Abstract: A movable arm assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus including a stationary contact and an operating mechanism. The arm assembly includes a biasing member and an arm member having a first end, an opposite second end, a pivot point therebetween, and a portion having a longitudinal axis. A movable contact is disposed at or about the first end. The arm member engages a crossbar member at or about the pivot point such that the arm member can pivot from a first position to a second position. The biasing member engages the arm member at a point between the pivot point and the second end and includes a portion that engages and biases against a housings of the crossbar member. The longitudinal axis of the portion of the arm member is oriented generally parallel to the portion of the biasing member when the arm member is at the first position.

Abstract: A push-to-trip assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The push-to-trip assembly includes a push-to-trip actuator having first and second ends and being movable among a first position corresponding to the circuit breaker separable contacts being closeable, and a second position corresponding to the second end cooperating with a trip bar to cause the circuit breaker operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The first end is accessible from the exterior of the housing to actuate the push-to-trip actuator from the first position to the second position. A biasing element biases the push-to-trip actuator away from the base toward the first position. At least one cover stop of the push-to-trip actuator engages a corresponding portion of the housing cover to stop movement of the push-to-trip actuator. An overtravel restraint proximate the second end of the push-to-trip actuator restrains movement of the trip bar.

Abstract: A magnetic trip mechanism is provided for an electrical switching apparatus. The magnetic trip mechanism includes a magnetic member, an armature having opposing first and second ends and first and second sides, an armature restraint and a biasing element. The armature moves among first and second positions corresponding to separable contacts of the electrical switching apparatus being tripped open and closeable, respectively. The armature restraint includes first and second portions. In the first position, the first side of the armature engages the magnetic member. In the second position, the second side of the armature engages the second portion of the armature restraint. The armature restraint and the biasing element comprise a sub-assembly, which is removably coupled to the magnetic member. After being removably coupled to the magnetic member, the biasing element is chargeable to bias the armature away from the first position toward the second position.

Abstract: A heater assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus. The heater assembly includes a heater element and an elongated bimetal. The heater element includes first and second ends, an intermediate portion disposed therebetween and an aperture disposed proximate the first end. The elongated bimetal includes opposing first and second ends, and is movable between first and second positions corresponding respectively to the separable contacts of the electrical switching apparatus being closeable, and to the first end of the elongated bimetal cooperating with a trip bar to cause an operating mechanism to open the separable contacts. The second end of the elongated bimetal is coupled to the intermediate portion of the heater element. When the elongated bimetal is disposed in the first position, the first end of the elongated bimetal extends beyond the upper surface of the first end of the heater element into the aperture of the heater element.

Abstract: A movable arm assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus including a stationary contact and an operating mechanism. The arm assembly includes a biasing member and an arm member having a first end, an opposite second end, a pivot point therebetween, and a portion having a longitudinal axis. A movable contact is disposed at or about the first end. The arm member engages a crossbar member at or about the pivot point such that the arm member can pivot from a first position to a second position. The biasing member engages the arm member at a point between the pivot point and the second end and includes a portion that engages and biases against a housings of the crossbar member. The longitudinal axis of the portion of the arm member is oriented generally parallel to the portion of the biasing member when the arm member is at the first position.

Abstract: A push-to-trip assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The push-to-trip assembly includes a push-to-trip actuator having first and second ends and being movable among a first position corresponding to the circuit breaker separable contacts being closeable, and a second position corresponding to the second end cooperating with a trip bar to cause the circuit breaker operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The first end is accessible from the exterior of the housing to actuate the push-to-trip actuator from the first position to the second position. A biasing element biases the push-to-trip actuator away from the base toward the first position. At least one cover stop of the push-to-trip actuator engages a corresponding portion of the housing cover to stop movement of the push-to-trip actuator. An overtravel restraint proximate the second end of the push-to-trip actuator restrains movement of the trip bar.

