Abstract: A vented case is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including an arc chute structured to attract and dissipate an arc. The arc produces an ionized gas. The vented case includes at least one housing member comprising an interior, an exterior, a first end, a second end disposed generally opposite and distal from the first end, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end and the second end. The vented case also includes at least one vent structured to discharge the ionized gas from the interior of such housing member to the exterior of such housing member. Such vent includes a plurality of venting passages, each extending from proximate the arc chute within the interior to the exterior. An electrical switching apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An auxiliary switch sub-assembly is provided for a telecommunication system circuit breaker including a housing having an opening, separable contacts inside the housing, and an operating mechanism operating the separable contacts between open and closed positions. The operating mechanism comprises an operating handle operable among a first position corresponding to the separable contacts being open and a second position corresponding to the separable contacts being closed. The operating handle has a first end protruding from the opening of the housing, and a second end. The auxiliary switch sub-assembly includes an auxiliary switch including an actuator, and a mount attaching the auxiliary switch to the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker within the housing thereof. The actuator is mechanically actuated by a portion of the second end of the operating handle. An electrical switching apparatus employing an auxiliary switch sub-assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: The reset lever on a circuit breaker undervoltage relay is actuated by translating arcuate movement of a handle arm pin as the circuit breaker handle is moved to the off position into rotation of the reset lever through a complaint interface lever that is stiff enough to actuate the reset lever, but flexible enough to accommodate for overtravel of the handle arm pin when the circuit breaker is reset and for the stackup of tolerances in the operating mechanism.

Abstract: An auxiliary switch sub-assembly is provided for a telecommunication system circuit breaker including a housing having an opening, separable contacts inside the housing, and an operating mechanism operating the separable contacts between open and closed positions. The operating mechanism comprises an operating handle operable among a first position corresponding to the separable contacts being open and a second position corresponding to the-separable contacts being closed. The operating handle has a first end protruding from the opening of the housing, and a second end. The auxiliary switch sub-assembly includes an auxiliary switch including an actuator, and a mount attaching the auxiliary switch to the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker within the housing thereof. The actuator is mechanically actuated by a portion of the second end of the operating handle. An electrical switching apparatus employing an auxiliary switch sub-assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A handle assembly is provided for a circuit breaker which includes a housing assembly that defines a substantially enclosed space housing an operating mechanism. The handle assembly is preferably a single-piece and includes a base member which is coupled to the operating mechanism, and a handle member having a first end which protrudes from an opening of the housing assembly, and a second end coupled to the base member. The base member includes first and second integral resilient legs which are disposed within the opening and are supported by posts protruding from the housing assembly, in order to resist undesired access into the substantially enclosed space therein. The first and second integral resilient legs each include a groove which increases the resiliency of the leg. The handle assembly is preferably symmetric about the longitudinal axis of the handle member.

Abstract: A side plate structured to support an intermediate latch for a telecommunication system circuit breaker is provided. The intermediate latch has at least one keyed hub. The keyed hub has a circular portion and a radial extension. The side plate has a generally flat body with a plurality of openings including a keyed opening structured to support the intermediate latch. The keyed opening has a circular portion and a circumferential slot with at least one stop cam structured to arrest the rotation of an intermediate latch keyed hub disposed therein.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing having a first insulating portion, a line end, a load end and a pair of separable contacts electrically disposed between the line end and the load end. An operating mechanism includes a second insulating portion and a movable arm carrying one of the separable contacts. The operating mechanism is structured to move the separable contacts between an open position and a closed position. A shunt is electrically interconnected between the movable arm and one of the line and load ends. The first insulating portion is disposed between the separable contacts and a portion of the shunt. The first and second insulating portions cooperate at or about the closed position of the separable contacts to prevent an arc from passing from the separable contacts to the conductor.

Abstract: An intermediate latch for a telecommunication system circuit breaker trip device is provided. The trip device has a spring biased trip bar with a latch extension. The circuit breaker has an operating mechanism with a spring biased cradle. The intermediate latch has a body with a central portion, an extending trip bar latch member, a cradle guide, and at least one axle member. The at least one axle member has a partial hub and a cylindrical member. The partial hub has a thicker, axial base portion and a thinner edge portion. The cylindrical member extends from the partial hub base portion.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing having a first insulating portion, a line end, a load end and a pair of separable contacts electrically disposed between the line end and the load end. An operating mechanism includes a second insulating portion and a movable arm carrying one of the separable contacts. The operating mechanism is structured to move the separable contacts between an open position and a closed position. A shunt is electrically interconnected between the movable arm and one of the line and load ends. The first insulating portion is disposed between the separable contacts and a portion of the shunt. The first and second insulating portions cooperate at or about the closed position of the separable contacts to prevent an arc from passing from the separable contacts to the conductor.

Abstract: A handle assembly is provided for a circuit breaker which includes a housing assembly that defines a substantially enclosed space housing an operating mechanism. The handle assembly is preferably a single-piece and includes a base member which is coupled to the operating mechanism, and a handle member having a first end which protrudes from an opening of the housing assembly, and a second end coupled to the base member. The base member includes first and second integral resilient legs which are disposed within the opening and are supported by posts protruding from the housing assembly, in order to resist undesired access into the substantially enclosed space therein. The first and second integral resilient legs each include a groove which increases the resiliency of the leg. The handle assembly is preferably symmetric about the longitudinal axis of the handle member.

