Abstract: A cassette matrix having a first cassette and a second cassette disposed immediately adjacent to each other is provided. The outer sides of the cassettes are in contact and there are no fastener components, such as, but not limited to, a bolt head or nut, disposed between adjacent sidewalls. In this configuration, the cassette matrix requires a reduced amount of space within a larger housing assembly. Each cassette utilizes threshold mounting fasteners to coupled any components to the lateral sidewall. A threshold mounting fastener does not extend outwardly beyond the general plane of the lateral sidewall.

Abstract: A housing assembly and a support rail and extension rail assembly for an electrical switching apparatus includes various components. The support rail assembly is, preferably, a cast plate-like body wherein selected components, such as a levering in mechanism lug and support rails are formed as part of the casting. The extension rail assembly includes a generally flat, elongated body having a finger notch that is sized to accommodate a gloved hand and a mounting slot. The extension rail assembly is coupled to the support rail assembly by a pivotal mounting that extends through the mounting slot. The extension rail further includes a lateral extension. The housing assembly includes an L-shaped cutout having a horizontal portion and a descending vertical portion. When the extension rail is in a storage, or first, position, the lateral extension is disposed in the L-shaped cutout.

Abstract: A housing assembly and a support rail and extension rail assembly for an electrical switching apparatus includes various components. The support rail assembly is, preferably, a cast plate-like body wherein selected components, such as a levering in mechanism lug and support rails are formed as part of the casting. The extension rail assembly includes a generally flat, elongated body having a finger notch that is sized to accommodate a gloved hand and a mounting slot. The extension rail assembly is coupled to the support rail assembly by a pivotal mounting that extends through the mounting slot. The extension rail further includes a lateral extension. The housing assembly includes an L-shaped cutout having a horizontal portion and a descending vertical portion. When the extension rail is in a storage, or first, position, the lateral extension is disposed in the L-shaped cutout.

Abstract: A cassette matrix having a first cassette and a second cassette disposed immediately adjacent to each other is provided. The outer sides of the cassettes are in contact and there are no fastener components, such as, but not limited to, a bolt head or nut, disposed between adjacent sidewalls. In this configuration, the cassette matrix requires a reduced amount of space within a larger housing assembly. Each cassette utilizes threshold mounting fasteners to coupled any components to the lateral sidewall. A threshold mounting fastener does not extend outwardly beyond the general plane of the lateral sidewall.

Abstract: An auxiliary switch actuating mechanism is for a circuit breaker including a housing, separable contacts, an operating mechanism with an operating handle interconnected to the separable contacts by a linkage assembly, and an auxiliary switch having a contact member. The auxiliary switch actuating mechanism includes an actuating lever with first and second ends and a pivot portion engaging the housing proximate the auxiliary switch. A torsion spring biases the actuating lever towards engaging and actuating the contact member of the auxiliary switch. The contact member is actuated when the separable contacts are not tripped open and the linkage assembly is not collapsed. When the circuit breaker trips, the linkage assembly collapses, engaging and pivoting the actuating lever, in order to overcome the bias and disengage and deactivate the contact member.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, a pair of separable contacts within the housing, and an operating mechanism having an operating handle for opening and closing the separable contacts. A micro-switch cooperates with the operating handle and provides a first output when the separable contacts are open and a second output when the separable contacts are closed. A first LED indicator protrudes through the housing and cooperates the first output of the micro-switch. The first LED indicator is illuminated when the separable contacts are open. A second LED indicator protrudes through the housing and cooperates with the second output of the micro-switch. The second LED indicator is illuminated when the separable contacts are closed.

Abstract: A locking attachment is for a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing enclosing separable contacts and an operating mechanism, an elongated operating member with a handle that operates to open and close the separable contacts, and an opening in the housing through which the elongated operating member protrudes. The opening has first and second ends corresponding to “on” and “off” circuit breaker positions, respectively. The locking attachment includes a locking member having a first end having a compressive segment with opposed portions for compressively capturing the operating member. The second end of the locking member is structured to engage the housing of the circuit breaker at one of the first and second ends of the opening in the housing, thereby locking the circuit breaker in either the “on” or “off” position.

Abstract: A locking attachment is for a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing enclosing separable contacts and an operating mechanism, an elongated operating member with a handle that operates to open and close the separable contacts, and an opening in the housing through which the elongated operating member protrudes. The opening has first and second ends corresponding to “on” and “off” circuit breaker positions, respectively. The locking attachment includes a locking member having a first end having a compressive segment with opposed portions for compressively capturing the operating member. The second end of the locking member is structured to engage the housing of the circuit breaker at one of the first and second ends of the opening in the housing, thereby locking the circuit breaker in either the “on” or “off” position.

Abstract: A main valve for an arc chute is formed by a flexible sheet member that is mounted over a gas opening of the arc chamber structure by extensions on arc plates that form guides received in elongated slots in the ends of the flexible sheet member. The force generated by high pressure gas in the arc chamber on the center of the flexible sheet member causes it to bow allowing arc gases to escape laterally as the ends of the flexible sheet member are drawn towards each other. Flaps formed by slits in the flexible sheet member are deflected by lower pressure gas before the flexible sheet member bows outward.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a housing, separable main contacts disposed in the housing, and an operating mechanism disposed in the housing and interconnected with the contacts. A trip mechanism is disposed in the housing and has an automatic trip assembly that selectively generates a tripping operation which opens the contacts upon a predetermined current threshold. The automatic trip assembly includes a substantially planar bimetal, an electrical terminal, and a magnetic yoke. The bimetal has a first cutout region and a second cutout region on opposite sides thereof which form a neck portion and define a head portion. The head portion is connected to an end of the terminal. The magnetic yoke has a substantially planar portion and two arm portions. The bimetal is positioned substantially parallel with the planar portion with the neck portion positioned between the arm portions.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a housing having a cover connected to a base, separable main contacts within the housing, and an operating mechanism within the housing and interconnected with the contacts. A trip mechanism is disposed within the housing and includes a rotatable trip bar assembly that, when selectively rotated, generates a tripping operation. The trip mechanism includes a dual-purpose trip actuator biased upwards and positioned for vertical movement within the housing and having a top portion extending through the cover. The actuator includes a push-to-trip member and an interlock trip member. The trip bar assembly includes a multi-purpose trip member having a push-to-trip actuating region, an interlock trip actuating region, and an accessory trip actuating region. The push-to-trip member contacts the push-to-trip actuating region when the top portion is depressed, causing the trip bar assembly to rotate.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including separable main contacts, an operating mechanism interconnected with the contacts, and a housing in which the contacts and the operating mechanism are disposed. The housing includes a base having a bottom including a break-away region into which a tool may be inserted for breaking off the region for providing internal access to the operating mechanism.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a housing, separable main contacts disposed in the housing, and an operating mechanism disposed in the housing and interconnected with the contacts. A trip mechanism is disposed in the housing and includes a rotatable trip bar assembly that, when selectively rotated, generates a tripping operation that causes the contacts to open. The trip mechanism further includes an automatic trip assembly for selectively rotating the trip bar assembly upon a predetermined current threshold. The automatic trip assembly includes a magnetic yoke having two arms with a pivot support on the top of each. Each of the pivot supports includes a pivot surface, and one of the pivot supports includes a rear retaining protrusion adjacent its pivot surface. The other of the pivot supports includes a front retaining member adjacent its pivot surface.