Abstract: Provided is a trip mechanism for DC molded case circuit breaker, in which the insulating distance between the poles increases without any increase in whole product size, thereby reliably providing a trigger output against an over current and a fault current instantaneous breaking required. The trip mechanism includes a trip mechanism part including an instantaneous trip mechanism, the instantaneous trip mechanism including a movable member to operate according to a fault current instantaneous breaking required, and a thermal trip mechanism including a bimetal to operate according to an over current, the trip mechanism part being provided for one of two adjacent poles; a crossbar that is rotatable by contacting and pressing of the movable member of the instantaneous trip mechanism or the bimetal of the thermal trip mechanism; and a shooter that is provided to be rotatable by contacting of the crossbar rotating.

Abstract: Embodiments provide tripping unit of a circuit breaker. The tripping unit includes a magnet, a bimetal member extending alongside of the magnet, and an armature pivotable on the magnet, wherein the armature having an engagement portion engageable with the bimetal member at a moveable end of the bimetal member. Circuit breakers including triggering mechanisms and tripping units are also disclosed, as are low-profile, electronic circuit breakers including a maximum transverse width (Wt) limited to occupy only a single standard breaker panelboard location. System and methods are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A trip mechanism includes a bimetal having a first side and an opposite second side, a magnetic yoke disposed proximate the first side of the bimetal, and a magnetic armature pivotally connected to the bimetal and disposed proximate the opposite second side thereof. The armature has a first side with a surface, an opposite second side, and an opening extending from the first side to the opposite second side of the magnetic armature. The opening has a latch surface structured to engage the latch surface of an operating mechanism. The first side of the magnetic armature is structured to engage the opposite second side of the bimetal. At least one of the bimetal and the magnetic armature is structured to provide an offset between the bimetal and the surface of the first side of the magnetic armature at the opening of the magnetic armature.

Abstract: A thermal overload relay includes a main bimetal for detection of an overload current, a shifter associated with the main bimetal, a release lever working according to a displacement of the shifter, a contact reversing mechanism for changing-over contacts by reversing action caused by rotation of the release lever, and a manipulation structure for manipulating the release lever and the contact reversing mechanism. The manipulation structure includes a reset bar for returning the contact reversing mechanism to an initial state. The reset bar is arranged to change-over between a manual reset state in which the reset bar can be pushed-in and an automatic reset state in which the reset bar is pushed-in and turned from the manual reset state and held in that state.

Abstract: A thermal overload relay includes main bimetals which bend upon detection of an overload current; a release lever displaced via movement of a shifter moved in response to the bending of the main bimetals; and a contact reversing mechanism for changing-over contacts responsive to a rotation of the release lever. The main bimetals, the release lever and the contact reversing mechanism are all disposed in a case. The contact reversing mechanism includes a pivotable movable plate; a reversing spring reversing the movable plate by coupling with a rotated release lever; and an interlock plate rotating around a support shaft together with the movable plate. Each contact has a normally opened contact piece and a normally closed contact piece and is disposed respectively in the vicinity of a front surface and in the vicinity of a back surface of the interlock plate.

Abstract: An installation switching device includes a housing, a main contact point having an arc quenching chamber, an input terminal, an output terminal, an impact-style armature system configured to move the main contact point to an open position, a latching mechanism having a latching point and configured to open an isolating contact point disposed in a secondary current path parallel to a main current path, a main thermostatic bimetallic strip configured to act on the latching point to as to cause the main contact point to remain in the open position, a current limiting resistor disposed in the secondary current path, a selective thermostatic bimetallic strip disposed in the secondary current path and configured to act on the latching mechanism, a handle configured to act on the latching mechanism so as to open and close the main contact point, and a phase connecting rail.

Abstract: A bimetal in a circuit breaker can deflect in a first direction or a second direction depending upon conditions. If the bimetal deflects in the second direction it can increase the force necessary to operate a trip mechanism of the circuit breaker. A yoke stop helps to control bimetal deflection forces and thus, the amount of force necessary to operate the trip mechanism. This allows better control, size, and selection of operating parts for the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a trip sensitivity in a thermal overload protection apparatus, including setting an adjusting reference point; measuring a normal position of bimetals; measuring a moving distance at a time of trip operation of a trip latch mechanism; deciding an assembling position of a shifter mechanism based on the measured moving distance at the time of trip operation of the trip latch mechanism, information on a trip distance between a pre-determined shifter mechanism and the trip latch mechanism and information on a size of the shifter mechanism; conducting a predetermined overcurrent to the thermal overload protection apparatus; measuring a conducting time of the overcurrent until a trip event; calculating a difference between the conducting time measured in the measuring step and a predetermined trip time by converting a rotation angle; and marking a graduation of a set trip operation current by the rotation angle calculated in the calculating step.

