Abstract: An electrically controlled switching device includes a support, a first contact coupled to the support, a second contact coupled to the support, an SMA element operably connected with the second contact, a sensor positioned on or adjacent to the SMA element, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The SMA element is configured to transform between a first shape and a different second shape responsive to an electrical pulse heating the SMA element to a transformation temperature. The sensor is configured to detect a detected temperature of the SMA element. The controller is configured to control the electrical pulse heating the SMA element. The controller receives signals from the sensor indicative of the detected temperature of the SMA element.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, a trip mechanism, a first terminal member, and a second terminal member. The separable contacts are received in the housing and include a first contact and a second contact. At least one of the contacts is moveable with respect to the other to open and close the separable contacts. The trip mechanism can include a bimetal strip and selectively open the separable contacts. The first terminal member includes a first socket configured to receive a pin located on an associated bus structure. The first terminal member is electrically connected with the first contact. The second terminal member includes a second socket configured to receive another pin located on the associated bus structure. The second terminal can contact the bimetal strip and is electrically connected with the second contact. The first and second sockets can be received in the housing.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, a trip mechanism, a first terminal, a second terminal, a first press fit connector, a second press fit connector, a first socket, and a second socket. The first terminal is electrically connected with a first contact of the separable contacts and includes a first base section disposed outwardly from the housing. The second terminal is electrically connected with a second contact and includes a second base section disposed outwardly from the housing. The first press fit connector is attached to the first base section via a first press fit. The second press fit connector is attached to the second base section via a second press fit. The first socket is attached to the first press fit connector. The second socket is attached to the second press fit connector.

Abstract: A power contactor that includes a number of inputs for a number of power sources, a number of outputs for a number of loads, a number of separable contacts for each pair of the number of inputs and the number of outputs, and an electromagnetic coil. The power contactor also includes a control circuit structured to control the electromagnetic coil to cause the number of separable contacts to open or close, and a plurality of plug-in pins. Each of the plug-in pins is for a corresponding one of the number of inputs and the number of outputs, and is structured to plug into a backplane socket. The power contactor also includes an electrically insulating housing electrically insulating each of the plug-in pins from the other the plug-in pins.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, a trip mechanism, a first terminal, a second terminal, a first press fit connector, a second press fit connector, a first socket, and a second socket. The first terminal is electrically connected with a first contact of the separable contacts and includes a first base section disposed outwardly from the housing. The second terminal is electrically connected with a second contact and includes a second base section disposed outwardly from the housing. The first press fit connector is attached to the first base section via a first press fit. The second press fit connector is attached to the second base section via a second press fit. The first socket is attached to the first press fit connector. The second socket is attached to the second press fit connector.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, a trip mechanism, a first terminal member, and a second terminal member. The separable contacts are received in the housing and include a first contact and a second contact. At least one of the contacts is moveable with respect to the other to open and close the separable contacts. The trip mechanism can include a bimetal strip and selectively open the separable contacts. The first terminal member includes a first socket configured to receive a pin located on an associated bus structure. The first terminal member is electrically connected with the first contact. The second terminal member includes a second socket configured to receive another pin located on the associated bus structure. The second terminal can contact the bimetal strip and is electrically connected with the second contact. The first and second sockets can be received in the housing.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter apparatus for plug-in connection to a panel board. The circuit interrupter apparatus includes a line terminal for plug-in connection with a line power member provided as part of the panel board, a load terminal for plug-in connection with a load power member provided as part of the panel board, a moveable contact moveable between a closed position, where the line terminal is electrically coupled to the load terminal, and an open position, where the line terminal is not electrically coupled to the load terminal. The circuit interrupter apparatus also includes a sensor module for a plug-in connection to a number of signal conductors provided as part of the panel board. The sensor module detects whether the moveable contact is in the closed position or the open position and output a signal to at least one of the signal conductors indicating a current position of the moveable contact.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a backplane module includes providing a thermally conductive substrate, and applying a predetermined volume of epoxy extending between a first electrical component disposed on the thermally conductive substrate and a second electrical component disposed on the thermally conductive substrate to create an electrical pathway therebetween.

Abstract: A load module for a power module in which the power module includes a housing assembly. The load module includes an epoxy body and a number of elongated conductive strands. Each of the conductive strand are partially disposed in the epoxy body and each of the conductive strands includes a conductive member and a limited insulator. Each of the limited insulators is disposed on selected portions of an associated conductive member.

Abstract: An interconnect assembly for a switching assembly in which the switching assembly includes a bus bar and an electromagnetic switching device having a contactor bus. The interconnect assembly is structured to mechanically couple and electrically connect the contactor bus to the bus bar. The interconnect assembly includes a socket member structured to engage the bus bar, a post assembly that includes a post member structured to extend through the contactor bus, in which at least a portion of the post member extends into the socket member, and a locking member disposed on the post member. The locking member is structured to extend through and removably engage the socket member in order to mechanically couple and electrically connect the contactor bus to the bus bar.

