Abstract: An accessory module (104) for use with a circuit breaker (10) is configured for mounting to the breaker, and has a rotor (142) which follows the movement of the circuit breaker blade (24) in the breaker by means of a coupling member (118) passing through a passage (110) in the circuit breaker wall. A portion of the rotor is configured as a cam (162) operating a switch (152) in the module, the switch thus giving a reliable indication of the position of the breaker blade. The breaker is preferably of the type which has a trip lever (50) carried on the breaker blade and mounted for slight movement thereon, and the rotor is preferably coupled to the trip lever. A solenoid (148) within the accessory module is disposed to rotate the rotor when energized, this rotation being coupled to trip the breaker to provide for remote tripping. Since the trip lever is carried with the breaker blade, the blade position is monitored by the switch.

Abstract: An assembly frame having first and second frame plates secures the movable parts of a breaker assembly together for ready assembly of the breaker assembly in a housing. A pivot pin supports the trip lever between the frame plates. The movable contact carrying blade has an elongated hole through which the pivot pin passes, the elongated hole forming a floating point for the pivot pin.

Abstract: Apparatus which is mechanically connected to and out of direct contact of the handle arm of an electrical circuit breaker to prevent the operating lever of the circuit breaker from being moved to the off position when the contacts of the circuit breaker are closed, due to a weldment of the contacts or obstruction of the contact arm carriers. In particular, a two part toggle mechanism is provided for opening and closing contacts in conjuction with the movement of the operating lever. The lower toggle link has a protrusion thereon which abuts against the rotatable crossbar mechanism which carries the contact arm of the moveable contacts if the contacts have not separated as the operating lever is moved from the closed to open position. The abutments, however, will rotate free of the crossbar if the contact arm moves in conjunction with the movement of the crossbar as the lever is moved from the open to closed position.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having positive contact indication. Upon the circuit breaker tripping, the operating mechanism components unlatch, moving the cradle, upper link and lower link upwards and opening the contacts. Upon the circuit breaker being manually opened, no operating mechanism components move except the upper link and lower link which causes the contacts to open. Upon the occurrence of locked contacts and the operating mechanism receiving a trip signal, the operating mechanism components unlatch but move only slightly since the contacts cannot open. A shuttle, pivotally mounted on the cradle, moves upward slightly to catch its tail on a flipper spring. The shuttle rotates slightly to meet a tab positioned on the handle arm and to block and opening movement of the operating handle.

Abstract: An undervoltage release accessory is attached to the interior of a circuit breaker enclosure proximate the operating handle assembly. A reset mechanism positioned between the handle operator and the undervoltage release plunger resets the undervoltage release plunger after an undervoltage condition. A flexible reset spring on the reset mechanism compensates for mechanical tolerances between the reset mechanism and the undervoltage release plunger.

Abstract: A ground fault detecting circuit and trip mechanism for sensing ground fault signals and for interrupting a protection circuit. The trip mechanism includes a cross bar connected by means a pin to a pushbutton. A trip cross bar is rotatably assembled to the frame and engages the cross bar. When a ground fault is detected, a solenoid rotates the trip cross bar to release the cross bar. Two springs connecting the pin for retaining the cross bar pull the pushbutton and cross bar away from the trip cross bar to thereby free a pair of contacts to open the circuit. Subsequently, the trip mechanism can be reset by properly pushing the button to force the cross bar to engage the trip cross bar against the elastic pull of the springs.

Abstract: A reset mechanism for a rotary switch, which is manually switchable from a rest position into any desired switch position, for resetting the switch in response to a drop of the electric power supply grid voltage below a predetermined minimum voltage, which includes an electromagnet with an armature, a switching drive shaft including a hand grip section for manually turning the drive shaft into any desired switch position, and a further section having a pinion, shaft sections being freely rotatable relative to each other. A reset device is displaceable transversely to the shaft axis, the reset device including a rack arranged to mesh with the drive shaft pinion and biased by a return spring. A blocking ram is resiliently supported on the armature for displacement in the direction of the shaft axis.

