Abstract: The present invention provides a support base and neutral base for an interior assembly in an electrical distribution device and a method of assembling the same. The interior assembly having at least one bus bar and neutral bar connecting the electrical distribution device to a circuit having at least one phase. The neutral bar and bus bar having a bottom wall and side walls. The support base includes a generally planar body defining a mounting surface on one face of the body and means for mounting the bus bar on the mounting surface. The support base also includes means for retaining the bottom wall of the neutral bar abutting the mounting surface of the body. The retaining means is manually operated and integrally formed with the mounting surface and has a plurality of projections upstanding from the mounting surface. The projections are adapted to abut the side walls of the neutral bar so as to prevent movement in at least one direction horizontally.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter system for use with an electrical circuit includes an arcing fault detector which monitors the electrical circuit and a controller which generates a trip signal in response to the detection of arcing faults. The controller may also generate one or more communication signals corresponding to information relating to the operation of the arcing fault circuit interrupter. The system may also include one or more of the following: a communication port which communicates to a user the information relating to operation of the arc fault circuit interrupter in response to the communication signals; a memory for retaining predetermined information related to the condition and operation of the arcing fault circuit interrupter, with or without a backup memory; and a combined self-test/reset switch.

Abstract: A method for calculating a first and second gain for a controller circuit for a plant is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a reference model circuit with desired circuit characteristics, providing a reference model adaptive circuit, setting the second gain to zero, supplying a spectrally rich input signal to the reference model and to the controller circuit, determining the first gain by continuously adjusting the first gain until an output of the reference model and an output of the controller circuit are substantially equal, setting the first gain to the previously determined value, determining the second gain by continuously adjusting the second gain until an output of the reference model and an output of the controller circuit are substantially equal and setting the second gain to the previously determined value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting arcing faults in an electrical distribution system including a plurality of phase lines for connecting a power source to a respective plurality of loads and one or more current transformers electrically coupled to a selected number of the phase lines. Each of the current transformers have a secondary line extending therefrom and carry an electrical current. The arcing fault detection system comprises a sensor coupled to at least one of the secondary lines for monitoring the rate-of-change of current or voltage associated with the secondary line and producing a signal representing the rate-of-change. An arcing fault detector circuit evaluates the sensor signal for characteristics representative of arcing faults. If an arcing fault is detected, the arcing fault detector circuit triggers a line interrupter to disconnect the load from the power source in the phase line associated with the secondary line.

Abstract: A sliding barrier for an electrical enclosure for selectively providing or prohibiting access to electrical conductors behind the barrier. The barrier includes upper and lower tracks and two substantially identically configured slidable panels. The panels are provided with operators for manually sliding the panels between open and closed positions. The panels are also provided with an interference interlock that inhibits unintentional opening of the panels and gapping between the panels when closed.

Abstract: A remote metering display is used for displaying power-related information generated by a power meter linked to the display. The remote metering display comprises a display screen, a plurality of user interface buttons for navigating through menu options depicted on the display screen, and a motion sensor for activating the display screen in response to detection of a person's presence within a predetermined distance of the motion sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current limiting circuit breaker having a plurality of current responsive devices for opening a pair of contacts upon short circuit conditions. One such device is a conventional magnetic tripping mechanism. The other device utilizes an insulating object driven by a magnetic force caused by the short circuit current. Upon opening of the contacts with the use of the insulating object, let-through current flows through a secondary contact, positioned on the insulating object, to a positive temperature coefficient resistivity element which limits the current and arcing in the contacts. In an alternative embodiment, at least one steel component is added to increase the magnetic force, thereby providing a greater force on the insulating object. An insulation component is also added to further suppress any arc generated between the contacts when going from a closed state to an open state.

Abstract: A method and captive splice assembly for electrically and structurally connecting a pair of bus sections. The assembly includes a housing, which holds captive a set of splice bars. The housing has a set of captive nuts, which are engaged by a set of bolts which pass through the splice bars. During installation, the captive splice bars are held fixed in the housing by way of notches in the splice bars and protruding tangs in the housing. After installation, the splice bars are interleaved with the bars of a pair of bus sections, and the bolts compress the splice bars and sections of bus, forming an electrical and structural connection between the pair of bus sections. The housing is fabricated of either a non-magnetic metal or plastic material.

Abstract: An improved connector comprises a circuit breaker terminal having a cold formed, countersink aperture on a top surface of the breaker terminal and an extruded raised ring on the bottom surface of the breaker terminal. The wire connector is a square-shaped element having a plurality of openings for receipt of at least one wire, the circuit breaker terminal and the wire connector shoe. In assembly of the three piece connector, the circuit breaker terminal is inserted into an opening in the wire connector. The wire connector shoe is then inserted into at least one opening in the wire connector and surrounds a portion of the circuit breaker terminal within the wire connector. The wire connector shoe has a protrusion, which is cold formed by displacing shoe material into the countersink aperture on the top surface of the circuit breaker terminal.

