Abstract: An arc chute assembly includes a first arc side and a second arc side opposite and spaced apart from the first arc side, each arc side including a first vertical edge, a second vertical edge, and a debris blocker component at the second vertical edge, where the debris blocker component is disposed proximate to the separable contacts and structured to contain debris generated during an interruption; and a plurality of arc plates disposed between the arc sides, the separable contacts disposed within the plurality of arc plates, each arc plate including a base and two legs each extending from the base and comprising a distal element proximate to the separable contacts, where each arc plate is structured to attract and quench an arc generated upon opening of the separable contacts associated with the interruption and the distal element is structured to accelerate the opening of the separable contacts.

Abstract: A splitter plate for an arc extinguishing chamber in a switching device, the splitter plate including a base portion; a pair of arms extending from the base portion; a recess for a movable contact defined between the arms; and a slot in each arm; wherein the recess is arranged between the slots. An arc extinguishing chamber for a switching device is also provided. A switching device for breaking an electric current, the switching device including a plurality of splitter plates or an arc extinguishing chamber is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an arc-extinguishing device, including an arc-extinguishing chamber, where the arc-extinguishing chamber includes a support, a plurality of arc-extinguishing grid sheets, a first gas-evolving hood, and a second gas-evolving hood; the plurality of arc-extinguishing grid sheets are mounted on the supports, the arc-extinguishing grid sheet has a groove to form a moving track for a moving contact, both sides of the groove extend toward the moving contact respectively to form a first extension leg and a second extension leg, an end and an inner side of the first extension leg are wrapped by the first gas-evolving hood, and an end and an inner side of the second extension leg are wrapped by the second gas-evolving hood; a surface of the gas-evolving hood extending along the inner side of the extension leg toward the groove is referred to as a wrapping surface.

Abstract: The present device was conceived in order to resolve the aforementioned problem, and the objective thereof is to provide an arc chamber of a circuit breaker that enhances assemblability and ensures the consistency of the product. An arc chamber of the circuit breaker according to one embodiment of the present device comprises: a plurality of grids arranged at predetermined intervals outside a motion locus of a movable contactor and having a body portion and a leg portion extending from one side of the body portion; and a fixing cap having a receiving portion that is inserted into the leg portion in a press-fitting manner, wherein the fixing cap has a coupling portion extending to a side of the body portion at one side thereof.

Abstract: A moving seal for an air circuit breaker provides an arc creepage surface that is positioned between a pair of separable contact assemblies when the moving seal is fit into an inlet of the arc chamber. The arc creepage surface has a surface contour that increases a length of an arc travel path between the separable contact assemblies, relative to a straight line distance between of separable contact assemblies.

Abstract: A switch unit for a DC circuit is disclosed, which includes a first switch contact, and a second switch contact, which is movable between a first position, wherein the first switch contact contacts the second switch contact, and a second position, wherein the second switch contact is separated from the first switch contact. A positioning element to position an arc chute on the switch unit, the arc chute comprises a plurality of substantially parallel metal plates, the positioning element arranged to guide an arc, which is created between the first switch contact and the second switch contact, into the arc chute in an arc displacement direction in order to be extinguished. At least one gas emitting element, wherein at an interruption operation of the circuit breaker at its nominal current, the arc between the first switch contact and the second switch contact vaporizes a portion of the gas emitting layer.

Abstract: This disclosure describes examples of an apparatus to enclose components of a switching assembly of an automatic transfer switch. In one embodiment, the apparatus, or arc chamber cover, has a housing made of material with optical properties that permit observation of the interior of the housing. A mounting assembly couples to the housing. The mounting assembly secures the apparatus to the automatic transfer switch. In one example, the mounting assembly comprises feet comprising a material with mechanical properties that can withstand pressure and other forces inside of the interior chamber. The apparatus also includes one or more baffles to control the flow of gasses and control electric arcs within the switching assembly.

Abstract: A direct current electrical switching apparatus includes a first contact in electrical communication with first and third arc runners, a second contact in electrical communication with second and fourth arc runners, a movable contact, a first arc chamber including first arc plates having a first width, a second arc chamber including second arc plates having a greater second width, an operating mechanism, and a magnet assembly cooperating with the arc chambers to establish generally oppositely directed magnetic fields. The magnetic fields cause one of a first arc and a second arc to enter one of the arc chambers depending upon a direction of current flow between the contacts. The electrical switching apparatus is rated for a first magnitude of current flowing from the first contact to the second contact and for a greater second magnitude of opposite second current flowing from the second contact to the first contact.