Abstract: A circuit breaker characterized by a circuit breaker structure having separable contacts and a releasable mechanism which mechanism is retained in untripped position by a latch including a rotatable trip bar. A solenoid, that is operable automatically in response to overload current conditions, is located adjacent to the trip bar and has a plunger movable parallel to the axis of the trip bar. A lever is disposed between the plunger and the trip bar to translate longitudinal motion into rotational trip bar motion.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter comprising a pair of separable contacts at least one of which is movable, and an operating mechanism operatively connected to the movable contacts for opening and closing the contacts. The operating mechanism includes a movable contact arm having mounted thereon the movable contact, a latch lever pivotally mounted on the movable contact arm, and a toggle link mechanism connected at its one end to an operating handle and the other end of which is directly engageable with the movable contact arm and the latch lever. The movable contact arm has a latch surface, and the latch lever has a latching end which, in cooperation with the latch surface, releasably catches the other end of the toggle link mechanism. The movable contact arm further has formed thereon a stop surface for preventing the movement of the other end of the toggle link mechanism beyond the point at which the toggle link mechanism is partly collapsed when the contacts are welded to each other.

Abstract: A circuit breaker characterized by a pair of separable contacts, trip means operable automatically in response to overload current conditions to open the contacts which means include a rotatable trip bar biased in an untripped position, and interlock means including a manually operable button for rotating the trip bar to a tripped position when the button is pushed and for rotating a cam into tripped and untripped positions when the button is rotated.

Abstract: A resettable contact closing device opens a load circuit connected to a power line protected by a ground fault interrupter circuit, if the neutral conductor is broken. The contacts are closed by a mechanical reset actuator only if a solenoid is energized by a potential proportional to the line-to-neutral voltage to hold the actuator in a contact closing position. If the neutral conductor is broken, the solenoid will not be energized and the contacts, and hence the power line to the load circuit, will be opened.

Abstract: An electric switch including fixed and movable contacts, the movable contact being carried by a pivoted arm movable between a first position at which the fixed and movable contacts are in closed contacting relationship and a second position at which the fixed and movable contacts are in open noncontacting relationship, a control lever, a pivot mounting the control lever for movement between first and second positions thereof corresponding to the closed and opened positions respectively of the contacts, a toggle linkage including a plurality of links operatively interconnected between the arm and the control lever, a spring connected between the toggle linkage and the control lever for moving the arm from the first position thereof to the second position thereof and vice versa upon movement of the control lever respectively from the first to the second positions thereof and vice versa absent the contacts being welded together in the closed position thereof, the links being disposed generally in-line in the clo

Abstract: A thermally-responsive electric switch has a manually-releasable latching arrangement which makes use of a latching member (6) comprising an L-shaped or bellcrank lever having an integrally formed part (11) which constitutes a release member and connects to the end of one limb (9) of the L-shaped lever via a resilient hinge portion (12). The end of the other limb (8) of the L-shaped lever constitutes a latching abutment (10) for engagement with a member (3) of the switch. The latching member (6) is so arranged that, when the switch operates, the latching abutment (10) engages with the respective member (3) of the switch so as to preclude its return and thereby latch out the switch. Resetting is achieved by depression of the release member part (11) of the latching member (6), this causing the L-shaped lever to pivot generally about the junction of its two limbs such that the latching abutment (10) moves out of its latching position and permits the switch to reset.

Abstract: A multiple pole circuit breaker comprises stationary and movable contacts in each pole, with a cross bar extending between the poles and causing concerted movement of the movable contacts. An operating mechanism effects movement of the movable contacts between open and closed positions, and a resettable undervoltage release mechanism cooperates with the operating mechanism to effect movement of the movable contacts. The undervoltage release mechanism operates to move the movable contacts from the closed to open position upon the occurrence of voltage levels less than a predetermined value, with the undervoltage release mechanism being reset by physical contact with the cross bar as the cross bar moves with the movable contacts from the closed to open positions.

Abstract: A remotely controlled circuit control device has first and second load contact assemblies movable into circuit engagement and circuit disengagement positions relative to one another in which one load contact assembly is operatively connected to a solenoid so that alternate forward strokes of the solenoid moves the one load contact assembly between reset and tripped positions through a push-push mechanism having an indexing portion and a latching portion. An overload mechanism cooperates with the latch portion to cause the load contact assemblies to move to the circuit disengaged position upon occurrence of a fault condition. The second load contact assembly includes pivotably mounted contact members which are linked to the first load contact assembly in such a way that circuit engagement during solenoid energization is precluded.