Abstract: A heater assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus. The heater assembly includes a heater element and an elongated bimetal. The heater element includes first and second ends, an intermediate portion disposed therebetween and an aperture disposed proximate the first end. The elongated bimetal includes opposing first and second ends, and is movable between first and second positions corresponding respectively to the separable contacts of the electrical switching apparatus being closeable, and to the first end of the elongated bimetal cooperating with a trip bar to cause an operating mechanism to open the separable contacts. The second end of the elongated bimetal is coupled to the intermediate portion of the heater element. When the elongated bimetal is disposed in the first position, the first end of the elongated bimetal extends beyond the upper surface of the first end of the heater element into the aperture of the heater element.

Abstract: A magnetic trip mechanism is provided for an electrical switching apparatus. The magnetic trip mechanism includes a magnetic member, an armature having opposing first and second ends and first and second sides, an armature restraint and a biasing element. The armature moves among first and second positions corresponding to separable contacts of the electrical switching apparatus being tripped open and closeable, respectively. The armature restraint includes first and second portions. In the first position, the first side of the armature engages the magnetic member. In the second position, the second side of the armature engages the second portion of the armature restraint. The armature restraint and the biasing element comprise a sub-assembly, which is removably coupled to the magnetic member. After being removably coupled to the magnetic member, the biasing element is chargeable to bias the armature away from the first position toward the second position.

Abstract: An improved paralleled multiple pole circuit breaker employs a conductive element of known resistance connected in series within each pole. A bridging conductor electrically connects together the poles and balances the current flow therethrough at a location between the sets of separable contacts and the conductive element of each pole. The conductive elements are mass-produced plate-like blades of a material having a resistance that is substantially fixed and is substantially independent of temperature. During operation, the voltage drop across one of the conductive elements can be determined by directly measuring the voltage drop between the ends of the conductive element without additionally interposing copper, solder, or other materials between the locations on the conductive element across which the voltage drop is determined.

Abstract: An auxiliary switch actuating mechanism is for a circuit breaker including a housing, separable contacts, an operating mechanism with an operating handle interconnected to the separable contacts by a linkage assembly, and an auxiliary switch having a contact member. The auxiliary switch actuating mechanism includes an actuating lever with first and second ends and a pivot portion engaging the housing proximate the auxiliary switch. A torsion spring biases the actuating lever towards engaging and actuating the contact member of the auxiliary switch. The contact member is actuated when the separable contacts are not tripped open and the linkage assembly is not collapsed. When the circuit breaker trips, the linkage assembly collapses, engaging and pivoting the actuating lever, in order to overcome the bias and disengage and deactivate the contact member.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing having an opening, separable contacts within the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a generally transparent operating handle having a portion protruding through the opening of the housing. An auxiliary switch associated with the operating mechanism provides a first normally closed output when the separable contacts are open and a second normally open output when the separable contacts are closed. A first LED indicator cooperates with the first output, is proximate the operating handle and is illuminated when the separable contacts are open. A second LED indicator cooperates with the second output, is proximate the operating handle and is illuminated when the separable contacts are closed. One of the first and second LED indicators illuminates the operating handle.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, a pair of separable contacts within the housing, and an operating mechanism having an operating handle for opening and closing the separable contacts. A micro-switch cooperates with the operating handle and provides a first output when the separable contacts are open and a second output when the separable contacts are closed. A first LED indicator protrudes through the housing and cooperates the first output of the micro-switch. The first LED indicator is illuminated when the separable contacts are open. A second LED indicator protrudes through the housing and cooperates with the second output of the micro-switch. The second LED indicator is illuminated when the separable contacts are closed.

Abstract: A locking assembly is for a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing enclosing separable contacts and an operating mechanism. The housing has an elevated portion with an opening. An operating handle, which operates to open and close the separable contacts, protrudes from the opening and moves between “on” and “off” circuit breaker positions. The locking assembly includes first and second locking elements pivotally connected to the operating handle and structured to engage the elevated portion of the circuit breaker housing, in order to restrain movement of the operating handle from either the “on” or “off” position when the shackle of a lock is inserted through shackle-receiving apertures of the first and second locking elements.

Abstract: A locking attachment is for a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing enclosing separable contacts and an operating mechanism, an elongated operating member with a handle that operates to open and close the separable contacts, and an opening in the housing through which the elongated operating member protrudes. The opening has first and second ends corresponding to “on” and “off” circuit breaker positions, respectively. The locking attachment includes a locking member having a first end having a compressive segment with opposed portions for compressively capturing the operating member. The second end of the locking member is structured to engage the housing of the circuit breaker at one of the first and second ends of the opening in the housing, thereby locking the circuit breaker in either the “on” or “off” position.

