Abstract: A low voltage electric power monitoring and circuit breaker system includes two processors. The first processor activates the circuit breaker when an overcurrent condition is detected and the second processor monitors the current sensed by the first processor and activates the circuit breaker for overcurrent conditions which should have caused the first processor to activate the breaker. If a current of this magnitude is detected, the second processor activates the circuit breaker as a backup protection for the first circuit breaker.

Abstract: A residential circuit breaker design provides heat sink facility to the current carrying members within a thermoset plastic base. A thermoplastic plastic cover is ribbed internally to minimize contact between the interior of the cover and current carrying components. The thermoplastic cover results in a substantial savings in material costs since the thermoplastic waste material is recoverable and re-useable.

Abstract: A flux shifting type trip device, which is electrically activated under the control of a static trip unit to mechanically initiate tripping of a circuit breaker automatically in response to an abnormal current condition in a protected circuit, is equipped with a thermal responsive element operative to directly, mechanically activate the trip device and thereby initiate circuit breaker tripping automatically in response to an excessive ambient temperature condition within the circuit breaker enclosure.

Abstract: A circuit breaker accessory assembly, such as a shunt trip solenoid, is affixed to an insulative mounting member which is interchangeably mounted in place of a conventional interphase barrier within the breaker molded case. The trip solenoid plunger is operatively coupled with the breaker common trip bar, while the actuator for a normally closed switch wired in the solenoid energization circuit is positionally mounted for actuation by movement of a breaker contact arm to its open circuit position, thereby opening the switch.

Abstract: A longitudinally elongated, planar line strap for circuit breakers mounts on its upper surface adjacent one end a pair of transversely aligned, spaced apart main contacts. An arcing contact is mounted on a lanced-up portion of the strap joined to the strap body at a location intermediate the main contacts. An elongated arc runner is cantilever mounted to the free end of the lanced-up strap portion for extension out into an arc chute. The current in the strap flows along paths effective to motivate an arc off the main contacts and out onto the arcing contact and thence the arc runner where it is captured by the arc chute.

Abstract: A portable ground fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) device includes a housing equipped with two sets of back mounted contact blades or prongs for insertion in a conventional duplex wall receptacle. One set of contact blades conveys current from one socket of the wall receptacle to a known GFCI receptacle via a relay, both mounted within the housing. The other set of blades are dummy blades frictionally engaged in the other wall receptacle socket to reliably retain the portable GFCI device in place. The GFCI receptacle is accessible through a front opening in the housing for plug connection with circuits for which ground fault protection is afforded.