Abstract: A faceplate assembly is provided. The faceplate assembly includes a faceplate having planar member with a first side and a second side, the planar member having a number of openings therethrough, the planar member first side having a number of opaque portions and a number of translucent portions, each planar member first side translucent portion disposed adjacent one planar member opening, a number of sources of localized illumination, each the source of localized illumination disposed adjacent the planar member second side and adjacent a planar member first side translucent portion, and wherein the source of localized illumination may be illuminated causing a selected planar member first side translucent portion to be illuminated.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a non-conductive block assembly defining a plurality of passages and a resilient wire support defining a plurality of passages. The resilient wire support is coupled to the block assembly with each resilient wire support passage aligned with one block assembly passage. A conductor unit includes a plurality of conductor assemblies. Each conductor assembly includes a first socket and a second socket, and each such conductor assembly is disposed partially in a block assembly passage.

Abstract: An electrically controlled switching device includes a support, a first contact coupled to the support, a second contact coupled to the support, an SMA element operably connected with the second contact, a sensor positioned on or adjacent to the SMA element, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The SMA element is configured to transform between a first shape and a different second shape responsive to an electrical pulse heating the SMA element to a transformation temperature. The sensor is configured to detect a detected temperature of the SMA element. The controller is configured to control the electrical pulse heating the SMA element. The controller receives signals from the sensor indicative of the detected temperature of the SMA element.

Abstract: A circuit breaker assembly includes a plurality of controllable circuit breakers. Each of the controllable circuit breakers includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts, a first line terminal, a second load terminal, and at least a third terminal. The trip mechanism is structured to trip open the separable contacts responsive to a signal from the third terminal. The circuit breaker assembly also includes a toggle electrical switching apparatus that includes separable contacts electrically connected between the third terminal and ground, and a toggle operating member structured to open and close the separable contacts of the toggle electrical switching apparatus.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, separable contacts within the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a push/pull operating handle and a remotely controllable actuator. The electrical switching apparatus also includes a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts in response to a trip condition or remotely open the separable contacts when closed. The remotely controllable actuator is structured to move the push/pull operating handle in order to remotely close the separable contacts when opened or remotely reset the separable contacts when tripped open.

Abstract: A header assembly for a power distribution assembly in which the power distribution assembly includes a mounting portion and a plurality of current carrying components. The header assembly includes a first header segment made from a first material and a second header segment disposed on the first header segment and being made from a second different material. The first header segment and the second header segment together form a composite header assembly structured to be mechanically coupled to the mounting portion and electrically connected to at least some of the current carrying components. At least one of the first material and the second material is thermally conductive and electrically insulative.

Abstract: A circuit interruption device includes a support, a set of separable contacts, a first member movable between an OFF position and an ON position, a second member, and a transport mechanism that includes a shape memory alloy element. When the first member is in the OFF position, the second member is in an extended position, the shape memory alloy element is in its first shape, and the first surface and the another first surface are engaged with one another and resist movement of the first member away from the OFF position. Responsive to an electrical pulse, the shape memory alloy element transforms into its second shape and moves the first member toward the ON position. When the second member is in the extended position, the another second surface engages with the second surface to resist movement of the first member away from the ON position.

Abstract: An improved bus apparatus includes a generally rigid substrate and a conductor apparatus. The conductor apparatus includes a number of bus elements that are embedded within the substrate and which are electrically connected with connection elements that each have an end that is situated external to the substrate. Additional connection elements extend through the substrate and are connectable with loads. Circuit interrupters and other devices are connectable with pairs of the connector elements, wherein one connector element is connected with a line and wherein another connector element is connected with a load. The bus apparatus is formed by receiving the bus elements in channels formed in layers of a thermally conductive and electrically insulative material, and the layers are bonded together with the use of a bonding material to cause the bus elements to become laminated within the interior of the substrate.

Abstract: A power module is provided. The power module includes a housing assembly and an electrical assembly. The electrical assembly includes an AC input assembly, a DC input assembly, a number of AC feeder layers, a number of DC feeder layers, a number of AC electrical components and a number of DC electrical components. Each AC feeder layer includes a generally planar body and an embedded conductor. Each DC feeder layer includes a generally planar body and an embedded conductor. Each AC feeder layer conductor is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said AC input assembly. Each DC feeder layer conductor is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said DC input assembly. Each AC electrical component is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, an AC feeder layer conductor. And, each DC electrical component is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, a DC feeder layer conductor.

Abstract: A circuit breaker module includes a faceplate with a number of passages and a number of circuit breakers, each circuit breaker including an operating mechanism, conductor assembly, and a housing assembly. Each circuit breaker housing assembly includes a first body, a second body, and a plurality of pins. The first body defines a cavity. The second body defines a cavity. The first body and the second body have complimentary shapes. At least one of the first body or the second body includes a plurality of pin cavities. The pins and pin cavities disposed in an alignment pattern. The first body and the second body are coupled to each other defining an enclosed space, the enclosed space structured to accommodate an operating mechanism and conductor assembly.