Abstract: A heater assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus. The heater assembly includes a heater element and an elongated bimetal. The heater element includes first and second ends, an intermediate portion disposed therebetween and an aperture disposed proximate the first end. The elongated bimetal includes opposing first and second ends, and is movable between first and second positions corresponding respectively to the separable contacts of the electrical switching apparatus being closeable, and to the first end of the elongated bimetal cooperating with a trip bar to cause an operating mechanism to open the separable contacts. The second end of the elongated bimetal is coupled to the intermediate portion of the heater element. When the elongated bimetal is disposed in the first position, the first end of the elongated bimetal extends beyond the upper surface of the first end of the heater element into the aperture of the heater element.

Abstract: A thermal overload trip apparatus capable of minimizing inferiority caused by variations during manufacturing of an adjusting means and simply adjusting sensitivity by duplicating the means for adjusting a sensitivity to a trip operation current, comprising: a trip mechanism driven to a trip position by a driving force from a shifter mechanism on occurrence of an overload in a circuit; a release lever mechanism for driving the trip mechanism to the trip position by pressing it when there is the driving force from the shifter mechanism or for releasing the trip mechanism when there is no driving force, on occurrence of the overload in the circuit; an adjusting lever for operating the release lever mechanism to be horizontally moved by rotation; an adjusting knob having an upper surface having a setting groove and a lower portion having a cam portion; and a means independently adjusting the sensitivity to the trip operation current regardless of manipulation of the adjusting knob.

Abstract: A thermal trip device in which a bimetal (2) is heated by overcurrent and performs trip operation of a circuit by curvature of the heated bimetal (2), wherein at least one part of the surface of the bimetal (2) is made to be black or matte black (7). Thereby, temperature of the bimetal (2) can be highly accurately measured using a no-contact thermometer. Furthermore, a temperature measurement part (8) of the bimetal is provided with a bending part (11), and the surface of the bending part is made to be matte black.

Abstract: An adjusting device is for a thermal trip of a switchgear. It includes a bimetal, which is held in a fixed manner on a bimetal support, whose free end is located at a distance from a tripping lever, and which increasingly acts upon this tripping lever in a tripping direction as a result of thermal deformation. A distance can be adjusted by deforming the bimetal support. The adjusting device is particularly suited for use in circuit-breakers or the like.

Abstract: An overload tripping device includes a temperature-compensating bimetal operating as a tripping lever and interposed between an output lever of a differential shifter mechanism linked with a main bimetal and a latch receiver of an opening-and-closing mechanism section of a circuit breaker. The temperature-compensating bimetal has an intermediate portion journaled on a bimetal holder. An operating arm made of a light molding material is attached to a tip of the temperature-compensating bimetal so as to push the latch receiver. Additionally, a balance weight may be installed on the temperature-compensating bimetal to balance inertial moments on the opposite sides of the bimetal. Thus, the circuit breaker is prevented from being inadvertently tripped due to external stimulus.

Abstract: A thermal overload relay includes an inversion operation mechanism that is driven by a releasing lever to open or close a contact. The inversion operation mechanism includes a movable plate supported at one end so as to be inverted, and a tension spring for driving the movable plate for inversion. The releasing lever presses a middle of a wire of the tension spring to drive the movable plate for inversion. A projection is formed in the middle of the wire of the tension spring to contact with the releasing lever. Thus, a stable inversion operation can be made regardless of the positioning of an adjustment dial.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an upper rail mounting device defined by a line terminal having a pair of spaced-apart jaws. A bimetal is adjusted by means of a calibration screw. An aperture is provided in an upper sidewall portion of a base of the circuit breaker for access to the calibration screw by a calibration device. The aperture is positioned so that the calibration device must pass through the jaws of the upper rail mounting device. This ensures that the calibration screw can only be operated when the circuit breaker is disconnected from an electrical supply.

Abstract: An overcurrent release device for protection switching devices, in particular automatic line circuit breakers or motor protective switches, with electromagnetic and thermoelectric release, includes a thermoconducting tubular supporting body onto which a coil is wound and which has a striking end and an opposite widened receiving end for bearing contact and radial support of a bimetal snap-action disk with a central bore, a core having a bore defined therein, an armature movable in the supporting body between its striking end and the core, and a slide extending through the bore in the snap-action disk and through the bore in the core in a direction towards the armature. The slide is provided for thermoelectric disengagement by means of the snap-action disk via a thickened portion and for electromagnetic disengagement by means of the armature via a slide actuator. In the operative state, the spacing between the armature and the core corresponds at maximum to the snapping travel of the snap-action disk.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a calibration arrangement and process for use in a circuit protective device are presented. An exemplary calibration assembly for use in the calibration process of the present invention includes a split clamp arm having a first opening for receiving and holding a calibration pin and a second opening for receiving an actuator key. A portion of the split clamp arm is divided into a first arm and a second arm by a channel which extends from a first end of the split clamp arm through the first opening and communicates with the second opening. The split clamp arm is opened by inserting the actuator key through the second opening and because of the preferred oblong or rectangular shape of the second opening of the split clamp arm, rotation of the actuator key therein forces the members forming the first opening of the split clamp arm apart from one another.

