Abstract: In an embodiment a switching device includes at least one stationary contact and a movable contact movable from a first switching state to a second switching state by a magnetic armature, wherein the magnetic armature has a spring configured to reset the movable contact from the second switching state to the first switching state, and wherein the spring has a first spring region with a first spring constant and a second spring region with a second spring constant which is greater than the first spring constant.

Abstract: Circuit interrupter having an arc extinguisher which functions to arrest an arc between its contacts regardless of the polarity of the contacts. The circuit interrupter includes one or more permanent magnets configured to drive an arc into the arc extinguisher. The arc extinguisher may include two arc paths, each including arc splitter plates. The two arc paths may be adjacent, each extending in a parallel direction. The arc paths may alternatively be non-adjacent, each extending in a perpendicular direction.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, when a switchgear operating state is shifted from a close state to a cutoff state, a solenoid lever is pushed and rotated by a plunger of an electromagnetic solenoid for cutoff so that the solenoid lever rotates in a direction opposite from the direction of the urging of a solenoid-lever return spring. A trigger roller pin and the solenoid lever become disengaged from each other, an eccentric pin and a trigger lever are rotated by the urging force from a latch leading end become disengaged from each other, whereby a latch lever is rotated by the released energy of a cutoff spring.

Abstract: A full-protection circuit breaker has a line-protection circuit breaker and a residual-current-operated component which can be fitted thereto. A first switching mechanism, located therein, includes a first switching toggle for operation of a first latching mechanism, which is accommodated in the residual-current-operated component. A second switching mechanism, provided in the line-protection circuit breaker, includes a second switching toggle for operation of a second latching mechanism, which is accommodated in the line-protection circuit. The first and the second latching mechanisms are coupled by means of a first coupling element. The first and the second switching toggle are coupled by means of a second coupling element, wherein the second coupling element acts on the first switching toggle with respect to the second switching toggle, pivoting through the predeterminable lead angle in the direction of its connected position.

Abstract: A switching device, for example a circuit breaker, has an input terminal and an output terminal for connection to electrical conductors, and two switching contacts which, when closed, close a current path between the input terminal and the output terminal. A disconnect device is provided for disconnecting the two switching contacts. For triggering the disconnect device, an overcurrent trigger device and/or a short-circuit trigger device are in mechanical operative connection with the disconnect device by way of a reversing lever. The reversing lever includes a first lever arm with a trigger extension that can be actuated by the overcurrent trigger device and/or by the short-circuit trigger device, and a second lever arm with an actuating extension for triggering the disconnect device. To ensure safe operation, the actuating extension is configured to be resiliently compliant.

Abstract: An electromechanical/solid-state AC relay has an electromechanical winding coil that moves an armature to force mechanical contacts to open or close. Electrical arcing across the mechanical contacts that occur as the contacts are opening or closing can damage and severely reduce the lifetime of the relay. Contact arcing is prevented by pulsing a triac on for a short period of time just before and after the mechanical contacts make or break contact. The triac limits the voltage difference across the mechanical contacts to less than one volt to prevent arcing. The triac is turned off after the mechanical contacts finish moving, reducing the heating and average power through the triac. A zero-sampling circuit that detects when the AC input voltage switches across 0 volts and activates a control integrated circuit to switch on the triac during zero-crossings to minimize power surges.

Abstract: A mountable circuit breaker is disclosed. The circuit breaker includes a housing having first and second housing members and a latch member. The housing defines a rail receptacle for mounting the circuit breaker on an elongated channel rail. The latch member includes a base portion that includes a movably positionable retainer that moves toward or away from a biased position that is established by a stem portion of the latch member. Movement away from the biased position expands the rail receptacle for mounting the circuit breaker to the rail channel when an external force is applied to a tool receptacle adjacent the junction of the base and stem portions of the latch member. Removing the external force results in the base portion returning to its biased position, securing the circuit breaker to the channel rail.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for a movable member mounted for movement between first and second positions. The latching mechanism includes a primary latching mechanism mounted for movement between a latched position where the primary latching mechanism engages the movable member to allow the movable member to move between the first and second positions, and an unlatched position where the movable member is disengaged for movement to the second position. A secondary latching element engages the first latching mechanism to hold the primary latching mechanism in the latched position, the secondary latching element being movable to move the primary latching mechanism to the unlatched position while remaining in engagement with the primary latching mechanism.

