Abstract: A circuit breaker including a case, a trip mechanism, and a trip lever moveable between a first position and a second position. The trip lever includes a first end selectively contacting the trip mechanism and a second end opposite the first end. The circuit breaker also includes a biasing device including a housing coupled to the case and a lever arm coupled to the housing. The lever arm includes an engagement surface in contact with the second end and configured to move between an initial position corresponding to the first position and a final position corresponding to the second position. The biasing device also includes a bias member extending between the housing and the lever arm and biasing the engagement surface against the second end. The lever arm exerts a first torque in the first position and exerts a second torque different from the first torque in the second position.

Abstract: A circuit breaker including a case, a trip mechanism, and a trip lever moveable between a first position and a second position. The trip lever includes a first end selectively contacting the trip mechanism and a second end opposite the first end. The circuit breaker also includes a biasing device including a housing coupled to the case and a lever arm coupled to the housing. The lever arm includes an engagement surface in contact with the second end and configured to move between an initial position corresponding to the first position and a final position corresponding to the second position. The biasing device also includes a bias member extending between the housing and the lever arm and biasing the engagement surface against the second end. The lever arm exerts a first torque in the first position and exerts a second torque different from the first torque in the second position.

Abstract: A circuit breaker and a method of developing the current limiting circuit breaker are described. The circuit breaker includes a carrier assembly to supply current to a circuit through a fixed contact in a first operative state. The carrier assembly includes a latch pin to move responsive to a force transferred to the latch pin as a result of a fault condition in the circuit, a cam assembly in contact with the latch pin to move responsive to movement of the latch pin, and a movable contact coupled to the cam assembly, the movable contact breaking the physical contact with the fixed contact to put the circuit breaker in a second operative state. The circuit breaker also includes a mechanism to move the carrier assembly responsive to a signal indicative of the fault condition to put the circuit breaker in a third operative state.

Abstract: A magnetic trip mechanism for a circuit breaker includes an electrically conductive strap having a first wall portion and a second wall portion that define an interior space therebetween. Also included is a flux block disposed at least partially within the interior space, and movable in response to a short circuit condition of the circuit breaker. Further included is a trip lever operatively coupled to the flux block. Yet further included is a trip latch moveable between a latched condition and an unlatched condition with a handle, wherein rotation of the trip lever occurs in response to the short circuit condition and causes movement from the flux block to actuate the trip latch to the unlatched condition.

Abstract: A magnetic trip mechanism for a circuit breaker includes an electrically conductive strap having a first wall portion and a second wall portion that define an interior space therebetween. Also included is a flux block disposed at least partially within the interior space, and movable in response to a short circuit condition of the circuit breaker. Further included is a trip lever operatively coupled to the flux block. Yet further included is a trip latch moveable between a latched condition and an unlatched condition with a handle, wherein rotation of the trip lever occurs in response to the short circuit condition and causes movement from the flux block to actuate the trip latch to the unlatched condition.

Abstract: A circuit breaker and a method of developing the current limiting circuit breaker are described. The circuit breaker includes a carrier assembly to supply current to a circuit through a fixed contact in a first operative state. The carrier assembly includes a latch pin to move responsive to a force transferred to the latch pin as a result of a fault condition in the circuit, a cam assembly in contact with the latch pin to move responsive to movement of the latch pin, and a movable contact coupled to the cam assembly, the movable contact breaking the physical contact with the fixed contact to put the circuit breaker in a second operative state. The circuit breaker also includes a mechanism to move the carrier assembly responsive to a signal indicative of the fault condition to put the circuit breaker in a third operative state.

Abstract: A circuit breaker and a method of forming a current limiting circuit breaker are described. The circuit breaker includes a carrier assembly to supply current to a circuit through a fixed contact in a first operative state, a movable contact in physical contact with the fixed contact of the circuit, and a contact arm coupled to the movable contact, the contact arm including a pivot point. The contact arm moves about the pivot point responsive to a force transferred as a result of a fault condition in the circuit and the movable contact breaks the physical contact with the fixed contact of the circuit to put the circuit breaker in a second operative state. The circuit breaker also includes a mechanism to move the carrier assembly to put the circuit breaker in a third operative state responsive to a signal indicative of the fault condition.

Abstract: An arc chute assembly includes a housing having a first wall, a second wall, and a pair of side walls coupled to the first wall. The walls configured to form an arc area. The housing further having a divider wall coupled to the first wall between the side walls. The divider wall configured to form a first sub-arc area, a second sub-arc area, and an arc plate area. The first sub-arc area and the second sub-arc area are configured to be in flow communication with the arc plate area. The arc chute assembly further comprises a support coupled to the first wall and the side walls, and an arc plate coupled to the support. The arc plate having a body extending between the side walls and over the divider wall.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an enclosure, a plurality of circuit breaker sub poles, each enclosed within a chamber of the enclosure, and a plurality of arc chutes, each installed on one of the chambers enclosing the circuit breaker sub poles.