Abstract: Embodiments provide arc chambers, and methods adapted to rapidly extinguish arcs in circuit breakers. In one aspect, a circuit breaker is provided having first and second electrical contacts, wherein at least one of the contacts is movable and has a maximum contact face transverse dimension (d), and an arc chamber including first and second sidewalls spaced by a transverse spacing (Ts). The sidewalls are provided in close proximity to each other providing a transverse arc compression ratio (TACR) less than or equal to about 2.0, wherein TACR=Ts/d. According to another aspect, an arc chamber including one or more recesses formed into a transverse sidewall is provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: An arc chute assembly includes a housing having a lateral axis and a quenching portion disposed within the housing. The quenching portion includes at least two deion plates being spaced along the lateral axis of the housing and each having a cut portion wherein the cut portions are staggered along the lateral axis with respect to one another and are configured to mitigate an arc.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, a power conductor including a first conductor and a second reverse loop conductor, the second reverse loop conductor carrying one of the separable contacts, and a slot motor. The slot motor includes a first slot motor portion, and a second slot motor portion including a plurality of generally U-shaped slot motor laminations, a first insulative housing portion, and a second insulative housing portion. The first and second insulative housing portions interlock with one another to form a generally U-shaped insulative slot motor housing. The first and second insulative housing portions cooperatively receive the generally U-shaped slot motor laminations.

Abstract: An electrical switch is disclosed. The switch includes at least one switching contact which is held against the prestressing force of a contact force spring on a moving contact mount, and an arc quenching device, in which at least one section of the at least one contact force spring extends between side pieces of the contact mount. A device for limiting the spreading of combustion products is provided, which has an angle bracket inclined with respect to the opening direction of the moving contact mount. When the contact mount is in the open position, the bracket overhangs the at least one section of the at least one contact force spring. In order to protect the contact force springs, in particular at the end of the opening process, even better against contamination by spreading combustion products, the inclined angle bracket is seated in a prestressed manner on the side pieces.

Abstract: A secondary arc chute is for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, a pair of separable contacts enclosed within the housing, and a primary arc chute disposed proximate the separable contacts in order to attract an arc generated by the separable contacts. The primary arc chute has a first end including an arc horn, and a second end. The secondary arc chute includes a chute member made from a magnetic material, such as nickel-plated steel, and including a first portion disposed at or about the arc horn of the primary arc chute, and a second portion. The chute member provides an extension of the primary arc chute in order to facilitate drawing the arc away from the separable contacts and to ground the arc into the housing of the electrical switching apparatus.

Abstract: An arc extinguisher assembly is provided for a mould cased circuit breaker capable of reducing time for arc extinguishing and preventing contacts from being damaged due to a back flow of an arc.

Abstract: An electric arc extinction chamber system, especially for low-voltage circuit breakers of very high nominal current intensities, wherein parallel electric arc extinction chamber inserts are provided in a housing extending over the entire width of a pole-face arc. The housing of the chamber is sub-divided by a partition wall or several partition walls which are embodied as components of the housing. The compartments thus formed receive arc splitter cartridges.

Abstract: An electromagnetic circuit breaker is provided with a pair of magnets on opposing sides of the contacts in the open position. A magnetic field generated by the magnets combines with the magnetic field generated by the electrical arc created upon opening of the contacts during an overcurrent condition sensed by the breaker. The combined magnetic fields deflect the arc current, shifting the arc current away from the contact points and lengthening the path of the arc, thereby increasing the voltage rating of the breaker, by decreasing the intensity of an associated arc current.

Abstract: An arc quenching configuration for an electrical switching device has an arcing chamber in which an arc is produced between a stationary contact piece and a moving contact piece during a switching operation. An arc splitter stack is provided and has a number of arc splitter plates and into which the arc is passed via guide rails. At least one plate composed of an insulating material is disposed in or adjacent to the arc splitter stack, an external circumference of the plate does not project beyond the external circumference of the arc splitter plates, and the plate has an internal recess.