Abstract: A circuit breaker including a housing, separable contacts, a cradle rotatably mounted within the housing, an alarm switch mounted within the housing, and an interface lever disposed between the cradle and the alarm switch. The cradle is adapted to rotate about a first axis in a first direction when the circuit breaker moves to a tripped position in which the separable contacts are separated from one another. The alarm switch includes an actuation lever movable in an actuation direction, wherein movement of the actuation lever in the actuation direction causes the alarm switch to activate an alarm device electrically connected thereto. When the cradle rotates in the first direction, the cradle exerts a first force against the interface lever that causes the interface lever to exert a second force against the actuation lever that causes the actuation lever to move in the actuation direction.

Abstract: The reset lever on a circuit breaker undervoltage relay is actuated by translating arcuate movement of a handle arm pin as the circuit breaker handle is moved to the off position into rotation of the reset lever through a complaint interface lever that is stiff enough to actuate the reset lever, but flexible enough to accommodate for overtravel of the handle arm pin when the circuit breaker is reset and for the stackup of tolerances in the operating mechanism.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts, a trip mechanism having an armature mechanism responsive to selected conditions of current flowing through the contacts, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the contacts. The operating mechanism includes an open position, a closed position, a tripped open position, a lock, a first link and a second link having a base and a pair of legs. The lock is pivotally mounted to and substantially between the legs of the second link. The first link is pivotally mounted to the second link. The first link and the second link have an unbroken state in the closed position and a broken state in the tripped open position. The lock maintains the unbroken state in the closed position and responds to the armature mechanism to release the first link and the second link to the broken state in the tripped open position.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a case, separable contacts having a fixed contact and a movable contact, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a closed position, an open position, an operating handle for moving the operating mechanism between the open and closed positions, a movable contact arm carrying the movable contact, a linkage having a first end and a second end, and a snap lever. The second end of the linkage is pivotally mounted to the movable contact arm. The snap lever holds the linkage in the open position of the operating mechanism and releases the linkage as the operating handle moves from the open position toward the closed position of the operating mechanism, in order to snap close the separable contacts.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a case, a frame fixedly disposed within the case, separable contacts, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The frame includes a tab. The operating mechanism includes an operating handle, a closed position, an open position, a linkage, such as a pair of links, having a first end and a second end, and a link pivotally mounted to the case and to the first end of the linkage. The tab of the frame engages and stops movement of the link in the closed position.

Abstract: A plunger mechanism provides for automatic tripping of a circuit breaker upon the opening of a cover of electrical equipment connected adjacent to the circuit breaker. One end of the plunger mechanism protrudes from the circuit breaker's housing adjacent to the cover, and the other end of the plunger mechanism engages the latch within the trip mechanism of the circuit breaker. Upon opening the cover, the plunger is depressed by the cover, rotating the latch, thereby tripping the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An adapter mechanism is configured to permit a previously known accessory device that had been configured to be used in conjunction with a previously known circuit breaker to be operatively connected with a different type of circuit breaker. The adapter mechanism includes a first interface that is engageable with a handle of the circuit breaker as well as a second interface that is engageable with a movable arm or a latch mechanism of the circuit breaker. The adapter mechanism further includes a support member upon which the first interface is rotatably disposed, with the support member being formed with a plurality of clips that permit the support member and thus the adapter mechanism to be removably mounted on the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a handle having OFF, ON and intermediate positions, and an extension. A blocking disk has a spring, and first, second and third surfaces. The handle and disk are co-pivotally mounted. The extension engages the third surface for rotation therewith. A pivot lever includes a first end adapted for engagement with a movable contact arm, and a second end adapted for engagement with the first and second surfaces. The first surface blocks the second end as the handle moves from OFF toward the intermediate position, and releases the second end to the second surface at the intermediate position. The first end blocks movement of the movable contact arm when the first surface blocks the second end, and releases the movable contact arm when the first surface releases the second end, thereby moving a movable contact toward a fixed contact in response to the bias of a spring.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a handle having OFF, ON and intermediate positions, and an extension. A blocking disk has a spring, and first, second and third surfaces. The handle and disk are co-pivotally mounted. The extension engages the third surface for rotation therewith. A pivot lever includes a first end adapted for engagement with a movable contact arm, and a second end adapted for engagement with the first and second surfaces. The first surface blocks the second end as the handle moves from OFF toward the intermediate position, and releases the second end to the second surface at the intermediate position. The first end blocks movement of the movable contact arm when the first surface blocks the second end, and releases the movable contact arm when the first surface releases the second end, thereby moving a movable contact toward a fixed contact in response to the bias of a spring.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, line and load terminals, first and second circuit breaker mechanisms, an operating handle having on and off positions, and first and second links from the operating handle to the respective first and second operating mechanisms. Each of the circuit breaker mechanisms includes a set of separable contacts in series with the other separable contacts between the line and load terminals, an operating mechanism for moving the corresponding separable contacts between open and closed positions, and a trip mechanism cooperating with the corresponding operating mechanism for moving the corresponding separable contacts from the closed to the open position thereof. The first and second links engage the first and second operating mechanisms to move the first and second separable contacts, respectively, between the corresponding closed and open positions thereof responsive to the on and off positions, respectively, of the operating handle.