Abstract: A modified trip lever for a remote controlled miniature circuit breaker comprises a trip lever and a separate kicker lever, which perform alternate functions to either automatically open the main contacts in response to a trip event or alternately open or close the contacts under remote control. The kicker lever rotates clockwise on a pivot in response to an actuator receiving a remote control open signal, to open the contacts by forcing a transverse tab on the kicker lever against a blade carrying a moveable main contact aligned with a stationary main contact. The kicker lever rotates counterclockwise to close the contacts in response to the actuator receiving a remote control close signal. The trip lever mounted on the same pivot, is configured to automatically open the contacts in response to a trip event, by pushing against the back side of the tab of the kicker lever.

Abstract: A circuit breaker can include a light source, an optical sensor, a handle and a processor. The handle can be movable between different handle positions which correspond to different circuit breaker statuses. The handle can include a handle body and a light control plate which moves along with the handle body. The light control plate can have different light passage regions each of which is configured to be positioned between the light source and the optical sensor when the handle is moved to a corresponding one of the different handle positions. Each of the different light passage regions allows a different amount of light emitted from the light source to pass to the sensor when positioned between the light source and the sensor. The processor is configured to determine a status of the circuit breaker based on the sensed amount of light which relates to a position of the handle.

Abstract: A circuit breaker can include a moveable electrical contact configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position, and a lever assembly configured to prevent the progressive closing of the moveable electrical contact to the closed position such that the lever assembly is configured to cause snap action closing of the moveable electrical contact at a charged position of a motorized slider.

Abstract: A circuit breaker can include a light source, an optical sensor, a handle and a processor. The handle can be movable between different handle positions which correspond to different circuit breaker statuses. The handle can include a handle body and a light control plate which moves along with the handle body. The light control plate can have different light passage regions each of which is configured to be positioned between the light source and the optical sensor when the handle is moved to a corresponding one of the different handle positions. Each of the different light passage regions allows a different amount of light emitted from the light source to pass to the sensor when positioned between the light source and the sensor. The processor is configured to determine a status of the circuit breaker based on the sensed amount of light which relates to a position of the handle.

Abstract: A trip unit for a circuit breaker includes a magnetic flux transfer system that employs a permanent magnet(s) and solenoid(s) with a ferromagnetic core. The system generates an attractive force using a solenoid to counter the force of a reset spring and latch friction force when a tripping condition is detected. The generated attractive force together with an attractive force from the magnet attracts a yoke which in turn moves the yoke together with an armature to the tripped position. The system also retains the yoke and armature in the tripped position using the attractive force of the magnet when the generated attractive force is no longer being generated. The system further generates a repulsive force using a solenoid when a resettable condition is satisfied to counter the attractive force of the magnet thereby allowing the yoke and armature to move from the tripped position to the reset position.

Abstract: A remote controlled miniature circuit breaker includes a helical gear that engages with mating teeth of a slider plate coupled to main contacts of the circuit breaker, the helical gear including a flat portion to allow the sliding plate to slide past the helical gear. A unidirectional motor responds to an external signal to drive the helical gear while engaging the mating teeth of the slider plate, thereby moving the slider plate to close the main contacts. The motor is configured to respond to an external signal to resume the unidirectional rotation of the helical gear to position the flat portion of the gear to allow the slider plate to slide past the helical gear and contact a kicker lever to thereby open the main contacts. A trip lever pivotally mounted separately from the kicker lever, pushes the kicker lever to open the main contacts in a trip operation.

Abstract: A modified trip lever for a remote controlled miniature circuit breaker comprises a trip lever and a separate kicker lever, which perform alternate functions to either automatically open the main contacts in response to a trip event or alternately open or close the contacts under remote control. The kicker lever rotates clockwise on a pivot in response to an actuator receiving a remote control open signal, to open the contacts by forcing a transverse tab on the kicker lever against a blade carrying a moveable main contact aligned with a stationary main contact. The kicker lever rotates counterclockwise to close the contacts in response to the actuator receiving a remote control close signal. The trip lever mounted on the same pivot, is configured to automatically open the contacts in response to a trip event, by pushing against the back side of the tab of the kicker lever.

