Abstract: An electrical connector assembly can include a housing having a connection opening configured to receive a conductor, and a lug channel in communication with the connection opening. The assembly can also include one or more lug motion resistance features extending from at least one of the housing and the lug. The one or more lug motion resistance features are configured to resist motion of the lug toward the closed position to retain the lug in the open position.

Abstract: A portable, remote racking device that is controlled by a remote control. The remote racking device includes a drive that fits into a corresponding crank access hole formed in a front panel of a cradle housing a circuit breaker installed into a switchgear. The drive turns a mechanism inside the cradle that causes the circuit breaker to be racked into or out of the switchgear. The remote racking device includes an actuator pin that abuts a corresponding button arm protruding through the front panel. The remote control includes a control for depressing the button arm and another control for causing a motor to rotate the drive. The actuator pin detects when the button arm pops out of the panel, and a circuit in the remote racking device briefly reverses the motor to bring it and the circuit breaker to a sudden stop, preventing the mechanical linkages of the mechanism from locking-up or becoming damaged and avoiding over-torquing the motor.

Abstract: A support for anchoring a trip unit of a circuit breaker to a base thereof to prevent separation of the trip unit from the base during a short circuit fault. The support has top-facing two locking tabs that snap into place behind a wall in a lug-receiving area of the base. The support also has an opening through which a terminal of the trip unit is received snugly. The locking tabs keep the support in place and prevent forces produced by gasses during a fault from forcing the trip unit away from the base. The terminal, attached to the trip unit, is retained by the opening, which transfers upward forces to the top of the support, which is positioned against a top section of the base. The snug fit by the terminal through the opening and retention of the support in the lug-receiving area during a fault increases post-fault dielectric performance.

Abstract: A portable, remote racking device that is controlled by a remote control. The remote racking device includes a drive that fits into a corresponding crank access hole formed in a front panel of a cradle housing a circuit breaker installed into a switchgear. The drive turns a mechanism inside the cradle that causes the circuit breaker to be racked into or out of the switchgear. The remote racking device includes an actuator pin that abuts a corresponding button arm protruding through the front panel. The remote control includes a control for depressing the button arm and another control for causing a motor to rotate the drive. The actuator pin detects when the button arm pops out of the panel, and a circuit in the remote racking device briefly reverses the motor to bring it and the circuit breaker to a sudden stop, preventing the mechanical linkages of the mechanism from locking-up or becoming damaged and avoiding over-torquing the motor.

Abstract: A support for anchoring a trip unit of a circuit breaker to a base thereof to prevent separation of the trip unit from the base during a short circuit fault. The support has top-facing two locking tabs that snap into place behind a wall in a lug-receiving area of the base. The support also has an opening through which a terminal of the trip unit is received snugly. The locking tabs keep the support in place and prevent forces produced by gasses during a fault from forcing the trip unit away from the base. The terminal, attached to the trip unit, is retained by the opening, which transfers upward forces to the top of the support, which is positioned against a top section of the base. The snug fit by the terminal through the opening and retention of the support in the lug-receiving area during a fault increases post-fault dielectric performance.

Abstract: An arrangement for reducing pressure inside a circuit breaker caused by gas produced during an electrical interruption event, including a base, an interrupter assembly, and a trip unit base. A structure having a surface is positioned in the base at an angle relative to a vent opening of the interrupter assembly. The trip unit base includes a complementary structure opposing the structure to form a cavity. The base includes a chamber area adjacent to an opening of a vent chute that leads away from the circuit breaker. During an electrical interruption event, hot explosive gas, carbon, and molten metal debris are directed away from the vent opening of the interrupter assembly along the angled surface of the structure and toward the opening of the vent chute. In this manner, pressure in the circuit breaker is reduced during an electrical interruption event, and undesirable buildup of debris is reduced.

Abstract: A compact coil assembly is provided for protecting electrical components from transient voltage surges. The assembly includes a bobbin having a cylindrical core with two ends. A first and second flange are each perpendicularly mounted and extended outwardly from one of the ends. A lead pin is perpendicularly upstanding on the top surface of the first flange. The first flange has a parallel outer and inner wall defining a channel therebetween. The inner wall has a slot therethrough. The slot is open at one end to the top surface of the first flange and extends downward to the core. The slot is positioned on the top surface of the first flange opposite the lead pin. The channel extends from the lead pin across to the end of the slot near the core. The width of the channel and the slot are adapted for guiding a winding wire therethrough.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having a contact assembly with a double pivot arrangement. The moving arcing and main contacts provide a smooth surface for meeting the lower arcing contact and the lower main contacts, each mounted on a separate semi-stationary lower blade. The lower arcing contact is positioned higher than the lower main contact, making the arcing contact the last to separate from the moving contact. An arc horn is mounted adjacent the moving contacts to provide a path for movement of the arc from the upper contact into the arc stack assembly. The arc horn has three fingers, each of which passes through the cutaway portion of each arc plate of the arc stack assembly upon the contacts separating.

Abstract: An interlock scheme is provided for preventing access to a draw-out mechanism of a drawout circuit breaker which is in a contact "closed" position and preventing the contacts from being closed when the circuit breaker is only partially connected to the power bus. A sliding door, carried by the front cover of the circuit breaker, is movable between a first position providing access to a driver shaft assembly for operation of the drawout mechanism and a second position preventing access to the driver shaft assembly. A plunger and slider assembly is operable associated with the access door to prevent the door from being moved from the second position to the first position unless the contacts within the circuit breaker are open. A trip arm prevents the contacts from being closed when the circuit breaker is only partially connected to the power bus.

Abstract: An assembly for protecting a circuit breaker drawout mechanism from damage which may be caused if excessive torque is applied to operate the mechanism. The invention relates to drawout circuit breakers of the type utilizing a worm gear assembly (34, 36) to operate a driven shaft (12) to move the circuit breaker into and out of an electrical compartment. A two-part driver shaft assembly (38) is used which includes a head (50) and a driver shaft (62). The head has a collar portion (52) which includes a ridge (54) and the driver shaft is provided with a channel (68) adapted to receive the ridge. A shoulder screw (60) connects the head to the driver shaft while a coil spring (66) encircling the screw biases the head against the driver shaft, retaining the ridge within the channel unless an excessive amount of torque is applied to the head causing the ridge to slip from the channel and preventing additional torque from being imparted to the worm.