Abstract: A method of manufacturing a load buss array assembly includes placing a plurality of load conductors within a thermally conductive substrate, placing a portion of a load connector within the thermally conductive substrate, and electrically connecting the load conductors to the portion of the load connector within the thermally conductive substrate.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a ferromagnetic frame having first and opposite second portions, a ferromagnetic core disposed therebetween, a permanent magnet disposed on the first portion, a first tapered portion on the opposite second portion; a coil disposed about the core; and a ferromagnetic or magnetic armature including a first portion, an opposite second portion and a pivot portion pivotally disposed on the core between the portions of the armature. The armature opposite second portion has a complementary second tapered portion therein. In a first armature position, the armature first portion is magnetically attracted by the permanent magnet and the first and second tapered portions are moved apart with the coil de-energized. In a second armature position, the armature opposite second portion is magnetically attracted by the opposite second portion of the frame and the first tapered portion is moved into the second tapered portion with the coil energized.

Abstract: A circuit breaker assembly includes a housing, an electrical bus structure within the housing, a number of first plug-in members coupled to the bus structure, and a number of insulative retainers coupled to the bus structure. A corresponding one of the number of insulative retainers is operatively associated with a corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members. Each of a number of circuit breakers includes a manual operator and a number of second plug-in members disposed opposite the manual operator. The number of second plug-in members electrically engage a number of the number of first plug-in members. The corresponding one of the number of insulative retainers is disposed about the corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members, in order to insulate the corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members, and to retain the number of second plug-in members.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a load buss array assembly includes placing a plurality of load conductors within a thermally conductive substrate, placing a portion of a load connector within the thermally conductive substrate, and electrically connecting the load conductors to the portion of the load connector within the thermally conductive substrate.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a ferromagnetic frame having first and opposite second portions, a ferromagnetic core disposed therebetween, a permanent magnet disposed on the first portion, a first tapered portion on the opposite second portion; a coil disposed about the core; and a ferromagnetic or magnetic armature including a first portion, an opposite second portion and a pivot portion pivotally disposed on the core between the portions of the armature. The armature opposite second portion has a complementary second tapered portion therein. In a first armature position, the armature first portion is magnetically attracted by the permanent magnet and the first and second tapered portions are moved apart with the coil de-energized. In a second armature position, the armature opposite second portion is magnetically attracted by the opposite second portion of the frame and the first tapered portion is moved into the second tapered portion with the coil energized.

Abstract: A circuit breaker assembly includes a housing, an electrical bus structure within the housing, a number of first plug-in members coupled to the bus structure, and a number of insulative retainers coupled to the bus structure. A corresponding one of the number of insulative retainers is operatively associated with a corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members. Each of a number of circuit breakers includes a manual operator and a number of second plug-in members disposed opposite the manual operator. The number of second plug-in members electrically engage a number of the number of first plug-in members. The corresponding one of the number of insulative retainers is disposed about the corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members, in order to insulate the corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members, and to retain the number of second plug-in members.

Abstract: A circuit breaker assembly includes a housing, an electrical bus structure within the housing, a number of first plug-in members coupled to the bus structure, and a number of insulative retainers coupled to the bus structure. A corresponding one of the number of insulative retainers is operatively associated with a corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members. Each of a number of circuit breakers includes a manual operator and a number of second plug-in members disposed opposite the manual operator. The number of second plug-in members electrically engage a number of the number of first plug-in members. The corresponding one of the number of insulative retainers is disposed about the corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members, in order to insulate the corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members, and to retain the number of second plug-in members.

Abstract: A circuit breaker assembly includes a housing, an electrical bus structure within the housing, a number of first plug-in members coupled to the bus structure, and a number of insulative retainers coupled to the bus structure. A corresponding one of the number of insulative retainers is operatively associated with a corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members. Each of a number of circuit breakers includes a manual operator and a number of second plug-in members disposed opposite the manual operator. The number of second plug-in members electrically engage a number of the number of first plug-in members. The corresponding one of the number of insulative retainers is disposed about the corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members, in order to insulate the corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members, and to retain the number of second plug-in members.

Abstract: A circuit breaker panel includes a number of circuit breaker modules each having a number of connectors, a plurality of circuit breakers and a circuit structure supporting the circuit breakers and electrically interconnecting the circuit breakers with the number of connectors. The panel also includes a monitoring module having a connector and a monitoring circuit to monitor at least one line voltage and, for each of the circuit breakers, at least one load voltage. The panel further includes a frame having a first connector for the monitoring module connector, a number of second connectors for the circuit breaker module connectors, and a number of third connectors for outputs from the circuit breaker modules. Conductors are connected to the connectors. Any of the monitoring module and the number of circuit breaker modules can be installed into or removed from the frame without change to the conductors.

