Abstract: An electrical plug retainer outlet includes a connector outlet including a switchable plug retainer assembly mounted on the connector outlet. The plug retainer assembly includes a retaining element, a switch, and a coupling unit connecting the switch and the retaining element. The outlet is configured such that by operating the switch, the retaining element is shifted between a neutral position and an engaged position. In the engaged position, the retaining element provides a form-fit connection, a frictional connection, or both, to a plug connected to the connector outlet. The retaining element interferes with an insulation of the plug.

Abstract: A protective covering device for a circuit breaker having a breaker housing and breaker handle extending from a front surface of the breaker housing and having an ON and OFF position includes: a cover adapted to be mounted to the front surface of the circuit breaker; and an opening provided in the cover adapted to allow actuation of the breaker handle when the breaker handle is in the OFF position. The cover encloses the breaker handle when mounted.

Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker having a pair of operable contacts in a main current path between a line terminal and load terminal, a trip mechanism for opening the contacts if an overcurrent condition occurs, and an electric motor to close the contacts via a contact closing mechanism. The trip mechanism includes a trigger mechanism and a contact opening mechanism, a current sensor arranged to detect current through the main current path, and a control unit. The trigger mechanism triggers the contact opening mechanism if a trip signal is produced. The control unit produces a trip signal to operate the trigger mechanism if it determines a short circuit condition occurs based on output of the current sensor; and the control unit is arranged to operate the electric motor to trigger the contact opening mechanism into opening the contacts independently of the trigger mechanism if it determines that an overload condition occurs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for executing secondary functions on an electrical switchgear device. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus which is implemented in the processing electronics of an electrical switchgear device which has a primary trip or protection function and also the capability to execute secondary functions or applications, such as over/undervoltage conditions and near fault warning levels and display. These secondary functions or applications being user configurable and are subject to processing availability and the constraints of the primary protection function.

Abstract: An insulative module body for a bus system has at least two first channels, each adapted for at least partly receiving a bus bar. Each first channel extends through the body along one side thereof, and is open to the outside at one side and at both longitudinal ends thereof The body has at least two second channels, each adapted for receiving a power connection element for cooperating with a complementary circuit breaker contacting element. Each second channel extends generally transverse to the first channels and is open at one longitudinal end thereof The first and second channels respectively extend through the body in a first plane and a second plane generally parallel to the first plane and offset therefrom. The first and second channels cross each other in respective parallel, offset planes. The body includes at least one opening for each second channel to connect with one first channel.

Abstract: A protective covering device for a circuit breaker having a breaker housing and breaker handle extending from a front surface of the breaker housing and having an ON and OFF position includes: a cover adapted to be mounted to the front surface of the circuit breaker; and an opening provided in the cover adapted to allow actuation of the breaker handle when the breaker handle is in the OFF position. The cover encloses the breaker handle when mounted.

Abstract: This invention relates to a residual current device which is able to safely and reliably operate when a line voltage is present (voltage dependent mode) and when the line voltage is not present or falls below a predetermined threshold level (voltage independent mode). The present invention is implemented as a residual current device having a trip mechanism for isolating an electric supply to an electrical installation upon detection of a predetermined current imbalance between the line and neutral conductors of said electric supply. The present invention comprises a current transformer having a secondary winding responsive to any current imbalance on said electrical installation, and a circuit protection winding being connectable to a processing means.

Abstract: A remote-control resetting device for an electrical safety device having a trip mechanism with a handle is provided. The resetting device includes: a housing; a solenoid having a movable core, the movable core being attached to an operating member for operating the handle of the electrical safety device; and a printed circuit board having a solenoid control circuit mounted thereon, the solenoid control circuit being electrically connected to the solenoid for controlling the movement of the core. The printed circuit board and the solenoid are arranged axially in the housing with the operating, member located at one end of the solenoid and the printed circuit board located at an opposite end of the solenoid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus of detecting and compensating for DC residual fault currents on electrical systems. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus which is capable of accurately detecting one or more parameters of the fault current waveform and generating a compensation factor which compensates for specific pulsed DC fault components present. In this way, trip sensitivity is optimized for all types of fault current waveforms. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention operates by detecting one or more parameters of the encoded fault current waveform and generating a measure of symmetry comparing the mean squared values of negative and positive sections of said encoded fault current waveform. In use, various bands of the ratio of the mean squared sum of the positive and negative sections of said encoded fault current waveform are obtained, and a compensation factor is determined from a look-up table stored in a processing means.

Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker having a pair of operable contacts in a main current path between a line terminal and load terminal, a trip mechanism for opening the contacts if an overcurrent condition occurs, and an electric motor to close the contacts via a contact closing mechanism. The trip mechanism includes a trigger mechanism and a contact opening mechanism, a current sensor arranged to detect current through the main current path, and a control unit. The trigger mechanism triggers the contact opening mechanism if a trip signal is produced. The control unit produces a trip signal to operate the trigger mechanism if it determines a short circuit condition occurs based on output of the current sensor; and the control unit is arranged to operate the electric motor to trigger the contact opening mechanism into opening the contacts independently of the trigger mechanism if it determines that an overload condition occurs.