Abstract: The line power and neutral conductors for a circuit interrupter such as a miniature circuit breaker, using ground fault sensing via a current transformer, are arranged as a rigid conductor formed from a flat plate and surrounding and holding an insulated flexible conductor when passing through the Ground Fault Interrupter current transformer. The rigid conductor can provide a shaped current path to maximize the effectiveness of the current transformer.

Abstract: A circuit breaker has a first stationary contact connected to line power and a second stationary contact connected to neutral. A first moveable contact coupled to a load power terminal, is mounted on a moveable actuator and juxtaposed with the first stationary contact to form a power circuit when the first moveable and first stationary contacts are closed. A second moveable contact connected to a load neutral terminal is mounted on the moveable actuator juxtaposed with the second stationary contact to form a neutral circuit when the second moveable and second stationary contacts are closed. The movable actuator moves the first and second moveable contacts in unison to open the power circuit between the first stationary and first moveable contacts and to simultaneously open the neutral circuit between the second stationary and second moveable contacts, in response to actuation of an operating handle or to sensing a tripping event.

Abstract: The line power and neutral conductors for a circuit interrupter such as a miniature circuit breaker, using ground fault sensing via a current transformer, are arranged as a rigid conductor formed from a flat plate and surrounding and holding an insulated flexible conductor when passing through the Ground Fault Interrupter current transformer. The rigid conductor can provide a shaped current path to maximize the effectiveness of the current transformer.

Abstract: The line power and neutral conductors for a circuit interrupter such as a miniature circuit breaker, using ground fault sensing via a current transformer, are arranged as a rigid conductor formed from a flat plate and surrounding and holding an insulated flexible conductor when passing through the Ground Fault Interrupter current transformer. The rigid conductor can provide a shaped current path to maximize the effectiveness of the current transformer.

Abstract: A circuit breaker has a first stationary contact connected to line power and a second stationary contact connected to neutral. A first moveable contact coupled to a load power terminal, is mounted on a moveable actuator and juxtaposed with the first stationary contact to form a power circuit when the first moveable and first stationary contacts are closed. A second moveable contact connected to a load neutral terminal is mounted on the moveable actuator juxtaposed with the second stationary contact to form a neutral circuit when the second moveable and second stationary contacts are closed. The movable actuator moves the first and second moveable contacts in unison to open the power circuit between the first stationary and first moveable contacts and to simultaneously open the neutral circuit between the second stationary and second moveable contacts, in response to actuation of an operating handle or to sensing a tripping event.

Abstract: A modular monitoring and control system for NEMA-style load center smart electrical distribution panels is built up from interconnectable modules, starting with a Base Unit for monitoring and reporting on select branch circuits, then adding a Control Module for Remotely Operated breakers or additional current monitoring or both; and/or adding a separate Expansion Module with Current Transformer expansion capabilities for adding a larger number of power monitors within the load center. The modules plug into breaker pole slots within the panel for ease of installation and are independent of the breakers. The system keeps initial smart panel costs low by placing monitoring and control functionality and required parts into add-on modules.

Abstract: A neutral bus bar 150 is provided for an electrical distribution apparatus, such as an electrical panel 100. The neutral bus bar includes an elongated body 152 that includes a plurality of wire connectors 154 and plug-on neutral landing sections 156 distributed along a length of the body. Each wire connector includes a side hole 172 and a top landing hole 184 on the body. The top landing hole can receive a hold down screw 176 to secure an electrical wire received in the side hole 172 from a wire-type circuit breaker. Each plug-on neutral landing section is able to receive a plug-on neutral clip from a plug-on neutral type circuit breaker. Adjacent plug-on neutral landing sections have at least one wire connector arranged therebetween on the body. The plug-on neutral landing sections are also distributed with a pitch spacing that corresponds to a pole spacing of circuit breakers connectable on the electrical distribution apparatus.

Abstract: A modular monitoring and control system for NEMA-style load center smart electrical distribution panels is built up from interconnectable modules, starting with a Base Unit for monitoring and reporting on select branch circuits, then adding a Control Module for Remotely Operated breakers or additional current monitoring or both; and/or adding a separate Expansion Module with Current Transformer expansion capabilities for adding a larger number of power monitors within the load center. The modules plug into breaker pole slots within the panel for ease of installation and are independent of the breakers. The system keeps initial smart panel costs low by placing monitoring and control functionality and required parts into add-on modules.

Abstract: Systems and methods for auto-monitoring a trip solenoid and a switching semiconductor in a circuit breaker comprises determining whether the trip solenoid or the switching semiconductor is open-circuited or otherwise non-operational. The trip solenoid has multiple windings therein and the switching semiconductor has multiple semiconductor switches therein. The circuit breaker automatically performs a designated action if one of the multiple windings or one of the semiconductor switches is determined to be open-circuited or otherwise non-operational. In some embodiments, the circuit breaker is a miniature circuit breaker.

Abstract: The status monitoring system for a circuit breaker (100) includes a movable handle (110) with a magnet (112), a magnetic sensor (140) and a processor (150). The magnet is movable with the handle. The magnetic sensor is arranged in proximity to the handle, and is used to sense a magnetic field produced from the magnet of the handle. The processor receives information of the sensed magnetic field from the magnetic sensor and determines a status of the circuit breaker based on the sensed magnetic field which relates to a position of the handle. The status of the circuit breaker may include a handle position (e.g., ON, OFF or TRIPPED position), a handle velocity or a handle acceleration. A diagnosis of breaker functionality may then be reported.