Abstract: A circuit breaker panel includes a number of circuit breaker modules each having a number of connectors, a plurality of circuit breakers and a circuit structure supporting the circuit breakers and electrically interconnecting the circuit breakers with the number of connectors. The panel also includes a monitoring module having a connector and a monitoring circuit to monitor at least one line voltage and, for each of the circuit breakers, at least one load voltage. The panel further includes a frame having a first connector for the monitoring module connector, a number of second connectors for the circuit breaker module connectors, and a number of third connectors for outputs from the circuit breaker modules. Conductors are connected to the connectors. Any of the monitoring module and the number of circuit breaker modules can be installed into or removed from the frame without change to the conductors.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a housing having a molded case made of liquid crystal polymer. Separable contacts are disposed within the housing. An operating mechanism is disposed within the housing and is structured to open and close the separable contacts. A trip mechanism is disposed within the housing and is structured to cooperate with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes an electronic trip circuit and a rigid, conductive base providing a ground to the electronic trip circuit. The rigid, conductive base is insert molded to a portion of the molded case.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit breaker includes a panel having a first side and an opposite second side, a housing coupled to the opposite second side of the panel, separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes a test circuit structured to simulate a trip condition to trip open the separable contacts, and a proximity sensor disposed on or within the housing proximate the opposite second side of the panel. The proximity sensor is structured to sense a target to actuate the test circuit when the target is disposed proximate the first side of the panel and opposite the proximity sensor.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a housing having a molded case made of liquid crystal polymer. Separable contacts are disposed within the housing. An operating mechanism is disposed within the housing and is structured to open and close the separable contacts. A trip mechanism is disposed within the housing and is structured to cooperate with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes an electronic trip circuit and a rigid, conductive base providing a ground to the electronic trip circuit. The rigid, conductive base is insert molded to a portion of the molded case.

Abstract: A system is for an aircraft including a plurality of rows of seats. The system includes a plurality of monitors, a plurality of arc fault circuit interrupters each of which includes three poles having a line terminal and a load terminal. Each of a plurality of electronic enclosures is capable of being energized from a corresponding one of the load terminals of a corresponding one of the poles of a corresponding one of the AFCIs. A panel holds the AFCIs. A single-phase power source powers the line terminals of the poles of the AFCIs. Each of the poles corresponds to one row of the aircraft. Each of the electronic enclosures corresponds to one of a plurality of zones. Three of the rows are disposed in each of the zones. One of the AFCIs is associated with a corresponding one of the zones.

Abstract: An aircraft circuit breaker includes a housing and a conductive member coupled thereto. The conductive member has a first conductive portion structured to be electrically and mechanically coupled to a conductive panel and a plurality of second conductive portions with a plurality of openings therethrough. An electronic circuit cooperates with an operating mechanism to trip open separable contacts. The circuit includes printed circuit boards having a plurality of conductive pads defining a ground. Each conductive pad has an opening therethrough. Each of a plurality of threaded conductive fasteners includes a conductive end portion, a conductive shaft disposed from the conductive end portion, and a plurality of conductive threads disposed on the conductive shaft. A number of the conductive threads electrically and mechanically engage a corresponding second conductive portion at a corresponding one of the openings. The conductive end portion electrically engages a corresponding one of the conductive pads.

Abstract: An aircraft circuit breaker includes a housing having an opening, separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the contacts, and a trip mechanism structured to cooperate with the operating mechanism to trip open the operating mechanism. The trip mechanism includes a first bimetal to trip open the operating mechanism responsive to a thermal fault, a second ambient compensation bimetal to compensate the first bimetal, and an arc fault trip circuit to trip open the operating mechanism responsive to an arc fault. An indicator includes an indicator portion and a leg disposed from the indicator portion. A spring biases the indicator portion. The second bimetal holds the leg of the indicator, thereby holding the indicator against the spring bias. The second bimetal releases the leg of the indicator responsive to the arc fault trip circuit and the arc fault, thereby releasing the indicator to the spring bias.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, an operating mechanism adapted to open and close the separable contacts, and an arc fault trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The arc fault trip mechanism includes an arc fault test circuit adapted to simulate an arc fault trip condition to trip open the separable contacts. A proximity sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, is adapted to sense a magnetic target to actuate the arc fault test circuit.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus, such as an aircraft circuit breaker or an aerospace circuit breaker, is for a corresponding aircraft or aerospace panel including a first aperture and a second aperture. The circuit breaker includes a status, such as a health status or trip status, a housing adapted to be coupled to the panel, separable contacts and an operating mechanism adapted to open and close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes an operating handle adapted to pass through the first panel aperture and a light indicator adapted to be disposed through the second panel aperture to indicate the status of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit breaker includes a panel having a first side and an opposite second side, a housing coupled to the opposite second side of the panel, separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes a test circuit structured to simulate a trip condition to trip open the separable contacts, and a proximity sensor disposed on or within the housing proximate the opposite second side of the panel. The proximity sensor is structured to sense a target to actuate the test circuit when the target is disposed proximate the first side of the panel and opposite the proximity sensor.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a housing, separable contacts, and an operating mechanism including a latch. The operating mechanism opens the contacts responsive to actuation of the latch. A trip mechanism cooperates with the latch to trip open the contacts. The trip mechanism includes a thermal overload mechanism actuating the latch responsive to a thermal fault caused by current flowing through the contacts, a solenoid cooperating with the thermal overload mechanism to actuate the latch responsive to the electromagnetic device being energized, and a processor repetitively determining a value of the current flowing through the contacts, determining if the value exceeds a predetermined value for a number of occurrences, and responsively energizing the solenoid, in order to actuate the latch contemporaneous with actuation of the latch by the thermal overload mechanism, in order to decrease the time to trip open the contacts.