Abstract: The circuit breaker (10) including a molded housing (12) including a main breaker cover (20), a first terminal (18) and a second terminal (16) mounted in the casing with a contact (44) electrically coupled to the first terminal (18) and a movable contact (42) electrically coupled to the second terminal (16). It also includes an operating mechanism (40) having a pivoting member (13) movable between an ON position, an OFF position and a TRIPPED position, wherein the pivoting member (13) is coupled to the movable contact (42). An intermediate latching mechanism (52) is mounted in the housing (12) and coupled to the operating mechanism (40) is in selective operative contact with a trip unit having a trip bar (54). The trip unit is also coupled to the movable contact (42) and the second terminal (16). An accessory socket (22) formed in the main breaker cover (20), on either side of an opening for the pivoting member (13) is in communication with the housing (12).

Abstract: The circuit breaker (10) of the present invention includes a molded housing (12) including a main breaker cover (20), a first terminal (18) and a second terminal (16) mounted in the casing with a contact (44) electrically coupled to the first terminal (18) and a movable contact (42) electrically coupled to the second terminal (16). It also includes an operating mechanism (40) having a pivoting member (13) movable between an ON position, an OFF position and a TRIPPED position, wherein the pivoting member (13) is coupled to the movable contact (42). An intermediate latching mechanism (52) is mounted in the housing (12) and coupled to the operating mechanism (40) is in selective operative contact with a trip unit having a trip bar (54). The trip unit is also coupled to the movable contact (42) and the second terminal (16). An accessory socket (22) formed in the main breaker cover (20), on either side of an opening for the pivoting member (13) is in communication with the housing (12).

Abstract: A method for operating a stored energy circuit breaker actuation apparatus comprising the step of selecting from among manual locked, manual unlocked or automatic operations. If manual unlocked operation is selected, the method further comprises the steps of selecting local or remote operation. If local operation is selected, the stored energy circuit breaker actuation apparatus may be used by depressing a local ON switch and to turn off the circuit breaker assembly by depressing a local OFF switch and operating an operator handle. If remote operation is selected, the circuit breaker assembly may not be turned on or off. If manual locked operation is selected, the method comprises the further steps of selecting local or remote operation. The stored energy assembly may not be used to turn the circuit breaker assembly on or off either remotely or locally. If automatic operation is selected, the method comprises the further steps of selecting local or remote operation.

Abstract: A stored energy apparatus for association with an operating handle of a circuit breaker contains springs that store energy when charged and that release energy when discharged. Energy is stored when a movement translation assembly is moved in a charging direction by an operator gear, and stored energy is released when a release apparatus releases the operator gear, causing the movement translation assembly to move in a discharging direction. The circuit breaker operating handle is moved to ON position by the charging movement of the movement translation assembly, and as stored energy is released, the discharging movement of the movement translation assembly moves the operating handle to OFF position. The operator gear is operated via an operator handle, operator shaft, and pinion gear assembly. The pinion gear assembly has a carrier pivotally associated with the operator shaft and a pinion gear that rotates the operator gear.