Abstract: A contact assembly for an electrical device and a method for making such an assembly are presented. The contact assembly comprises a substrate and a contact material disposed on the substrate. The contact material comprises a composite material comprising a refractory material and a matrix material. The matrix material has a higher ductility than the refractory material. The composite material further comprises a core region and an outer region bounding the core region, the core region having a higher concentration of the refractory material than the outer region. The method applies cold spraying a blended feedstock to produce a layer that includes the composite material described above.

Abstract: A contact assembly for an electrical device and a method for making such an assembly are presented. The contact assembly comprises a substrate and a contact material disposed on the substrate. The contact material comprises a composite material comprising a refractory material and a matrix material. The matrix material has a higher ductility than the refractory material. The composite material further comprises a core region and an outer region bounding the core region, the core region having a higher concentration of the refractory material than the outer region. The method applies cold spraying a blended feedstock to produce a layer that includes the composite material described above..

Abstract: A contact assembly for an electrical device and a method for making such an assembly are presented. The contact assembly comprises a substrate and a contact material disposed on the substrate. The contact material comprises a composite material comprising a refractory material and a matrix material. The matrix material has a higher ductility than the refractory material. The composite material further comprises a core region and an outer region bounding the core region, the core region having a higher concentration of the refractory material than the outer region. The method applies cold spraying a blended feedstock to produce a layer that includes the composite material described above.

Abstract: A contact assembly for an electrical device and a method for making such an assembly are presented. The contact assembly comprises a substrate and a contact material disposed on the substrate. The contact material comprises a composite material comprising a refractory material and a matrix material. The matrix material has a higher ductility than the refractory material. The composite material further comprises a core region and an outer region bounding the core region, the core region having a higher concentration of the refractory material than the outer region. The method applies cold spraying a blended feedstock to produce a layer that includes the composite material described above.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker is provided. The molded case circuit breaker includes a molded base defining at least one cavity and a tie bar coupled to the molded base and extending across the cavity. The tie bar is configured to reduce fracture and separation of the molded base during a high pressure event.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a molded case circuit breaker is provided. The molded case circuit breaker includes a molded base defining at least one cavity and a tie bar coupled to the molded base and extending across the cavity. The tie bar is configured to reduce fracture and separation of the molded base during a high pressure event.

Abstract: A molded case, cassette type circuit breaker for a multi-pole electrical distribution circuit includes a number of cassettes equal to the number of poles in the multi-pole electrical distribution circuit and a pin disposed through each cassette. The pin is formed from a dielectric material. The pin may be further disposed through a portion of an operating mechanism for aligning the cassettes and the operating mechanism. Each cassette may include a rotor, a pair of electrical contacts, and a contact arm supported in the cassette by the rotor. In this embodiment, the pin may be a cross pin that extends between each rotor. The dielectric material may include phenolic, melamine, silicone, epoxy, polyester, fiberglass and the like. Alternatively, the pin includes a steel bar coated with the dielectric material, where the dielectric material may include, for example, epoxy, silicon, Teflon, and the like. A pair of end caps may be disposed over end surfaces of the rotor.

Abstract: A magnet assembly for actuating a trip latch in a circuit breaker. The magnet assembly includes a core and an armature. The core is disposed around a conductor forming a primary current path in the circuit breaker, and includes an end forming a pole face. The armature is biased by a force acting in a direction away from the pole face. The armature includes a generally planar surface and a projection extending from the generally planar surface toward the pole face. The generally planar surface is separated from the pole face by a first air gap, and the projection is separated from the pole face by a second air gap. The first air gap is larger than the second air gap.

Abstract: A trip system for a circuit breaker includes a current sensor and a stop surface, the current sensor having a contact surface, a first end that is supported, and a second end with a degree of freedom. The current sensor, arranged for receiving an electric current, undergoes a first deflection in response to a first current and a second deflection in response to a second current, the first deflection resulting in clearance between the contact surface and the stop surface, and the second deflection resulting in contact between the contact surface and the stop surface.

Abstract: A magnet assembly for actuating a trip latch in a circuit breaker. The magnet assembly includes a core and an armature. The core is disposed around a conductor forming a primary current path in the circuit breaker, and includes an end forming a pole face. The armature is biased by a force acting in a direction away from the pole face. The armature includes a generally planar surface and a projection extending from the generally planar surface toward the pole face. The generally planar surface is separated from the pole face by a first air gap, and the projection is separated from the pole face by a second air gap. The first air gap is larger than the second air gap.

Abstract: An operating handle assembly is provided having an improved handle engagement arrangement, thereby enabling the operating handle assembly to be adaptable for both human and machine interaction without the requirement of special attachment hardware. An operating handle assembly having a handle base and handle stem can accept a first handle extension suitable for human interaction or a second handle extension suitable for machine interaction. Assembly features provide for proper assembly of the handle extension to the handle stem while maintaining appropriate electrical clearances to live parts. The two part operating handle assembly, handle base with handle stem plus handle extension, provides for improved manufacturability of the host device, whereby the end-use construction of the host device need not be identified until a late point in the production cycle. The host device may be, but is not limited to, a standard circuit breaker, a rotary circuit breaker, a switch, or a disconnect device.