Abstract: The present invention provides a wire lug arc vent barrier for protecting a wire lug in a molded case circuit breaker, with the circuit breaker having a housing with a terminal for a load connection and a terminal for a line connection. The wire lug/arc vent barrier comprises a body having a first end including a tang, a second end including an elongated finger and a middle portion between the first end and the second end defining a concave space, with an opening at each of the middle portion, wherein the body is mounted in the housing.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (10, 12) includes a sensing circuit (48, 50, 52), a control circuit (46), an actuator (42), an operating mechanism, and an interlock mechanism (70, 94). The sensing circuit (48, 50, 52) is configured to generate the sense signal representative of a power signal flowing through a power circuit (54, 56, 58). The control circuit (46) has a frame (74, 76) and is configured to receive the sense signal and to provide a trip signal on a first terminal (68). The actuator (42) is external to the control circuit frame (74, 76) and has a second terminal (98) coupleable to the first terminal (68). The actuator (42) is configured to receive the trip signal on the second terminal (98). The operating mechanism is coupled to the actuator (42) and is configured to open and close the power circuit in response to actuation of a lever (36). The actuator (42) is configured to actuate the lever (36) in response to the trip signal.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (10, 12) includes a sensing circuit (48, 50, 52), a control circuit (46), an actuator (42), an operating mechanism, and an interlock mechanism (70, 94). The sensing circuit (48, 50, 52) is configured to generate the sense signal representative of a power signal flowing through a power circuit (54, 56, 58). The control circuit (46) has a frame (74, 76) and is configured to receive the sense signal and to provide a trip signal on a first terminal (68). The actuator (42) is external to the control circuit frame (74, 76) and has a second terminal (98) coupleable to the first terminal (68). The actuator (42) is configured to receive the trip signal on the second terminal (98). The operating mechanism is coupled to the actuator (42) and is configured to open and close the power circuit in response to actuation of a lever (36). The actuator (42) is configured to actuate the lever (36), in response to the trip signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wire lug arc vent barrier for protecting a wire lug in a molded case circuit breaker, with the circuit breaker having a housing with a terminal for a load connection and a terminal for a line connection. The wire lug/arc vent barrier comprises a body having a first end including a tang, a second end including an elongated finger and a middle portion between the first end and the second end defining a concave space, with an opening at each of the middle portion, wherein the body is mounted in the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wire lug arc vent barrier for protecting a wire lug in a molded case circuit breaker, with the circuit breaker having a housing with a terminal for a load connection and a terminal for a line connection. The wire lug/arc vent barrier comprises a body having a first end including a tang, a second end including an elongated finger and a middle portion between the first end and the second end defining a concave space, with an opening at each of the middle portion, wherein the body is mounted in the housing.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (10, 12) includes a sensing circuit (48, 50, 52), a control circuit (46), an actuator (42), an operating mechanism, and an interlock mechanism (70, 94). The sensing circuit (48, 50, 52) is configured to generate the sense signal representative of a power signal flowing through a power circuit (54, 56, 58). The control circuit (46) has a frame (74, 76) and is configured to receive the sense signal and to provide a trip signal on a first terminal (68). The actuator (42) is external to the control circuit frame (74, 76) and has a second terminal (98) coupleable to the first terminal (68). The actuator (42) is configured to receive the trip signal on the second terminal (98). The operating mechanism is coupled to the actuator (42) and is configured to open and close the power circuit in response to actuation of a lever (36). The actuator (42) is configured to actuate the lever (36) in response to the trip signal.

Abstract: A ring tongue lug retainer in a circuit breaker with the circuit breaker having a line bus conductor and a load bus conductor, wherein electrical conductors are connected to the line and load bus conductors. The ring tongue lug retainer comprises a lug body having a throughbore defining at least two interior walls and a threaded screw hole aligned perpendicular to and in communication with the throughbore. A thread portion may be provided in each interior wall of the lug body engages the binding screw configured to threadingly engage the screw hole and the lug body. The binding screw has a ring tongue protrusion configured to engage a ring tongue terminal of the electrical conductors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit breaker (10) and a cover (20) for a molded case circuit breaker having an operating mechanism (40) and an intermediate latching mechanism (52) with the cover (20) comprising a substantially planer member having a central opening (29) and an accessory compartment (22) formed in the planer member on either side of the opening (29) with the accessory compartment (22) configured to accept a plurality of different types of accessories (20) and having a plurality of holes (24) wherein a circuit breaker accessory (80) is nested in the accessory compartment (22) and is in contact with one of the operating mechanism (40) and the intermediate latching mechanism (52) within the housing (12).