Abstract: The switch includes an electromagnet (9) with a moving core (10) which is retracted when voltage is applied. A configuration of three levers (11, 12, 13) which are fixed together in pairs when the switch is cocked. The first lever (11) is integral with the rotary control shaft (3). The second lever (12) pivots on a stationary middle shaft (23) due to the respective actions of the core being released and of an antagonistic spring (15). The third lever (13) pivots on the end shaft (28), is provided with a return spring (16) and holds the control shaft (3) and the first lever (11) in position by being fixed to the other two levers. The third lever which has a middle lock projection (29) for the first lever also has a transversal passage (24) with a notch (27) in which the free end (25) of the second lever (12) can move, said free end itself having a hooked portion (26) which co-operates with the notch (27) in the tripped position and allowing manual or automatic return to the rest position.

Abstract: A remotely controlled circuit control device has first and second load contact assemblies movable into circuit engagement and circuit disengagement positions relative to one another in which one load contact assembly is operatively connected to a solenoid so that alternate forward strokes of the solenoid moves the one load contact assembly between reset and tripped positions through a push-push mechanism having an indexing portion and a latching portion. An overload mechanism cooperates with the latch portion to cause the load contact assemblies to move to the circuit disengaged position upon occurrence of a fault condition. The second load contact assembly includes pivotably mounted contact members which are linked to the first load contact assembly in such a way that circuit engagement during solenoid energization is precluded.

Abstract: A threshold coupling device for releasing the mobile contacts of circuit breakers when short circuits appear. A rectangular section blade (13) with longitudinal faces (13', 13") associated with a contact holder (10) is provided with balls (29, 30) which cooperate with a resilient clip (33) for providing a threshold mechanical connection between the contact (6) and an operating member (1, 2) which carries this clip. This coupling is advantageously used in circuit-breaker limiters.

Abstract: A critical brush wear circuit for a dynamoelectric machine which is not sensitive to stray voltages and currents resulting from brush dust accumulation within the machine, and which may be used over a wide range of voltages, is disclosed. The brush wear detection circuit is provided with a novel memory device shown as a latching relay, formed by two conventional relays disposed perpendicular to each other, with the armatures of each disposed to perpendicularly overlap a portion of the other armature and latch it in energized position when it has been moved to energized position by energizing its coil. One relay is provided with contacts for disabling the coil of the other relay, so that the other relay coil is automatically de-energized after a momentary period of connection, so that it can be allowed to draw high current, since it is not connected long enough for damaging heat to occur.

Abstract: An electrical switch structure comprising a lever rotatably mounted between neutral position and actuated position, a switching element ON-OFF operated by said lever, a latching means to latch said lever in the actuated position and an unlatching means to rotate back said lever to the neutral position. In one type of the switch said latching means is accomplished by the energization of a solenoid, in other type of the switch said unlatch means being accomplished by said energization of the solenoid.

Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker has a locking lever to prevent transfer of the circuit breaker handle entirely into its "off" position if the movable contact is blocked in its "on" position by being welded to the fixed contact. The locking lever is rotatably mounted on the control shaft, which is pivotally moved by a drive lever which is connected to the control shaft by a toggle lever system including two toggle levers and a toggle hinge pin joining them together. The fork arms embrace a working surface on the drive lever and the toggle hinge pin. The working surface and the hinge pin are spaced closer together than the arms when the circuit breaker handle is in its "on" position to allow only partial movement of the handle toward its "off" position unless the movable contact is free to move to its "off" position before the locking lever pivots to a position in which it engages both the working surface and the toggle hinge pin. The locking lever can be formed as a double lever with a connecting web.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a resetting device on a rotary switch for resetting the latter when the mains voltage falls below a predetermined limiting value, in which an electromagnet connectable to the power supply and equipped with an armature is provided, and this armature releases or blocks, in dependence on the state of excitement of the magnet, a return mechanism which subjects the rotary switch to a resetting from a switching position into a definite starting position.With such a resetting device, the armature (8) of the electromagnet (7) controls at least one displaceable blocking tappet (13), which blocking tappet, in the case of a switch located in a switching position different from its starting position and with the armature (8) pulled up, rests against a projection (19) or engages into a depression of at least one restoring mechanism (16, 16') loaded by a return spring (21,22) and in drive connection with the drive or switch shaft (1).