Abstract: A remote controlled miniature circuit breaker includes a helical gear that engages with mating teeth of a slider plate coupled to main contacts of the circuit breaker, the helical gear including a flat portion to allow the sliding plate to slide past the helical gear. A unidirectional motor responds to an external signal to drive the helical gear while engaging the mating teeth of the slider plate, thereby moving the slider plate to close the main contacts. The motor is configured to respond to an external signal to resume the unidirectional rotation of the helical gear to position the flat portion of the gear to allow the slider plate to slide past the helical gear and contact a kicker lever to thereby open the main contacts. A trip lever pivotally mounted separately from the kicker lever, pushes the kicker lever to open the main contacts in a trip operation.

Abstract: A circuit breaker can include a light source, an optical sensor, a handle and a processor. The handle can be movable between different handle positions which correspond to different circuit breaker statuses. The handle can include a handle body and a light control plate which moves along with the handle body. The light control plate can have different light passage regions each of which is configured to be positioned between the light source and the optical sensor when the handle is moved to a corresponding one of the different handle positions. Each of the different light passage regions allows a different amount of light emitted from the light source to pass to the sensor when positioned between the light source and the sensor. The processor is configured to determine a status of the circuit breaker based on the sensed amount of light which relates to a position of the handle.

Abstract: A trip unit for a circuit breaker includes a magnetic flux transfer system that employs a permanent magnet(s) and solenoid(s) with a ferromagnetic core. The system generates an attractive force using a solenoid to counter the force of a reset spring and latch friction force when a tripping condition is detected. The generated attractive force together with an attractive force from the magnet attracts a yoke which in turn moves the yoke together with an armature to the tripped position. The system also retains the yoke and armature in the tripped position using the attractive force of the magnet when the generated attractive force is no longer being generated.

Abstract: A field programmable circuit breaker receives a measurement of a displacement of a terminal spring element, from a detector associated with the terminal spring element, when a field wire is inserted into the terminal spring element. The terminal spring element provides a wire clamp force in a terminal configured to receive the inserted field wire. A trip current value is determined based on the wire size and a time interval is measured during which the current in the field wire is continuously greater than the trip current value. A trip curve is accessed corresponding to the trip current value to determine whether the measured time interval exceeds a maximum interval indicated by the trip curve. A tripping signal provided to a current monitoring unit interrupts the current when the measured interval exceeds the maximum interval for the measured current to be continuously greater than the trip current value.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing current on a conductor of an electrical panel includes at least one sensing system, which comprises a ferromagnetic body and a sensor. The body can be formed of a ferro-magnetic material, such as for example steel. The ferromagnetic body can have two legs, which when placed on a load-side of the electrical panel, is configured to form, together with a back plane of the electrical panel, a magnetic path around the conductor. The ferromagnetic body comprises at least two parts with a first air gap therebetween along the magnetic path. The sensor, which is arranged in the first air gap, is configured to measure a current or other electrical property representative of current on the conductor based on the magnetic field across the first air gap.

Abstract: A field programmable circuit breaker receives a measurement of a displacement of a terminal spring element, from a detector associated with the terminal spring element, when a field wire is inserted into the terminal spring element. The terminal spring element provides a wire clamp force in a terminal configured to receive the inserted field wire. A trip current value is determined based on the wire size and a time interval is measured during which the current in the field wire is continuously greater than the trip current value. A trip curve is accessed corresponding to the trip current value to determine whether the measured time interval exceeds a maximum interval indicated by the trip curve. A tripping signal provided to a current monitoring unit interrupts the current when the measured interval exceeds the maximum interval for the measured current to be continuously greater than the trip current value.

