lock is disengaged from the bracket stop formed in the bracket so as to allow for pivoting of the rocker actuator with respect to the housing. A lock release button is also provided, actuation of which from a resting position to a release position causes the wedge lock to move to the retracted position.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes a panel defining an aperture therethrough and a switch subassembly having a switch housing. At least one tab extends from the housing, the tab having a first portion extending away from the housing and toward the back side of the panel to a projection, the projection spaced in a longitudinal direction from the back side of the panel and laterally outward of the aperture when the tab is in a relaxed state, and a second portion that extends from the projection in the longitudinal direction and terminates in a tab end disposed within the aperture. The tab end is accessible from the front side of the panel and the tab is sufficiently flexible such that flexing the tab end inwardly from the front side causes the projection to flex inwardly from the relaxed state to a point where the projection can pass through the aperture.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter electrically connects a line terminal to a load terminal in a closed condition and electrically disconnects the line terminal from the load terminal in the open condition. A controller includes a fault detector configured to detect a fault in an electrical signal in a load circuit, such that when a fault is detected on the load circuit, the fault detector causes actuation of the interrupter to the open condition. The controller is adapted to receive an off command, and in response to the off command, generate a simulated fault in the load circuit, such that the fault detector causes actuation of the interrupter to the open condition, such that one and the same interrupter is employed for both fault tripping and commanded tripping.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes a panel defining an aperture therethrough and a switch subassembly having a switch housing. At least one tab extends from the housing, the tab having a first portion extending away from the housing and toward the back side of the panel to a projection, the projection spaced in a longitudinal direction from the back side of the panel and laterally outward of the aperture when the tab is in a relaxed state, and a second portion that extends from the projection in the longitudinal direction and terminates in a tab end disposed within the aperture. The tab end is accessible from the front side of the panel and the tab is sufficiently flexible such that flexing the tab end inwardly from the front side causes the projection to flex inwardly from the relaxed state to a point where the projection can pass through the aperture.

Abstract: A fault detector test device includes a test switch including a pivotable lever arm having a first end pivotably connected to rotate about an axis and a second end pivotable in an arc around the axis between an active position and an inactive position. A slide member has a first end accessible by an operator and a second end that cooperates with the second end of the lever arm, the slide member being slideable with respect to the axis of the lever arm such that the second end of the slide member slides in a plane that is substantially tangential to the arc in which the second end of the lever arm pivots. The second end of the slide member and the second end of the lever arm cooperate such that generally planar sliding motion of the slide member is translated into pivoting motion of the lever arm.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a control circuit capable of generating and transmitting a test pulse through its attached circuit and any connected load while its contacts are open, with the breaker in the OFF, or TRIPPED, state, to determine if detrimental anomalies exist, such as a short circuit. In certain configurations, the control circuit can measure and store a circuit's parameters for a properly operating load when the breaker is in the OFF state, and subsequently with the breaker in the OFF, or TRIPPED, state, compare the stored parameters to determine if an alarm condition exists and thereby initiate appropriate alerts and actions. In an alternate configuration, the breaker can be commanded to the OFF position by the load sending a signal through the power connection, with the breaker then being able to store the load's reason for shut-down and report such information to a remote location.

Abstract: A circuit breaker design allows for the circuit breaker to have an overall width (i.e., measured along the circuit breaker's exposed outwardly-facing surface of its housing) that is narrower than achievable with known typical configurations, while at the same time still providing robust arc interruption capabilities. This is achieved in large part by providing a specific orientation of a moveable contact arm assembly and/or by providing a specific configuration of a current path within the housing.