Abstract: An improved spring biased reciprocable latch-reset member is provided for a relay of the type including an armature mounted on a support block for pivotal movement about an axis, a coil for displacing the armature from a first position to a second position when the coil is energized, a spring biasing the armature from the second position to the first position when the coil is de-energized, and an electrical contact controlled by the position of the armature. The latch-reset member is operable in response to displacement of the armature to the second position by energization of the coil to hold the armature in the second position, and is displaceable thereafter to release the armature for movement back to the first position by the armature biasing spring.

Abstract: In the low-voltage circuit breaker that has a toggle lever system connecting the actuating arm to a carrier that moves the movable contact, a locking lever is provided to prevent transfer of the operating lever handle to its "off" position if the movable contact is welded to the stationary contact. The locking lever is pivoted about a bearing support formed in the housing of the circuit breaker. The opposite end of the locking lever is connected to the handle to be pivoted by it. The locking lever has an angled-off projection that extends into the path of movement of the carrier and is positioned to engage the carrier if the latter is unable to move from its "on" position due to welding of the contacts together. When the contacts are not welded together, the locking lever enforces the toggle levers to snap through to their "off" position before the angled-off part of the locking lever comes into contact with the carrier of the movable contact.

Abstract: A rotary switch has a control shaft (8) controlling electrical contacts (not shown). On being moved from the "OFF" position as illustrated towards an "ON" position by turning clockwise (arrow 9), a ramp (21) on a cam (2) engages a cam follower (41) mounted on a first lever arm (3). The first arm is held in position against the thrust of the cam follower's bias spring (42) by a catch (31) engaging a bearing surface (51) of a second lever arm (5). Similarly the second lever (5) is held in position by a spring (52) urging it against the moving part of an electromagnet (7). The electromagnet is shown in its powered position with spring (61) compressed thereby. Turning the shaft also winds up a return spring (not shown) tending to urge the shaft towards the "OFF" position. The shaft is held in the "ON" position by the cam follower (41) engaging in a notch (20) in the cam.When power to the electromagnet fails (i.e.

Abstract: A remotely controlled circuit breaker system incorporates a generally conventional circuit breaker having latch means which are moveable in a first direction for moving an operating member so that it is latched in closed circuit position, the operating member being adapted to be independently moveable in the same first direction for unlatching the member to permit the member to return to its open circuit position. A momentarily operable solenoid has a pawl pivotally mounted on the solenoid plunger. Spring means resiliently hold the pawl against a stop in a selected location relative to the latch means so that when the solenoid is momentarily actuated while the operating member is in open circuit position, the pawl engages the latch means and moves the operating member to its latched closed circuit position.

Abstract: A circuit breaker trip latch assembly includes a primary latch having a latching member releasably latching a cradle in its reset position against the bias of charged operating mechanism springs. The primary latch and either one of the first and second secondary latches commonly engage a latch pin carried by the free end of a pivotally mounted, elongated intermediate latch. The geometry of this common engagement is such as to greatly reduce the force of the charged mechanism springs ultimately absorbed by the first secondary latch as the cradle is relatched and the second, trip initiating, secondary latch while the breaker is closed.

Abstract: Compound hook apparatus for intercepting and holding circuit breaker contacts in a hooked open position against the closing force of charged operating mechanism springs includes a primary hook releasably latching an intermediate hook in a hooking position to fixedly dispose a pin in intercepting relation with a hook cam carried by a breaker movable contact assembly. The primary hook is articulated to unlatch the intermediate hook, freeing the latter to thereby release the movable contacts from their hooked open position.

Abstract: A reset lever is actuated in response to circuit breaker movable contacts swinging from their closed position to their tripped open position to exert a resilient force effective in reseating the plunger of a flux shifting-type trip solenoid. The reset lever also actuates a trip lever into tripping engagement with a circuit breaker trip latch assembly in the event the movable contacts are blown open by a high level fault current.

Abstract: A manually operated mechanism of an industrial circuit breaker utilizes a hook to hold the movable contacts open against the bias of charged mechanism springs. Manual or closing solenoid initiated articulation of the hook releases the contacts for abrupt closure under the urgence of the discharging mechanism springs. An indicator appropriately positioned by the operating mechanism identifies the charged and discharged mechanism states.

