Abstract: A catchment mechanism for an electrical switching apparatus operating mechanism is provided. The catchment mechanism includes a catchment wheel with a radially extending surface, a catchment prop, and a catchment prop reset pin. The catchment wheel rotates with the cam in the closing assembly as the closing springs are being charged. During the charging of the springs, the catchment prop stop edge travels over, but preferably does not engage, the wheel outer surface. When the closing springs are released, the catchment prop stop edge engages the catchment wheel radially extending surface thus causing the catchment wheel to stop rotating. As the catchment wheel is fixed to the cam shaft, the rotation of the cam shaft, and therefore the cam, is also stopped. The catchment wheel radially extending surface is positioned so that the cam is stopped in an appropriate position to begin recharging the closing spring.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an enclosure with a first side and a second side opposite and distal from the first side. A number of separable contacts are enclosed by the enclosure. An operating mechanism is structured to open and close the separable contacts. A plurality of terminals are electrically interconnected with the number of separable contacts. The terminals protrude through the second side of the enclosure. A number of phase barrier apparatus is disposed on the second side of the enclosure. Each of the number of phase barrier apparatus includes a plurality of separate phase barrier members, each of which is disposed about a corresponding one of the terminals, and a number of interlocking members. Each of the number of interlocking members interlocks with an adjacent pair of the separate phase barrier members.

Abstract: An operating mechanism closing assembly for an electrical switching apparatus having a ram assembly structured to engage and move a toggle assembly is provided. The ram assembly includes a ram body that travels over a, preferably, straight path and engages the toggle assembly. The path may be defined by one or more pins extending through the ram body. One or more springs are coupled to the ram body and bias the ram body toward the toggle assembly. The springs may be conveniently disposed about the pins. In this configuration, the force created by the springs is, essentially, applied directly to the toggle assembly. The toggle assembly is coupled to, and structured to rotate, a pole shaft that is further coupled to, and structured to actuate, the electrical switching apparatus contacts. Accordingly, because the force created by the springs is not transferred via one or more cams, the required force, and therefore the size of the springs, is reduced compared to the prior art.

Abstract: A latch assembly for an electrical switching apparatus operating mechanism is provided. The latch assembly is structured so that force from the closing spring is directed along a line extending through the pivot point of a latch prop. A reset assembly for the latch prop is also provided.

Abstract: A charging handle is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing having an exterior, an interior and a recess extending from the exterior toward the interior, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts, and a charging assembly. A first end of the charging handle is coupled to the charging assembly within the interior of the housing. The second end includes a finger pull. An elongated body extends between the first and second ends and includes first and second sides, and inner and outer surfaces. The charging handle is movable among first and second positions. The finger pull is disposed on the outer surface of the elongated body at or about the second end of the charging handle, and is readily accessible from all of the second end and the first and second sides of the charging handle.

Abstract: Within a closing assembly that utilizes a ram assembly having a spring driven ram body, an energy dissipating spring seat assembly is provided. The ram body is mounted on a guide assembly having at least one pin. The guide assembly also includes a base plate and a stop plate. A ram assembly spring is disposed between the ram body and the base plate and is structured to bias the ram body toward the stop plate. The spring seat assembly includes a spring seat bracket and a spring seat. The spring seat is, preferably, a generally flat, plate-like leaf spring that is disposed between the ram assembly springs and the base plate of the ram body. The spring seat is sufficiently rigid so as to not deflect fully under the force created by the compressed ram assembly springs, but not so rigid as to resist deflecting under the force created when the ram body impacts the stop plate.