Abstract: An electrical circuit breaker pole comprises a stationary contact means, a movable contact means, and an arc extinguishing chamber comprising two side flanges, separators, a front opening situated near to the contact zone of the stationary contact means, a lower arcing horn, an upper arcing horn and a pair of lateral dielectric shields laterally limiting the front opening of the chamber. Each lateral dielectric shield is arranged in such a way as to be interposed laterally between the separators and the movable contact means in the open position. The pair of lateral dielectric shields is arranged in such a way that the width of the opening of the chamber is appreciably smaller near to the upper arcing horn than pear to the lower arcing horn.

Abstract: A switching device is provided having an optimally used arcing chamber. To this end, a lower arc runner plate extends into a space located behind the arcing chamber, and an upper arc runner plate is positioned off from this space by an appropriate design of an insulating strip of the arcing chamber (10). The insulating strip is provided with projecting tabs for this purpose.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (10) including an electrical arc extinguishing apparatus (105). The electric arc extinguishing arc apparatus (105) includes a first sidewall (106) in a spaced relationship with the second sidewall (107) with a top arc plate (110) mounted between the first and second sidewalls (106, 107). A plurality of intermediate arc plates (114) are mounted between the first (106) and second sidewalls (107) below the top arc plate (110) with each in a spaced apart relationship. A bottom arc plate (116) is mounted between the first and second sidewalls below and apart from the intermediate plates (114) forming an arc chute. The electric arc extinguishing apparatus (105) can also be provided with two end caps (120) with each end cap (120) having an interior cavity (121) with one leg (111) of each arc plate (58) mounted in the cavity (121) of one end cap (120) and the other leg (111) of each arc plate (58) mounted in the cavity (121) of the other end cap (120).

Abstract: An arcing chamber system having one or more chamber bodies connected in series, wherein one or more arcing chamber modules, are arranged in each chamber body is present. A plurality of arcing chamber modules may be employed to achieve for various contact ratings. This allows the arcing chamber system of the present invention to be adapted, in simple fashion, to a variety of working voltages and a variety of contact ratings.

Abstract: A multi-phased switch support base including a molded top cover and a molded bottom base each having interior and exterior walls which divide the interiors. When assembled together the base is divided into compartmentalized arc chambers which function to isolate each line contact and each load contact of each phase of the switch from each other as well as from each other line and each other load contact of each of the other phases of the switch. A multiplicity of unique snap-in arc chutes and baffles to help control and extinguish the arc generated during disconnect operations of the rotor from the stationary contacts are provided in each arc chamber.

Abstract: An arc chute assembly for a circuit breaker includes a plurality of U-type grids respectively including an engagement protrusion extended from each side thereof, the engagement protrusion having a key pin opening formed therethrough, a plurality of side walls respectively including a plurality of engagement slots formed therethrough, and a key pin inserted through corresponding ones of the key pin openings formed through the engagement protrusions which are inserted through the side walls and extended to an extent from an outer surface of each of the side walls. The apparatus employs the key pin for fixing the grids to the side walls, thereby facilitating assembly steps as well as decreasing an assembly time thereof.

Abstract: An arc stack for receiving a circuit breaker blade moveable between a closed position and an open position, includes a plurality of arc plates positioned substantially parallel to one another and arranged in a plurality of adjacent groups. Each of the groups includes one or more arc plates having substantially similar respective arc throats formed therein. The respective arc throats progressively decrease in size from group to group along the length of the arc stack in a direction extending away from the closed position of the blade. A connecting support maintains the plurality of arc plates substantially parallel to one another.

Abstract: An arc stack for receiving a circuit breaker blade moveable between a closed position and an open position, includes a plurality of generally rectangular are plates having substantially similar length and width dimensions and positioned substantially parallel to one another. The straight edges of the arc plates are in line with one another so that the are stack is generally rectangular in shape. The arc plates have respective arc throats formed therein having a plurality of sizes so as to form a longitudinal passageway extending through the arc throats following the arc generated by the blade moving between the closed and open positions. The arc plates include sets of arc plates with the arc plates in each set having identical arc throats. The sets of arc plates are arranged in order of decreasing arc throat size with the set having the largest arc throats being positioned adjacent the circuit breaker blade in the closed position.