Abstract: A high-voltage power circuit breaker contains a plurality of phases which are contained in respective separate tanks which may be filled with sulfur hexafluoride. Each phase contains a respective trip-free contact operating mechanism connected to the interrupter contacts within the tank. Each of the trip-free operating mechanisms are closed simultaneously by a pneumatic closing mechanism contained in only one of the poles and connected to the other pole operating mechanisms by a common operating rod. Each of the poles are simultaneously closed by the pneumatic operating mechanism, and each pole can open independently of the other poles through its own trip-free operating mechanism.

Abstract: A switch in which if the contacts of the switch are lightly stuck together the switch control can still separate them, but if the contacts are firmly stuck together then the switch control cannot be moved to the "off" position which would give a dangerously erroneous indication of the state of the circuit switched. A two arm locking lever is pivotally mounted and has a first stop constituted by a spring into which one of the arms penetrates, and a second stop constituted by a pivot axis of the device.

Abstract: A narrow molded case circuit breaker is provided with a spring powered trip free contact operating mechanism including a manual operating member and a releasable cradle which must be latched in a reset position in order to close the contacts. The cradle and operating member are connected by a reset link pivotally mounted to the operating member for moving the cradle from a released or tripped position to a latched or reset position.

Abstract: The mechanism enables normal separation of the contacts when the handle is moved, even if the contacts are lightly welded together. This prevents the handle from moving if they are solidly welded together. A toggle joint is included between the drive member for the moving contacts and the automatic trip mechanism. The shaft of the toggle is engaged in an opening in an articulated arm.

Abstract: An improvement in a latch relay of the type including a terminal support block, an armature pivotally mounted on a selected axis, coil means between the axis and the terminal blocks for forcing the armature into a first position adjacent the coil means when current is passed through the coil means, biasing means for biasing the armature away from the first position and toward a second position spaced from the coil means, a contact controlled by the angular position of the armature and a reset latching device. The latching device includes latch means responsive to movement of the armature from the second position to the first position for releasably latching the armature in the first position and manual means for releasing the latch means and allowing the armature to pivot into the second position.

Abstract: An accessory apparatus package for electric circuit breakers includes a pivotal lever for latching a spring powered trip slide in a reset position. Either of two shunt trip solenoids acts on this lever to unlatch the slide, which springs to an actuated position, initiating tripping of the breaker. A UVR solenoid can also act on this lever to unlatch the slide. A powerful reset spring, controlled by the breaker operating mechanism, discharges as the breaker trips to return the slide to its reset position and, in the process, causes the lever and the solenoid plungers to be reset. All parts are operatively mounted by a common support affixed to the breaker.

Abstract: An improved switch construction is provided having an overcenter-toggle mechanism for effecting the actuation of the one or more movable contacts of the switch. A pivotally-mounted operating lever carries one end of a toggle-tension spring, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the knee-joint pivot of a pair of pivotally-connected toggle links. The line of action of the force of the toggle-tension spring is such as to effect a straightening, or a collapsing of the pivotally-connected toggle-links, to thereby effect, respectively, a closure of the switch contacts, or an opening operation thereof.Preferably, a releasable rotatable support, or trigger is provided for the pivotal connection of one of the toggle links, so that a remote tripping operation is possible by an unlatching of the releasable support, which normally provides a stationary pivot for the toggle linkage of the mechanism.

Abstract: An undervoltage trip coil and armature, with a pivotal member biased against and riding on the latch pin of the armature to sense its position. On occurrence of a low voltage condition, a trip lever causes the latch mechanism of the breaker to trip. The pivotal member then interferes with the latch and prevents reset. The undervoltage trip coil is normally energized to normally attract the undervoltage armature. On occurrence of a specified undervoltage condition the armature releases causing the trip lever to trip the latch mechanism and allowing the pivotal member to interfere with the latch of the breaker. During such condition, the breaker cannot be reset until the armature is attracted to the undervoltage coil under proper voltage condition.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter to trip on occurrence of ground faults or the like in which the neutral and electrified contacts are mounted to open and close in a pre-determined sequence when being reset. When closing to reset the mechanism, the neutral contacts make first and the "hot" or electrified contacts can only make after the neutral contacts have closed. On pushing the reset button to open, the converse is true. The hot or electrified contacts break first and the neutral contacts can break only after the electrified contacts have separated and interrupted the hot conductor. This sequential operation protects the circuit from an inadvertent making of the hot contacts while the neutral contacts were still open. Under such condition, the circuit would be electrified but there would be no ground fault protection. The ground fault interrupter would not be powered as long as the neutral contacts remain open.