Abstract: A secondary disconnect assembly is for electrically connecting and disconnecting accessories to an electrical switching apparatus, such as a power circuit breaker. The secondary disconnect assembly includes a terminal block assembly comprising a mounting member, at least one terminal block removably mounted on the mounting member, and at least one accessory plug structured to be removably inserted into the terminal block to be electrically connected to the terminal block. The terminal block and the accessory plug each include a plurality of error-proofing features. The error-proofing features prohibit insertion of the accessory plug into the terminal block unless the accessory plug is correctly disposed in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A secondary disconnect assembly is for electrically connecting and disconnecting accessories to an electrical switching apparatus, such as a power circuit breaker. The secondary disconnect assembly includes a terminal block assembly comprising a mounting member, at least one terminal block removably mounted on the mounting member, and at least one accessory plug structured to be removably inserted into the terminal block to be electrically connected to the terminal block. The terminal block and the accessory plug each include a plurality of error-proofing features. The error-proofing features prohibit insertion of the accessory plug into the terminal block unless the accessory plug is correctly disposed in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A secondary disconnect assembly is for electrically connecting and disconnecting accessories to an electrical switching apparatus, such as a power circuit breaker. The secondary disconnect assembly includes a terminal block assembly comprising a mounting member, at least one terminal block removably mounted on the mounting member, and at least one accessory plug structured to be removably inserted into the terminal block to be electrically connected to the terminal block. The terminal block and the accessory plug each include a plurality of error-proofing features. The error-proofing features prohibit insertion of the accessory plug into the terminal block unless the accessory plug is correctly disposed in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A secondary disconnect assembly is for electrically connecting and disconnecting accessories to an electrical switching apparatus, such as a power circuit breaker. The secondary disconnect assembly includes a terminal block assembly comprising a mounting member, at least one terminal block removably mounted on the mounting member, and at least one accessory plug structured to be removably inserted into the terminal block to be electrically connected to the terminal block. The terminal block and the accessory plug each include a plurality of error-proofing features. The error-proofing features prohibit insertion of the accessory plug into the terminal block unless the accessory plug is correctly disposed in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A secondary disconnect assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a power circuit breaker. The secondary disconnect assembly includes a cradle assembly and a terminal block mount. The cradle assembly includes a cradle housing, an inner cradle movably disposed within the cradle housing, a number of retention members, and at least one stop member. The terminal block mount structured to receive a plurality of terminal blocks. The terminal block mount includes a number of protrusions each being removably coupled to the inner cradle. The retention members cooperate with the protrusions to retain the protrusions in a desired position with respect to the inner cradle. The at least one stop member cooperates with the inner cradle to correctly align the inner cradle with respect to the terminal block mount.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus housing assembly for an electrical switching apparatus assembly is provided. The electrical switching apparatus housing assembly including a body assembly and a movable door member. The body assembly includes a number of outer sidewalls. The outer sidewalls define an enclosed space. The outer sidewalls include a top sidewall. The top sidewall includes a limited opening to the enclosed space. The movable door member is movably coupled to the top sidewall. The door member is movable between an open, first position, wherein the door member is not disposed in the limited opening, and a closed, second position, wherein the door member is disposed in the limited opening.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus housing assembly for an electrical switching apparatus assembly is provided. The electrical switching apparatus housing assembly including a body assembly and a movable door member. The body assembly includes a number of outer sidewalls. The outer sidewalls define an enclosed space. The outer sidewalls include a top sidewall. The top sidewall includes a limited opening to the enclosed space. The movable door member is movably coupled to the top sidewall. The door member is movable between an open, first position, wherein the door member is not disposed in the limited opening, and a closed, second position, wherein the door member is disposed in the limited opening.

Abstract: A drive shaft extension assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus which is removably disposed in a cassette. The electrical switching apparatus includes a levering assembly with a drive shaft. The drive shaft extension assembly includes a housing assembly, a shaft extension including an elongated body, and a racking gear. The shaft extension is structured to be coupled to the drive shaft in a fixed orientation, thereby increasing the width of the levering assembly.

Abstract: A drive shaft extension assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus which is removably disposed in a cassette. The electrical switching apparatus includes a levering assembly with a drive shaft. The drive shaft extension assembly includes a housing assembly, a shaft extension including an elongated body, and a racking gear. The shaft extension is structured to be coupled to the drive shaft in a fixed orientation, thereby increasing the width of the levering assembly.