Abstract: A retrofit CAFI/GFI remote control module may provide dual function protection for simple thermal-magnetic circuit breakers in a residential load center with arc fault and ground fault protection. The module provides line sensors and electronic processing to detect ground faults or arc faults, or both, and operates a bistable relay between the branch breaker and the load to open the circuit, which can then be remotely or manually reset.

Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker 10 having a handle assembly 100 formed of two separate pieces, namely a handle section 110 and a link section 150 with a first end 152 and a second end 154. The link section 150 is pivotally connected at the first end 152 to the handle section 110, and at the second end 154 to a movable blade 30 carrying the movable contact 32 of the circuit breaker. The handle section 110 can be formed of a plastic, and the link section 150 can be formed of a metallic material. A metallic link section can be thinner than an equivalent plastic part, and can provide a robust metal-to-metal interface with the blade 30 carrying the movable contact 32. The handle assembly 100 can also have one or more clearance gaps 132 and 134 designed between the handle section 110 and link section 150 to provide for a range of independent motion by the handle section 110 in relation to the link section 150.

Abstract: A panelboard is composed of modular units. Each unit has compartments for circuit breakers, side walls, and wiring gutters. A main circuit breaker unit has a main cable compartment having separate compartmentalized routing for power cables, and a compartment for the main breaker. A branch circuit breaker unit is edge connected to the main breaker unit. More branch breaker units may be added. Each branch breaker unit has a bus plane for line power, with pin-shaped stabs extending perpendicularly from its busses. The bus plane is covered by circuit breaker compartments in front and an insulative backplane in back. Branch wiring exit slots in the circuit breaker compartments lead to wiring gutters. Each unit is shaped and dimensioned to be mechanically and electrically connected together to form the whole panelboard. Caps for the wiring gutters are front accessible and constitute a front surface of the finished panelboard.

Abstract: A retrofit CAFI/GFI remote control module may provide dual function protection for simple thermal-magnetic circuit breakers in a residential load center with arc fault and ground fault protection. The module provides line sensors and electronic processing to detect ground faults or arc faults, or both, and operates a bistable relay between the branch breaker and the load to open the circuit, which can then be remotely or manually reset.

Abstract: Apparatus for substantially eliminating exposure to live parts in a load center includes a bus assembly 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 circuit breaker compartments. A shutter assembly in each circuit breaker compartment has a nonconductive shutter plate that moves only in the Z axis to provide access to the stabs when a circuit breaker is inserted with a Z axis motion. Inserting the circuit breaker in the load center causes a shutter plate latch to open and depress the shutter. When the circuit breaker is removed from the load center, the shutter plate is biased upward and latched in a position over the stabs. No live touch points are available in the load center.

Abstract: A panelboard is composed of modular units. Each unit has compartments for circuit breakers, side walls, and wiring gutters. A main circuit breaker unit has a main cable compartment having separate compartmentalized routing for power cables, and a compartment for the main breaker. A branch circuit breaker unit is edge connected to the main breaker unit. More branch breaker units may be added. Each branch breaker unit has a bus plane for line power, with pin-shaped stabs extending perpendicularly from its busses. The bus plane is covered by circuit breaker compartments in front and an insulative backplane in back. Branch wiring exit slots in the circuit breaker compartments lead to wiring gutters. Each unit is shaped and dimensioned to be mechanically and electrically connected together to form the whole panelboard. Caps for the wiring gutters are front accessible and constitute a front surface of the finished panelboard.

Abstract: Apparatus for substantially eliminating exposure to live parts in a load center includes a bus assembly 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 circuit breaker compartments. A shutter assembly in each circuit breaker compartment has a nonconductive shutter plate that moves only in the Z axis to provide access to the stabs when a circuit breaker is inserted with a Z axis motion. Inserting the circuit breaker in the load center causes a shutter plate latch to open and depress the shutter. When the circuit breaker is removed from the load center, the shutter plate is biased upward and latched in a position over the stabs. No live touch points are available in the load center.