Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly and method for mounting a plurality of circuit breakers for electrical and mechanical connection to a bus bar in a module of a distribution board. The mounting assembly includes each circuit breaker having a housing which is defined by a contact end for connecting to the bus bar, a mounting end for securing to the cell of the distribution board, and side panels extending therebetween. Each housing has a top surface and a bottom surface. The connect end of each housing has a bus bar terminal for connecting to the bus bar. At least one spacer is located between at least two of the circuit breakers. The spacer has a predetermined width between the side panels of adjacent circuit breakers. The spacer width is sufficient to spread the circuit breakers apart from each other and align the bus bar terminal of each housing with the busbar.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical switch locking assembly for inhibiting movement of a switch handle. The switch handle is enclosed in a casing or housing and moves operatively along a path between first and second positions to open or close electrical contacts for opening or closing a circuit. First and second recesses are molded into the casing to receive a locking device across the path of the switch handle. The locking device has first and second legs pivotally connected like scissors. The first leg has an integral first foot projecting away from the second leg, and the second leg has an integral second foot projecting away from the first leg, like scissor-blade tips having opposing projections. The first and second legs each have an opening opposite the first and second foot, respectively, somewhat like scissor handles. The first foot is inserted into the first recess and the second foot is inserted into the second recess.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit breaker assembly having a base, cover, and switch handle adapted to withstand an external force applied to a lever of the switch handle. During normal operation the handle rotates on small-diameter pivots in elongated bearing slots. Under abnormal conditions that occur when the lever of the switch handle is inadvertently struck, such as when the circuit breaker is dropped on the lever of the switch handle, the pivots slide in the elongated bearing slots. The force is borne by large-diameter hubs which come in contact with mating bearing surfaces. Thus, the pivots are not shorn off during such incidents, which would damage the circuit breaker.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit breaker having a terminal nut retainer 10 for securely holding a nut 65 in a fixed position adjacent and below a circuit breaker terminal 60. The circuit breaker is placed in a circuit by securing a source electrical connector to a source terminal and/or a load electrical connector to a load terminal. A screw 61 is used to fasten the electrical connector 67 to its respective terminal 60. The nut 65 for the screw 61 is held in a fixed position by the terminal nut retainer 10. The terminal nut retainer 10 has a nut retaining cavity 14 defined by walls which hold the nut 65 and keep it from turning while the screw 61 is tightened to establish a tight electrical connection between the connector 67 and the terminal 60. The terminal nut retainer 10 is held in position by a sliding and locking engagement between projections 30 and 34, respectively, on the terminal nut retainer 10 and slots 52 and 54, respectively, in the circuit breaker casing.