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 locking device is provided for use with a circuit breaker operating handle to selectively keep the handle locked and prevented from moving between ON and OFF positions. The locking device includes a support frame with at least two oppositely directed mounting grips for securing the frame to the circuit breaker housing, and a locking arm movably disposed on support means extending from the support frame for movement between at least first and second engaged positions and a disengaged position. The locking arm prevents the operating handle from moving from the ON position to the OFF position when it is in the first engaged position and prevents the operating handle from moving from the OFF position to the ON position when it is in the second engaged position. A bracket on the support frame receives a locking member for securing the locking arm in either of the one engaged positions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical switch locking assembly for inhibiting movement of a switch handle. The switch handle is enclosed in a casing or housing and moves operatively along a path between first and second positions to open or close electrical contacts for opening or closing a circuit. First and second recesses are molded into the casing to receive a locking device across the path of the switch handle. The locking device has first and second legs pivotally connected like scissors. The first leg has an integral first foot projecting away from the second leg, and the second leg has an integral second foot projecting away from the first leg, like scissor-blade tips having opposing projections. The first and second legs each have an opening opposite the first and second foot, respectively, somewhat like scissor handles. The first foot is inserted into the first recess and the second foot is inserted into the second recess.

Abstract: A programmable data link module is used on a time division multiplex data bus. The module receives data from the data bus during a selected time slot for a selected number of frames. The data link module includes an input circuit for generating a data output signal data to the data bus in response to input signals from an input device coupled to the module. The input circuit includes a data bus integrity checker for determining whether the data bus is intact. A test signal is sent by a master clock source to the data link module and if it is properly received, the integrity checker will permit the data link module to received data signals from the data bus.

Abstract: A busway elbow fitting for a busway electrical distribution system. The elbow includes a first straight busway section having a housing and a plurality of electrical busbars enclosed within the housing. The first straight section has one standard terminating end and one mitered end wherein the housing and the busbars are cut to a predetermined angle with respect to the first straight section. The elbow also includes a second straight busway section having a housing and a plurality of electrical busbars enclosed within the housing. The second straight section has one standard terminating end and one mitered end wherein the housing and the busbars are cut to a predetermined angle with respect to the second straight section. The mitered ends of the first and second busway sections are complementary such that when the mitered ends are placed in juxtaposed position a desired angle is formed between the first and second busway straight sections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit breaker assembly having a base, cover, and switch handle adapted to withstand an external force applied to a lever of the switch handle. During normal operation the handle rotates on small-diameter pivots in elongated bearing slots. Under abnormal conditions that occur when the lever of the switch handle is inadvertently struck, such as when the circuit breaker is dropped on the lever of the switch handle, the pivots slide in the elongated bearing slots. The force is borne by large-diameter hubs which come in contact with mating bearing surfaces. Thus, the pivots are not shorn off during such incidents, which would damage the circuit breaker.

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 common database in the operator interface unit is accessible across the communication network by the weld controller regardless of the data structure of the database. The weld controller can use the database to obtain different weld schedules, duplicate its own weld schedule to provide for easy replacement, and as a data storage for its operating parameters and values. The weld controller has a dual communications port that allows for a variety of operator interface configurations. Data from weld controller can be accessed by the operator interface controller based upon the weld controller's individual data structure and type through embedded objects resident in the operator interface's operating system and program.

Abstract: A communication system between a programmable logic controller and a network of a plurality of remote input/output repeater modules uses a synchronous serial communications protocol. The programmable logic controller contains a transmitter module for generating a data packet containing the state of an output device connected to a remote input/output repeater module coupled to the network. A receiver module receives and decodes a returned modified data packet that indicates the state of input devices connected to the same or other remote input/output repeater modules also coupled to the network. The remote input/output repeater modules receive and decode the data packet to determine the state of the output devices that may be connected to it and modifies the data packet to indicate the state of its input device if there is one present. The modified data packet is sent to the next in-line remote input/output repeater module coupled to the network.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for welding together current carrying members of an electrical distribution device which 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: The present invention provides a switch mechanism module and a line base module, useable separately or in combination, for an interior assembly of an electrical distribution device having a plurality of modules. The electrical distribution device has an enclosure with a handle external to the enclosure for operator control. The switch mechanism module and line base module include a modular housing having a generally planar base with upstanding side walls around the circumference of the base. The side walls have a top edge defining a mating surface. The modular housing is demountably secured to at least one adjacent module with a manually operated securement which is integrally formed with the modular housing.