Abstract: A locking attachment is for a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing enclosing separable contacts and an operating mechanism, an elongated operating member with a handle that operates to open and close the separable contacts, and an opening in the housing through which the elongated operating member protrudes. The opening has first and second ends corresponding to “on” and “off” circuit breaker positions, respectively. The locking attachment includes a locking member having a first end having a compressive segment with opposed portions for compressively capturing the operating member. The second end of the locking member is structured to engage the housing of the circuit breaker at one of the first and second ends of the opening in the housing, thereby locking the circuit breaker in either the “on” or “off” position.

Abstract: A gas deflector for a line-in connector of a circuit breaker. The gas deflector is coupled to a collar with a top and a cavity, a threaded opening through the top, a screw threaded in the threaded opening. The collar is attached to the line-in for the circuit breaker. The gas deflector is an L-shaped shield with an integral screw sleeve and a slot sized to allow a terminal strap to pass therethrough. The terminal strap is connected to the collar. The shield device covers the collar top and the cavity and is held in place by the screw passing through the sleeve and by the terminal strap passing through the slot. The shield substantially reduces the amount of ionized gas infiltrating into the collar.

Abstract: A switching mechanism interfaces a flexible shaft to the handle of a circuit interrupter which handle is rotated in a arcuate path between an on position and an off position. The switching mechanism includes a handle attachment for rotating between the on position and off position. The switching mechanism includes a base plate which is attached to the circuit interrupter and secures a flexible shaft thereto. The other end of the flexible shaft is connected to a remote, exteriorly mounted operating handle. The base plate has a perpendicularly extended tab with ears thereon which feeds through an opening in a portion of the linearly moving part of the handle mechanism actuator. Since the present apparatus is to be disposed on the side of the circuit breaker, there is a likelihood for sideways twisting or torsional rotation of the yoke in the direction perpendicular to the plane in which the arc of the handle of the circuit breaker is to move during opening and closing operations.

Abstract: The handle of an electrical switch reciprocally movable in a slot in the switch housing is locked in a desired position by a locking mechanism which includes a base plate secured to the housing adjacent one end of the handle slot. A hasp member is hinged to the base plate at a hinge end for rotation about a hinge axis transverse to the path of reciprocal movement of the handle. The hasp member is rotatable between a locking position in which it overlaps the front end of the slot so that the handle cannot be moved away from the second end of the slot. A staple extending transversely from the base plate protrudes through an opening in the hasp member and has an opening for receiving one or more padlocks for locking the hasp member in the blocking position. In a second embodiment, the hasp member has a second opening through which the handle protrudes for locking the handle at the front end of the slot.

Abstract: An electrical operator includes a housing; a motor driven ball screw for operating the handle of a circuit breaker in an electrical mode of operation, and a handle extension for operating the circuit breaker handle in a manual mode of operation; a slider plate sliding through an opening of the housing between an intermediate position enabling the manual mode of operation, an inner position enabling the electrical mode of operation, and an outer position wherein the manual and electrical modes are disabled; and a cantilevered latch spring member connected to the slider plate. The free end of the cantilevered latch spring member engages the housing at about the opening thereof to stop the slider plate in its manual intermediate position. The free end of the cantilevered latch spring member deflects toward the slider plate to disengage from the housing and permit the slider plate to enter the inner electrical position thereof.

Abstract: A motor operator for a circuit breaker has a motor driven carriage which engages a circuit breaker handle and drives it between an on position and a reset position beyond off. When the carriage drives the handle to the off/reset position, an off limit switch is actuated to deenergize the motor. A fastener releasably secures a bracket slidably mounted on the carriage to a fixed member when the carriage reaches the reset position of the handle so that if the circuit breaker does not reset and rebounds toward a trip position, the bracket is extended and maintains actuation of the off limit switch. Hence, the motor is not repeatedly energized and burned out in unsuccessful attempts to reset the circuit breaker.