Abstract: A movable contact assembly for an electrical switching apparatus is provided. The movable contact assembly includes a number of shunts, and, a carriage assembly including two sidewalls and a contact arm assembly. The carriage assembly sidewalls are disposed in a spaced relation. The contact arm assembly includes a plurality of contact arms, a number of isolation members, a number of movable contacts, and an axle. Each contact arm defines an opening. One movable contact is disposed on each contact arm. Each contact arm is rotatably coupled to the axle with the axle extending through the contact arm opening. Each isolation member is disposed adjacent at least one contact arm. Each isolation member is coupled to, and in electrical communication with the adjacent contact arm. The shunts are coupled to, and in electrical communication with, the isolation members. In this configuration, no shunt operatively engages a contact arm.

Abstract: A movable contact assembly for an electrical switching apparatus is provided. The movable contact assembly includes a number of shunts, and, a carriage assembly including two sidewalls and a contact arm assembly. The carriage assembly sidewalls are disposed in a spaced relation. The contact arm assembly includes a plurality of contact arms, a number of isolation members, a number of movable contacts, and an axle. Each contact arm defines an opening, One movable contact is disposed on each contact arm. Each contact arm is rotatably coupled to the axle with the axle extending through the contact arm opening. Each isolation member is disposed adjacent at least one contact arm. Each isolation member is coupled to, and in electrical communication with the adjacent contact arm. The shunts are coupled to, and in electrical communication with, the isolation members. In this configuration, no shunt operatively engages a contact arm.

Abstract: A movable contact assembly for an electrical switching apparatus is provided. The movable contact assembly includes a number of shunts, and, a carriage assembly including two sidewalls and a contact arm assembly. The carriage assembly sidewalls are disposed in a spaced relation. The contact arm assembly includes a plurality of contact arms, a number of isolation members, a number of movable contacts, and an axle. Each contact arm defines an opening. One movable contact is disposed on each contact arm. Each contact arm is rotatably coupled to the axle with the axle extending through the contact arm opening. Each isolation member is disposed adjacent at least one contact arm. Each isolation member is coupled to, and in electrical communication with the adjacent contact arm. The shunts are coupled to, and in electrical communication with, the isolation members. In this configuration, no shunt operatively engages a contact arm.

Abstract: A movable contact assembly for an electrical switching apparatus is provided. The movable contact assembly includes a number of shunts, and, a carriage assembly including two sidewalls and a contact arm assembly. The carriage assembly sidewalls are disposed in a spaced relation. The contact arm assembly includes a plurality of contact arms, a number of isolation members, a number of movable contacts, and an axle. Each contact arm defines an opening, One movable contact is disposed on each contact arm. Each contact arm is rotatably coupled to the axle with the axle extending through the contact arm opening. Each isolation member is disposed adjacent at least one contact arm. Each isolation member is coupled to, and in electrical communication with the adjacent contact arm. The shunts are coupled to, and in electrical communication with, the isolation members. In this configuration, no shunt operatively engages a contact arm.

Abstract: A levering assembly for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, which is removably disposed in a cassette, includes a mounting member coupled to the housing of the circuit breaker. A drive assembly is coupled to the mounting member and cooperates with the cassette. A powered actuator, such as an electric motor, is disposed on the mounting member and actuates the drive assembly to move the circuit breaker with respect to the cassette. The powered actuator is disposed within the housing of the circuit breaker. The mounting member, drive assembly and powered actuator form a self-contained sub-assembly, which is substantially disposed behind the circuit breaker cover. The levering assembly is operable from a remote location to automatically move the circuit breaker with respect to the cassette, to provide enhanced safety among other benefits.

Abstract: A position indicator assembly is provided for a levering assembly of an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The levering assembly includes a drive shaft and a racking member movably coupled to the circuit breaker housing. The drive shaft cooperates with the racking member to facilitate racking the circuit breaker into and out of a cassette. The position indicator assembly includes a number of indicator gears cooperating with the drive shaft, an indication rack cooperating with the indicator gears, and an indicator cooperating with the indication rack to provide a visual indication indicative of the position of the circuit breaker with respect to the cassette. When the circuit breaker is moved with respect to the cassette, the drive shaft pivots. In response, the indicator gears move, thereby moving the indication rack and the indicator in order to provide the visual indication.

