Abstract: A circuit breaker programmer enclosure in the form of a plastic housing having an external access door houses the electronic trip unit and accessories that control the circuit breaker operation. The door assumes two positions when arranged on the housing for both excluding and allowing access to the circuit breaker rating plug and trip unit adjustment knobs. In one position, access is made to both the rating plug and trip unit adjustment knobs while in another position access to the rating plug and trip unit is denied.

Abstract: A water-resistant busway with a water drainage duct of the present invention (10) comprises a joint assembly (12) arranged between the ends of first and second busway housings (14, 16). Joint assembly (12) includes a water-resistant cover (30) releasably attached to first and second housings (14, 16) by cover fastening devices (32, 34). Water-resistant cover (30) includes an access hole (36) disposed therein, with access hole (36) receiving a complementary access hole plug (38). Housing spacers (22, 24, 26, 28) each include a water drainage duct (118) disposed therein to drain water from above the water barrier (104) and web (46) of upper piece (42) of housing (14) to below the water barrier and web (46) of the lower piece (44) of housing (14).

Abstract: Multi-pole circuit breakers are joined together to form a common assembly. The individual poles are in the form of compact circuit breakers having a pair of separable contacts controlled by a single externally-accessible operating handle. The individual circuit breakers are riveted together and are keyed such that the contacts open and close in unison. The individual handles are interlocked together by means of a unitary plastic handle tie.

Abstract: An air circuit breaker ratcheting mechanism includes a ratchet and pawl whereby the closing springs charging gear is prevented from reverse rotation during the closing springs charging operation. Upon completion of the charging operation, the ratchet and pawl become disengaged from the charging gear to allow the closing springs to respond to a manual closing button depression. A holding prop within the ratcheting mechanism interacts with a roller bearing on the charging shaft to prevent reverse rotation of the charging shaft under the bias provided by the charged closing springs.

Abstract: A circuit breaker ON/OFF contact position indicator employs a bell crank assembly interconnecting between the target indicator at the front of the circuit breaker enclosure and the circuit breaker contact closing shaft at the rear thereof to provide accurate real time indication of the ON/OFF condition of the circuit breaker contacts.

Abstract: A circuit breaker interlock mechanism interacts between the circuit breaker operating handle and circuit breaker closing button to prevent the closing button from operating to close the circuit breaker contacts when the circuit breaker is padlocked in the OFF condition. A slide plate mounted on the interior of the circuit breaker cover engages a blocking plate attached to the circuit breaker closing rod. The interlock serves further to prevent the circuit breaker from being padlocked on the ON condition in the event the contacts become welded together in the closed position.

Abstract: An air circuit breaker ratcheting mechanism includes a ratchet and pawl whereby the closing springs charging gear is prevented from reverse rotation during the closing springs charging operation. Upon completion of the charging operation, the ratchet and pawl become disengaged from the charging gear to allow the closing springs to respond to a manual closing, command. An operating handle pivot assembly allows a molded plastic handle operator to be employed and the ratcheting mechanism is arranged for modular assembly during the circuit breaker manufacturing process as well as motor to manual charge conversion one site.

Abstract: A residential circuit breaker electromagnetic trip unit facilitates the assembly of the trip unit components by use of a pair of braid connectors for connection between the trip unit magnet and the circuit breaker contact arm. The trip unit bimetal is directly welded to the trip unit magnet and the braid connectors for reduction in material and labor costs. The contact arm and the magnet are shaped to present a parallel path connection between the contact arm and the magnet for close fit tolerance. The front surface of the magnet is configured to prevent magnetic adhesion between the magnet and the trip unit armature under intense short circuit overcurrent conditions.

Abstract: A modular plastic trip bar assembly joins separate single pole molded case circuit breakers into a single multipole circuit breaker. The addition of the trip cam to the trip bar assembly allows four and five pole combinations to operate in unison.

Abstract: A combination panelboard-switchboard housing accepts plug-on connection with a plurality of modular electric switch-circuit breaker enclosures. The modular enclosure accepts circuit breakers or electric switches which can be field-installed with minor alteration to the enclosure. The modular switch enclosure further accepts a wide range of ampere ratings within a standard enclosure size. A mechanical latch arrangement on the bottom of the modular enclosure prevents the modular enclosure from being removed from the panelboard-switchboard housing. Controlled temperatures are achieved within the housing by optimized circulating air flow.

Abstract: A combination panelboard-switchboard housing accepts plug-on connection with a plurality of modular electric switch-circuit breaker enclosures. The modular enclosure accepts circuit breakers or electric switches which can be field-installed with minor alteration to the enclosure. The modular switch enclosure further accepts a wide range of ampere ratings within a standard enclosure size. A mechanical latch arrangement on the bottom of the modular enclosure prevents the modular enclosure from being removed from the panel-board-switchboard housing. Controlled temperatures are achieved within the housing by optimized circulating air flow.

Abstract: A Fusible electric switch is herein described for increased ratings within industrial electrical distribution circuits by the provision of an arc exhaust gas controller. The arc gas controller cools and deionizes the arc gases that are generated upon separation of the switch contacts and exhausts the gases in a predetermined direction outside the switch enclosure. Fuse pullers are arranged at one end of each of the switch fuses to facilitate both installation and removal of the fuses.

Abstract: A compact electric safety switch including a rotatably mounted double contact blade assembly. Heavy duty compression springs are positioned under the blade assembly for rapid make and break connection between opposing line and load contact stabs. A pair of contact springs directs the contact blade during transit between the line and load contact stabs and serves to increase the contact pressure between the contact blade and the contact stabs when the contact blade is inserted therein.

Abstract: Molded case circuit breakers having rear mounted line connectors are provided with retainer clips and plates to prevent easy removal of the breakers from electric panel box load stab connectors. The breakers can be removed for replacement however, without disassembling the entire electrical panel box.

Abstract: Molded case circuit breakers having rear mounted line connectors are provided with retainer clips and plates to prevent easy removal of the breakers from electric panel box load stab connectors. The breakers can be removed for replacement however, without disassembling the entire electrical panel box.

Abstract: Molded case circuit breakers having rear mounted line connectors are provided with retainer clips and plates to prevent easy removal of the breakers from electric panel box load stab connectors. The breakers can be removed for replacement however, without disassembling the entire electrical panel box.

Abstract: Circuit breaker support saddles for electrical load centers and panel boards are fabricated from a single thermoplastic molded structure. The saddle contains integrally formed posts for supporting the power bus and neutral terminal conductors along with a plurality of circuit breaker hooks. To accommodate for varying numbers of circuit breakers when mounted to the saddle, a plurality of thermoplastic modular phase barriers are provided for supporting the circuit breaker branch strap conductors. The phase barriers include integrally-formed pedestals, posts and stops to facilitate down-loaded robotic assembly of the branch straps to the saddle during the automated manufacturing process.

Abstract: A main circuit breaker adapter is provided in modular form for attachment to a main lug load center or panelboard to convert to a main circuit breaker load center or panelboard. The main breaker is attached to a thermoplastic unitary support having means for mechanically and electrically connecting to one end of a molded plastic circuit breaker support saddle.

Abstract: Molded case circuit breakers having rear mounted line connectors are provided with retainer clips and plates to prevent easy removal of the breakers from electric panel box load stab connectors. The breakers can be removed for replacement however, without disassembling the entire electrical panel box.