Abstract: A circuit breaker and a method of developing the current limiting circuit breaker are described. The circuit breaker includes a carrier assembly to supply current to a circuit through a fixed contact in a first operative state. The carrier assembly includes a latch pin to move responsive to a force transferred to the latch pin as a result of a fault condition in the circuit, a cam assembly in contact with the latch pin to move responsive to movement of the latch pin, and a movable contact coupled to the cam assembly, the movable contact breaking the physical contact with the fixed contact to put the circuit breaker in a second operative state. The circuit breaker also includes a mechanism to move the carrier assembly responsive to a signal indicative of the fault condition to put the circuit breaker in a third operative state.

Abstract: A circuit breaker and a method of forming a current limiting circuit breaker are described. The circuit breaker includes a carrier assembly to supply current to a circuit through a fixed contact in a first operative state, a movable contact in physical contact with the fixed contact of the circuit, and a contact arm coupled to the movable contact, the contact arm including a pivot point. The contact arm moves about the pivot point responsive to a force transferred as a result of a fault condition in the circuit and the movable contact breaks the physical contact with the fixed contact of the circuit to put the circuit breaker in a second operative state. The circuit breaker also includes a mechanism to move the carrier assembly to put the circuit breaker in a third operative state responsive to a signal indicative of the fault condition.

Abstract: A circuit breaker and a method of developing the current limiting circuit breaker are described. The circuit breaker includes a carrier assembly to supply current to a circuit through a fixed contact in a first operative state. The carrier assembly includes a latch pin to move responsive to a force transferred to the latch pin as a result of a fault condition in the circuit, a cam assembly in contact with the latch pin to move responsive to movement of the latch pin, and a movable contact coupled to the cam assembly, the movable contact breaking the physical contact with the fixed contact to put the circuit breaker in a second operative state. The circuit breaker also includes a mechanism to move the carrier assembly responsive to a signal indicative of the fault condition to put the circuit breaker in a third operative state.

Abstract: A circuit breaker and mechanism are provided for opening circuit breaker contact arms when the circuit breaker is moved between an installed and a withdrawn position in a drawout installation. The circuit breaker has a cross shaft coupled to a first linkage that rotates in response to the circuit breaker being moved. A second linkage translates in response to said first linkage rotating. A cam surface is operably coupled between the cross shaft and the first linkage. An opening latch shaft is coupled between the second linkage and a contact arm assembly such that the opening latch shaft moves the contact arm assembly from a closed position to an open position in response to the translation of the second linkage.

Abstract: A secondary disconnect apparatus for a circuit breaker, for making a slidable electrical connection with a mating enclosure-side secondary disconnect apparatus, is disclosed, having a pair of stop plate surfaces coupled to the circuit breaker defining a first linear distance D1, and a lateral adjustment portion in slidable communication with a pair of a guide members configured to guide movement of the lateral adjustment portion along an axis in one of a first and a second direction. The apparatus includes and a pair of adjustment member surfaces coupled to the lateral adjustment portion defining a second linear distance D2, wherein the adjustment member surfaces are configured to cooperate with the stop plate surfaces to limit the travel of lateral adjustment portion, and wherein a total predetermined lateral distance of travel of lateral adjustment portion 250 is defined based on at least the difference between first distance D1 and second distance D2.

Abstract: A secondary disconnect apparatus for a circuit breaker, for making a slidable electrical connection with a mating enclosure-side secondary disconnect apparatus, is disclosed, having a pair of stop plate surfaces coupled to the circuit breaker defining a first linear distance D1, and a lateral adjustment portion in slidable communication with a pair of a guide members configured to guide movement of the lateral adjustment portion along an axis in one of a first and a second direction. The apparatus includes and a pair of adjustment member surfaces coupled to the lateral adjustment portion defining a second linear distance D2, wherein the adjustment member surfaces are configured to cooperate with the stop plate surfaces to limit the travel of lateral adjustment portion, and wherein a total predetermined lateral distance of travel of lateral adjustment portion 250 is defined based on at least the difference between first distance D1 and second distance D2.

Abstract: A circuit breaker and mechanism are provided for opening circuit breaker contact arms when the circuit breaker is moved between an installed and a withdrawn position in a drawout installation. The circuit breaker has a cross shaft coupled to a first linkage that rotates in response to the circuit breaker being moved. A second linkage translates in response to said first linkage rotating. A cam surface is operably coupled between the cross shaft and the first linkage. An opening latch shaft is coupled between the second linkage and a contact arm assembly such that the opening latch shaft moves the contact arm assembly from a closed position to an open position in response to the translation of the second linkage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of moving and altering movement of a breaker mounted spring discharge interlock lever during racking and unracking of a breaker with an enclosure. The method includes, rotating a racking screw to rack the breaker into or out of the enclosure, rotating a shaft in operable communication with the racking screw, translationally moving a cam with a link having one end disconnectably connected to the cam and an opposing end disconnectably connected to a crank, that is fixedly attached to the shaft, translationally moving a cam follower that is in operable communication with the cam, moving the breaker mounted spring discharge interlock lever that is in operable communication with the cam follower, and enabling removal and replacement of the cam by disconnecting the cam from the link, thereby enabling the movement of the breaker mounted spring discharge interlock lever to be altered.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of moving and altering movement of a breaker mounted spring discharge interlock lever during racking and unracking of a breaker with an enclosure. The method includes, rotating a racking screw to rack the breaker into or out of the enclosure, rotating a shaft in operable communication with the racking screw, translationally moving a cam with a link having one end disconnectably connected to the cam and an opposing end disconnectably connected to a crank, that is fixedly attached to the shaft, translationally moving a cam follower that is in operable communication with the cam, moving the breaker mounted spring discharge interlock lever that is in operable communication with the cam follower, and enabling removal and replacement of the cam by disconnecting the cam from the link, thereby enabling the movement of the breaker mounted spring discharge interlock lever to be altered.

Abstract: An improved, simplified mounting block for a self-aligning electrical connector permits the electrical connector to move within a limited range to align with the mating connector.

Abstract: The contact fingers of electrical switching apparatus have radial convex surfaces centered on the pivot pins which seat on concave surfaces in the molded contact carrier to transmit bending loads on the pin into the carrier. A seal member which snaps onto the end of the pivot pin has fins which extend between the contact fingers to block flow of arcing gases through the carrier. For lower current ratings, some of the contact fingers are replaced by annular spacers which also transmit bending moments into the carrier and restrict gas flow. A stop ledge on the carrier against which the contact springs bias the contact fingers has a recess which allows the center fingers to project farther toward the stationary contacts so that the arc toes on these fingers are the last to separate on opening and the arc is concentrated on them.

Abstract: An integral stationary arcing contact and arc runner for electrical switching apparatus is formed by an electrically conductive member secured to the line conductor adjacent the stationary main contact thereby providing a joint free path for the arc to pass from the arcing contact to the arc runner. Preferably, the electrically conductive member is a sheet metal member having a base section secured to the line conductor, an arcing contact section adjacent the stationary main contact and extending generally perpendicular to the line conductor and a runner section extending at an obtuse angle to the arcing contact section toward the arc chute. A support member between the arcing contact section and the housing transmits reaction forces imposed by the moving conductor assembly on the sheet metal member into the housing.