Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts for movement between a closed position and an open position to switch electrical current. An operating mechanism moves the separable contacts between the closed and open positions. A sensor senses the electrical current and outputs a sensed current signal corresponding to the electrical current. A shunt shunts a portion of the electrical current. A trip mechanism employs the sensed current signal to produce a trip signal. A trip actuator trips the operating mechanism to move the separable contacts to the open position. The trip actuator includes a trip solenoid having a coil energized by the trip signal and also includes one or more loops energized by the shunted portion of the electrical current.

Abstract: A current limiting circuit interrupter with insulating wedge characterized by a circuit interrupter structure within an insulating housing and having a mechanism for opening and closing separable contacts, the contacts being separately mounted on contact mounting arms that extend in substantially parallel spaced locations to effect current limiting relationship between the arms to cause any arc forming between the opening contacts to blow out of the contacts in a direction away from the spaced contact arms, a dielectric plate-like shutter in the plane extending between the contacts and in the direction opposite the contact arms, the shutter being movable into a gap formed between the separating contacts when the contacts separate, moving mechanism for moving the shutter when the contacts open and reset structure for retracting the shutter when the contacts close.

Abstract: A circuit breaker structure having a faster trip unit characterized by a circuit breaker operator and a trip unit comprising a coil, a core, and an armature, and a hold-back bracket extending from and retaining the armature in a spaced position from the core so as to cause the magnetic field lines to flow through the bracket and the armature.

Abstract: A circuit breaker suitable for use on both AC and DC circuits includes a magnetically permeable core surrounding a current carrying conductor of the circuit breaker. A bimetal member is thermally coupled to the core such that induction heating of the core due to overload AC current flowing through the conductor is operative to deflect the bimetal and actuate a trip device. The circuit breaker also includes a pair of braided copper shunts connected between the conductor and the bimetal such that resistive heating of the conductor due to overload DC current flow through the breaker will cause the bimetal to deflect and actuate a trip device. The bimetal is mechanically isolated from the conductor such that relative movement therebetween will not affect thermal calibration of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A circuit breaker characterized by a toggle lock means for holding toggle springs in a charged condition ready for closing a circuit through the circuit breaker contacts when necessary.

Abstract: This invention provides a circuit breaker comprising separable contacts, a releasable mechanism, releasable to effect a tripping operation automatically opening the contacts and an electromechanical trip means operable to release the mechanism. A shock absorbing means is also provided that effectively isolates the flux transfer and magnetic trip actuator from shock and vibration.

Abstract: This invention relates to circuit breakers and more particularly to circuit breakers for industrial power circuits with 10,000 amp interrupting capacity and 240 V ratings. This invention provides a novel arc shield arrangement whereby two arc shields are placed in series alignment with a small air gap between the shield. The effect of this new arrangement increases the arc voltage and arc braking distance and yet the air gap is kept small enough to keep the arc within the shielding and away from other components where it can cause damage.

Abstract: A self-powered self-contained ground fault protective device including a current monitor, an electronic circuit for amplifying the output of the current monitor, a relay connected to the amplifying circuit and adapted to operate whenever ground fault current through the current monitor rises above a predetermined level, and an interchangeable rating plug including means for activating a circuit board switch. The current monitor, amplifying circuit, and relay are all supported and enclosed by a molded insulating housing. The rating plug is inserted into a socket on the exterior of the housing.