Abstract: A charging handle is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing having an exterior, an interior and a recess extending from the exterior toward the interior, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts, and a charging assembly. A first end of the charging handle is coupled to the charging assembly within the interior of the housing. The second end includes a finger pull. An elongated body extends between the first and second ends and includes first and second sides, and inner and outer surfaces. The charging handle is movable among first and second positions. The finger pull is disposed on the outer surface of the elongated body at or about the second end of the charging handle, and is readily accessible from all of the second end and the first and second sides of the charging handle.

Abstract: A levering assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, which is removably disposed in a cassette. The levering assembly includes a mounting member coupled to the housing of the circuit breaker. A drive assembly is coupled to the mounting member and cooperates with the cassette. A powered actuator, such as an electric motor, is disposed on the mounting member and actuates the drive assembly to move the circuit breaker with respect to the cassette. The powered actuator is disposed within the housing of the circuit breaker. The mounting member, drive assembly and powered actuator form a self-contained sub-assembly, which is substantially disposed behind the circuit breaker cover. The levering assembly is operable from a remote location to automatically move the circuit breaker with respect to the cassette, to provide enhanced safety among other benefits.

Abstract: A position indicator assembly is provided for a levering assembly of an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The levering assembly includes a drive shaft and a racking member movably coupled to the circuit breaker housing. The drive shaft cooperates with the racking member to facilitate racking the circuit breaker into and out of a cassette. The position indicator assembly includes a number of indicator gears cooperating with the drive shaft, an indication rack cooperating with the indicator gears, and an indicator cooperating with the indication rack to provide a visual indication indicative of the position of the circuit breaker with respect to the cassette. When the circuit breaker is moved with respect to the cassette, the drive shaft pivots. In response, the indicator gears move, thereby moving the indication rack and the indicator in order to provide the visual indication.

Abstract: A gassing insulator assembly for a line conductor assembly of an electrical switching apparatus is provided having a line conductor and first and second gassing insulator members. The insulator members are constructed from a gassing material. The first gassing insulator member is disposed near a first end of the line conductor and the second gassing insulator member is generally disposed between the line conductor and a cantilevered arc runner near a second end of the line conductor.

Abstract: The closing protection mechanism provided herein includes a control unit, a sensing switch and a sensing switch actuator. The control unit is coupled to, and in electronic communication with, the trip device. The control unit is structured to receive a sensing switch signal and to provide a control signal to the trip device. The sensing switch coupled to, and in electronic communication with, the control unit. The sensing switch is disposed adjacent to the toggle assembly. The sensing switch is structured to provide a sensing switch signal to the control unit. The sensing switch actuator is disposed on the toggle assembly. The sensing switch actuator is structured to actuate the sensing switch. The sensing switch is structured to be actuated by the sensing switch actuator when the toggle assembly is in the second, over-toggle configuration.

Abstract: The stored energy device interlock assembly provided is structured to prevent the closing assembly and/or the latch assembly from being actuated in selected configurations. The interlock assembly includes a latch D-shaft link assembly, an on-command paddle assembly, and an on-command paddle actuator. The latch D-shaft link assembly is pivotally coupled to, and structured to rotate, the latch assembly D-shaft. The on-command paddle assembly is structured to move the D-shaft link assembly. The on-command paddle actuator is structured to move the on-command paddle assembly. The interlock assembly is structured to disengage the latch assembly D-shaft from the on-command paddle assembly in selected configurations of the electrical switching apparatus. The interlock assembly provided herein has two pivotal degrees of freedom as opposed to a pivotal degree of freedom and a sliding degree of freedom.

Abstract: A pole shaft assembly for a circuit breaker includes a receiving portion disposed on the exterior side of the housing, a pole shaft pivotably disposed within the receiving portion and including at least one protrusion, a number of cover members overlaying the pole shaft and the receiving portion, at least one first seal disposed between the receiving portion and a corresponding protrusion, and at least one second seal disposed between such protrusion and a corresponding one of the cover members. The seals resist undesired entry of debris between the receiving portion and the pole shaft, and control the discharge of arc gases from the circuit breaker. The first seal is formed by the interaction between the receiving portion and the corresponding protrusion. The second seal is formed by the interaction between the protrusion and the corresponding one of the cover members.

