Abstract: An adaptor (44, 70) mating a non-plug-in type circuit breaker (42) to a bus structure (14, 64) of a plug-in breaker panel (40, 62) includes a first portion (48, 72) coupled to a terminal (46) of the non-plug-in type circuit breaker (42) and an opposite second portion (50, 74) engaging a portion (24, 66) of the bus structure (14, 64). The first portion is formed from a first conductive material and the opposite second portion is formed from a second conductive material. The firs portion and the second portion form a conductive pathway between the terminal (46) of the non-plug-in type circuit breaker (42) and the portion (24, 66) of the bus structure (14).

Abstract: A faceplate for use in a panel for electrical switching apparatus includes a generally planar member having a first surface, an opposite second surface and a number of apertures disposed through the first surface and the opposite second surface. Each aperture is configured to receive an actuatable mechanism of an electrical switching apparatus. The faceplate further includes a number of inclined features, each extending from the opposite second surface about a respective aperture of the number of apertures. At least one inclined feature includes an inclined surface disposed opposite the opposite second surface of the generally planar member. The inclined surface is disposed at a non-zero angle with respect to the generally planar member.

Abstract: A sealed plug-in circuit breaker panel has an enclosure defining a sealed interior portion. The enclosure includes a housing, a face plate removably coupled to the housing and a front seal member disposed between the face plate and the housing such that the face plate and the housing are sealingly engaged. The panel further includes an electrical bus structure coupled to the housing, a plurality of first plug-in members coupled to the bus structure and a number of circuit breakers disposed in the enclosure. Each circuit breaker includes a manual operator and at least a pair of second plug-in members which are electrically coupled to corresponding first plug-in members. The manual operator protrudes through and extends from a respective aperture formed in the face plate. The panel further includes a number of feeders and load connectors electrically coupled to the bus structure.

Abstract: A circuit breaker module is provided. The circuit breaker module includes: a frame assembly, a faceplate assembly, and a number of circuit breakers, the circuit breakers having an electrically conductive surface and an extending handle, the frame assembly having a front member and a back member, the frame assembly front member and the frame assembly back member being spaced from each other and defining an enclosed space, the frame assembly front member being electrically conductive, the faceplate assembly having an electrically conductive faceplate, the faceplate being a planar member with a number of openings therein, the faceplate coupled to the frame assembly front member, the circuit breaker disposed in the frame assembly enclosed space, and wherein the circuit breaker is in electrical communication with the faceplate and the frame assembly front member, whereby a current may pass from the circuit breaker to the frame assembly front member.

Abstract: A connector assembly (10) includes a non-conductive block assembly (12) defining a plurality of passages (20) and a resilient wire support (14) defining a plurality of passages (66). The resilient wire support (14) is coupled to the block assembly (12) with each resilient wire support passage (66) aligned with one block assembly passage (20). A conductor unit includes a plurality of conductor assemblies (80). Each conductor assembly (80) includes a first socket (90) and a second socket (94), and each such conductor assembly (80) is disposed partially in a block assembly passage (20).

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 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 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 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: 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: An electrical switching apparatus, such as a subminiature circuit breaker, includes a housing assembly, separable contacts, an operating mechanism having an actuator device and a latching assembly, a first trip device for tripping open the separable contacts in response to an overcurrent condition, and a second trip device for tripping open the separable contacts in response to an arc fault, a ground fault or a remotely transmitted signal. The subminiature circuit breaker includes a reset solenoid and a trip solenoid. The resent solenoid is coupled to the actuator device, and includes a coil operable to electrically reset the separable contacts. The trip solenoid is coupled to the latching assembly, and includes a coil operable to move the catch lever, thereby electrically tripping open the separable contacts.

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: 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 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.

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: An adaptor (44, 70) mating a non-plug-in type circuit breaker (42) to a bus structure (14, 64) of a plug-in breaker panel (40, 62) includes a first portion (48, 72) coupled to a terminal (46) of the non-plug-in type circuit breaker (42) and an opposite second portion (50, 74) engaging a portion (24, 66) of the bus structure (14, 64). The first portion is formed from a first conductive material and the opposite second portion is formed from a second conductive material. The firs portion and the second portion form a conductive pathway between the terminal (46) of the non-plug-in type circuit breaker (42) and the portion (24, 66) of the bus structure (14).

Abstract: A face plate (18) for use in a panel (2) for electrical switching apparatus includes a generally planar member (19) having a first surface (20), an opposite second surface (22) and a number of apertures (24) disposed through the first surface and the opposite second surface. Each aperture is configured to receive an actuatable mechanism (14) of an electrical switching apparatus (10). The faceplate further includes a number of inclined features (28), each extending from the opposite second surface (22) about a respective aperture (24) of the number of apertures. At least one inclined feature (28) includes an inclined surface (30) disposed opposite the opposite second surface (22) of the generally planar member (19). The inclined surface (30) is disposed at a non-zero angle (?1) with respect to the generally planar member (19).

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: 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 power distribution assembly is provided for a system such as, for example, an aircraft electrical system. The power distribution assembly includes a frame having a number of mounting points structured to be mounted to a thermally conductive structure such as, for example, an aircraft panel. A shell is disposed on the frame. A backplane is disposed within the shell. The backplane includes a plurality of at least partially embedded electrical conductors. Electrical apparatus such as, for example, relays or contactors, are electrically connected to the at least partially embedded electrical conductors. The relays or contactors generate heat. The backplane, the at least partially embedded electrical conductors, and the frame provide a direct thermal pathway for transferring the heat away from the power distribution assembly to the aircraft panel.