Abstract: The present invention provides a wire lug arc vent barrier for protecting a wire lug in a molded case circuit breaker, with the circuit breaker having a housing with a terminal for a load connection and a terminal for a line connection. The wire lug/arc vent barrier comprises a body having a first end including a tang, a second end including an elongated finger and a middle portion between the first end and the second end defining a concave space, with an opening at each of the middle portion, wherein the body is mounted in the housing.

Abstract: The circuit breaker (10) of the present invention is a molded case circuit breaker and includes a molded case (12) having a main cover (20), a first terminal (16) and a second terminal (16) mounted inside the case (12) with a stationary contact (44) electrically coupled to the first terminal (18) and a movable contact (42) electrically coupled to the second terminal (16). The movable contact (42) is coupled to an operating mechanism (40) which has a pivoting member (13) moveable between an ON position, an OFF position and a TRIPPED position. An intermediate latching mechanism (52) also is mounted in the housing (12) and is coupled to the operating mechanism (40). The intermediate latching mechanism (52) is selectively operated by a trip unit (60) which comprises a magnetic short circuit release and a thermal overload release.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit breaker (10) and a cover (20) for a molded case circuit breaker having an operating mechanism (40) and an intermediate latching mechanism (52) with the cover (20) comprising a substantially planer member having a central opening (29) and an accessory compartment (22) formed in the planer member on either side of the opening (29) with the accessory compartment (22) configured to accept a plurality of different types of accessories (20) and having a plurality of holes (24) wherein a circuit breaker accessory (80) is nested in the accessory compartment (22) and is in contact with one of the operating mechanism (40) and the intermediate latching mechanism (52) within the housing (12).

Abstract: An energy information management method for use with a circuit breaker coupled between a power source and a load, the method comprising the steps of: (a) sensing at least one of a voltage and a current flowing between the power source and the load through the circuit breaker; (b) counting a number of times the circuit breaker trips and interrupts the current flow between the power source and the load; (c) measuring the current flow through the circuit breaker when the circuit breaker trips and interrupts the current flow between the power source and the load; (d) determining a plurality of conditions of the circuit breaker; (e) accepting a user input, the user input for at least one of controlling the circuit breaker and displaying the plurality of conditions of the circuit breaker; (f) displaying at least one of the plurality of conditions of the circuit breaker responsive to the user input; and (g) communicating at least one of the plurality of conditions to a remote terminal.

Abstract: An energy information system for use with a circuit breaker coupled between a power source and a load, the energy information system comprising: sensing apparatus for sensing at least one of i) a voltage, and ii) a current flowing between the power source and the load through the circuit breaker; detecting apparatus for detecting transitions of a sensed voltage; counting apparatus for counting a number of times the circuit breaker trips and interrupts the current flow between the power source and the load; measuring apparatus for i) measuring the current flow through the circuit breaker when the circuit breaker trips and interrupts the current flow between the power source and the load and ii) determining a plurality of energy related parameters including a measure of at least one of the voltage, the current and the frequency based on an output from the detecting apparatus, between the power source and the load; input apparatus for accepting a user input, the user input controlling at least one of the circuit

Abstract: A graphical energy information display system having a menu for user selection of energy related information for an AC load control device, comprising: a device for monitoring AC electrical load usage of a load using a voltage shifter coupled to a sensor to bias the voltage above a ground potential by a predetermined voltage to produce a full-wave biased voltage signal; a graphical display device connected to said device for monitoring AC electrical load usage, said graphical display device adapted so as to graphically display indicia and at least one parameter of the AC electrical load usage of the load said parameters being displayed as a signal representation; menu means for displaying a plurality of selections on said graphical display device, each of said plurality of selections representing at least one parameter of the AC electrical load usage; and menu selection means for selecting at least one of said plurality of selections so as to cause said graphical display device to graphically present the sign

