Abstract: A remotely controllable circuit breaker device for interrupting current in a circuit path between a source and a load includes local and remote monitoring capabilities and a gear mechanism for reliable remote 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 is disposed on a contact carrier which is movable for interrupting the current provided to the load. The 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 contact carrier so that the circuit path is interrupted and established, respectively. The gear mechanism controls the contact carrier using a coupling arrangement, which has a first part coupled to the contact carrier and a second part coupled to the gear.

Abstract: A reduced current consumption circuit for multiple optical switches 10 having associated status indicator LEDs 26. The reduced current consumption is achieved by electrically connecting the emitter IREDs 14 of each optical switch 10 in series with the status indicator LEDs 26 and a constant current source Ccs 12. Each status indicator LED 26 includes a shunting circuit 34 which removes the LED 26 from the series circuit in response to an output signal from the receiver 18 of its associated optical switch 10 without breaking the series circuit.

Abstract: A communications network has an operator interface system for monitoring and controlling controllers utilizing any known control strategy. A common database is accessible across the communication network of controllers regardless of each controllers dissimilar data structure. The operator interface provides an apparatus for displaying, storing, and editing data obtained from the network. Data from each controller can be accessed by a master device based upon the controller's individual data structure and type through embedded objects resident in the master device's operating system and program. The data can then be displayed, edited, and stored by any data entry device that is capable of executing the master's program.

Abstract: A phase control system has a stable timebase phase reference generated by an internal phase reference generator which has improved transient response in the presence of spurious noise generated by other external equipment coupled to the same voltage source. A digital phase comparator estimates a phase error between the timebase phase reference and the voltage source. The internal phase reference generator constructs the timebase using a normalized difference between the volt-time-areas between two adjacent quadrants of the internal timebase phase reference. This allows corrections to the phase reference generator to be made on the next cycle of the phase reference generator based on the error estimate of the present cycle.

Abstract: A programmable data link module for use with a time division multiplex data bus includes an input and a high voltage protection circuit to prevent outputting of data to the data bus under several different operation conditions. These include programming of the data link module and verification of the programming. The data link module also inhibits the outputting of data signals to the data bus in response to changes of the input signals from a local input device until the power to the data link module has stabilized for a preselected period of time. The high voltage protection circuit protects the data link module from excessive overvoltage from other devices connected to the data bus.

Abstract: A weld controller is coupled to a communications network which has an operator interface unit for monitoring and controlling the weld controller and other weld controllers on the network. A time of day clock provides a chronological reference to tag weld current and voltage data and other data when it occurs for storage in its memory which is also accessible by the operator interface unit for storing in said system database. A memo pad in the weld controller is also accessible to the network for storing data for diagnostic purposes, said data including faults, events, and other operational data. The data can then be displayed, edited, and stored by the operator interface's program.

Abstract: An adjustable torque clutch assembly is provided for use in a motor operator. The clutch assembly includes a cylinder ring disposed between upper and lower clutch plates and houses a pair of friction discs, a drive plate disposed between the friction discs, and a spring for forcing the friction discs together to create a frictional coupling force between the drive plate and the friction discs. The exact amount of frictional force is determined by the distance between the upper and lower plates. A rubber gasket is disposed between the housing and one of the clutch plates for allowing adjustment of the distance between the clutch plates, thereby allowing the frictional force, and hence the overall clutch torque to be adjusted. A plurality of screws are provided to secure the clutch plates together once the distance between them, and hence the frictional force has been adjusted to a desired amount.

Abstract: A trip indicator for a circuit breaker in an electrical distribution system. The trip indicator provides a visual indication of the activation of a trip signal caused by arcing fault detector (AFD) or ground fault interrupter (GFI) circuitry. The trip indicator comprises one or more light sources, one or more plungers having a colored tip or one or more bimetal disk having a colored top. In response to activation of a trip signal by the AFD or GFI circuitry, the light source(s) illuminate, the plunger(s) move from a retracted position to an extended position and the bimetal disk(s) move from a generally flat position to a convex position. A conduit is provided within the housing of the protective device for conveying light or the reflection of light between the light source(s), plunger(s) or bimetal disk(s) and an opening of the housing.

Abstract: A system for detecting arcing faults in a line conductor carrying an electrical current between a power source and a load, the electrical current defining an AC waveform comprising a series of alternating positive half cycles and negative half cycles. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of obtaining current samples in a series of half cycles of the waveform, determining the peak current of each of the half cycles, and comparing the peak currents to determine changes in slope between half cycles. The number of changes in slope occurring within a selected time interval are counted and an arc indicative signal is produced when the number of reversals in polarity in slope occurring within the selected time interval equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold number.

Abstract: An accessory module monitoring and controlling the status of a circuit breaker. The accessory module attaches to the side of a circuit breaker and has a mechanism similar to the mechanism in a circuit breaker. The mechanism has multiple positions that correspond to the multiple states of a circuit breaker. Suitably shaped actuators transform the relatively large-scale motions of the mechanism into small-scale motions and transfers these to buttons on switches. Depressing these switches, depending on the position of the mechanical assembly makes and breaks circuits that are in communication with a remote site thereby indicating the status of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An interlock assembly is provided for use in a manually operated multi-phase fusible switch having a fuse in series with a blade for each phase and a handle for simultaneously controlling the position of the blades. Each fuse is CONDUCTIVE when it allows current to flow therethrough and is BLOWN when it does not allow current to flow therethrough. The handle is coupled to a drive rod and is movable between an OPEN position and a CLOSED position wherein the blades conduct current therethrough when the handle is in the CLOSED position and do not conduct current therethrough when the handle is in the OPEN position. The interlock assembly includes an interlock mechanism for preventing the handle from being moved from the OPEN position to the CLOSED position when one or more of the fuses are BLOWN or missing, thereby preventing the blade for each phase from moving into the CLOSED position when one or more of the fuses are BLOWN or missing.

