Abstract: A switch assembly for a circuit having an insulating base, a blade, a blade hinge member that allows for rotation of the blade about a pivot position, a first contact member, identical in construction to the blade hinge member, having opposing sidewalls that electrically engage and disengage the blade in response to pivoting movement of the blade, a rotor member for engaging and rotating the blade, and a second contact member, identical in construction to blade hinge member and the first contact member, for retaining a fuse is provided. The opposing sidewalls of the either the blade hinge member or the first and second contact members, being identical in construction, are adapted to either pivotally support the blade, engage and disengage the blade, or secure the fusible member thereto, depending on their position on the insulating base. Identical spring members are connected to the blade hinge member and contact members for retention force.

Abstract: A circuit breaker and method for interrupting the flow of electric current in a line having a load and a source including a first switch connected in series with the line and a first actuating device coupled to the first switch and adapted to be actuated by at least one activating signal, to move the first switch from the closed position to the open position. A resistor having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity is connected in series with the first switch and a voltage limiting device is connected in parallel with the resistor. A second actuating device is coupled to the first switch and is adapted to be actuated by at least one remote control activating signal, to move the first switch to the open position or to the closed position. The second actuating device further includes a coil and a second switch connected to the coil and to the line, the second switch adapted for activating the coil upon the receipt of the remote control activating signal.

Abstract: An indexing ring providing automatic continuity between metallic parts of an operator interface device and a support panel in which the operator interface device is mounted. Continuity between the operator interface device and support panel is automatically provided by a continuity rib integrally formed from the indexing feature of an indexing ring. The indexing ring is installed between the operator interface device and the support panel to ensure the relative position of the operator interface device with the support panel. As the indexing feature of the indexing ring is slidably received within the indexing features of the support panel and operator interface device a generally sharp distal edge of the continuity rib will cut through any corrosion protection, such as paint, which might be covering the support panel. Thus, a metal-to-metal connection providing electrical continuity is automatically established and maintained between the operator interface device, indexing ring and the support panel.

Abstract: An electrical switchgear apparatus comprises a fixed frame, a circuit breaker movable in the fixed frame between a plugged-out position and a plugged-in position, a reversible plug-in and plug-out mechanism of the circuit breaker, a movable means for detecting an indexed position of the mechanism or of the circuit breaker, linked to a first electrical switch, and a movable means for detecting an indexed position (open or closed) of the main contact means of the circuit breaker linked to a second electrical switch. Each of the two switches comprises an input, a first output and a switching means able to take a first position in which it connects the input of the switch electrically to the first output of the switch, the switching means being kinematically linked to the corresponding detecting means, in such a way that the switching means is in its first position if and only if the corresponding detecting means is in its active position.

Abstract: An electrical circuit breaker pole comprises an arc extinguishing chamber with two side flanges, a rear wall, separators, a front opening, a lower arcing horn electrically connected to the stationary contact and an upper arcing horn. The rear part of the lower arcing horn is of large width. It is bordered by a periphery made of gas-generating material interposed between the edge of the rear part and the side flanges. This arrangement fosters breaking of arcs of weak intensity, in high voltage.

Abstract: The electronic trip device comprises a processing unit comprising protection means, and an initialization device of said processing unit. The initialization device comprises means for initialization after an interruption comprising at least one storage register connected to the protection means to store a value of at least one quantity of a protection function and to supply a value of said at least one quantity when initialization of the processing unit is performed. A back-up power supply circuit supplies the storage register, and means for monitoring the back-up power supply circuit delete the register values when a voltage of the back-up power supply circuit drops below a preset threshold.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for welding together current carrying members of an electrical distribution device that 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: A transformer including a core having first and second portions, and first and second primary winding sections. The first primary winding section includes a plurality of winding layers (L1−Ln) about the first portion of the core, and the second primary winding section includes a plurality of winding layers (L1−Ln) about the second portion of the core. Corresponding winding layers of the first and second winding sections are separated by a distance (D1−Dn). The distance (D1−Dn) between the corresponding layers of first and second primary winding sections increases as the number of winding layers (L1−Ln) increases.

Abstract: An electrical isolation device is provided for use in an electrical distribution network having a plurality of branch circuits each defined by line and neutral conductors connected between a power source and a load, the line conductor being electrically connected to one of a plurality of line buses at an electrical distribution panelboard, the neutral conductor being electrically connected to a neutral bus at the electrical distribution panelboard. The isolation device includes a capacitance coupled between the line and neutral conductor of each of the branch circuits and is designed to provide a low impedance path for an arcing fault occurring on the line conductor of the branch circuit. The capacitance is sufficiently large to provide power factor correcting current.

