Abstract: A solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) includes an airgap operating mechanism including components and electronics including semiconductors and software algorithms that control the power and can interrupt extreme currents. The SSCB further includes a housing that houses the components of the airgap operating mechanism and the electronics. The housing of the solid-state circuit breaker includes a heat sink that interfaces with a natural air flow such as an existing vertical air channel inside an electrical panel. The heat sink contains a thermally conductive and electrically insulating (TC/EI) plastic.

Abstract: A circuit breaker distribution system is configured to provide selective coordination. The system comprises a solid-state switch disposed as a main or upstream breaker and a switch with an over current protection disposed as a branch or downstream breaker. The microcontroller to: allow repeated pulses of current through to the branch or downstream breaker in an event of an overload or short circuit, choose a maximum current limit for the solid-state switch as a “chop level” such that the chop level is chosen higher than a rated current of the solid-state circuit breaker but low enough that the solid-state switch is not damaged from repeated pulses over a period of time needed to switch OFF the branch or downstream breaker and add a pulse interval after the current chops to zero but before the solid-state circuit breaker returns to an ON state for a next pulse to begin.

Abstract: A circuit breaker distribution system is configured to provide selective coordination. The system comprises a solid-state switch disposed as a main or upstream breaker and a switch with an over current protection disposed as a branch or downstream breaker. The solid-state switch comprises a microcontroller including a processor and a memory, and computer-readable logic code stored in the memory which, when executed by the processor, causes the microcontroller to: allow repeated pulses of current through to the branch or downstream breaker in an event of an overload or short circuit, and choose a maximum current limit for the solid-state switch as a “chop level” such that the chop level is chosen higher than a rated current of the solid-state circuit breaker but low enough that the solid-state switch is not damaged from repeated pulses over a period of time needed to switch OFF the branch or downstream breaker.

Abstract: A circuit breaker distribution system is configured to provide selective coordination. The system comprises a solid-state switch disposed as a main or upstream breaker and a switch with an over current protection disposed as a branch or downstream breaker.

Abstract: A circuit breaker distribution system is configured to provide selective coordination. The system comprises a solid-state switch disposed as a main or upstream breaker and a switch with an over current protection disposed as a branch or downstream breaker. The microcontroller to: allow repeated pulses of current through to the branch or downstream breaker in an event of an overload or short circuit, choose a maximum current limit for the solid-state switch as a “chop level” such that the chop level is chosen higher than a rated current of the solid-state circuit breaker but low enough that the solid-state switch is not damaged from repeated pulses over a period of time needed to switch OFF the branch or downstream breaker and add a pulse interval after the current chops to zero but before the solid-state circuit breaker returns to an ON state for a next pulse to begin.

Abstract: A circuit breaker distribution system is configured to provide selective coordination. The system comprises a solid-state switch disposed as a main or upstream breaker and a switch with an over current protection disposed as a branch or downstream breaker. The solid-state switch comprises a microcontroller including a processor and a memory, and computer-readable logic code stored in the memory which, when executed by the processor, causes the microcontroller to: allow repeated pulses of current through to the branch or downstream breaker in an event of an overload or short circuit, and choose a maximum current limit for the solid-state switch as a “chop level” such that the chop level is chosen higher than a rated current of the solid-state circuit breaker but low enough that the solid-state switch is not damaged from repeated pulses over a period of time needed to switch OFF the branch or downstream breaker.

Abstract: A multi-finger electrical contact assembly having unequal electrical resistance in current paths through each finger providing relatively high current withstand capability. The multi-finger electrical contact assembly includes three or more fingers each with a coupled conductor, wherein one or more outer fingers and coupled conductor of the assembly have greater electrical resistance than an inner finger and coupled conductor. Multi-phase circuit breakers including the multi-finger electrical contact assembly and methods are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: An electric arc extinguishing apparatus for a molded case circuit breaker is provided. A first set of arc splitter plates (30) directs into a first flow channel (32) a flow of gases formed during an arcing event. A second set of arc splitter plates (40) directs into a second flow channel (42) a further flow of gases formed during the arcing event. A baffle (46) establishes flow channel separation between the first and second flow channels. This arrangement provides gas flow velocity that is relatively uniform throughout the arc stack and efficiently and reliably removes heat from the hot gas flow since every arc splitter plate effectively contributes to the cooling of the gas flow. Additionally, the electric arc is efficiently blown and distributed into each of the arc splitter plate gaps, resulting in higher arc voltage and improved arc extinguishing performance.

Abstract: A multi-finger electrical contact assembly having unequal electrical resistance in current paths through each finger providing relatively high current withstand capability. The multi-finger electrical contact assembly includes three or more fingers each with a coupled conductor, wherein one or more outer fingers and coupled conductor of the assembly have greater electrical resistance than an inner finger and coupled conductor. Multi-phase circuit breakers including the multi-finger electrical contact assembly and methods are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A multi-finger circuit breaker includes a moving contact assembly having a carrier body, a first plurality of fixed breaking contacts, a first plurality of movable contacts, a plurality of first fingers, at least one second finger longer in length to a length of a first finger of the plurality of first fingers, a plurality of splitter plates disposed adjacent to the plurality of first fingers and the at least one second finger and a slot motor disposed adjacent to the plurality of first fingers and the at least one second finger. The slot motor is configured to provide a first magnetic field force to amplify a second magnetic field force being applied on the second finger to influence an arc between the first plurality of fixed breaking contacts and the first plurality of movable contacts during a short circuit such that to move the arc away from between the first plurality of fixed breaking contacts and the first plurality of movable contacts and dissipate energy of the arc.

