Abstract: An arc runner configured to provide a substantially constant separation between a side surface of a conductive contact carrier and an arc discharge surface of the arc runner during an initial portion of a separation of two contacts. The arc discharge surface is preferably a flat surface oriented perpendicular to an axis of rotation of one contact away from the other. The conductive contact carrier having the side surface is configured to allow the arc runner to repeatedly travel along its side without mechanical interference during repeated openings and closings of the contacts. During the initial portion of the separation of the contacts, an electrical arc generated between the contacts during the separation is desirably transferred off of the contacts to the arc discharge surface after the separation between the contacts exceeds the distance between the side surface and the arc discharge surface.

Abstract: A floating contact assembly for use in a circuit breaker includes a contact, a floating member, a bearing element, a jaw member, and a flexible conductor. The floating member includes a joint surface and the contact is electrically connected to a surface of the floating member opposite the joint surface. The bearing element is configured to abut the joint surface of the floating member such that the floating member is configured to rotate about a first axis that passes through the bearing element. The jaw member is configured to electrically connect the floating contact assembly to an external electrical component and the flexible conductor electrically couples the jaw member to the floating member.

Abstract: A floating contact assembly for use in a circuit breaker includes a contact, a floating member, a bearing element, a jaw member, and a flexible conductor. The floating member includes a joint surface and the contact is electrically connected to a surface of the floating member opposite the joint surface. The bearing element is configured to abut the joint surface of the floating member such that the floating member is configured to rotate about a first axis that passes through the bearing element. The jaw member is configured to electrically connect the floating contact assembly to an external electrical component and the flexible conductor electrically couples the jaw member to the floating member.

Abstract: An arc runner configured to provide a substantially constant separation between a side surface of a conductive contact carrier and an arc discharge surface of the arc runner during an initial portion of a separation of two contacts. The arc discharge surface is preferably a flat surface oriented perpendicular to an axis of rotation of one contact away from the other. The conductive contact carrier having the side surface is configured to allow the arc runner to repeatedly travel along its side without mechanical interference during repeated openings and closings of the contacts. During the initial portion of the separation of the contacts, an electrical arc generated between the contacts during the separation is desirably transferred off of the contacts to the arc discharge surface after the separation between the contacts exceeds the distance between the side surface and the arc discharge surface.