Abstract: An auxiliary switch tray is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing, an actuating mechanism, and a plurality of auxiliary switches. The housing has a mounting mechanism. The auxiliary switch tray includes a module having first and second sides, and a plurality of mounts disposed on the first side. At least a plurality of the mounts is structured to receive a corresponding one of the auxiliary switches. A base is disposed on the second side of the module and is coupled to the mounting mechanism in order to install the auxiliary switches in a predetermined position with respect to the actuating mechanism of the circuit breaker. The module, the mounts, and the base comprise one single-piece molded member. At least a plurality of the mounts are molded compartments of the single-piece molded member.

Abstract: An accessory assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing. The accessory assembly includes at least one accessory and a mounting member structured to mount such accessory within the housing of the circuit breaker. The mounting member includes at least one mounting portion. Such mounting portion receives and secures a corresponding one of the at least one accessory, without a number of separate fasteners. The corresponding accessory is removable from such mounting portion, without a number of separate tools. The at least one mounting portion may be a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion, and the at least one accessory may be a plurality of primary accessories coupled to the first mounting portion, and a number of secondary accessories coupled to the second mounting portion.

Abstract: An electrical conductor mount is provided for an accessory including a number of electrical conductors and an actuator. The electrical conductor mount includes an accessory enclosure from which or to which the electrical conductors extend. A mounting element is disposed on the enclosure proximate the electrical conductors external to the accessory enclosure. The mounting element includes a receiving portion structured to receive the electrical conductors, and a retaining portion retains the electrical conductors within the receiving portion. The mounting element mounts the electrical conductors in a position in which they do not obstruct operation of the actuator. The mounting element may be a resilient hook including a first end disposed on the enclosure of an accessory module. The retaining portion may be a hook disposed on the second end of the resilient hook.

Abstract: A charging handle is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing having an exterior, an interior and a recess extending from the exterior toward the interior, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts, and a charging assembly. A first end of the charging handle is coupled to the charging assembly within the interior of the housing. The second end includes a finger pull. An elongated body extends between the first and second ends and includes first and second sides, and inner and outer surfaces. The charging handle is movable among first and second positions. The finger pull is disposed on the outer surface of the elongated body at or about the second end of the charging handle, and is readily accessible from all of the second end and the first and second sides of the charging handle.

Abstract: A decoupling assembly structured to decouple the charging motor and the charging assembly cam shaft is provided. The decoupling assembly includes a lifter pin assembly and an elongated second end to a link member in the over-running clutch assembly. The link member supports a pawl which engages an over-running clutch assembly sprocket. The pawl is disposed on one side of a link member that is pivotally attached to an over-running clutch assembly hub assembly. The link member is structured to pivot in a “see-saw” like manner and thereby move the pawl between a first position, wherein the pawl engages the sprocket, and a second position, wherein the pawl does not engage the sprocket. The lifter pin assembly includes a spring loaded lifter pin that is structured to engage the link member second end and thereby move the pawl between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A trip bar is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing, an operating mechanism, and a number of accessories installable within the housing. At least one of the accessories has an actuator, such as a stem. The trip bar includes an elongated pivot member having a first end pivotably coupled to the operating mechanism, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and at least one protrusion extending outwardly from the elongated pivot member between the first and second ends. Such protrusion is actuatable by the stem to pivot the elongated pivot member. A deflecting mechanism, such as a cam surface, is disposed at or about the second end of the elongated pivot member. When such one of the accessories is being installed within the housing, the stem deflects the cam surface to facilitate insertion.

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 U-shaped accessory actuator clip that snaps onto the crossbar of a multipole circuit breaker is integrally molded of a compliant material with a flexible finger that actuates/deactuates an accessory, such as an auxiliary switch, as the contacts of the breaker close and open.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including separable main contacts, an operating mechanism interconnected with the contacts, and a housing in which the contacts and the operating mechanism are disposed. The housing includes a first attaching region and a mounting cutout. A shield is provided that includes a second attaching region attaching with the first attaching region for connecting the shield to the housing. The shield includes a tab adapted for covering the mounting cutout when the connection is made.

Abstract: A DIN rail adapter for a circuit interrupter including a backplate having two guide members and two substantially planar stabilizing tab. The backplate further includes a first spring attachment region. A slider is slideably disposed between the guide members and the stabilizing tabs, and includes a second spring attachment region. A spring is disposed between the first and second spring attachment regions for biasing the slider in a first direction.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter handle mechanism is disposed on the face of a molded case circuit breaker. The handle mechanism has a rotary handle, which may be rotated through approximately 90° of rotation from a disposition of circuit interrupter conduction to a disposition of circuit interrupter non-conduction. The handle is not centered over the linear handle of the circuit interrupter per say, but rather is disposed in the upper left hand corner, so that a larger lever arm can be utilized. Furthermore, the larger lever has a handle opening into which the hasp of a lock may be placed to lock the circuit breaker in the open state for servicing and the like. Because of the length of the handle more hasps can be disposed therein than if the handle was disposed exactly in the center of the circuit breaker case. Lastly, the disposition of the circuit breaker rotary handle provides an indication of the conduction status of the molded case circuit breaker. If the handle is in a generally horizontal position, i.e.