Abstract: A gassing insulator for the arc chute assembly of a circuit breaker includes a number of insulating members. The arc chute assembly includes first and second opposing sidewalls, and arc plates having first and second ends and first and second legs. Each insulating member includes a first side coupled to one of the first and second opposing sidewalls of the arc chute assembly, a second side disposed generally opposite the first side, a first end disposed at or about the first ends of the arc plates, and a second end disposed distal from the first end of the insulating member and extending toward the second ends of the arc plates. The first side of the insulating member overlays at least one of the first and second legs of the arc plates, in order to electrically insulate them. An arc chute assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spring assembly is provided for a yoke assembly of an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a pole shaft. The yoke assembly is coupled to the pole shaft and is movable among first and second positions corresponding to the separable contacts being closed and open, respectively. The spring assembly includes a number of first springs having a first spring rate and being coupled to the yoke assembly, and a number of second springs having a second spring rate and being coupled to the yoke assembly. The second spring rate is different than the first spring rate. The number of first springs and the number of second springs bias the yoke assembly toward the second position.

Abstract: A shunt assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a conductor assembly having a load conductor and a movable contact assembly with a number of movable contact arms. The movable contact assembly is movable in response to a fault current. The shunt assembly includes a number of flexible conductive elements each having a first end electrically connected to the load conductor, a second end electrically connected to a corresponding one of the movable contact arms, and a number of bends disposed between the first and second ends. At least one constraint element is disposed proximate a corresponding one of the bends and constrains movement of the flexible conductive element in response to the fault current, thereby translating the magnetic repulsion force associated with the fault current into a corresponding torque of the movable contact arms of the movable contact assembly.

Abstract: A trip actuator assembly is provided for a circuit breaker including a housing having a mounting surface, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The trip actuator assembly includes a trip actuator cooperable with the operating mechanism, and a planar member having first and second ends, first and second edges, and an aperture. The trip actuator is at least partially disposed within the aperture and is further disposed between the planar member and the mounting surface of the housing. The first edge of the planar member is removably coupled to the mounting surface, thereby removably coupling the trip actuator to the housing. The circuit breaker may include an accessory tray which is insertable on and is removable from the mounting surface. When inserted, the accessory tray abuts the body of the trip actuator enclosure further securing the trip actuator.

Abstract: A lever arm assembly is provided for a circuit breaker trip actuator reset assembly including a cradle assembly pivotably coupled to the circuit breaker pole shaft, a reset lever pivotably coupled to the circuit breaker housing, and a trip actuator including an actuating element, which moves the reset lever in response to a trip condition. The lever arm assembly includes at least one linking element including a first end pivotably coupled to the cradle assembly, a second end, a pivot, and a deflection assembly having a deflection member. When the cradle assembly moves from a first position toward a second position, it moves the linking element, thereby moving the deflection member into engagement with the reset lever. This pivots the reset lever to reset the trip actuator. After the trip actuator has been reset, the deflection assembly is deflectable to accommodate excess motion of the cradle assembly.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing having at least one parting line and an exterior side, a stationary contact assembly disposed on one side of the parting line, a movable contact assembly, and an operating mechanism with a pole shaft for moving the movable contact assembly into and out of electrical contact with the stationary contact assembly. The bearing assembly includes a number of primary bearings pivotably supporting the pole shaft on the same side of the parting line as the stationary contact assembly. An integral bearing section including secondary bearings pivotably couples the pole shaft to the housing at least one bearing cover member having a fastening portion. The pole shaft is pivotably disposed at or about the integral bearing section on the exterior side of the housing. A housing and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A trip actuator reset assembly for a circuit breaker includes a cradle assembly, a reset lever, a trip actuator, and a rigid element. The cradle assembly is pivotably coupled to the circuit breaker pole shaft, and includes a number of springs. A pivot pivotably couples the reset lever to the circuit breaker housing. In response to a trip condition, an actuating element of the trip actuator moves a first end of the reset lever. The rigid element is pivotably coupled to the housing proximate a second end of the reset lever. To reset the trip actuator, a guide member guides the cradle assembly into engagement with the rigid element which pivots the reset lever. The first end of the reset lever then resets the trip actuator. After reset, if the cradle assembly continues to move, then the springs accommodate the additional motion.