Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an interrupter configured to selectively prevent a flow of electrical current through the circuit breaker, and an assembly. The assembly includes a housing, an interrupter mechanism, and an arc protection mechanism. The housing includes an opening configured to channel an arc fault discharge generated during an arc fault into the housing. The interrupter mechanism is coupled to the housing and the interrupter, and is configured to move the interrupter between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position prevents a flow of electrical current through the circuit breaker and the second position permits a flow of electrical current through the circuit breaker. The arc protection mechanism is within the housing and is configured to receive the arc fault discharge through the housing and to cause the interrupter to move to the first position in response to the arc fault discharge.

Abstract: An electrical connector device for connecting a bus bar to one or more electrical contacts of a circuit interrupting device is provided. The electrical connector device includes an electrically conductive body having a first end configured to engage the one or more electrical contacts of the circuit interrupting device, and a second end configured to engage the bus bar. The electrically conductive body includes a central portion and an outer portion, and has a cavity defined therein between the central portion and the outer portion. The electrical connector device also includes an evaporative heat transfer device including a wick and a working fluid each disposed within the cavity defined within the electrically conductive body. The heat transfer device is configured to facilitate heat transfer from the first end of the electrically conductive body to the second end.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an interrupter configured to selectively prevent a flow of electrical current through the circuit breaker, and an assembly. The assembly includes a housing, an interrupter mechanism, and an arc protection mechanism. The housing includes an opening configured to channel an arc fault discharge generated during an arc fault into the housing. The interrupter mechanism is coupled to the housing and the interrupter, and is configured to move the interrupter between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position prevents a flow of electrical current through the circuit breaker and the second position permits a flow of electrical current through the circuit breaker. The arc protection mechanism is within the housing and is configured to receive the arc fault discharge through the housing and to cause the interrupter to move to the first position in response to the arc fault discharge.

Abstract: A spout for a connection between a bus bar and a circuit breaker in switchgear includes a housing and a fixed contact. The housing is formed of insulative material and includes a tubular body having an inner cavity and a radial first ventilation opening, a base portion having a first longitudinal opening, and a fixed contact receiving portion having a second longitudinal opening. The fixed contact is formed of a conductive material, has an outer contact surface exposed through the second longitudinal opening, and forms a portion of an outer surface of the spout. A switchgear includes a wall dividing a circuit breaker compartment from a bus bar compartment, and the base portion of the spout is securable to the wall.

Abstract: An electrical enclosure includes a plurality of exterior panels defining a volume and an enclosure ventilation assembly adjacent to the volume. The enclosure ventilation assembly includes a ventilation panel including a ventilation aperture defined therethrough, a ventilation cover assembly, and an arc shield assembly. The ventilation cover assembly is coupled to the ventilation panel to cover the ventilation aperture and is configured to allow gasses into the electrical enclosure through the ventilation aperture, to inhibit an intrusion of water into the electrical enclosure, and to inhibit egress of an arc fault discharge from the enclosure. The arc shield assembly includes an arc shield rotatably coupled to the enclosure ventilation assembly and configured to rotate between a first, open position and a second, closed position, wherein the first, open position facilitates a flow of gasses into the electrical enclosure and the second, closed position inhibits an arc fault discharge egress.

Abstract: An electrical connector device for connecting a bus bar to one or more electrical contacts of a circuit interrupting device is provided. The electrical connector device includes an electrically conductive body having a first end configured to engage the one or more electrical contacts of the circuit interrupting device, and a second end configured to engage the bus bar. The electrically conductive body includes a central portion and an outer portion, and has a cavity defined therein between the central portion and the outer portion. The electrical connector device also includes an evaporative heat transfer device including a wick and a working fluid each disposed within the cavity defined within the electrically conductive body. The heat transfer device is configured to facilitate heat transfer from the first end of the electrically conductive body to the second end.

Abstract: A vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) assembly includes a single motor configured to rotate at least one rotor, a VCB having a breaking mechanism configured to control current flow through the VCB and a first electromagnetic clutch configured to selectively engage the at least one rotor with the breaking mechanism to charge the breaking mechanism. The VCB assembly also includes an undercarriage configured to support the VCB assembly and to move the VCB assembly from a first position to a second position and a second electromagnetic clutch configured to selectively engage the at least one rotor with the undercarriage to drive the undercarriage.

Abstract: A switch cabinet includes a pair of opposing side panels. At least one side panel of the pair of side panels includes an opening defined therein. The switch cabinet also includes at least one component removal system coupled to the at least one side panel. The component removal system is selectively movable between a first position to prevent withdrawal of an electrical component through the opening and a second position to enable withdrawal of the electrical component through the opening.

Abstract: A modular switchgear electrical connection for use with a modular compartment includes a branch busbar having a busbar aperture defined by the branch busbar. Also included is a connection arrangement for establishing an electrical connection with the branch busbar. The connection arrangement includes a fastener extending through the busbar aperture toward the modular compartment. The connection arrangement also includes a spout including a base wall and a cavity defined by at least one wall extending from the base wall, wherein the base wall includes a spout aperture for receiving the fastener. The connection arrangement further includes a contact component including a base portion a cylindrical portion extending from the base portion, the contact component defining an aperture for receiving the fastener, the contact component secured to the spout and the fastener with a nut for engaging the fastener.

