Abstract: A visual trip indicator for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The electronic components of a visual trip indicator are enclosed in a module that attaches to the circuit breaker handle or within pocket defined in the circuit breaker housing. The visual trip indicator includes a light source operated by a state machine which clearly indicates which circuit breaker, of a group of circuit breakers or in a poorly illuminated enclosure, is tripped. The visual trip indicator also indicating, by a coded light signal, the approximate remaining life of an independent power supply powering the visual trip indicator.

Abstract: A bus system for a load center includes a bus bar having a plurality of integrated bus stabs and has superior thermal characteristics for the amount of conductive material used. The bus bar and the bus stabs are formed as a unitary piece from a single sheet of conductive material. Each bus stab includes a folded portion with a plug-on section to receive a connector from a circuit breaker. The folded portion is formed with two opposing edges from flanges of the integrated bus stab which are folded and configured to be engaged by the connector, and forms a central channel, typically with a substantially U-shaped cross section. The folded portion further has a tapered folded section between the bus bar and the plug-on section. The bus system can be manufactured by cutting out the unitary piece with the bus bar and integrated bus stabs from a sheet of conductive material, and then stamping it to form the folded portion on each bus stab.

Abstract: A bus system for a load center includes a bus bar having a plurality of integrated bus stabs and has superior thermal characteristics for the amount of conductive material used. The bus bar and the bus stabs are formed as a unitary piece from a single sheet of conductive material. Each bus stab includes a folded portion with a plug-on section to receive a connector from a circuit breaker. The folded portion is formed with two opposing edges from flanges of the integrated bus stab which are folded and configured to be engaged by the connector, and forms a central channel, typically with a substantially U-shaped cross section. The folded portion further has a tapered folded section between the bus bar and the plug-on section. The bus system can be manufactured by cutting out the unitary piece with the bus bar and integrated bus stabs from a sheet of conductive material, and then stamping it to form the folded portion on each bus stab.

Abstract: A loadcenter is equipped with a unitary neutral bus bar capable of receiving AFI and GFI circuit breakers having either a plug-on-neutral connection or a wire-neutral connection. The neutral bus bar is connected to line neutral and has a rolled rail that is formed by rolling an end of a conductive plate and bending the plate at a transition portion to position the rolled rail above and at an angle of a major flat surface of an extension of the neutral bus bar. Wire-capture apparatuses secured along an edge of an extension of the neutral bus bar can capture wires from circuit breakers that lack an internal connection to a neutral plug-on mounting jaw or that lack a neutral plug-on mounting jaw altogether.

Abstract: A load center includes a pair of generally parallel busbars for distributing a single phase of electricity to circuit breakers through a multitude of stabs that form respective bridges between the pair of busbars to provide respective bidirectional paths for dissipating heat from each of the stabs to both of the busbars and to provide a connection point for a pair of circuit breakers installed into the load center.

Abstract: A loadcenter is equipped with a unitary neutral bus bar capable of receiving AFI and GFI circuit breakers having either a plug-on-neutral connection or a wire-neutral connection. The neutral bus bar is connected to line neutral and has a rolled rail that is formed by rolling an end of a conductive plate and bending the plate at a transition portion to position the rolled rail above and at an angle of a major flat surface of an extension of the neutral bus bar. Wire-capture apparatuses secured along an edge of an extension of the neutral bus bar can capture wires from circuit breakers that lack an internal connection to a neutral plug-on mounting jaw or that lack a neutral plug-on mounting jaw altogether.

Abstract: A thermally efficient electrical enclosure includes a busbar, a metallic heat sink, and an electrical insulator. The busbar is positioned entirely within the enclosure and electrically insulated from the enclosure. The metallic heat sink is attached to a wall of the enclosure. The electrical insulator physically contacts the busbar and is at least partially wrapped around at least two non-parallel surfaces of a portion of the metallic heat sink such that the metallic heat sink is electrically insulated from the busbar. The metallic heat sink is configured to transfer thermal energy or heat from the busbar to the enclosure such that the thermal energy is lost or transferred to the surrounding environment, which reduces the temperature of the busbar and the amount of copper needed for the busbar without reducing the rating of the enclosure.

Abstract: A thermally efficient electrical enclosure includes a busbar, a metallic heat sink, and an electrical insulator. The busbar is positioned entirely within the enclosure and electrically insulated from the enclosure. The metallic heat sink is attached to a wall of the enclosure. The electrical insulator physically contacts the busbar and is at least partially wrapped around at least two non-parallel surfaces of a portion of the metallic heat sink such that the metallic heat sink is electrically insulated from the busbar. The metallic heat sink is configured to transfer thermal energy or heat from the busbar to the enclosure such that the thermal energy is lost or transferred to the surrounding environment, which reduces the temperature of the busbar and the amount of copper needed for the busbar without reducing the rating of the enclosure.

Abstract: A load center includes a pair of generally parallel busbars for distributing a single phase of electricity to circuit breakers through a multitude of stabs that form respective bridges between the pair of busbars to provide respective bidirectional paths for dissipating heat from each of the stabs to both of the busbars and to provide a connection point for a pair of circuit breakers installed into the load center.