Abstract: An earth leakage breaker has a case, a handle protruding from the case, a cradle for determining stable positions of the handle, and a movable finger including a movable contact at a bottom portion of the movable finger. The movable finger is pivotally jointed to the handle at a protrusion provided on a lower side of the handle. An extension spring spans between the cradle and the movable finger, and a top-end swinging trigger plate is provided for engaging the cradle. The trigger plate has a fulcrum at a bottom portion thereof, and a test button and a leak trip solenoid are adjacently arranged at a top portion of the case, with the leak trip solenoid having a trip piece engaged with a contact portion formed on a top portion of the trigger plate for effecting circuit breaking due to a leak.

Abstract: An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the integrated protection unit cover from the environment. A combined overcurrent trip actuator and multiple accessory unit can be field-installed within the integrated protection unit. The combined actuator-accessory unit includes electronic control circuitry for the accessories along with mechanical trip and reset interface components. The reset mechanism allows the actuator-accessory unit to become reset without interferring with the operation of the integrated protection unit.

Abstract: A solenoid device is provided which includes a bobbin having an armature bore through its center; a plunger partially extending into the bore and serving as an armature of the solenoid; and a coil wound around the bobbin for generating magnetic flux to move the plunger axially in the bore. The plunger includes a first segment which moves axially in the bore of the bobbin in response to magnetic flux generated by the coil. The plunger also includes a second segment which serves as the latching device for the locking mechanism. Finally, the plunger includes a linkage connecting the first and second segments together and mounting devices for mounting the linkage to the first and second segments. This linkage pivots in response to a compressive force applied to the plunger and engages a stop disposed proximate the plunger, preventing the second segment from moving out of a latching position.

Abstract: A circuit breaker operating mechanism for automated assembly finds application within circuit breakers of different ampere ratings. The circuit breaker contacts are opened and closed by means of a roller connected to the circuit breaker operating handle through a cradle link and a cam arranged on the movable contact carrier. The operating springs, cradle and latch are first assembled to the operating mechanism prior to assembly of the operating mechanism within the breaker housing.

Abstract: A circuit breaker apparatus characterized by a molded case containing a circuit breaker structure for opening and closing a circuit which structure comprises a releasable lever operable between latched and unlatched positions corresponding to open and closed circuit conditions, latch means including a latch lever for the releasable lever, interconnected toggle connected to the latch lever and that are biased to the unlatched position of the lever, and a movable trip bar responsive to predetermined overcurrents and having a projection contacting the toggle links for holding the links in the unbiased position.

Abstract: An electronically driven trip actuator for multipole industrial rated molded case circuit breakers is installed within a common housing with the circuit breaker operating mechanism. The trip actuator consists of a mechanical actuator cooperatively connected with a magnetic latch. The magentic latch arrangement holds the trip actuator against an actuating spring bias. Upon receiving an appropriate signal response, the magnetic latch releases, allowing the mechanical actuator to move into contact with the circuit breaker latch under the influence of the actuator spring. The arrangement of the mechanical actuator and actuator spring provides a low latching force to the magnetic latch, while providing a large trip force to the circuit breaker latch.

Abstract: A magnetically driven and latched actuator includes an armature, at least a part of which is of a ferromagnetic material, mounted for reciprocating travel between two spaced apart limit positions. An electrical coil is operative upon the ferromagnetic material to drive the armature alternately back and forth between the limit positions, and a pair of auxiliary ferromagnetic bodies are fixed, each adjacent to a respective one of the limit positions. The auxiliary bodies and the ferromagnetic portion of the armature are mutually magnetically attracted to each other so that the armature becomes magnetically latched at the limit position to which it is last driven by the coil.

Abstract: High speed trip facility is provided within a molded case circuit breaker used within industrial applications. The movable contact arm is pivotally arranged to open independently of the trip unit-driven operating mechanism. A "latch kicker" arrangement interfaces between the mechanism trip bar and the circuit breaker intermediate latch whereby rotation of the trip bar causes the latch kicker to immediately displace the intermediate latch from the circuit breaker cradle thereby allowing the interrupter mechanism to untoggle the mechanism and open the breaker contacts.

Abstract: A coupling piece (12) which is connected to a mobile component (18) of the contactor, has two stepped thrust surfaces (19, 20), each able to cooperate with one of two locking levers, (23, 24), both of which are repelled by an electromagnet (32) when the contactor is turned off. This device is particularly advantageous when the mobile components of the contactors move over different distances.

Abstract: A switch machine which is connected by two throw rods to the respective switch points to be operated includes an internal locking arrangement which includes two holding elements pivotally mounted on the respective throw rods and accommodated between a sliding member and a displacement member of the switch machine which are disengageably connected to one another. Each of the holding elements has a free end which is enlarged by two tongues respectively extending toward the sliding member and the casing of the switch machine. Depending on the position of the sliding member, the tongues are received in the associated recesses in the sliding member or in the casing to thereby either lock the throw rods in their positions relative to the casing or to entrain the same for movement with the sliding member.

