Abstract: Circuit breakers with a first bus energizing spring held in the housing that electrically connects the circuit board to an external electrical connection. The bus primary energizing spring is configured to deflect toward the circuit board with a first linear displacement. The circuit breakers also include a second bus energizing spring held in the housing that is configured to deflect toward the circuit board with a second linear displacement that supplements the first linear displacement.

Abstract: A secondary disconnect assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a power circuit breaker. The secondary disconnect assembly includes a cradle assembly and a terminal block mount. The cradle assembly includes a cradle housing, an inner cradle movably disposed within the cradle housing, a number of retention members, and at least one stop member. The terminal block mount structured to receive a plurality of terminal blocks. The terminal block mount includes a number of protrusions each being removably coupled to the inner cradle. The retention members cooperate with the protrusions to retain the protrusions in a desired position with respect to the inner cradle. The at least one stop member cooperates with the inner cradle to correctly align the inner cradle with respect to the terminal block mount.

Abstract: Circuit breakers with a first bus energizing spring held in the housing that electrically connects the circuit board to an external electrical connection. The bus primary energizing spring is configured to deflect toward the circuit board with a first linear displacement. The circuit breakers also include a second bus energizing spring held in the housing that is configured to deflect toward the circuit board with a second linear displacement that supplements the first linear displacement.

Abstract: A trip unit wherein one sidewall of a trip unit housing assembly captivates a trip bar is provided. A captivation assembly is coupled, or directly coupled, to a trip unit housing assembly, thereby limiting tolerance buildup. The captivation assembly includes a trip bar bearing cap having a stop feature, thereby limiting tolerance buildup. The trip bar includes a radial stop paddle having hemispherical protrusions structured to contact the trip unit housing, thereby limiting tolerance buildup. The captivation assembly elements are incorporated into the trip unit housing assembly and captivates the trip bar in all but one axis, thereby limiting tolerance buildup and improving repeatability.

Abstract: A drive shaft extension assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus which is removably disposed in a cassette. The electrical switching apparatus includes a levering assembly with a drive shaft. The drive shaft extension assembly includes a housing assembly, a shaft extension including an elongated body, and a racking gear. The shaft extension is structured to be coupled to the drive shaft in a fixed orientation, thereby increasing the width of the levering assembly.

Abstract: A trip unit wherein one sidewall of a trip unit housing assembly captivates a trip bar is provided. A captivation assembly is coupled, or directly coupled, to a trip unit housing assembly, thereby limiting tolerance buildup. The captivation assembly includes a trip bar bearing cap having a stop feature, thereby limiting tolerance buildup. The trip bar includes a radial stop paddle having hemispherical protrusions structured to contact the trip unit housing, thereby limiting tolerance buildup. The captivation assembly elements are incorporated into the trip unit housing assembly and captivates the trip bar in all but one axis, thereby limiting tolerance buildup and improving repeatability.

Abstract: A drive shaft extension assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus which is removably disposed in a cassette. The electrical switching apparatus includes a levering assembly with a drive shaft. The drive shaft extension assembly includes a housing assembly, a shaft extension including an elongated body, and a racking gear. The shaft extension is structured to be coupled to the drive shaft in a fixed orientation, thereby increasing the width of the levering assembly.

Abstract: A reversal prevention mechanism for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, includes an actuator assembly pivotably coupled to the circuit breaker housing, a first stop element for controlling movement of the actuator assembly, a stop assembly pivotably coupled to the housing, and a second stop element for controlling movement of the stop assembly. The stored energy mechanism is movable among a charged position, a discharged position, and a contact touch position corresponding to a point at which the circuit breaker separable contacts make initial electrical contact. When the stored energy mechanism is disposed in the contact touch position, the stop assembly cooperates with the actuator assembly to prevent the stored energy mechanism from moving backwards.

Abstract: An opening assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus having a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a poleshaft. The opening assembly includes a spring link comprising a first portion structured to be pivotably coupled to the poleshaft, and a second portion disposed generally opposite of the first portion. A number of opening springs each include a fixed end fixedly coupled to the housing, and a movable end coupled to the second portion of the spring link. The spring link is movable between an open position, wherein the opening springs bias the spring link and poleshaft to maintain full separation of the separable contacts, and a closed position, wherein the opening springs do not bias the poleshaft.

Abstract: A charging handle apparatus includes a two-piece support apparatus that is disposed on a handle assembly and that is engaged with a gear. One of the two pieces is movable with respect to the first piece. The second piece of the support apparatus includes a number of engagement structures that are engaged with the gear and that retain the gear in a given position with respect to the handle assembly. The charging handle apparatus thus can be provided as a pre-assembled component that is readily mountable to a shaft of a circuit interrupter.

Abstract: A reversal prevention mechanism for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, includes an actuator assembly pivotably coupled to the circuit breaker housing, a first stop element for controlling movement of the actuator assembly, a stop assembly pivotably coupled to the housing, and a second stop element for controlling movement of the stop assembly. The stored energy mechanism is movable among a charged position, a discharged position, and a contact touch position corresponding to a point at which the circuit breaker separable contacts make initial electrical contact. When the stored energy mechanism is disposed in the contact touch position, the stop assembly cooperates with the actuator assembly to prevent the stored energy mechanism from moving backwards.

Abstract: An opening assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus having a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a poleshaft. The opening assembly includes a spring link comprising a first portion structured to be pivotably coupled to the poleshaft, and a second portion disposed generally opposite of the first portion. A number of opening springs each include a fixed end fixedly coupled to the housing, and a movable end coupled to the second portion of the spring link. The spring link is movable between an open position, wherein the opening springs bias the spring link and poleshaft to maintain full separation of the separable contacts, and a closed position, wherein the opening springs do not bias the poleshaft.

Abstract: A charging handle apparatus includes a two-piece support apparatus that is disposed on a handle assembly and that is engaged with a gear. One of the two pieces is movable with respect to the first piece. The second piece of the support apparatus includes a number of engagement structures that are engaged with the gear and that retain the gear in a given position with respect to the handle assembly. The charging handle apparatus thus can be provided as a pre-assembled component that is readily mountable to a shaft of a circuit interrupter.

Abstract: A trip mechanism having a hatchet plate disposed on a pivot pin assembly having a pivot pin member with at least three pivoting surfaces. First and second pivoting surfaces are located where the pivot pin member engages the supporting side plates. Thus, the pivot pin assembly may rotate in the traditional manner, i.e., both the hatchet plate and the pivot pin assembly rotate between the side plates. An additional pivoting surface is located where the hatchet plate engages the pivot pin assembly.

Abstract: An improved circuit breaker includes a case, a movable arm, and a bumper retained within a receptacle formed on the case. The bumper is retained in the receptacle by a number of spaced ribs that engage certain portions of the bumper yet permit deformations of other portions of the bumper into an expansion region. By employing a bumper made of a material having a low coefficient of restitution, deformation of the bumper tends to dissipate the energy of a removable arm impacting the bumper. The bumper can be installed, removed, and replaced substantially without requiring the use of an adhesive. The movable arm engages the bumper on a corner of the bumper to provide the bumper with an effectively progressive spring rate.