Abstract: A connector assembly includes a non-conductive block assembly defining a plurality of passages and a resilient wire support defining a plurality of passages. The resilient wire support is coupled to the block assembly with each resilient wire support passage aligned with one block assembly passage. A conductor unit includes a plurality of conductor assemblies. Each conductor assembly includes a first socket and a second socket, and each such conductor assembly is disposed partially in a block assembly passage.

Abstract: An improved bus apparatus includes a generally rigid substrate and a conductor apparatus. The conductor apparatus includes a number of bus elements that are embedded within the substrate and which are electrically connected with connection elements that each have an end that is situated external to the substrate. Additional connection elements extend through the substrate and are connectable with loads. Circuit interrupters and other devices are connectable with pairs of the connector elements, wherein one connector element is connected with a line and wherein another connector element is connected with a load. The bus apparatus is formed by receiving the bus elements in channels formed in layers of a thermally conductive and electrically insulative material, and the layers are bonded together with the use of a bonding material to cause the bus elements to become laminated within the interior of the substrate.

Abstract: An adaptor (44, 70) mating a non-plug-in type circuit breaker (42) to a bus structure (14, 64) of a plug-in breaker panel (40, 62) includes a first portion (48, 72) coupled to a terminal (46) of the non-plug-in type circuit breaker (42) and an opposite second portion (50, 74) engaging a portion (24, 66) of the bus structure (14, 64). The first portion is formed from a first conductive material and the opposite second portion is formed from a second conductive material. The firs portion and the second portion form a conductive pathway between the terminal (46) of the non-plug-in type circuit breaker (42) and the portion (24, 66) of the bus structure (14).

Abstract: A faceplate for use in a panel for electrical switching apparatus includes a generally planar member having a first surface, an opposite second surface and a number of apertures disposed through the first surface and the opposite second surface. Each aperture is configured to receive an actuatable mechanism of an electrical switching apparatus. The faceplate further includes a number of inclined features, each extending from the opposite second surface about a respective aperture of the number of apertures. At least one inclined feature includes an inclined surface disposed opposite the opposite second surface of the generally planar member. The inclined surface is disposed at a non-zero angle with respect to the generally planar member.

Abstract: A circuit breaker module is provided. The circuit breaker module includes: a frame assembly, a faceplate assembly, and a number of circuit breakers, the circuit breakers having an electrically conductive surface and an extending handle, the frame assembly having a front member and a back member, the frame assembly front member and the frame assembly back member being spaced from each other and defining an enclosed space, the frame assembly front member being electrically conductive, the faceplate assembly having an electrically conductive faceplate, the faceplate being a planar member with a number of openings therein, the faceplate coupled to the frame assembly front member, the circuit breaker disposed in the frame assembly enclosed space, and wherein the circuit breaker is in electrical communication with the faceplate and the frame assembly front member, whereby a current may pass from the circuit breaker to the frame assembly front member.

Abstract: A connector assembly (10) includes a non-conductive block assembly (12) defining a plurality of passages (20) and a resilient wire support (14) defining a plurality of passages (66). The resilient wire support (14) is coupled to the block assembly (12) with each resilient wire support passage (66) aligned with one block assembly passage (20). A conductor unit includes a plurality of conductor assemblies (80). Each conductor assembly (80) includes a first socket (90) and a second socket (94), and each such conductor assembly (80) is disposed partially in a block assembly passage (20).

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus, such as a subminiature circuit breaker, includes a housing assembly, separable contacts, an operating mechanism having an actuator device and a latching assembly, a first trip device for tripping open the separable contacts in response to an overcurrent condition, and a second trip device for tripping open the separable contacts in response to an arc fault, a ground fault or a remotely transmitted signal. The subminiature circuit breaker includes a reset solenoid and a trip solenoid. The resent solenoid is coupled to the actuator device, and includes a coil operable to electrically reset the separable contacts. The trip solenoid is coupled to the latching assembly, and includes a coil operable to move the catch lever, thereby electrically tripping open the separable contacts.

Abstract: An adaptor (44, 70) mating a non-plug-in type circuit breaker (42) to a bus structure (14, 64) of a plug-in breaker panel (40, 62) includes a first portion (48, 72) coupled to a terminal (46) of the non-plug-in type circuit breaker (42) and an opposite second portion (50, 74) engaging a portion (24, 66) of the bus structure (14, 64). The first portion is formed from a first conductive material and the opposite second portion is formed from a second conductive material. The firs portion and the second portion form a conductive pathway between the terminal (46) of the non-plug-in type circuit breaker (42) and the portion (24, 66) of the bus structure (14).

Abstract: A face plate (18) for use in a panel (2) for electrical switching apparatus includes a generally planar member (19) having a first surface (20), an opposite second surface (22) and a number of apertures (24) disposed through the first surface and the opposite second surface. Each aperture is configured to receive an actuatable mechanism (14) of an electrical switching apparatus (10). The faceplate further includes a number of inclined features (28), each extending from the opposite second surface (22) about a respective aperture (24) of the number of apertures. At least one inclined feature (28) includes an inclined surface (30) disposed opposite the opposite second surface (22) of the generally planar member (19). The inclined surface (30) is disposed at a non-zero angle (?1) with respect to the generally planar member (19).

Abstract: A circuit breaker module is provided. The circuit breaker module includes: a frame assembly, a faceplate assembly, and a number of circuit breakers, the circuit breakers having an electrically conductive surface and an extending handle, the frame assembly having a front member and a back member, the frame assembly front member and the frame assembly back member being spaced from each other and defining an enclosed space, the frame assembly front member being electrically conductive, the faceplate assembly having an electrically conductive faceplate, the faceplate being a planar member with a number of openings therein, the faceplate coupled to the frame assembly front member, the circuit breaker disposed in the frame assembly enclosed space, and wherein the circuit breaker is in electrical communication with the faceplate and the frame assembly front member, whereby a current may pass from the circuit breaker to the frame assembly front member.

Abstract: An improved bus apparatus includes a generally rigid substrate and a conductor apparatus. The conductor apparatus includes a number of bus elements that are embedded within the substrate and which are electrically connected with connection elements that each have an end that is situated external to the substrate. Additional connection elements extend through the substrate and are connectable with loads. Circuit interrupters and other devices are connectable with pairs of the connector elements, wherein one connector element is connected with a line and wherein another connector element is connected with a load. The bus apparatus is formed by receiving the bus elements in channels formed in layers of a thermally conductive and electrically insulative material, and the layers are bonded together with the use of a bonding material to cause the bus elements to become laminated within the interior of the substrate.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus, such as a subminiature circuit breaker, includes a housing assembly, separable contacts, an operating mechanism having an actuator device and a latching assembly, a first trip device for tripping open the separable contacts in response to an overcurrent condition, and a second trip device for tripping open the separable contacts in response to an arc fault, a ground fault or a remotely transmitted signal. The subminiature circuit breaker includes a reset solenoid and a trip solenoid. The resent solenoid is coupled to the actuator device, and includes a coil operable to electrically reset the separable contacts. The trip solenoid is coupled to the latching assembly, and includes a coil operable to move the catch lever, thereby electrically tripping open the separable contacts.