Abstract: A pivot assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, including a housing having a molded cover and a molded base, a stationary contact assembly with stationary electrical contacts, and a movable contact assembly. The movable contact assembly includes at least one carrier assembly with a pivot, movable contact arms pivotably coupled to the carrier assembly, and movable electrical contacts coupled to the movable contact arms. The pivot assembly includes pivot members. Each pivot member includes an aperture for pivotably receiving the pivot of the carrier assembly in order that the carrier assembly is pivotably coupled between a corresponding pair of pivot members. Each pivot member is a separate independent component disposed between the molded cover and molded base of the circuit breaker housing. An electrical switching apparatus and a carrier assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A contact spring assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a movable contact assembly and a stationary contact assembly having stationary electrical contacts. The movable contact assembly includes a carrier assembly, and movable contact arms pivotably coupled to the carrier assembly and carrying movable electrical contacts. The contact spring assembly includes a first contact spring housing member, a second contact spring housing member coupled to and disposed opposite from the first contact spring housing member, a spring guide disposed between and coupled to at least one of the first and second contact spring housing members and including spring holes, springs received in the spring holes, and sliders coupled to the springs. The springs and sliders individually bias the movable contact arms and movable electrical contacts toward engagement with corresponding stationary electrical contacts. A movable contact assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible conductive element is provided for the conductor assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The conductor assembly includes a load conductor, a movable contact assembly including a number of movable contact arms, movable electrical contacts mounted on the movable contact arms, and a plurality of flexible conductive elements. Each flexible conductive element includes a first end electrically connected to the load conductor, a second end electrically connected to a corresponding one of the movable contact arms of the movable contact assembly, and a plurality of bends between the first end and the second end. A first one of the bends is in a first direction and at least a second one of the bends is in a second direction which is generally opposite the first direction, in order that the flexible element is generally S-shaped. A conductor assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An arc plate for a circuit breaker arc chute assembly includes first and second portions coupled to opposing sidewalls of the arc chute assembly, first and second ends, and a throat portion between the first and second portions and including an aperture. The aperture extends from the first end toward the second end and includes an end section, an intermediate neck section adjacent the end section, and an interior section adjacent the intermediate neck section and distal from the end section. The end section has a first width and attracts and directs an arc toward the intermediate neck section. The intermediate neck section tapers from the first width of the end section to a second width, further attracting the arc and directing it into the interior section. The interior section includes a taper and turns with respect to the intermediate neck section, in order to attract and retain the arc.

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: An arc baffle for an arc chute assembly of a circuit breaker includes a first baffle member disposed at or about the second end of the arc chute assembly and including a plurality of first venting holes, a second baffle member including a plurality of second venting holes and being coupled to and disposed opposite from the first baffle member, and a filter assembly disposed at or about the second baffle member and including a number of filter elements. The first and second venting holes of the first and second baffle members are offset to induce turbulent flow of ionized gases being discharged from the arc chute assembly. The filter elements of the filter assembly filter the turbulent flow. An arc chute assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat sink is for an integrally fused low-voltage power air circuit breaker including a line terminal and electrical bus work coupled to a current limiter. The line terminal, electrical bus work, and current limiter contribute to the formation of a thermal dam. The heat sink includes a heat exchanger structured to be coupled to the line terminal at or about the current limiter in order to expel heat from the thermal dam. The heat exchanger comprises at least one conductive member having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of bends therebetween. The heat exchanger includes heat reduction features, such as, for example, two conductive members having a number of air gaps therebetween to facilitate heat convection, a dark coating to expel heat, materials having a high thermal conductivity, and surface-enlarging mechanisms such as fins, flanges and apertures.

Abstract: A heat sink is for an integrally fused low-voltage power air circuit breaker including a line terminal and electrical bus work coupled to a current limiter. The line terminal, electrical bus work, and current limiter contribute to the formation of a thermal dam. The heat sink includes a heat exchanger structured to be coupled to the line terminal at or about the current limiter in order to expel heat from the thermal dam. The heat exchanger comprises at least one conductive member having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of bends therebetween. The heat exchanger includes heat reduction features, such as, for example, two conductive members having a number of air gaps therebetween to facilitate heat convection, a dark coating to expel heat, materials having a high thermal conductivity, and surface-enlarging mechanisms such as fins, flanges and apertures.

Abstract: A door interlock assembly is for a draw-out circuit breaker assembly. A draw-out circuit breaker is housed within an enclosure including a door and includes a poleshaft operable between first and second positions corresponding to separable contacts being opened and closed, respectively. The door interlock assembly includes a pivot member coupled to the poleshaft and a door latch interconnected to the pivot member by a linkage, such as a threaded drive rod. The door latch pivots such that a first end thereof engages and locks the door of the enclosure when the poleshaft moves to the second position. An optional mechanical sensor assembly adapted to trip the circuit breaker when the door is positioned in any position other than closed, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An arc hood includes a housing having a first chamber with two ends, a top and a bottom having an opening, and a smaller second chamber disposed on the top of the first chamber. The smaller second chamber includes two ends, a top and a bottom. Each of the ends of the second chamber have an opening, are disposed above the top of the first chamber, and are recessed from a corresponding one of the ends of the first chamber. The chambers define a passageway between the opening of the bottom of the first chamber and the openings of the ends of the second chamber. One or more baffles are within the housing and are disposed between the opening of the bottom of the first chamber and the openings of the ends of the second chamber. A seal is disposed about the opening of the bottom of the first chamber.

Abstract: A multi-mode transfer switch selectively operates in a first operating mode in which the utility source alone is connected to the load bus, a second operating mode in which only the microturbine is connected to the load bus, and a third operating mode in which both sources are connected to the load bus in parallel. The microturbine is commanded to operate in a voltage mode when connected alone to the load bus and in a current mode when connected in parallel with the utility source. If the utility source fails while operating in parallel with the microturbine, the utility source is disconnected from the load bus and the microturbine is reconfigured in a voltage mode. The transfer controller sends a wake-up signal to the microturbine upon loss of power for starting and providing power to the load bus.

Abstract: A multi-mode transfer switch selectively operates in a first operating mode in which the utility source alone is connected to the load bus, a second operating mode in which only the microturbine is connected to the load bus, and a third operating mode in which both sources are connected to the load bus in parallel. The microturbine is commanded to operate in a voltage mode when connected alone to the load bus and in a current mode when connected in parallel with the utility source. If the utility source fails while operating in parallel with the microturbine, the utility source is disconnected from the load bus and the microturbine is reconfigured in a voltage mode. The transfer controller sends a wake-up signal to the microturbine upon loss of power for starting and providing power to the load bus.