Abstract: An overcurrent trip (1) for circuit breakers or motor safety switches has a very short reaction time. The short reaction time is achieved by connecting a bimetal snap-action disk (8) to the heating device (7) in such a way that its central region is always in contact with the heating device (7), irrespective of creeping movement. This heating device (7) is formed by a ferromagnetic core (5) on which the magnet winding (12) is directly fitted, without a further yoke, which magnetic winding simultaneously serves as the heating winding. The bimetal snap-action disk (8) is held on this heating device (7) with the aid of the electromagnetically actuated rod (21), while a plunger (43) which coaxially surrounds the electromagnetically actuated rod is moved by the bimetal snap-action disk (8).

Abstract: A solenoid type magnetic trip assembly for a molded case circuit breaker includes an armature biased against an adjustable stop by a tension spring to set the initial gap for the magnetic trip, so that the spring bias remains constant for the full range of the initial gap. The armature includes an elongated magnetically permeable member mounted by a frame to slide longitudinally along a pair of guide rails. The frame defines a trip surface axially aligned with the elongated magnetically permeable member which engages a trip arm on a trip bar to trip the circuit breaker in response to a predetermined level of overcurrent. A bimetal providing a thermal trip function is cantilevered from a support spaced from the trip bar by the armature, but has a terminal portion at the free end projecting toward the trip bar and through which the elongated magnetically permeable member of the armature extends.

Abstract: A thermal relay is disclosed which can be remotely re-set and/or tripped by means of remote control electromagnets.The case of the relay has second fixing means adapted to receive first fixing means belonging to one and the same electromagnet can in which an extension of the core or plate is orientable so as to come opposite each of the re-setting and testing pushers placed on the front face of the relay.

Abstract: A switch device for controlling an electric motor which is used, for example, in a power window or sunroof of an automobile. The switch device includes a magnetically attractive piece, an electromagnet, sets of electrical switch contacts, and a spring coil of an alloy which, when heated to a predetermined temperature after being compressed, is restored to a released position.

Abstract: A control device for an automatic furnace comprises a relay (2), whose armature (3) has two independent contact holders (4, 5) and a bimetallic element (6) with a control arm (7). By means of snap switches a contact holder (4), a contact holder (8) for operating an ignition device and a contact holder (9) for disconnecting the control device are connected to control arm (7). The minimum spacing between the two armature parts (4, 5) is defined by a bar (15) on armature part (5). If flame formation fails in the furnace, bimetallic element (6) is energized until the control device is switched off by switching over contact holder (9). If a photoelectric cell controlling the switching on of relay (2) becomes conductive due to outside light during the starting and repetition of the control device, the bimetallic element (6) cannot be disconnected by the locking system formed by bar (15) when the fuel valve is closed.

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: The disclosure relates to an over-temperature limit switch for automatically making or breaking an electrical circuit at a predetermined temperature. The actuating force for the switch is provided by a temperature dependent bimetallic spring and the latching function of the switch is provided by a pair of magnets. One of the magnets, a permanent magnet, is secured to the bimetallic spring and the other magnet, a non-permanent or "soft" magnet, is disposed in the base of the switch opposite the permanent magnet. The non-permanent magnet has a transition temperature associated therewith indicating the temperature above which the permeability of the magnet diminishes to such an extent that it can no longer carry sufficient magnetic lines of flux from the permanent magnet to hold it against the force of the bimetallic spring. The bimetallic spring is adapted to exert a bias force tending to open the switch at a temperature below the transition temperature of the non-permanent magnet.

Abstract: A timed buzzer assembly having a rectangular base with four terminals insert molded in the base and a generally cup-shaped cover member over the base providing the housing. All of the terminals project through the base member with the armature of the buzzer supported on one terminal and the coil assembly of the buzzer supported on a second terminal. For the purpose of timing the buzzer and also controlling a warning light, a bimetal timer is provided having bimetal elements one supported on a third terminal and the other supported on the above referred to second terminal. The fourth terminal is a ground to which a heating element for the bimetal timer is connected.

Abstract: A timed buzzer assembly having a rectangular base with four terminals insert molded in the base and a generally cup-shaped cover member over the base providing the housing. All of the terminals project through the base member with the armature of the buzzer supported on one terminal and the coil assembly of the buzzer supported on a second terminal. For the purpose of timing the buzzer and also controlling a warning light, a bimetal timer is provided having bimetal elements one supported on a third terminal and the other supported on the above referred to second terminal. The fourth terminal is a ground to which a heating element for the bimetal timer is connected.