Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a conductor, a fixed contact connected to the conductor, and an arc runner disposed on the conductor adjacent the fixed contact. The arc runner includes a first portion abutting the fixed contact and a second portion disposed in a recess of the circuit breaker housing. The arc runner is adapted to draw an arc from the fixed contact. A circuit breaker operating mechanism cooperates with a movable contact for opening and closing the fixed contact and the movable contact. An arc chute is adjacent the arc runner. A trip unit cooperates with the operating mechanism to trip open the fixed and movable contacts.

Abstract: A handle arm assembly is for a circuit interrupter including an undervoltage release mechanism having a reset mechanism. The handle arm assembly includes a body portion rotatable through an arc between an on position, an off position, and a reset position beyond the off position and an arm portion projecting laterally from the body portion out of the plane of the arc through which the body portion rotates. The body portion and the arm portion are formed from a single piece of material wherein the body portion and the arm portion are different portions of the single piece of material. The arm portion is structured to engage the reset mechanism in a manner such that arcuate movement of the arm portion as the body portion moves to the off position is translated into actuation of the reset mechanism.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a conductor, a fixed contact connected to the conductor, and an arc runner disposed on the conductor adjacent the fixed contact. The arc runner includes a first portion abutting the fixed contact and a second portion disposed in a recess of the circuit breaker housing. The arc runner is adapted to draw an arc from the fixed contact. A circuit breaker operating mechanism cooperates with a movable contact for opening and closing the fixed contact and the movable contact. An arc chute is adjacent the arc runner. A trip unit cooperates with the operating mechanism to trip open the fixed and movable contacts.

Abstract: A handle arm assembly is for a circuit interrupter including an undervoltage release mechanism having a reset mechanism. The handle arm assembly includes a body portion rotatable through an arc between an on position, an off position, and a reset position beyond the off position and an arm portion projecting laterally from the body portion out of the plane of the arc through which the body portion rotates. The body portion and the arm portion are formed from a single piece of material wherein the body portion and the arm portion are different portions of the single piece of material. The arm portion is structured to engage the reset mechanism in a manner such that arcuate movement of the arm portion as the body portion moves to the off position is translated into actuation of the reset mechanism.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, a molded enclosure comprising a first molded portion and a second molded portion, a plurality of thread cutting screws fastening the first molded portion to the second molded portion, and a plurality of machine screws. The first molded portion and the second molded portion cooperate to form a plurality of exterior walls. The exterior walls define an interior volume, which encloses the separable contacts and at least a portion of the operating mechanism. The machine screws extend within and reinforce the exterior walls and restrict expansion of the exterior walls away from the interior volume.

Abstract: A method attaches a center conductor to one or both of a load end conductor and a line end conductor. The center conductor has two cylindrical projections. The load end conductor and the line end conductor both have a non-circular opening, such as a square opening. One of the cylindrical projections of the center conductor is passed through the non-circular opening of the load end conductor. The cylindrical projection of the center conductor is deformed, in order to attach the center conductor and the load end conductor together. The other of the cylindrical projections of the center conductor is passed through the non-circular opening of the line end conductor. The load and line end conductors are aligned and the other cylindrical projection of the center conductor is deformed, in order to attach the center conductor and the line end conductor together.

Abstract: A gas segregator barrier is for quenching, segregating and controllably directing ionized gases discharged from a pair of spaced-apart circuit breakers double-branch mounted within a panelboard assembly. The spaced-apart circuit breakers include corresponding pairs of opposing poles, and a housing with exhaust vent openings for discharging ionized gases developed from an electrical fault. The gas segregator barrier includes at least substantially parallel segregator fins divided into first and second portions by a transverse dividing member. Baffles in the transverse dividing member quench the ionized gases and provide fluid communication between exhaust channels formed between the segregator fins of the first portion, and gas ducts disposed between the segregator fins of the second portion. The gas ducts include one or more lateral members structured to controllably direct the discharged ionized gases.

Abstract: A circuit breaker trip unit includes a housing and a rotary plunger pivotally mounted within the housing. The rotary plunger has an on position and a tripped position. A portion of the rotary plunger is pivoted outside of the housing in the tripped position. A trip bar is pivotally mounted within the housing and includes a first tab latching the rotary plunger in the first position and releasing the rotary plunger from the first position. The trip bar also includes a second tab. A trip actuator includes a solenoid and a rotary trip lever engaging the second tab of the trip bar, in order to pivot the trip bar and release the rotary plunger from the on position. A spring biases the trip bar, in order that the first tab latches the rotary plunger in the on position. A pair of springs biases the rotary plunger to the tripped position.

Abstract: A trip unit includes a housing, a rotary plunger mounted in the housing and a pivotal trip bar also mounted therein. The trip bar latches the plunger in an on position, releases the plunger to a tripped position and re-latches the plunger. A set of springs biases the plunger to the tripped position. A rotary trip lever is pivotally mounted in the housing. A trip solenoid includes a linear plunger, which resets the solenoid when retracted, and which engages and rotates the trip lever when extended, in order to rotate the trip bar and release the rotary plunger. The rotary plunger engages the rotary trip lever when reset and rotates the same in an opposite direction, in order to retract the linear plunger and reset the solenoid. During that reset operation, the rotary plunger also cams the trip bar, in order to re-latch the rotary plunger in the on position.

Abstract: A trip unit includes a housing, a rotary plunger, and a pivotally mounted trip bar, which latches the plunger in an on position and releases the plunger to a tripped position. A first plunger portion is biased outside the housing in a tripped position by a spring mechanism. A pivotally mounted rotary trip lever includes an elastic arm. A second plunger portion is inside the housing in a reset position and engages the elastic arm. When a trip solenoid is energized, its linear plunger rotates the rotary trip lever, in order to engage and rotate the trip bar and release the rotary plunger. The rotary trip lever rotates in an opposite direction in response to the rotary plunger reset position and engages the trip solenoid linear plunger, in order to reset the same. The elastic arm flexes after the linear plunger is reset and accommodates overtravel of the rotary plunger.