Abstract: A circuit breaker including an adjustable instantaneous trip level. Adjustable instantaneous trip level can be applied to a one-pole and/or two-pole circuit breakers including a thermal and magnetic mechanism, including AFCI, CAFCI, and/or GFCI constructions. The circuit breaker includes a magnet position adjustment mechanism allowing an operator to adjust the instantaneous trip level to a desired setting, such as between about 5 to 10 times the handle rating. The design also allows for alternate magnets to be used for either an increased or decreased instantaneous settings as desired. In two-pole circuit breakers, the instantaneous trip level can be set independently for each mechanism pole. Multi-pole circuit breakers and methods of adjusting instantaneous trip level are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Circuit breaker line power assemblies having a line terminal, a stationary contact terminal, and a line conductor extending from the line terminal to the stationary contact terminal including braided strand construction are disclosed. According to another aspect, circuit breakers including circuit breaker line power assemblies and methods of operating circuit breaker line power assemblies are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: In one aspect, circuit breakers including ventilation of heat generated by a bi-metal element are disclosed. Circuit breakers include a circuit breaker housing with a heat channel adjacent to a bi-metal element, and a vent exit from the heat channel configured to remove heat generated by the bi-metal element during use. According to another aspect, an electronic circuit breaker including an electronic module with heat ventilation is disclosed. The electronic circuit breaker includes an electronic module including a housing portion forming an electronic circuit chamber that contains electronic circuit components, wherein the housing portion includes one or more vent exits from the electronic circuit chamber configured to remove heat generated by the electronic circuit components during use. Circuit breaker housings and methods of operating circuit breakers are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A two-pole circuit breaker has an internal rotating trip bar that causes a second pole to trip (i.e., interrupt power) in response to a first pole tripping. A first pole may trip when the two-pole circuit breaker senses an electrical fault in the first pole. The tripping of the second pole in response to the first pole tripping may be referred to as common tripping. The trip bar may be connected to a tripping mechanism in each pole and may have interface features that result in less force required to trip the second pole, greater trip bar design tolerances, and/or ultimately more reliable common tripping. Methods of assembling a two-pole circuit breaker are also provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: The present invention provides circuit breaker notification to users. The invention includes systems, apparatus, and methods to monitor a position of an operating handle of a circuit breaker; sense a change in the position of the circuit breaker operating handle to a tripped position; generate a first signal representative of an identifier of the circuit breaker with the operating handle in the tripped position; transmit the first signal to a communications device; and provide notification of a trip event within the identified circuit breaker to a user via the communications device. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: A two-pole circuit breaker is provided that includes an electronic pole disposed between a first mechanical pole and a second mechanical pole. The first mechanical pole includes a first armature, and the second mechanical pole includes a second armature. The first and second armatures each are adapted to rotate in a first plane. The electronic pole includes a trip mechanism having a first trip arm disposed adjacent the first armature and a second trip arm disposed adjacent the second armature. The first trip arm and the second trip arm are each adapted to rotate in a second plane substantially orthogonal to the first plane. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A two-pole circuit breaker has an internal rotating trip bar that causes a second pole to trip (i.e., interrupt power) in response to a first pole tripping. A first pole may trip when the two-pole circuit breaker senses an electrical fault in the first pole. The tripping of the second pole in response to the first pole tripping may be referred to as common tripping. The trip bar may be connected to a tripping mechanism in each pole and may have interface features that result in less force required to trip the second pole, greater trip bar design tolerances, and/or ultimately more reliable common tripping. Methods of assembling a two-pole circuit breaker are also provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A two-pole circuit breaker is provided that includes an electronic pole disposed between a first mechanical pole and a second mechanical pole. The first mechanical pole includes a first armature, and the second mechanical pole includes a second armature. The first and second armatures each are adapted to rotate in a first plane. The electronic pole includes a trip mechanism having a first trip arm disposed adjacent the first armature and a second trip arm disposed adjacent the second armature. The first trip arm and the second trip arm are each adapted to rotate in a second plane substantially orthogonal to the first plane. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A two-pole circuit breaker is provided that includes a first mechanical pole, a second mechanical pole and an electronic pole. The first mechanical pole includes a first armature having a first armature extension, and the second mechanical pole includes a second armature having a second armature extension. The electronic pole includes a first solenoid and a second solenoid, the first armature extension is disposed adjacent the first solenoid, and the second armature is disposed adjacent the second solenoid. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides circuit breaker notification to users. The invention includes systems, apparatus, and methods to monitor a position of an operating handle of a circuit breaker; sense a change in the position of the circuit breaker operating handle to a tripped position; generate a first signal representative of an identifier of the circuit breaker with the operating handle in the tripped position; transmit the first signal to a communications device; and provide notification of a trip event within the identified circuit breaker to a user via the communications device. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.