Abstract: A coupling member for securing a spring to a rotatable motor shaft so that the spring rotates with the motor shaft. The coupler has a cylindrical hollow middle which fits snugly onto the motor shaft and includes a main body portion having a smaller cylindrically shaped nose portion extending therefrom for receiving one end of the spring therearound. The main body portion includes a ramp portion, extending upwardly therefrom, a wall behind the ramp portion and a slot therein for receiving a hook portion extending from the spring. The hook portion is snugly secured in the slot and behind the wall so that as the motor shaft rotates, the coupler member causes the spring to rotate with the motor shaft.

Abstract: A metering unit, located in a distributed power network carrying a power-related waveform, comprises a sensor, a generator, and a memory. The sensor senses power-related parameters associated with the power-related waveform. In response to the sensor, the generator generates and transmits data representative of the power-related waveform. The memory is a sector-erasable flash EEPROM having stored therein programmable logic and main functionality firmware for execution by the generator. The logic is programmable by a user and executable by the generator to increase operations performed by the metering unit.

Abstract: A circuit breaker device for interrupting current in a circuit path between a source and a load. 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 is disposed on a contact carrier which is movable for interrupting the current provided to the load. A contact status indication arrangement is provided for indicating the status of the contacts. The contact status indication arrangement includes a trip flag, a status insert, a clear plastic lens, a flag guide, and a status flag. The trip flag, status insert and status flag are viewable through the lens, which is disposed in an aperture in the circuit breaker housing. Only one status indicator is viewable through the lens at any one time, each indicating a different circuit breaker status.

Abstract: An electrical contact for use in an electrical switching device is provided having low contact resistance, high wear resistance and high anti-weld characteristics. The contact includes a material composition of between 0.2 and 8% by weight Gr, between 10 and 90% by weight W and the remaining mixture consisting of Ag. The contact is manufactured using a process which yields a unique microstructure characterized by not having an interconnected Gr network around the Ag thereby providing a strong Ag to Ag bond. This process includes the steps of adding the appropriate amounts of Ag, W and Gr powder material together, blending together under low shear conditions to provide a homogenous powder mixture while prohibiting the Gr from smearing onto the Ag, pressing the material mixture to form a contact, and then sintering and coining the contact.

Abstract: An integrated protection system for an electrical distribution system including a panelboard for receiving power from a utility source and distributing the power to a plurality of branch circuits each having line and neutral conductors for delivering the power to a load. The integrated protection system comprises a plurality of arcing fault detectors and line interrupters attached to positions in the panelboard. The arcing fault detectors detect the occurrence of an arcing fault in either of the branch circuits, while the line interrupters disconnect the load from the power source in response to the detection of an arcing fault in either of the branch circuits. The line interrupters and arcing fault detectors may comprise separate modules, each being connected to one of the positions in panelboard or being attached externally to the other module.

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: The present invention provides a circuit breaker control arrangement that is reliable, accurate and cost-effective to manufacture, install and maintain. This circuit breaker arrangement also provides increased modularity by alleviating the need for installing wires to connect each circuit breaker with the control station. The present invention uses circuit breakers that contain internal control technology for interrupting and establishing an associated current path. At least one coded signal designates each circuit breaker, and a communication bus carries these coded signals to each circuit breaker. Decoding technology located on each circuit breaker determines whether the coded signal corresponds to that circuit breaker. If the coded signal does correspond to that circuit breaker, then the decoding technology responds by sending the appropriate response signal over the communication bus, and the circuit breaker's internal control technology either interrupts or establishes the associated current path.

Abstract: A method of assembling a three phase current transformer for printed circuit board installation. Three current transformers, each having a spin wound coil positioned about one leg of an unassembled continuous lamination core, are placed side-by-side in a transformer carrier such that two parallel core legs of the center transformer overlap the adjacent core legs of the two outside transformers and further such that printed circuit board terminal pins attached to the coils pass through stand-off sleeves formed from the transformer carrier. Rivets are placed through holes in the laminations of the overlapped core legs and in the transformer carrier thereby simultaneously riveting the three transformer cores and the transformer carrier together making a three phase transformer assembly.

Abstract: A weld control system, supplied by a polyphase voltage source, consists of an isolation contactor supplying power to separate single phase weld controllers. The single phase weld control systems have their separate power modules combined into a single power module assembly for more efficient cooling and electrical interfacing. The single power module consists of a semiconductor switch for each phase of the polyphase voltage source and a single chiller plate for mounting and cooling the switches. The chiller plate functions as a heat sink and is machined to create a series of channels that become coupled together to form a continuous tube having a single input and a single output for a coolant liquid. A SCR pair, housed in a single package in a back-to-back configuration having an isolated base construction. The base has good thermal conductivity between the heat generating semiconductors in the package and the base.