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: A vented case is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including an arc chute structured to attract and dissipate an arc. The arc produces an ionized gas. The vented case includes at least one housing member comprising an interior, an exterior, a first end, a second end disposed generally opposite and distal from the first end, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end and the second end. The vented case also includes at least one vent structured to discharge the ionized gas from the interior of such housing member to the exterior of such housing member. Such vent includes a plurality of venting passages, each extending from proximate the arc chute within the interior to the exterior. An electrical switching apparatus is also disclosed.

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 electrical switching apparatus includes a circuit breaker device having a molded housing with line and load ends, plural terminals disposed from the housing, and first and second handle devices. The terminals electrically and mechanically engage a circuit breaker mounting block. The first and second handle devices engage the housing at or about the respective line and load ends. The handle devices remove the circuit breaker device from the mounting block. Each of the handle devices includes an insulative barrier having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion at least partially covers a corresponding one of the housing ends. The second portion is coupled to the housing at or about the corresponding one of the housing ends. The third portion is structured to be manually grasped in order to pull the insulative barrier together with the circuit breaker device away from the mounting block.

Abstract: A vented case is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including an arc chute structured to attract and dissipate an arc. The arc produces an ionized gas. The vented case includes at least one housing member comprising an interior, an exterior, a first end, a second end disposed generally opposite and distal from the first end, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end and the second end. The vented case also includes at least one vent structured to discharge the ionized gas from the interior of such housing member to the exterior of such housing member. Such vent includes a plurality of venting passages, each extending from proximate the arc chute within the interior to the exterior. An electrical switching apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An auxiliary switch sub-assembly is provided for a telecommunication system circuit breaker including a housing having an opening, separable contacts inside the housing, and an operating mechanism operating the separable contacts between open and closed positions. The operating mechanism comprises an operating handle operable among a first position corresponding to the separable contacts being open and a second position corresponding to the separable contacts being closed. The operating handle has a first end protruding from the opening of the housing, and a second end. The auxiliary switch sub-assembly includes an auxiliary switch including an actuator, and a mount attaching the auxiliary switch to the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker within the housing thereof. The actuator is mechanically actuated by a portion of the second end of the operating handle. An electrical switching apparatus employing an auxiliary switch sub-assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter arc chute includes first and second support portions, an exit portion supported by the support portions, and a plurality of arc plates supported by the support portions. The exit portion has one or more vent openings. The arc plates have a first edge offset from the exit portion and an opposite second edge distal from the exit portion. A plurality of insulating dividing members are disposed between the arc plates. The members have a first edge proximate the exit portion and an opposite second edge distal from the exit portion. The second edge of the members extends beyond the arc plate first edges and toward the arc plate second edges. The first edge of the dividing members extends beyond the arc plate first edge and away from the arc plate second edge.

Abstract: A moving contact assembly for a high-current interruption electric power switching apparatus has an inner carrier for the contact fingers that is rigidly held in a withstand position in an outer carrier by a spring biased cam follower pin engaging a cam profile on the inner carrier and configured to positively seat an inner carrier stop against an outer carrier stop on the outer carrier and to rapidly drive the inner carrier to a blow open position in response to a fault. The cam profile has an extended width divided between spaced apart cam profile sections to absorb the high closing and withstand forces. An abutment on the outer carrier resists bowing of the cam follower pin between the cam profile sections. Complementary convex and concave partial cylindrical surfaces on the inner carrier and a gas shield on the moving assembly carrier body maintain an arc gas seal during blow open.

Abstract: A door interlock assembly is for a draw-out circuit breaker assembly. A draw-out circuit breaker is housed within an enclosure including a door and includes a poleshaft operable between first and second positions corresponding to separable contacts being opened and closed, respectively. The door interlock assembly includes a pivot member coupled to the poleshaft and a door latch interconnected to the pivot member by a linkage, such as a threaded drive rod. The door latch pivots such that a first end thereof engages and locks the door of the enclosure when the poleshaft moves to the second position. An optional mechanical sensor assembly adapted to trip the circuit breaker when the door is positioned in any position other than closed, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A moving contact assembly for a high-current interruption electric power switching apparatus has an inner carrier for the contact fingers that is rigidly held in a withstand position in an outer carrier by a spring biased cam follower pin engaging a cam profile on the inner carrier and configured to positively seat an inner carrier stop against an outer carrier stop on the outer carrier and to rapidly drive the inner carrier to a blow open position in response to a fault. The cam profile has an extended width divided between spaced apart cam profile sections to absorb the high closing and withstand forces. An abutment on the outer carrier resists bowing of the cam follower pin between the cam profile sections. Complementary convex and concave partial cylindrical surfaces on the inner carrier and a gas shield on the moving assembly carrier body maintain an arc gas seal during blow open.

Abstract: Rectangular bus bars alternatively engaged in either of a pair of crossed slots in a support block secured in a panel board are locked in place by a locking device incorporated in a cylindrical terminal portion of each bus bar. The locking device includes an expandable ring seated in a circumferential groove in the cylindrical terminal portion. A pair of actuating pins are urged radially outward in diametrically opposed bores to wedge the expandable ring against the support block, by a tapered screw threaded into a central longitudinal bore in the terminal portion of the bus bar.

Abstract: A locking device is insertable into a cover opening adjacent to a handle of an electrical switch to occupy the space in the cover opening for resisting movement of the handle. The locking device has two pivotally connected members. The pivotal movement of the members creates a collapsed condition or an expanded condition for the locking device. The pivotal members have a transverse opening which are alignable relative to each other when the locking device is in its expanded condition. The locking device is inserted into the cover opening when the pivotal members are collapsed. In a first embodiment, a handle shroud member has an opening for receiving the handle and a second member has leg means along its base for engaging an undersurface around the cover opening when the locking device is in its expanded condition. In a second and a third embodiment, both pivotal members have leg means for engaging undersurfaces around the cover opening when the locking device is in its expanded condition.