Abstract: A control arrangement to prevent or delay the closing of current limiting circuit breaker contacts after opening by repulsion due to a short circuit is disclosed. A first contact arm and a second contact arm are operatively associated with a ratchet or pawl for locking the second contact arm. A release lever operatable by the first contact arm and the breaker operating mechanism releases the ratchet after a delay period greater than the duration of the short circuit or the operating time of the breaker operating mechanism.

Abstract: A latching mechanism is arranged to engage one of the movable contact arms upon magnetic repulsion of the contact arms independent of the operating mechanism to prevent the contact arm from re-closing until the operating mechanism has responded. An operating lever reacts with the contact arm latching mechanism to articulate the operating mechanism to trip the breaker after the latching mechanism has fully engaged the contact arm.

Abstract: A circuit breaker contact configuration reduces the occurrence of contact bounce by providing a reverse force to the contacts during contact closure. This reduces the contact closing shock energy, while keeping the contact bias force constant. In one embodiment, the reverse force is obtained by means of a counteracting spring which engages one of the contact arms at a point along the rebound path. Another embodiment comprises transferring the pivot point of one of the contacts from a first to a second position at a point along the rebound path.