Abstract: A dampening assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The dampening assembly includes a D-shaft pivotably coupled to the housing, and an anti-bounce assembly. The anti-bounce assembly includes a first element coupled to the housing, and a second element, such as an elongated resilient pin member, which is adapted to cooperate with the D-shaft to resist undesired movement of the D-shaft. The D-shaft has opposing first and second ends and a recess disposed between the first end and the second end. A portion of the elongated resilient pin member is disposed in the recess.

Abstract: A dampening assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The dampening assembly includes a D-shaft pivotably coupled to the housing, and an anti-bounce assembly. The anti-bounce assembly includes a first element coupled to the housing, and a second element, such as an elongated resilient pin member, which is adapted to cooperate with the D-shaft to resist undesired movement of the D-shaft. The D-shaft has opposing first and second ends and a recess disposed between the first end and the second end. A portion of the elongated resilient pin member is disposed in the recess.

Abstract: An arc baffle includes a first baffle member having a number of first venting holes disposed therein, each being structured to receive ionized gases produced by an arcing event; a second baffle member having a number of second venting holes disposed therein; a section of porous material disposed between the first baffle member and the second baffle member; and a cover disposed adjacent the second baffle member on the opposite side of the section of porous material. The first venting holes are laterally spaced from the second venting holes by a predetermined distance such that ionized gases produced by the arcing event passing through one of the first venting holes must travel at minimum the predetermined distance generally along the section of porous material before passing through one of the second venting holes.

Abstract: An arc baffle includes a first baffle member having a number of first venting holes disposed therein, each being structured to receive ionized gases produced by an arcing event; a second baffle member having a number of second venting holes disposed therein; a section of porous material disposed between the first baffle member and the second baffle member; and a cover disposed adjacent the second baffle member on the opposite side of the section of porous material. The first venting holes are laterally spaced from the second venting holes by a predetermined distance such that ionized gases produced by the arcing event passing through one of the first venting holes must travel at minimum the predetermined distance generally along the section of porous material before passing through one of the second venting holes.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism for preventing a first circuit breaker having a first actuating mechanism and a second circuit breaker having a second actuating mechanism from simultaneously being in a closed condition. The interlock mechanism includes a frame, a sliding bar slideably mounted within the frame, and one or more retaining protrusions extending outwardly from one or more inner edges of the frame. The sliding bar is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the sliding bar blocks a path of movement of the first actuating mechanism and in the second position the sliding bar blocks a path of movement of the second actuating mechanism. The one or more retaining protrusions frictionally engage the sliding bar when the sliding bar is in the first position and holds it in place, preferably with a frictional force sufficient to resist the force of gravity and/or vibrations.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism, for a circuit breaker having an operating handle, which includes a slider assembly and a mounting plate assembly. The slider assembly has a rigid, generally planar member with at least one notch. The mounting plate assembly has at least two generally parallel, spaced flanges and is structured to mount on the circuit breaker housing. One of the at least two flanges is structured to cooperate with the notch to allow the slider assembly to be slidably coupled to the mounting plate between the at least two flanges.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism, for a circuit breaker having an operating handle, which includes a slider assembly and a mounting plate assembly. The slider assembly has a rigid, generally planar member with at least one notch. The mounting plate assembly has at least two generally parallel, spaced flanges and is structured to mount on the circuit breaker housing. One of the at least two flanges is structured to cooperate with the notch to allow the slider assembly to be slidably coupled to the mounting plate between the at least two flanges.

Abstract: A circuit breaker handle is provided with a curved bearing surface at its pivot point. The handle bearing surface has a substantially constant radius and is connected to the body of the handle with a necked down handle extension. The handle extension has a width that is less than the width of the curved bearing surface at the point of connection between the bearing surface and the necked down region. The handle pivot mates with a corresponding bearing surface on a notch in the side plate that it pivots within. The arc of the curved bearing surface in the side plate is greater than that of the corresponding bearing surface on the handle and captures the handle pivot within the notch in the sideplate, so the handle cannot lift off the bearing surface on the notch as it is moved.