Abstract: A pressure switch device and method of forming the device is disclosed. The switch has a hinge terminal having a fixed end of a blade apparatus pivotally attached thereto, a jaw terminal adapted to receive a free end of the blade apparatus at a receiving portion, the blade apparatus having two blades fastened together and a spacer between the blades. Pairs of cams at either end of the blades rotate to engage protrusions in order to create a pressure lock. The pressure is enhanced by a spring washer. A connecting link attached one of each pair of cams, a drive link attached to the blades and connecting link, and a drive shaft cooperate to open and close the switch such that the switch may be first placed in a closed position, and then locked by further rotation of the drive shaft as the cam protrusions engage. The drive shaft is spring loaded to create torsional force which must be overcome to rotate the drive shaft in either direction.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator comprises a fixed magnetic circuit made of ferromagnetic material and a movable assembly designed to slide axially between a rest position and an active position. Two return springs bias the movable assembly to its rest position, the second spring having a greater stiffness than the first one. An excitation circuit generates a magnetic flux which is designed, in inrush mode, to move the movable assembly from its rest position to its active position and, in holding mode, is sufficient to hold the movable assembly in the active position. In a first part of the axial travel of the movable assembly from its rest position to its active position, the action of the first spring is preponderant, whereas in the remaining travel up to the active position, the action of the second spring is preponderant.

Abstract: An electrical circuit breaker pole comprises a stationary contact means, a movable contact means, and an arc extinguishing chamber comprising two side flanges, separators, a front opening situated near to the contact zone of the stationary contact means, a lower arcing horn, an upper arcing horn and a pair of lateral dielectric shields laterally limiting the front opening of the chamber. Each lateral dielectric shield is arranged in such a way as to be interposed laterally between the separators and the movable contact means in the open position. The pair of lateral dielectric shields is arranged in such a way that the width of the opening of the chamber is appreciably smaller near to the upper arcing horn than near to the lower arcing horn.

Abstract: An arc fault detector system detects arcing faults in an electrical distribution system by monitoring one or more conductors and producing an input signal representing one or more electrical signal conditions in the circuit to be monitored. This input signal is processed to develop signals representing the electrical current flow through the monitored circuit and broadband noise signal components. The system analyzes these signals to determine whether an arcing fault is present, and if so, outputs a trip signal which may be used directly or indirectly to trip a circuit breaker or other circuit interruption device.

Abstract: A sensor system is disclosed. The system comprises a sensor for sensing an input between a first, minimum sensor input value and a second, maximum sensor input value. The sensor generates a sensor output signal relative to the sensor input value. The sensor is subject to offset and gain errors. The system further includes a microprocessor having first and second output signals and a signal conditioner coupled between the sensor and the microprocessor. The signal conditioner generates a first signal conditioner signal when the sensor input value equals the minimum sensor input value and generates a maximum signal conditioner signal when the sensor input value equals the maximum sensor input value. The signal conditioner includes circuitry for minimizing the sensor offset error and circuitry for minimizing the sensor gain error.

Abstract: An electrical fault detector system detects electrical faults in an electrical distribution system by monitoring one or more conductors and producing an input signal representing one or more electrical signal conditions in the circuit to be monitored. This input signal is processed to develop a first signal representing the electrical current flow through the monitored circuit and a second signal representing signal components in a selected frequency range typical of arcing faults, and which exceed a predetermined threshold. The system also detects ground faults in the circuit being monitored.

Abstract: A circuit breaker unit having a backmold which can withstand horizontal axial forces, which cause deflection or bowing of the backmold. The circuit breaker unit comprises an enclosure, cradle and pultruded backmold. The pultruded backmold is molded with at least one horizontal rib adjacent a top end, a bottom end or an area therebetween to provide additional strength and support of the circuit breaker and field serviceable connections.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in arcing fault detection systems within circuit breakers and which is adapted for automated production by top-down assembly. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a circuit board and a two-piece sensing coil within a two piece housing with its center oriented horizontally relative to the circuit board. In other embodiments the sensing coil is one-piece and is either preassembled with a sensing bus and oriented horizontally or oriented vertically relative to the circuit board. Also included are several methods for making electrical connections to the circuit breakers.

Abstract: An expandable transformer housing having a first housing member with a hollow cavity therein, a second housing member with a hollow cavity therein, and at least one exterior insert member therebetween in a stacked formation. The exterior insert member has a first end and a second end. A portion of the first end of the exterior insert member is adapted to engage the first housing member and a portion of the second end of the insert member is adapted to engage the second housing member. An interior insert member is also provided having a first end and a second end. A portion of the first end of the interior insert member is similarly adapted to engage the first housing member and a portion of the second end of the interior insert member is adapted to engage the second housing member. The interior insert provides insulation between the current source and the second windings of the transformer.

Abstract: An installation comprises at least one electrical switchgear apparatus a movable mechanism which is interlocked with a device such as an access door by a kinematic transmission cable comprising a flexible sheath and a core designed to slide in the sheath. The ends of the sheath and of the core are respectively fixed to a fixed part of the apparatus and to the movable mechanism by fixing apparatus comprising an end-piece operating in conjunction with the corresponding part of the cable, a housing designed to receive the end-piece, and a locking device with dead point passage designed to oppose insertion of the end-piece in the housing when the force exerted on the locking device in an insertion direction remains lower than an insertion threshold and to enable insertion of the end-piece in the housing when the force exerted on the device means in an insertion direction is greater than the insertion threshold.

Abstract: An arcing fault circuit interrupter testing method includes the steps of producing a simulated line to neutral arcing fault signal comprising a relatively large di/dt signal, applying the signal to a branch circuit, and producing an observable indication of operation or lack of operation of an arcing fault circuit interrupter in the branch circuit in response to the simulated line to neutral arcing fault signal. A test apparatus carries out the method.