Abstract: The line power and neutral conductors for a circuit interrupter such as a miniature circuit breaker, using ground fault sensing via a current transformer, are arranged as a rigid conductor formed from a flat plate and surrounding and holding an insulated flexible conductor when passing through the Ground Fault Interrupter current transformer. The rigid conductor can provide a shaped current path to maximize the effectiveness of the current transformer.

Abstract: A neutral bus bar 150 is provided for an electrical distribution apparatus, such as an electrical panel 100. The neutral bus bar includes an elongated body 152 that includes a plurality of wire connectors 154 and plug-on neutral landing sections 156 distributed along a length of the body. Each wire connector includes a side hole 172 and a top landing hole 184 on the body. The top landing hole can receive a hold down screw 176 to secure an electrical wire received in the side hole 172 from a wire-type circuit breaker. Each plug-on neutral landing section is able to receive a plug-on neutral clip from a plug-on neutral type circuit breaker. Adjacent plug-on neutral landing sections have at least one wire connector arranged therebetween on the body. The plug-on neutral landing sections are also distributed with a pitch spacing that corresponds to a pole spacing of circuit breakers connectable on the electrical distribution apparatus.

Abstract: A neutral bus bar 150 is provided for an electrical distribution apparatus, such as an electrical panel 100. The neutral bus bar includes an elongated body 152 that includes a plurality of wire connectors 154 and plug-on neutral landing sections 156 distributed along a length of the body. Each wire connector includes a side hole 172 and a top landing hole 184 on the body. The top landing hole can receive a hold down screw 176 to secure an electrical wire received in the side hole 172 from a wire-type circuit breaker. Each plug-on neutral landing section is able to receive a plug-on neutral clip from a plug-on neutral type circuit breaker. Adjacent plug-on neutral landing sections have at least one wire connector arranged therebetween on the body. The plug-on neutral landing sections are also distributed with a pitch spacing that corresponds to a pole spacing of circuit breakers connectable on the electrical distribution apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for substantially eliminating exposure to live parts on a busway plug-in unit enclosure includes a power take-off with male-terminal stabs which are capped with nonconductive material. A nonconductive structure covers the bus assembly and allows only the stabs to pass into the interior of a plug-in unit enclosure. A shutter assembly in each plug-in unit enclosure has a nonconductive shutter plate that moves only longitudinally along the stabs when a plug-in unit device is inserted into the enclosure. Inserting the plug in unit device into the enclosure causes a shutter plate latch to open and depress the shutter. When the plug in unit device is removed from the plug in unit enclosure, the shutter plate is biased upward and latched in a position over the stabs. No live touch points are available in the enclosure.

Abstract: The status monitoring system for a circuit breaker (100) includes a movable handle (110) with a magnet (112), a magnetic sensor (140) and a processor (150). The magnet is movable with the handle. The magnetic sensor is arranged in proximity to the handle, and is used to sense a magnetic field produced from the magnet of the handle. The processor receives information of the sensed magnetic field from the magnetic sensor and determines a status of the circuit breaker based on the sensed magnetic field which relates to a position of the handle. The status of the circuit breaker may include a handle position (e.g., ON, OFF or TRIPPED position), a handle velocity or a handle acceleration. A diagnosis of breaker functionality may then be reported.

Abstract: A neutral bus bar 150 is provided for an electrical distribution apparatus, such as an electrical panel 100. The neutral bus bar includes an elongated body 152 that includes a plurality of wire connectors 154 and plug-on neutral landing sections 156 distributed along a length of the body. Each wire connector includes a side hole 172 and a top landing hole 184 on the body. The top landing hole can receive a hold down screw 176 to secure an electrical wire received in the side hole 172 from a wire-type circuit breaker. Each plug-on neutral landing section is able to receive a plug-on neutral clip from a plug-on neutral type circuit breaker. Adjacent plug-on neutral landing sections have at least one wire connector arranged therebetween on the body. The plug-on neutral landing sections are also distributed with a pitch spacing that corresponds to a pole spacing of circuit breakers connectable on the electrical distribution apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for substantially eliminating exposure to live parts on a busway plug-in unit enclosure includes a power take-off with male-terminal stabs which are capped with nonconductive material. A nonconductive structure covers the bus assembly and allows only the stabs to pass into the interior of a plug-in unit enclosure. A shutter assembly in each plug-in unit enclosure has a nonconductive shutter plate that moves only longitudinally along the stabs when a plug-in unit device is inserted into the enclosure. Inserting the plug in unit device into the enclosure causes a shutter plate latch to open and depress the shutter. When the plug in unit device is removed from the plug in unit enclosure, the shutter plate is biased upward and latched in a position over the stabs. No live touch points are available in the enclosure.

Abstract: An add-on module adapted to be attached to the basic mechanical structure of a multi-pole circuit breaker includes multiple extended terminal plates each of which is adapted to replace one of the input and output terminals for one of the poles, multiple electromechanical transducers each of which is coupled to one of the extended terminal plates for producing a mechanical movement in response to a predetermined magnitude of electrical current in the extended terminal plate to which that transducer is coupled, and a mechanical actuator coupled to the electromechanical transducers and to the breaker contacts for operating a trip mechanism in response to a predetermined mechanical movement of any of the transducers.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for a movable member mounted for movement between first and second positions. The latching mechanism includes a primary latching mechanism mounted for movement between a latched position where the primary latching mechanism engages the movable member to allow the movable member to move between the first and second positions, and an unlatched position where the movable member is disengaged for movement to the second position. A secondary latching element engages the first latching mechanism to hold the primary latching mechanism in the latched position, the secondary latching element being movable to move the primary latching mechanism to the unlatched position while remaining in engagement with the primary latching mechanism.