Abstract: An improved circuit breaker having an improved shield apparatus provides protection to components that are internal to the circuit breaker during an arc event. A contact arm carrier assembly of the circuit breaker comprises a number of springs that bias a number of movable contacts that are disposed on contact arms into engagement and electrical connection with a stationary contact. The shield apparatus is disposed on a carrier housing of the contact arm carrier assembly and is situated adjacent the springs. A shield member of the shield apparatus is biased into engagement with the contact arms. When the circuit breaker is moved between the ON position and the OFF or TRIPPED positions, the shield of the shield apparatus moves between a retracted position and a deployed position, with the shield remaining in engagement with the contact arms and protecting the springs from damage in an arc event. In one embodiment, the shield member is formed of a material that generates gases when struck by an arc.

Abstract: An improved circuit breaker having an improved shield apparatus provides protection to components that are internal to the circuit breaker during an arc event. A contact arm carrier assembly of the circuit breaker comprises a number of springs that bias a number of movable contacts that are disposed on contact arms into engagement and electrical connection with a stationary contact. The shield apparatus is disposed on a carrier housing of the contact arm carrier assembly and is situated adjacent the springs. A shield member of the shield apparatus is biased into engagement with the contact arms. When the circuit breaker is moved between the ON position and the OFF or TRIPPED positions, the shield of the shield apparatus moves between a retracted position and a deployed position, with the shield remaining in engagement with the contact arms and protecting the springs from damage in an arc event. In one embodiment, the shield member is formed of a material that generates gases when struck by an arc.

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: An adjustable magnetic trip unit for a circuit breaker includes a torsion spring which applies a bias force to the plunger of a trip solenoid. The torsion spring is mounted on a driven bevel gear and wound by an adjustment knob coupled to a driving bevel gear to adjust the current at which the solenoid is activated. An indexer having peripheral flats which engage a seat in the circuit breaker housing provides a plurality of discrete positions of the adjustment knob. Depressing the adjustment knob against a second spring unseats the indexer for rotation of the adjustment knob between settings. In addition, a slide with an inclined surface bearing against the plunger and coupled to the driven bevel gear, provides simultaneous adjustment of plunger gap with adjustment of the torsion spring force to increase the range of adjustment.

Abstract: An adjustable magnetic trip unit for a circuit breaker includes a torsion spring which applies a bias force to the plunger of a trip solenoid. The torsion spring is mounted on a driven bevel gear and wound by an adjustment knob coupled to a driving bevel gear to adjust the current at which the solenoid is activated. An indexer having peripheral flats which engage a seat in the circuit breaker housing provides a plurality of discrete positions of the adjustment knob. Depressing the adjustment knob against a second spring unseats the indexer for rotation of the adjustment knob between settings. In addition, a slide with an inclined surface bearing against the plunger and coupled to the driven bevel gear, provides simultaneous adjustment of plunger gap with adjustment of the torsion spring force to increase the range of adjustment.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a housing, separable main contacts within the housing, and an operating mechanism within the housing and interconnected with the separable main contacts. A trip mechanism is disposed within the housing that includes a trip bar assembly rotatable about an axis and that, when rotated, generates a tripping operation causing the operating mechanism to open the contacts. The trip bar assembly includes a trip member translatable along the axis. The trip mechanism includes a tripping actuator movable along a predetermined path of travel as a function of electrical current. The tripping actuator contacts a contact area of the trip member at a predetermined location along the predetermined path of travel of the tripping actuator and causes the trip bar assembly to rotate and generate the tripping operation upon a predetermined current threshold.

Abstract: An adjustable magnetic trip device for a molded case circuit breaker is provided where the trip device includes a plunger and a stationary core as well as a plunger support structure with a movable plunger carriage. The position of the plunger assembly and carriage relative to the stationary core is determined by a cam assembly having a body with a plurality of sections, each section having a different radius. The plunger carriage is responsive to rotation of said cam assembly and may be adjusted by rotating the cam. The over-current condition for the trip device is a function of the distance between the plunger assembly and the stationary core. Accordingly, the over-current condition may be changed by rotating the cam. As each section of the cam has a constant radius, the over-current condition remains the same no matter where the carriage contacts a certain section of the cam.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a housing, separable main contacts within the housing, and an operating mechanism within the housing and interconnected with the contacts. An arc extinguisher assembly is disposed within the housing. Also provided within the housing is a slot motor assembly having a cavity region within which the contacts are substantially located. The slot motor assembly electro-magnetically interacts with current flowing between the contacts, and includes magnetic plates positioned in a slot motor housing. The slot motor housing has a tendency to move an arc existing between the contacts toward the arc extinguisher assembly. The slot motor assembly also includes an insulation member positioned within the cavity region and between the magnetic plates and the slot motor housing.