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 pivotally mounted primary latch lever carries a latch pin for latchingly engaging a cradle to sustain it in a reset position against the bias of the breaker mechanism operating springs. An intermediate latch lever, pivotally mounted to the primary latch lever, is formed with a pair of latch shoulders for respective latching engagement with a pair of latch pins associated with a pivotally mounted secondary latch lever. The geometry of the latch assembly parts and their various latching engagements are such that an exceptionally light trip initiating force on the secondary latch lever is effective in releasing the cradle from its reset position.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter mechanism comprising an overcenter toggle linkage and a releasable toggle latch means for latching the linkage in a partially closed position.

Abstract: A mechanical latch attachment (20) for a control relay (21) includes a mechanical latch movement (77), a solenoid (49), and a pair of contact cartridges (33) that are disposed in a housing (25). The wear-resistant latch movement (77) has a latch (95) with teeth (103) on one end that are engaged by a pair of pivotable, hooked pawls (105). The latch (95) is coupled to an operating plunger (79) through a contact actuator (82). The operating plunger (79) can be coupled to a conventional control relay (21), which moves the plunger (79) upon the closing of its relay armature (30) to actuate the contacts (35, 36) in both the relay (21) and the attachment (20) and to move the latch (95) to a position where it is restricted by the pawls (105). The restriction of the latch (95) holds the relay armature (30) closed and the contacts (35, 36) actuated even though the relay (21) is deenergized.

Abstract: In a power circuit breaker a trip mechanism is provided normally to oppose the large opening forces associated with the separable contacts of the breaker and to hold the contacts closed. The trip mechanism in response to overload current conditions collapses and trips open the breaker contacts. Forces related to the opening force of the breaker contacts are present throughout the trip mechanism when the contacts are closed. The trip mechanism provides two eccentric latch mechanisms in series each of which reduce the magnitude of the forces acting in the trip mechanism that are related to the opening force. The two latch mechanisms are each mounted to a pivot for rotation therewith. A force related to the opening force is applied against each latch mechanism. Because the pivot for each latch mechanism is eccentric to the line of force acting against the latch mechanism, the force translates into a rotational force that tends to rotate the latch mechanism and pivot.

Abstract: An electrical circuit breaker comprising an electromagnetic device including a linearly movable armature and a linearly movable time delay assembly. The time delay assembly has a forward end portion which carries a lever. The forward end portion includes a catch to latch the movable contact arm in the contacts "on" position. On predetermined electrical conditions, the armature moves linearly, engages the lever, which then pivots and engages the movable arm, moving the latter out of engagement with the catch, whereupon the contacts open. The contacts may be opened manually by rotating the time delay assembly, whereupon a portion of the assembly engages the movable arm and moves the latter out of engagement with the catch, and the contacts then also open. The contacts, in both instances, may be manually reclosed by moving the time delay assembly toward the contacts, if the electromagnetic device is no longer energized sufficiently to trip open the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an operating mechanism having powerful mechanism springs to achieve the requisite contact pressure for high current carrying capacity. A rotary handle resets the operating mechanism via a reciprocating slide and latching mechanism, while loading the mechanism springs. Return of the handle to its original position achieves rapid closure of the circuit breaker contacts. The circuit breaker is equipped with a trip solenoid and an accessory which includes a bell alarm switch and a breaker lockout operating automatically in response to tripping of the circuit breaker by the trip solenoid.

Abstract: An interlock circuit override relay for providing a single energization bypass of an interlock circuit for each manual actuation of the relay, the relay being especially useful for bypassing the ignition seat belt interlock circuit employed in late model automobiles. The relay is so designed that closing of its interlock system bypass contacts requires a depression and subsequent release of a manually operated push button in a manner such that the bypass contacts cannot be held closed by taping down the push button. The contacts are held closed by a solenoid controlled latch whose solenoid is energized during energization of the bypass circuit. Deenergization of the bypass circuit restores the contacts to their normal open position. An improved mechanical coupling between the latch and solenoid armature compensates for minor mechanical misalignment and improves the magnetic field configuration.

Abstract: A relay has an abutment mounted adjacent its armature for movement therewith. A spring-biased tapered pin engages the abutment when the relay is energized. This causes the relay to maintain a latched, first switch state. An electromagnetic releaser is then energized which displaces the pin thus freeing the armature. A spring returns the armature to an unlatched position whereby the relay is set to a second switch state.