Abstract: An improved cover assembly for use with an electrical switching apparatus can be said to comprise a retention device that is structured to be disposed on the electrical switching apparatus and a cover that comprises an engagement element and that is disposed on the retention device. The cover is translatable between a first configuration and a second configuration and is configured such that a locking element will resist movement of the cover toward the second configuration. In the first configuration, the engagement element and the retention device confront one another to resist movement of the cover away from the electrical switching apparatus. However, in the second configuration, the engagement element and the retention device are clear of one another and enable the cover to be pivoted away from the electrical switching apparatus to provide access to the control elements of the switching apparatus.

Abstract: A load conductor is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing having a number of recesses. The load conductor includes first and second opposing sides, an intermediate portion extending between the first and second sides, and a number of protrusions extending outwardly from the second side. Each of the protrusions is disposed within a corresponding one of the recesses of the housing to secure the load conductor without a separate fastener.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter mechanism includes a first member movable in a first longitudinal direction and an opposite second longitudinal direction, and a second member pivotal in a first pivotal direction and an opposite second pivotal direction. A first tab is fixedly coupled to one of the first and second members, and a second tab is pivotally coupled to the other of the members. The first tab engages and disengages from the second tab during movement of the first member in the first longitudinal direction and in the second longitudinal direction. The second tab pivots with respect to the other of the members when engaged by the first tab during movement of the first member in the first longitudinal direction. The second tab does not pivot with respect to the other of the members when engaged by the first tab during movement of the first member in the second longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An improved cover assembly for use with an electrical switching apparatus can be said to comprise a retention device that is structured to be disposed on the electrical switching apparatus and a cover that comprises an engagement element and that is disposed on the retention device. The cover is translatable between a first configuration and a second configuration and is configured such that a locking element will resist movement of the cover toward the second configuration. In the first configuration, the engagement element and the retention device confront one another to resist movement of the cover away from the electrical switching apparatus. However, in the second configuration, the engagement element and the retention device are clear of one another and enable the cover to be pivoted away from the electrical switching apparatus to provide access to the control elements of the switching apparatus.

Abstract: A load conductor is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing having a number of recesses. The load conductor includes first and second opposing sides, an intermediate portion extending between the first and second sides, and a number of protrusions extending outwardly from the second side. Each of the protrusions is disposed within a corresponding one of the recesses of the housing to secure the load conductor without a separate fastener.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter mechanism includes a first member movable in a first longitudinal direction and an opposite second longitudinal direction, and a second member pivotal in a first pivotal direction and an opposite second pivotal direction. A first tab is fixedly coupled to one of the first and second members, and a second tab is pivotally coupled to the other of the members. The first tab engages and disengages from the second tab during movement of the first member in the first longitudinal direction and in the second longitudinal direction. The second tab pivots with respect to the other of the members when engaged by the first tab during movement of the first member in the first longitudinal direction. The second tab does not pivot with respect to the other of the members when engaged by the first tab during movement of the first member in the second longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The stored energy device interlock assembly provided is structured to prevent the closing assembly and/or the latch assembly from being actuated in selected configurations. The interlock assembly includes a latch D-shaft link assembly, an on-command paddle assembly, and an on-command paddle actuator. The latch D-shaft link assembly is pivotally coupled to, and structured to rotate, the latch assembly D-shaft. The on-command paddle assembly is structured to move the D-shaft link assembly. The on-command paddle actuator is structured to move the on-command paddle assembly. The interlock assembly is structured to disengage the latch assembly D-shaft from the on-command paddle assembly in selected configurations of the electrical switching apparatus. The interlock assembly provided herein has two pivotal degrees of freedom as opposed to a pivotal degree of freedom and a sliding degree of freedom.

Abstract: A trip actuator reset assembly for a circuit breaker includes a cradle assembly, a reset lever, a trip actuator, and a rigid element. The cradle assembly is pivotably coupled to the circuit breaker pole shaft, and includes a number of springs. A pivot pivotably couples the reset lever to the circuit breaker housing. In response to a trip condition, an actuating element of the trip actuator moves a first end of the reset lever. The rigid element is pivotably coupled to the housing proximate a second end of the reset lever. To reset the trip actuator, a guide member guides the cradle assembly into engagement with the rigid element which pivots the reset lever. The first end of the reset lever then resets the trip actuator. After reset, if the cradle assembly continues to move, then the springs accommodate the additional motion.

Abstract: A trip actuator reset assembly for a circuit breaker includes a cradle assembly, a reset lever, a trip actuator, and a resilient element. The cradle assembly is pivotably coupled to the circuit breaker pole shaft. The reset lever includes first and second ends, and a pivot pivotably coupling the reset lever to the circuit breaker housing. The resilient element is pivotably coupled to the housing proximate the second end of the reset lever. In response to a trip condition, an actuating element of the trip actuator moves the first end of the reset lever. To reset the trip actuator, a guide member guides the cradle assembly into engagement with the resilient element which pivots the reset lever. The first end of the reset lever then resets the trip actuator. After reset, if the cradle assembly continues to move, then the resilient element bends to accommodate the additional motion.

Abstract: The stored energy device interlock assembly provided is structured to prevent the closing assembly and/or the latch assembly from being actuated in selected configurations. The interlock assembly includes a latch D-shaft link assembly, an on-command paddle assembly, and an on-command paddle actuator. The latch D-shaft link assembly is pivotally coupled to, and structured to rotate, the latch assembly D-shaft. The on-command paddle assembly is structured to move the D-shaft link assembly. The on-command paddle actuator is structured to move the on-command paddle assembly. The interlock assembly is structured to disengage the latch assembly D-shaft from the on-command paddle assembly in selected configurations of the electrical switching apparatus. The interlock assembly provided herein has two pivotal degrees of freedom as opposed to a pivotal degree of freedom and a sliding degree of freedom.

Abstract: A trip actuator reset assembly for a circuit breaker includes a cradle assembly, a reset lever, a trip actuator, and a resilient element. The cradle assembly is pivotably coupled to the circuit breaker pole shaft. The reset lever includes first and second ends, and a pivot pivotably coupling the reset lever to the circuit breaker housing. The resilient element is pivotably coupled to the housing proximate the second end of the reset lever. In response to a trip condition, an actuating element of the trip actuator moves the first end of the reset lever. To reset the trip actuator, a guide member guides the cradle assembly into engagement with the resilient element which pivots the reset lever. The first end of the reset lever then resets the trip actuator. After reset, if the cradle assembly continues to move, then the resilient element bends to accommodate the additional motion.

Abstract: A trip actuator reset assembly for a circuit breaker includes a cradle assembly, a reset lever, a trip actuator, and a rigid element. The cradle assembly is pivotably coupled to the circuit breaker pole shaft, and includes a number of springs. A pivot pivotably couples the reset lever to the circuit breaker housing. In response to a trip condition, an actuating element of the trip actuator moves a first end of the reset lever. The rigid element is pivotably coupled to the housing proximate a second end of the reset lever. To reset the trip actuator, a guide member guides the cradle assembly into engagement with the rigid element which pivots the reset lever. The first end of the reset lever then resets the trip actuator. After reset, if the cradle assembly continues to move, then the springs accommodate the additional motion.