Abstract: A spout for a connection between a bus bar and a circuit breaker in switchgear includes a housing and a fixed contact. The housing is formed of insulative material and includes a tubular body having an inner cavity and a radial first ventilation opening, a base portion having a first longitudinal opening, and a fixed contact receiving portion having a second longitudinal opening. The fixed contact is formed of a conductive material, has an outer contact surface exposed through the second longitudinal opening, and forms a portion of an outer surface of the spout. A switchgear includes a wall dividing a circuit breaker compartment from a bus bar compartment, and the base portion of the spout is securable to the wall.

Abstract: A spout for a connection between a bus bar and a circuit breaker in switchgear includes a housing and a fixed contact. The housing is formed of insulative material and includes a tubular body having an inner cavity and a radial first ventilation opening, a base portion having a first longitudinal opening, and a fixed contact receiving portion having a second longitudinal opening. The fixed contact is formed of a conductive material, has an outer contact surface exposed through the second longitudinal opening, and forms a portion of an outer surface of the spout. A switchgear includes a wall dividing a circuit breaker compartment from a bus bar compartment, and the base portion of the spout is securable to the wall. A method of increasing heat dissipation within switchgear using the spout includes securing a bus bar to the outer contact surface, and dissipating heat through the radial ventilation opening.

Abstract: A switchgear housing includes a busbar portion having a busbar enclosure. A first circuit breaker portion is coupled to the busbar portion. The first circuit breaker portion includes a first circuit breaker enclosure. A second circuit breaker portion includes a second circuit breaker enclosure. A first pressure relief member is arranged in the busbar portion. The first pressure relief member is configured and disposed to guide gases associated with an arcing event from the busbar portion upward through the busbar portion.

Abstract: A vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) assembly includes a single motor configured to rotate at least one rotor, a VCB having a breaking mechanism configured to control current flow through the VCB and a first electromagnetic clutch configured to selectively engage the at least one rotor with the breaking mechanism to charge the breaking mechanism. The VCB assembly also includes an undercarriage configured to support the VCB assembly and to move the VCB assembly from a first position to a second position and a second electromagnetic clutch configured to selectively engage the at least one rotor with the undercarriage to drive the undercarriage.

Abstract: A switch cabinet includes a pair of opposing side panels. At least one side panel of the pair of side panels includes an opening defined therein. The switch cabinet also includes at least one component removal system coupled to the at least one side panel. The component removal system is selectively movable between a first position to prevent withdrawal of an electrical component through the opening and a second position to enable withdrawal of the electrical component through the opening.

Abstract: A switchgear housing includes a busbar portion having a busbar enclosure. A first circuit breaker portion is coupled to the busbar portion. The first circuit breaker portion includes a first circuit breaker enclosure. A second circuit breaker portion includes a second circuit breaker enclosure. A first pressure relief member is arranged in the busbar portion. The first pressure relief member is configured and disposed to guide gases associated with an arcing event from the busbar portion upward through the busbar portion.

Abstract: A modular switchgear electrical connection for use with a modular compartment includes a branch busbar having a busbar aperture defined by the branch busbar. Also included is a connection arrangement for establishing an electrical connection with the branch busbar. The connection arrangement includes a fastener extending through the busbar aperture toward the modular compartment. The connection arrangement also includes a spout including a base wall and a cavity defined by at least one wall extending from the base wall, wherein the base wall includes a spout aperture for receiving the fastener. The connection arrangement further includes a contact component including a base portion a cylindrical portion extending from the base portion, the contact component defining an aperture for receiving the fastener, the contact component secured to the spout and the fastener with a nut for engaging the fastener.

Abstract: A protective shutter device for exposing and preventing access to electrical contacts of a switchgear. The device includes a linkage assembly coupled to the housing, the linkage assembly including a first and a second drive arm. A guide assembly is coupled to the housing, and includes a first end, a second end, and a body connecting the ends. The device further includes a first shutter coupled to the first drive arm and the body of the guide assembly. The first shutter selectively moves along the body. A second shutter is coupled to the second drive arm and the guide assembly body, the second shutter including a lower and an upper plate. The lower plate is coupled to the upper plate, wherein the plates selectively move along the body to a first position to expose the electrical contacts, and to a second position to prevent access to the electrical contacts.

Abstract: A protective shutter device for exposing and preventing access to electrical contacts of a switchgear. The device includes a linkage assembly coupled to the housing, the linkage assembly including a first and a second drive ann. A guide assembly is coupled to the housing, and includes a first end, a second end, and a body connecting the ends. The device further includes a first shutter coupled to the first drive arm and the body of the guide assembly. The first shutter selectively moves along the body. A second shutter is coupled to the second drive arm and the guide assembly body, the second shutter including a lower and an upper plate. The lower plate is coupled to the tipper plate, wherein the plates selectively move along the body to a first position to expose the electrical contacts, and to a second position to prevent access to the electrical contacts.

Abstract: A spout for a connection between a bus bar and a circuit breaker in switchgear includes a housing and a fixed contact. The housing is formed of insulative material and includes a tubular body having an inner cavity and a radial first ventilation opening, a base portion having a first longitudinal opening, and a fixed contact receiving portion having a second longitudinal opening. The fixed contact is formed of a conductive material, has an outer contact surface exposed through the second longitudinal opening, and forms a portion of an outer surface of the spout. A switchgear includes a wall dividing a circuit breaker compartment from a bus bar compartment, and the base portion of the spout is securable to the wall. A method of increasing heat dissipation within switchgear using the spout includes securing a bus bar to the outer contact surface, and dissipating heat through the radial ventilation opening.