Abstract: A circuit breaker apparatus may be used to interrupt overcurrent and ground fault in a circuit. The circuit breaker apparatus may include an overcurrent coil for tripping the circuit breaker apparatus, a voltage coil also for tripping the circuit breaker apparatus located proximate to the overcurrent coil, and ground fault electronics connected to the voltage coil and structured to detect a ground fault in the circuit when the ground fault exceeds a threshold level. The ground fault electronics can be structured to send a trip signal to the voltage coil when a ground fault is detected, and the voltage coil can be structured to trip the circuit breaker apparatus when it receives the trip signal from the ground fault electronics.

Abstract: A circuit breaker apparatus may be used to interrupt overcurrent and ground fault in a circuit. The circuit breaker apparatus may include an overcurrent coil for tripping the circuit breaker apparatus, a voltage coil also for tripping the circuit breaker apparatus located proximate to the overcurrent coil, and ground fault electronics connected to the voltage coil and structured to detect a ground fault in the circuit when the ground fault exceeds a threshold level. The ground fault electronics can be structured to send a trip signal to the voltage coil when a ground fault is detected, and the voltage coil can be structured to trip the circuit breaker apparatus when it receives the trip signal from the ground fault electronics.

Abstract: An electromagnetic circuit breaker is provided with a pair of magnets on opposing sides of the contacts in the open position. A magnetic field generated by the magnets combines with the magnetic field generated by the electrical arc created upon opening of the contacts during an overcurrent condition sensed by the breaker. The combined magnetic fields deflect the arc current, shifting the arc current away from the contact points and lengthening the path of the arc, thereby increasing the voltage rating of the breaker, by decreasing the intensity of an associated arc current.

Abstract: An electromagnetic circuit breaker is provided with a pair of magnets on opposing sides of the contacts in the open position. A magnetic field generated by the magnets combines with the magnetic field generated by the electrical arc created upon opening of the contacts during an overcurrent condition sensed by the breaker. The combined magnetic fields deflect the arc current, shifting the arc current away from the contact points and lengthening the path of the arc, thereby increasing the voltage rating of the breaker, by decreasing the intensity of an associated arc current.

Abstract: An auxiliary switch for a circuit breaker of the split case type. The switch is capable of switching the rated interrupt current capacity of the breaker and is fitted in to the circuit breaker case so that the overall width is substantially equal to or less than the overall width of the circuit breaker. Several embodiments of the auxiliary switch disclose various features which contribute to increasing the interrupt current rating and/or down sizing the width of the auxiliary switch.

Abstract: A circuit breaker bracket assembly has two generally U-shaped metal clips, each metal clip having a rearwardly projecting resilient wing formed therein with two forwardly projecting arms extending therefrom, each arm having an aperture which engages a nodule of a recess on a basal portion of a molded plastic cover plate. The molded plastic cover plate has a top face which has flanges preventing the cover plate from sliding through a panel opening. The basal portion has two mounting plugs formed on the back thereof which engage openings in each circuit breaker half case part and upon assembly of the circuit breaker holds the circuit breaker bracket assembly to the circuit breaker case.

Abstract: An electromagnetic circuit breaker is provided with a copper plated arc horn on the top side of the movable contact arm opposite the movable contact. The horn extends beyond the movable contact and has an upturned sweep so as to enhance migration of the electrical arc created upon opening of the contacts during a short circuit condition sensed by the breaker. An arc shoe is provided in conjunction with the fixed contact of the breaker as well and cooperates with the arc horn for the same purpose.

Abstract: An electromagnetic circuit breaker has a housing that includes a separately defined arc chamber in which the moving contact travels as the breaker is tripped, and the chamber has a divergent shape to facilitate exhausting the hot gases from the arc chamber through a metal screen and through vent openings in the end wall of the breaker housing. The housing is made in two half sections that are held together by rivets and the location of one of these rivets is isolated from the fixed contact at the lower end of the arc chamber by the unique arc chamber configuration. The lower wall of the circuit breaker housing is adapted to receive either a molded switch subassembly or to receive a terminal strip that is held in place by the primary terminals of the breaker and is adapted also to support auxiliary terminals that operate a shunt coil. The shunt coil itself is fitted on a bobbin that is selectively mounted on the bobbin that contains the primary electromagnetic coil for the breaker.

Abstract: An electromagnetic circuit breaker has a housing that includes a separately defined arc chamber in which the moving contact travels as the breaker is tripped, and the chamber has a divergent shape to facilitate exhausting the hot gases from the arc chamber through a metal screen and through vent openings in the end wall of the breaker housing. The housing is made in two half sections that are held together by rivets and the location of one of these rivets is isolated from the fixed contact at the lower end of the arc chamber by the unique arc chamber configuration. The lower wall of the circuit breaker housing is adapted to receive either a molded switch subassembly or to receive a terminal strip that is held in place by the primary terminals of the breaker and is adapted also to support auxiliary terminals that operate a shunt coil. The shunt coil itself is fitted on a bobbin that is selectively mounted on the bobbin that contains the primary electromagnetic coil fo the breaker.

Abstract: A circuit breaker terminal strip has an offset spade terminal end segment and a conventional lug terminal segment formed integrally so that one or the other or both types of wire connectors can be used with a single terminal. The lug receiving segment has a threaded opening to receive a screw that holds the lug and its wire in alignment with the terminal. The spade segment is integrally connected to the lug receiving segment and configured to receive a quick connector so that the wire on the latter does not interfere with the wire with the lug.

Abstract: A DIN rail mounted circuit breaker case has a housing that includes a rear or back side for receiving one flange of the channel shaped rail. A one piece molded plastic latch is provided in a cavity defined by the housing and can be moved from its latched position to an unlatched position by inserting a screwdriver in a slot and bending a stem portion of the latch.

Abstract: A split case breaker housing has a depending well at the bottom and any one of three different filler blocks can be assembled with the split case sections to provide a convenient receptacle for a limit switch or for auxiliary studs, or to simply close the opening provided in the well for these filler blocks.