Abstract: A multi-finger circuit breaker includes a moving contact assembly having a carrier body, a first plurality of fixed breaking contacts, a first plurality of movable contacts, a plurality of first fingers, at least one second finger longer in length to a length of a first finger of the plurality of first fingers, a plurality of splitter plates disposed adjacent to the plurality of first fingers and the at least one second finger and a slot motor disposed adjacent to the plurality of first fingers and the at least one second finger. The slot motor is configured to provide a first magnetic field force to amplify a second magnetic field force being applied on the second finger to influence an arc between the first plurality of fixed breaking contacts and the first plurality of movable contacts during a short circuit such that to move the arc away from between the first plurality of fixed breaking contacts and the first plurality of movable contacts and dissipate energy of the arc.

Abstract: A slot motor apparatus for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The slot motor has first and second legs connected by a thin web, and an extending portion extending rearward from the rear faces of the legs. Slot motor-arc plate assemblies having an arc plate assembly received at least partially overtop of the extending portion are also disclosed, as are assemblies having the arc plate assembly received very close to the rear faces of the slot motor legs. Circuit breakers, slot motor-arc plate assemblies, slot motor covers, and methods of operating the slot motor-arc plate assemblies are disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A contact apparatus of a circuit breaker is disclosed. The contact apparatus has an outer carrier, an inner carrier, one or more contact fingers pivotally mounted to the inner carrier, a cam lever pivotally mounted to the outer carrier, and a cam and cam profile formed on respective ones of the cam lever and inner carrier. Circuit breakers and electrical contact assemblies having the contact apparatus, and methods of operating the contact apparatus and electrical contact assemblies are disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an electrical contact assembly. The electrical contact assembly includes a crossbar, a pivot pin mounted in the crossbar, a contact arm pivotally mounted on the pivot pin and rotatable about a pivot axis, a moveable electrical contact spaced from the pivot axis in a first arm portion of the contact arm, and a spring assembly coupled between the crossbar and the contact arm, the spring assembly including a clevis pin and a spring received on the clevis pin wherein an end of the clevis pin extends through the spring and is received in a pivot recess in the crossbar. Electrical contact assemblies with offset rod ends and limit stops are also disclosed. Systems including the electrical contact assembly and methods of operating the electrical contact assembly are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A contact apparatus of a circuit breaker is disclosed. The contact apparatus has an outer carrier, an inner carrier, one or more contact fingers pivotally mounted to the inner carrier, a cam lever pivotally mounted to the outer carrier, and a cam and cam profile formed on respective ones of the cam lever and inner carrier. Circuit breakers and electrical contact assemblies having the contact apparatus, and methods of operating the contact apparatus and electrical contact assemblies are disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A slot motor apparatus for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The slot motor has first and second legs connected by a thin web, and an extending portion extending rearward from the rear faces of the legs. Slot motor-arc plate assemblies having an arc plate assembly received at least partially overtop of the extending portion are also disclosed, as are assemblies having the arc plate assembly received very close to the rear faces of the slot motor legs. Circuit breakers, slot motor-arc plate assemblies, slot motor covers, and methods of operating the slot motor-arc plate assemblies are disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an electrical contact assembly. The electrical contact assembly includes a crossbar, a pivot pin mounted in the crossbar, a contact arm pivotally mounted on the pivot pin and rotatable about a pivot axis, a moveable electrical contact spaced from the pivot axis in a first arm portion of the contact arm, and a spring assembly coupled between the crossbar and the contact arm, the spring assembly including a clevis pin and a spring received on the clevis pin wherein an end of the clevis pin extends through the spring and is received in a pivot recess in the crossbar. Electrical contact assemblies with offset rod ends and limit stops are also disclosed. Systems including the electrical contact assembly and methods of operating the electrical contact assembly are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (10) including a stationary line bus assembly (47). The stationary line bus assembly (47)comprises a bus body (124) supported by support legs (132) with the bus body (124) having a first longitudinal end portion (125) and a second longitudinal end portion (126), with each end portion terminating at a common end portion (127). The second end portion (126) includes a stationary contact bus (46) in a spaced relationship from the first end portion (125). A line terminal (18) is mounted on the first longitudinal end portion (125) and a contact (44) is attached to the second longitudinal end portion (126). In one embodiment, a bus support (130) is attached to the bus body (124) in the space between the first end portion (125) and the second end portion (126) and separated from the support legs (132) of the bus body (124) by an insulating barrier (134). The stationary bus support (130) can have several configuration.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (10) including a stationary line bus assembly (47). The stationary line bus assembly (47)comprises a bus body (124) supported by support legs (132) with the bus body (124) having a first longitudinal end portion (125) and a second longitudinal end portion (126), with each end portion terminating at a common end portion (127). The second end portion (126) includes a stationary contact bus (46) in a spaced relationship from the first end portion (125). A line terminal (18) is mounted on the first longitudinal end portion (125) and a contact (44) is attached to the second longitudinal end portion (126). In one embodiment, a bus support (130) is attached to the bus body (124) in the space between the first end portion (125) and the second end portion (126) and separated from the support legs (132) of the bus body (124) by an insulating barrier (134). The stationary bus support (130) can have several configuration.