Abstract: An arc chute assembly includes a housing having a first wall, a second wall, and a pair of side walls coupled to the first wall. The walls configured to form an arc area. The housing further having a divider wall coupled to the first wall between the side walls. The divider wall configured to form a first sub-arc area, a second sub-arc area, and an arc plate area. The first sub-arc area and the second sub-arc area are configured to be in flow communication with the arc plate area. The arc chute assembly further comprises a support coupled to the first wall and the side walls, and an arc plate coupled to the support. The arc plate having a body extending between the side walls and over the divider wall.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a breaker interlock system. The system includes, a trip unit for a breaker, and a breaker receptive of the trip unit. The breaker is closable when the trip unit is assembled thereto and the breaker is non-closable when the trip unit is not assembled to the breaker. The interlock system is further configured to prevent disassembly of the trip unit from the breaker when the breaker is in a closed configuration. The breaker having a plurality of solenoids and each of the plurality of solenoids is in operable communication with the breaker to trip the breaker on command. A first of the plurality of solenoids is responsive to a signal from the breaker via the trip unit, and a second of the plurality of solenoids is responsive to an externally supplied signal from a source other than the electronic trip unit.

Abstract: A contact arm assembly including a plurality of substantially parallel plates having a space between each of the plurality of substantially parallel plates and a plurality of finger assemblies, at least one of the plurality of finger assemblies being pivotally attached to the plurality of substantially parallel plates and being located in the space between each of the plurality of substantially parallel plates, each of the plurality of finger assemblies having a body and an arc runner, the arc runner being locked against the body in at least two locations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a visual and electrical indication on the status of “Readiness to close” (RTC) for circuit breakers. Exemplary embodiments include a circuit breaker apparatus, including a lay shaft coupled to circuit breaker contacts, a lay shaft cam profile coupled to the lay shaft, a trip free plate coupled to the lay shaft cam profile, a trip paddle coupled to the trip free plate, wherein the trip paddle is coupled to a trip shaft and a ready to close indicator coupled to the trip free plate and charging cam assembly.

Abstract: An interlock is presented which may be mechanically interconnected with a circuit breaker. The interlock toggles between a locked out position that causes the circuit breaker to trip and prevents closure thereof and a non-locked out position wherein the circuit breaker functions. The interlock includes a frame, a lockout actuator supported by the frame, a reset actuator also supported by the frame and a latching assembly. The latching assembly includes a lockout lever that is responsive to movement of the lockout actuator that is pivotably supported by the frame and a lockout trip rod responsive to movement of the lockout actuator. Also provided is a reset lever that is responsive to movement of the reset actuator and that is also pivotably supported by the frame. The reset lever is configured to prevent movement of the lockout actuator without movement of the reset lever and wherein the lockout trip rod is configured for movement between a locked out position and a non-locked out position.

Abstract: An electrical distribution apparatus includes a fixed terminal, at least two fingers attached at respective pivot points in the apparatus, and a mechanical spring in operative communication with the at least two fingers, configured to provide tension upon separation of the at least two fingers. According to the apparatus, the at least two fingers are of a different length, length is a measure of the distance from a pivot point of a finger to an end of the finger, and the respective pivot points are each formed between the fixed terminal and each of the two fingers.

Abstract: An arc chute assembly includes a housing having a lateral axis and a quenching portion disposed within the housing. The quenching portion includes at least two deion plates being spaced along the lateral axis of the housing and each having a cut portion wherein the cut portions are staggered along the lateral axis with respect to one another and are configured to mitigate an arc.

Abstract: A circuit breaker apparatus is provided and includes a circuit breaker, having a housing surface perpendicular to a plane of a front side of the circuit breaker and internal components, a terminal block structurally coupled to the housing surface, first terminal housings arrayed on the terminal block to each support first components and to be receptive of second terminal housings each of which supports second components, at least some of which are electrically coupled to the internal components, to be electrically coupled to at least some of the first components, and an access block. The access block is disposed on the terminal block and has apertures defined therein to provide for front-side access to the first terminal housings.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an enclosure, a plurality of circuit breaker sub poles, each enclosed within a chamber of the enclosure, and a plurality of arc chutes, each installed on one of the chambers enclosing the circuit breaker sub poles.

Abstract: An arc chute assembly includes a housing having a lateral axis and a quenching portion disposed within the housing. The quenching portion includes at least two deion plates being spaced along the lateral axis of the housing and each having a cut portion wherein the cut portions are staggered along the lateral axis with respect to one another and are configured to mitigate an arc.

Abstract: An electrical distribution apparatus includes a fixed terminal, at least two fingers attached at respective pivot points in the apparatus, and a mechanical spring in operative communication with the at least two fingers, configured to provide tension upon separation of the at least two fingers. According to the apparatus, the at least two fingers are of a different length, length is a measure of the distance from a pivot point of a finger to an end of the finger, and the respective pivot points are each formed between the fixed terminal and each of the two fingers.