Abstract: A guard for preventing movement of a handle by an operator from a locked position to a second position. The handle is coupled to an operating mechanism which controls a distribution device. The handle extends outwardly from the surface of the distribution device. The guard includes a cover which is configured to substantially enclose the handle while in the locked position. The cover is supported about the handle by abutting the surface of the distribution device. The cover is also configured to allow the handle to move from the locked position to the second position wherein the cover prevents an operator, but not the operating mechanism, from moving the handle from the locked position to the second position and the handle positively indicates the state of the operating mechanism between the positions. The guard also locks the cover to the distribution device.

Abstract: A self-powered circuit interrupter arrangement for interrupting current in a circuit path uses a current-blocking component to ensure that an insufficient amount of accumulated power for actuating and completing interruption of the circuit path is not misused in an unwarranted attempt to interrupt the current path. The arrangement includes a current inducer circuit for providing a current signal having a magnitude corresponding to the current in the circuit path and a power supply operating from the current signal to provide a voltage signal of a predetermined value relative to common. A trip command circuit, in response to a fault detected in the circuit path, sends an electrical signal commanding that the circuit path be interrupted by using the voltage signal. The electrical signal is sent to an electrical latch located electrically in series with a coil of a solenoid mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enclosure for housing a circuit breaker therein which utilizes a flange system to prevent enclosure components from separating from each other when an electrical fault occurs therein. The flange system includes flanges, on enclosure walls and doors, which slide into corresponding channels and interlock therein to prevent the components from separating and hot gases from escaping the enclosure when an electrical fault occurs.

Abstract: A molded plastic current limiting circuit breaker includes an interrupter assembly that includes an over-molded magnet, arc stack, baffle stack, and a chamber liner in which a trip unit is described.

Abstract: A programmable data link module (32) for use in a time division multiplexing control system (30) having a plurality of modules interconnected by a bus (40) for passing control signals between data link modules on a serial multiplex basis. Each module includes an integrated circuit (80) having signal conditioning circuits (180, 186 and 188) including a programmable hysteresis circuit (126), a power on reset delay circuit (190), a safety input inhibit circuit (220), a clock loss detect circuit (240), a safety output protection circuit (262), a data verifier (260), a polarity selector for a third output terminal (350), an input synchronizer (182 and 184), a combined mode/sync output terminal (110), a multiplex clock output terminal (108), a programming circuit (232) for accepting programming over the clock bus (44) and data bus (46), input/output word extender circuits (104, 106), a high voltage protection circuit (420) including a transistor (600) and a data bus integrity checker (630).

Abstract: The present invention provides a mounting system for circuit breakers in an electrical panelboard assembly. The base and cover forming the circuit breaker casing has an integral foot extending from a bottom side. The foot is angled and has a notch on a side forming an acute angle with the bottom. The panelboard assembly has a bus cover adapted with a opening or opening to receive the foot. This secures the circuit breaker on one end, and a screw into a bus secures the circuit breaker on an opposing end. The bus cover has a rail which engages the notch in the foot. On an opposing side of the foot, a spring engages the foot and forces the foot into the rail. The spring is an integral part of the bus cover and is cantilevered at an angle to the main body of the bus cover. Ledges are formed integrally into the bus cover on opposing sides of the spring. The ledges prevent overstressing the spring while inserting the foot during installation of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A weld control system, supplied by a polyphase voltage source, consists of multiple and 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.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (1) with a terminal connector (5). The terminal connector (5) has engagement means provided by outwardly extending male spade connectors (9a-9d) arranged in two spaced-apart offset parallel rows (7, 8). The circuit breaker (1) can therefore accommodate a maximum number of connectors (9a-9d) while allowing female spade connectors to be positioned regardless of orientation.

Abstract: An improved ground fault protection system is provided for protecting an electrical power distribution system having multiple sources and multiple grounds. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, an electrical power distribution circuit having a primary electrical circuit for distributing electrical power from a plurality of sources to a plurality of loads is provided with a ground fault protection circuit magnetically coupled to the primary circuit. The primary electrical circuit includes conventional main and tie buses for distributing power to the loads and switches or circuit breakers for interrupting power from flowing in the buses. The ground fault protection circuit includes current sensors, tripping functions or ground fault relays associated with each circuit breaker and a novel use of an auxiliary transformer. When a ground fault occurs, the ground fault protection circuit is capable of sensing and determining the specific bus in which a ground fault condition exists.

Abstract: A programmable data link module is used on a time division multiplex data bus and includes a system master clock signal. The module is functional as an input device, an output device, or both as an input and output device. It receives data from the data bus during a selected time slot for a selected number of frames to control output devices connected to it. The data link module includes a clock loss signal for generating an inhibit signal when a loss of the master clock signal is detected. The inhibit signal will prevent any changes to the state of the output device during the duration of the loss of the master clock signal.