Abstract: A multiple-hole terminal lug is for a circuit breaker including a load terminal and a conductive terminal extension coupled thereto. The multiple-hole terminal lug includes a mounting portion and a receiving portion having a plurality of receptacles for electrically coupling a corresponding plurality of electrical cables to the load terminal. Secondary mounting holes in the mounting portion align with primary mounting holes in the terminal extension in order to receive fasteners therein and secure the multiple-hole terminal lug in a first or second mounting configuration sloping upward or downward with respect tot the longitudinal axis of the terminal extension.

Abstract: An enclosure for drawout circuit interrupters having instrumentation and control wiring includes a housing having circuit interrupter recesses; wiring tray recesses; wiring trays each of which hold the wiring for one of the circuit interrupters; drawout mechanisms for removing the trays from the tray recesses; and brackets for hanging the trays from the enclosure. The trays may have a molded plastic front panel. The trays may also have internal lances or holes for securing the wiring thereto, two rear holes for routing the wiring therethrough, and a bottom side having holes for mounting rails for securing terminal blocks or fuse blocks thereto. The rear holes may hold peripheral plastic conduits for protecting the wiring. The front panel may have recess pockets for holding a descriptive nameplate, and center punches to facilitate mounting instrumentation or control devices. The drawout mechanisms may have a rectangular guide bar beneath the trays.

Abstract: A shield structure on the line side of a circuit breaker has several adjacent channels for carrying ionized gases and cables electrically connected to a line terminal assembly. The shield structure has a main portion and a stepped portion which directs the channels and, thus, the cables and the ionized gases to the rear of the circuit breaker. The main portion has sidewalls, a top wall, and inner walls which form compartments, and which communicate with the walls of the circuit breaker to enclose a pole unit for each of the line terminal assemblies.

Abstract: A vertical bus bar arrangement has three phases, each consisting of two U-shaped members disposed to form an H-configuration and a flat, rectangular bar spaced away from and on each side of the H-configuration. Insulator members are arranged between the bus bar arrangement and the brace members. The insulator members have extended portions raised away from the surface of the bus bars for receiving part of the two interconnected barrier members. The insulator members and a substantial portion of the barrier members form a labyrinth between phases. The barrier members have knockout portions for the electrical connections of the bus bars, and also portions for covering the raw edges of the bus bars in the areas through which the runbacks extend. The crossbars are connected to the bus bars by at least two connectors, one of which extends in the gap formed by the connectors of the bus bars, and one of which extends alongside the flat bar and parallel to the first connector.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for the operation of a circuit breaker by movement of a toggle handle in a vertical plane and a switch handle movable in a horizontal plane, and comprising a housing, a shaft, a toggle handle and a gear plate mounted on the shaft, and a pivot plate. The pivot plate has slots arranged in an arcuate path, a butterfly cut-out section which receives and engages the switch handle of the circuit breaker, and an arcuate opening and pin arrangement for guiding the pivot plate in its pivotal movement. The gear plate has a flat portion and an arcuate portion with gear teeth. These gear teeth on the gear plate enter the slots in the pivot plate to rotate the pivot plate for operation of the switch handle. Rotation of the pivot plate is generated by movement of the toggle handle in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A snap action operating mechanism for electrical switches and the like includes a hollow cylindrical housing closed at the ends. A rod extends through one end and is slidable within the housing, while the opposite end of the housing is connected to the switch to be operated. A trip bar projects radially outward in diametrically opposed directions from the rod through longitudinal slots in the housing. A pair of compression springs are disposed within the housing, one on each side of the trip bar. Latch units, each comprising a pair of pivoted latch members, alternately engage opposite ends of the housing to restrain movement of the housing in that direction. Thus, initial longitudinal movement of the rod in the direction of the engaged latch unit results in compression of one of the springs until the trip bar engages a camming surfaces on the engaged latch members, and rotates them clear of the housing. The housing is then accelerated rapidly by the energy stored in the compressed spring.

Abstract: A control center for distributing electric power characterized by a cabinet enclosing bus bars, a drawout stab assembly comprising a dielectric housing containing a clamping jaw for each bus bar, each clamping jaw having a wedge and wedge-receiving means for clamping the jaws tightly on the bus bar, and a nut and bolt assembly for releasably clamping the wedge in place.