Abstract: An earth protection device having an input for receiving a first signal representative of an earth fault current, a first signal processing module, and a module for processing protection functions connected to the first signal processing module. The device includes a second signal processing module connected between the input and the first signal processing module for processing the first signal representative of the earth fault current and for supplying to the first signal processing module a second signal representative of the earth fault current. In order to increase the value of the second signal over an RMS value when the fault current comprises pulses of short duration, the second signal has, at decreasing second signal values, a gradient lower than a preset gradient limiting value.

Abstract: A method for protecting a printed wiring board (PWB) and the electrical components mounted on the PWB from high temperature, fire, plasma and debris resulting from a catastrophic failure of an at-risk electronic component located on the PWB or in close proximity to the PWB. This protection is provided by a layer of inorganic refractory material applied to a surface of the PWB adjacent the at-risk electrical component. The refractory material is preferably applied to the PWB surface as a pourable liquid. The refractor material must have sufficient viscosity such as to easily flow in and around electronic components located on the PWB and be self-leveling before curing, so as to produce a uniform thickness. The refractory material should also have a small shrinkage factor when cured such that no gaps are created between the PWB and the enclosure and around the electrical terminals of the at-risk components.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved arc fault detection circuit comprising a light detector for generating a light detector signal, a differentiator circuit for receiving a light detector signal and creating a differentiated light detector signal, and a comparator circuit for comparing the differentiated light detector signal and a reference signal and generating a comparator output signal for indicating when the differentiated light detector signal exceeds the reference signal.

Abstract: An adjustable height spacer for providing rigid support and insulation between the bus bars of an electrical panel. The spacer is adjustable in height to provide various distances between the bus bars. The spacer includes a pair of body members that are axially aligned. A repeating series of teeth of various heights is defined around the margin of each body member at one end. The teeth are configured such that when the toothed ends of two body members having identical tooth patterns are mated, the teeth operatively engage each other to provide a secure coupling when the body member is placed under a compressive force. The height of the body member is varied by rotating one body member with respect to the cooperating body member such that a selected set of teeth within the series is engaged.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a sliding mechanism in which the potential for erosion of bearing surfaces is significantly reduced. The bearing assembly includes a cylindrical bearing that engages the bearing surface of a slide as it slidably moves with respect to the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly is configured such that rotation of the cylindrical bearing is in no way restricted and at no time is an edge or end of the cylindrical bearing engaged with the bearing surface of the slide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current limiting circuit breaker having a current responsive device for opening a pair of contacts or switch upon short circuit conditions. The current responsive device utilizes an insulating object driven by a magnetic force caused by a short circuit current. Upon opening of the contacts with the use of the insulating object, let-through current flows through a secondary contact, positioned on the insulating object, to a positive temperature coefficient resistivity element which limits the current and arcing in the contacts. The PTC elements could be pure metallic materials such as pure tungsten, pure iron, etc. Conductive polymer and ceramic PTC materials could also be used for some specific applications. The present invention also provides a method of electrically connecting a drive plate and a line terminal on the current limiting circuit breaker.

Abstract: A system for producing a simulated ground fault when arcing is present in an electrical circuit includes a sensor which monitors the electrical circuit. An arcing fault detection circuit determines whether an arcing fault is present in response to the sensor and produces a trip signal in response to a determination that an arcing fault is present in the electrical circuit. A ground fault simulator circuit produces a simulated ground fault in response to the trip signal.

Abstract: A wiring adapter for connecting a remotely operable switching device to a control device. The wiring adapter comprises a first set of terminals, a second set of terminals, conversion circuitry, and a mounting element. The first set of terminals is coupled to control wires extending from the switching device. The second set of terminals is coupled to the control device. The conversion circuitry converts a bi-directional current flowing from the control device in a single current path into two separate current paths that share a common conductor. The conversion circuitry extends between the first and second sets of terminals. The mounting element is used to mount the adapter to the control device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cooling system for a transformer. Cooling panels of a radiator are fluidly connected to the transformer. Plates are positioned adjacent to or toward the ends of the cooling panels to form an enclosed flow path thereby increasing the velocity of air therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides an armature assembly for adjusting the magnetic calibration of a tripping mechanism in a circuit breaker includes a bracket having a channel defined by a pair of legs and a bight with opposing sides. A first tab and a second tab are fixedly connected to opposing sides of the bight. The first and second tabs are positioned parallel to one another and perpendicular to the opposing sides of the bight. The first and second tabs have a respective first and second hole that are threaded. A first pin rotatably connects to the tripping mechanism within the interior of the circuit breaker. The first pin is affixed across the legs of the channel. An adjustment screw has an elongated body with a top portion on one end and at the opposing end a bottom portion. The adjustment screw has a plurality of screw threads defining an exterior side wall of the elongated body along the bottom portion. The plurality of screw threads configured to releasably engage the threaded fastener component.

Abstract: An electrical enclosure having continuous front accessible dedicated wiring compartments. The dedicated wiring compartments provide the installer with easily accessible front wiring compartments. Each dedicated wiring compartment contains wiring for a specific function. The dedicated wiring compartments are configured to provide a continuous front accessible wiring compartment for multiple enclosures installed immediately adjacent one another. Horizontal frame members of the electrical enclosure provide a significant part of each dedicated wiring compartment.