Abstract: A guard assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus of an electrical system. The electrical system includes a number of conductors each having an insulated portion and an exposed portion that meet at a junction. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing and a number of terminals connected to the exposed portion of a conductor. The guard assembly comprises: an interconnect member coupled to the housing; and a number of guard members each comprising: a first portion coupled to the interconnect member, and a second portion extending from the first portion away from the housing, the second portion comprising: a first distal end located at the first portion, and a second distal end opposite and distal from the first distal end. Each of the guard members has an opening. The opening receives a conductor. Each junction is located between a second distal end and a terminal.

Abstract: A guard assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus of an electrical system. The electrical system includes a number of conductors each having an insulated portion and an exposed portion that meet at a junction. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing and a number of terminals connected to the exposed portion of a conductor. The guard assembly comprises: an interconnect member coupled to the housing; and a number of guard members each comprising: a first portion coupled to the interconnect member, and a second portion extending from the first portion away from the housing, the second portion comprising: a first distal end located at the first portion, and a second distal end opposite and distal from the first distal end. Each of the guard members has an opening. The opening receives a conductor. Each junction is located between a second distal end and a terminal.

Abstract: An electrically powered, fast acting transfer switch utilizes a single action solenoid that, alternately, through a mechanical assembly, moves the handle of one electric power switch between OFF and ON positions. A coupling including a rigid strap operates the handle of a second electric power switch oppositely between ON and OFF positions. The mechanical assembly includes an electromagnet drive plate to which the electromagnet of the solenoid is secured and an armature drive plate carrying the solenoid armature. A latch mechanism alternately holds one drive plate and then the other stationary so that the electromagnet and armature alternately move to effect reciprocal movement of the handle of the one electric power switch, and through the rigid strap, the handle of the second electric power switch.

Abstract: An electrically powered, fast acting transfer switch utilizes two electric power switches mounted in spaced relation with the handles confronting and moveable in a common plane, but in opposite directions, so that when simultaneously operated by an electrically powered operator positioned between the two switches, one switch is ON and the other is OFF. A mechanical assembly converts the motion of a single acting solenoid into reciprocal operation of the switch handles.

Abstract: A shock-resistant solenoid assembly includes a trip solenoid and an inertia lock, the inertia lock being operable to resist unintended engagement of a core of the trip solenoid with a trip plunger of a trip unit of a circuit breaker. The core is movable along a tripping path between a retracted position and an extended position, with the core engaging the trip plunger in the extended position. The inertia lock includes an inertia member and a latch. In response to shock loading, the inertia member interposes the latch into the tripping path to engage the core and resist the core from operatively engaging the tripping plunger under inappropriate conditions. The Abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the Claims.

Abstract: A motor operator for an electric power switch having a handle moveable along a rectilinear path includes a threaded shaft mounted for rotation parallel to movement of the handle. A molded flexible coupling has a drive section with a threaded through bore engaging the threaded shaft and a yoke section having a hole engaged by the handle. The yoke section is joined to the drive section by an integral flexible intermediate section formed by a pair of slits extending generally parallel to the through bore. As the threaded shaft is rotated by a motor, the drive coupling, and with it the handle, are driven between OFF and ON positions. During startup of the motor, toggling of the handle by a toggle mechanism in the switch, and deceleration at the end of travel, when the drive section of the drive coupling and the yoke section travel at different speeds, one or the other of the slits closes as the intermediate section bends to dampen the effect.

Abstract: An electrically powered, fast acting transfer switch utilizes two electric power switches mounted in spaced relation with the handles confronting and moveable in a common plane, but in opposite directions, so that when simultaneously operated by an electrically powered operator positioned between the two switches, one switch is ON and the other is OFF. A mechanical assembly converts the motion of a single acting solenoid into reciprocal operation of the switch handles.

Abstract: An electrically powered, fast acting transfer switch utilizes a single action solenoid that, alternately, through a mechanical assembly, moves the handle of one electric power switch between OFF and ON positions. A coupling including a rigid strap operates the handle of a second electric power switch oppositely between ON and OFF positions. The mechanical assembly includes an electromagnet drive plate to which the electromagnet of the solenoid is secured and an armature drive plate carrying the solenoid armature. A latch mechanism alternately holds one drive plate and then the other stationary so that the electromagnet and armature alternately move to effect reciprocal movement of the handle of the one electric power switch, and through the rigid strap, the handle of the second electric power switch.

Abstract: A shunt trip assembly having a tripping solenoid and a locking solenoid selectively blocks movement of the tripping solenoid to prevent inappropriate tripping of a circuit breaker during shock loading thereof. The tripping solenoid includes a tripping plunger that is longitudinally translatable along a tripping path to operatively engage a trip button of the circuit breaker. The locking solenoid includes a locking plunger that is selectively translatable along a locking path to selectively block movement of the tripping plunger, the locking path being substantially perpendicular to the tripping path. A longitudinally-facing first abutment surface on the tripping plunger is engaged by the locking plunger to prevent inappropriate movement of the tripping plunger during shock loading. A peripherally-disposed second abutment surface on the tripping plunger prevents misconfiguration of the shunt trip assembly after the shunt trip assembly has been deenergized.

Abstract: The secondary cover of a molded case electric power switch housing is removably secured in place to enclose cavities in a primary cover for auxiliary devices by an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly includes one or more studs having a first end section with self-tapping threads which fix the studs to the molded primary cover with a second end section having a conventional screw thread projecting outward from the top face of the primary cover. The attachment assembly also includes fasteners in the form of nuts rotatably captured in mounting holes in the secondary cover. Each nut includes a head configured for grasping by a tool and an integral cylindrical collar which extends through the associated mounting hole in the secondary cover. The nuts are retained in place by an outward flair on the free end of the collar.