Abstract: The circuit breaker (10) of the present invention is a molded case circuit breaker and includes a molded case (12) having a main cover (20), a first terminal (16) and a second terminal (16) mounted inside the case (12) with a stationary contact (44) electrically coupled to the first terminal (18) and a movable contact (42) electrically coupled to the second terminal (16). The movable contact (42) is coupled to an operating mechanism (40) which has a pivoting member (13) moveable between an ON position, an OFF position and a TRIPPED position. An intermediate latching mechanism (52) also is mounted in the housing (12) and is coupled to the operating mechanism (40). The intermediate latching mechanism (52) is selectively operated by a trip unit (60) which comprises a magnetic short circuit release and a thermal overload release.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker and includes a molded case (12) having a main cover (20), a first terminal (16) and a second terminal (16) mounted inside the case (12) with a stationary contact (44) electrically coupled to the first terminal (18) and a movable contact (42) electrically coupled to the second terminal (16). The movable contact (42) is coupled to an operating mechanism (40) which has a pivoting member (13) moveable between an ON position, an OFF position and a TRIPPED position. An intermediate latching mechanism (52) also is mounted in the housing (12) and is coupled to the operating mechanism (40). The intermediate latching mechanism (52) is selectively operated by a trip unit (60) which comprises a magnetic short circuit release and a thermal overload release.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the calibration of a circuit breaker trip mechanism including a terminal element, a bimetal element connected thereto, and a trip bar. Laser energy is applied to lanced or pre-bent surfaces of the terminal element to thermally induce displacement thereof and thereby modify a trip distance between the bimetal element and the trip bar. Where a laser beam is directed to fall on a middle leg of a lanced or pre-bent section of the terminal element, the bimetal element moves in one direction relative to the trip bar. Conversely, where a laser beam is directed to fall on lateral legs of the lanced or pre-bent section of the terminal element, the bimetal element moves in an opposite direction relative to the trip bar. Thus, laser energy may be applied from the same direction, or to the same side of the trip structure, regardless of whether the trip time is to be increased or decreased.

Abstract: A method for graphically displaying a menu for selection and viewing of the load related parameters of a load connected to an AC load control device, comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring the load related parameters of the load connected to the AC load control device using a voltage shifter coupled to a sensor to bias the voltage above a ground potential by a predetermined voltage to produce a full-wave biased voltage signal; (b) displaying on a graphical display device a menu of a plurality of indicia representing the monitored load related parameters; (c) scrolling through each indicia on said menu; and (d) selecting an item from said menu thereby causing the load related parameters relating to the said indicia to appear on said graphical display device as a signal representation.

Abstract: A contact assembly (22) is adapted for use with a circuit breaker (12) that is set to open a circuit above a predetermined current load. The contact assembly (22) is adapted to reciprocate between a closed position to permit the flow of current through the circuit and an open position to prevent the flow of current. The contact assembly (22) is further adapted to resist unintended reciprocation from the closed position to the open position at current loads up to or exceeding the predetermined current load. The contact assembly includes a line side conductor (38) and a load side conductor (54).

Abstract: A method for adjusting the calibration of a circuit breaker trip mechanism including a terminal element, a bimetal element connected thereto, and a trip bar. Laser energy is applied to lanced or pre-bent surfaces of the terminal element to thermally induce displacement thereof and thereby modify a trip distance between the bimetal element and the trip bar. Where a laser beam is directed to fall on a middle leg of a lanced or pre-bent section of the terminal element, the bimetal element moves in one direction relative to the trip bar. Conversely, where a laser beam is directed to fall on lateral legs of the lanced or pre-bent section of the terminal element, the bimetal element moves in an opposite direction relative to the trip bar. Thus, laser energy may be applied from the same direction, or to the same side of the trip structure, regardless of whether the trip time is to be increased or decreased.