Abstract: There is provided an add-on terminal connector assembly for electric control devices used in motor control centers that eliminates the conductor bends necessary to route incoming conductors to the terminals of a control device which is mounted in the control center.

Abstract: A method of fabricating sheet metal is described wherein a simulated opening for a threaded fastener is formed in sheet metal solely by roll forming a U-shaped loop segment in the sheet metal and then creating a simulated opening therein by crimping the sheet metal around a pin removably inserted in the loop segment. The simulated opening or hole is of sufficient depth to accommodate the entire length of the fastener and is formed without any drilling or punching operations.

Abstract: A shipping cover for a motor control center characterized by a motor control center having a panel surface from which projects a handle and a handle knotting frame, and a shipping cover therefor characterized by spaced walls forming cavity means for enclosing the assembly of the handle and frame which walls engage the surfaces of the handle and frame to effect a friction fit between the cover and the assembly.

Abstract: A control center for distributing electric power from a power supply source to power consuming devices characterized by a plurality of parallel bus bars covered on each side with dielectric barriers in surface-to-surface contact with the bus bars, the barriers comprising a plurality of sheet-like barrier members in end-to-end abutment which members include cooperating first interfitting portion and extending between each pair of adjacent bus bars, the abutting ends of the barriers having cooperating second interfitting end portions to provide a labyrinth-like structure between adjacent bus bars to maintain insulating and isolating properties between adjacent bus bars.

Abstract: A control center characterized by horizontal bus bars having electrically insulating covers thereon which covers are in surface-to-surface contact with the surfaces of the bus bars except for removable surface portions for providing electrical connection with vertical bus bars, the removable surface portions being disposed in a pattern to enable alignment of said removable portions with the vertical bus bars when the barriers are assembled with the horizontal bus bars in either upright or inverted positions.

Abstract: A control center characterized by vertical bus bars supported by dielectric insulators which are disposed in vertically spaced pairs along the bus bars and which are molded with a configuration to accommodate bus bars of various shapes and sizes.

Abstract: A control center with insulated bus bars characterized by a cabinet having a plurality of spaced vertical bus bars, each bus bar comprising an intermediate portion and a leg extending toward the front side of the cabinet and another leg extending toward the back side of the cabinet, a barrier encasing the bus bars and being substantially coextensive therewith, the barrier and the bus bars being in complete surface-to-surface contact with the bus bars without air space between them, the barrier having spaced openings for exposure of the legs of the bus bar for connection by detachable conductor members of a circuit interrupter, and the barriers also having breakaway surface portions for exposure of the intermediate portion of a bus bar to provide access for connection of a conductor to the bus bar.

Abstract: A control center characterized by vertical bus bars having bent-over portions forming a U-shaped cross section adapted for engagement by clip-on contacts of a circuit interrupter.

Abstract: A control center characterized by an upright cabinet in which a plurality of vertical bus bars are disposed which bus bars are encased in a pair of planar molded barriers of insulative material which are in tight surface-to-surface contact with the bus bars for extracting heat therefrom. Openings are provided in the barriers to enable access to the bus bars at spaced intervals corresponding to the spacing between contacts on circuit interrupters located within the cabinet. Shutter means for closing the openings when the circuit interrupter is withdrawn from the cabinet are provided and the shutter means comprises a level projecting into the path of travel of the circuit interrupter for moving the shutter means to an open position when the circuit interrupter is inserted into the cabinet.

Abstract: A stab assembly for a circuit interrupter for use in drawout switchgear characterized by a circuit breaker movable into and out of contact with bus bars and having spaced terminals in substantial alignment with the bus bars, each terminal comprising a base and a pair of flexible contacts disposed on opposite sides of an axis and engageable with opposite sides of a bus bar, the base comprising lateral portions extending from the sides of the axis corresponding to the flexible contacts, a dielectric housing in which the base is pivotally mounted to affect rotation laterally of said axis, and the housing having a projection spaced from each lateral portion for limiting rotation therein.