Abstract: A visible trip indication arrangement for a circuit breaker. The visible trip indication arrangement comprises a viewing window forming a part of the breaker housing, the viewing window including indicia thereon that is readily or enhancedly visible when the circuit breaker has been tripped and essentially not visible when the circuit breaker is operating by way of a trip indicator that moves under and aligns with the viewing window when the circuit breaker is in the tripped condition. The trip indicator having a brightly colored surface, causes the indicia on the viewing window to be readily visible by way of the reflected light off a surface thereof.

Abstract: Miniature circuit breaker apparatus is taught which includes side-by-side ganged cases where one of the ganged cases includes the main circuit breaker operating mechanism and contacts and where the other case includes an actuable micro-switch, which is interconnected with an indicating device for providing either a bell alarm function for the circuit breaker system or an auxiliary switch function for the circuit breaker system. The bell alarm function is provided by extending the rotatable axis of the trip mechanism of the main circuit breaker into the case of the secondary circuit breaker casing for movement of an auxiliary switch. The auxiliary switch indicates a trip function when the main circuit breaker contacts have been tripped opened, thus providing a bell alarm indication, for example.

Abstract: The trip bar is sub-divided into a first actuating part associated to the trip rod of the actuator and a second actuating part operating in conjunction with the indicating device. A mechanical coupling link is arranged between the two actuating parts being adjustable between a coupled position and a disengaged position. An operating lever performs locking of the second actuating part in the active position to keep the fault information on the indicating device, whereas the first actuating part returns automatically to the inactive position when said mechanical link is in the disengaged position.

Abstract: A circuit breaker has line and load terminals and a mechanism which indicates the magnitude of current flowing through the circuit breaker. The mechanism includes a current sensing resistor coupled between the supply and load terminals. An amplifier is coupled to the current sensing resistor and produces a first output signal corresponding to the current magnitude. A first light emitting diode is energized by the first output signal. A first comparator is coupled to the amplifier and produces illumination of a second light emitting diode when the first output signal exceeds a first reference voltage level. A third light emitting diode is illuminated by a second comparator when the first output signal exceeds a second reference voltage level. Thus the number of light emitting diodes that are illuminated indicates the relative level of current conducted by the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An air circuit breaker bell alarm accessory interacts with the circuit breaker operating mechanism to provide local target indication as well as remote signal indication of the separation of the circuit breaker contacts. An indicator switch provides remote signal indication while a lock-out switch interacts with the accessory target to prevent re-closure of the circuit breaker contacts. One of the switches is selected having "normally open" contacts while the other switch is selected having "normally closed" contacts to reduce the amount of mechanical force required to simultaneously operate the indicator and lock-out switches.

Abstract: An air circuit breaker bell alarm accessory interacts with the circuit breaker contact position indicator to provide local and remote indication of the occurrence of a circuit interruption. A drive pin extending from the bottom of the accessory interacts with a slot on the contact position indicator lever to reset the bell alarm accessory when the circuit breaker contacts are in the process of being closed.

Abstract: A transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS) receptacle having front and rear matable casings including a plurality of through openings for receiving the blades of an electrical plug; an electrical circuit within the receptacle having at least one element adapted to clamp high transient voltages imposed thereon to a lower level; an alarm electrically connected to the at least one element for indicating the failure of the at least one element; and a switch connected to the alarm for disabling the alarm, is described. The switch includes a moveable on-off element and a generally U-shaped, metal switch blade having a first leg for contacting the moveable element; a second leg for contacting a contact of the alarm in response to travel of the first leg caused by the moveable element, the second leg; an integral U-shaped portion connecting the first and the second legs; and a non-linear intermediate portion in the second leg extending toward the first leg for absorbing over-travel of the switch blade.

Abstract: The apparatus detects subsidence current from unfiltered as well as filtered secondary current values in the current transformer. A lack of zero crossings during a predetermined period is a reliable indication of the presence of subsidence current. If subsidence current is detected, then a signal is generated which indicates that the circuit breaker for the power system has opened, providing an accelerated indication thereof relative to an indication produced by an overcurrent element dropping out.

Abstract: An auxiliary switch provides an output or feedback signal indicative of the position or logical state of a contactor, disconnect or other principal device to which it is coupled. The switch is formed as a modular unit which can be fixed directly to the principal device, and is actuated by movement of elements within the principal device. An optical switch set within the auxiliary switch includes an emitter and detector pair aligned in mutually facing relation. An actuator is movable with the principal device and supports an optical shield. The actuator displaces the shield between a position clear of the optical path and a position interposed between the emitter and detector to change the state of the auxiliary switch. A power supply circuit may be housed within the switch for supplying power to the optical switch and to output circuitry. The device is particularly tolerant to contamination and can reliably output low level logic signals indicative of the state of the principal device.

Abstract: Remote indication of the charge state condition of the circuit breaker closing springs is provided by a remote indicating unit. The indicating unit interfaces with the circuit breaker closing assembly to actuate an electric switch in response to the position of the closing assembly. Actuation of the switch turns a on remote signal device when the closing spring is completely charged.

Abstract: Photoelectric reflective object sensors are mounted in an exteriorly mounted auxiliary switch case to detect a member on a movable contact assembly of the contactor to produce logic level output signals indicative of the operational state of the contactor electromagnet. One or a pair of photoelectric sensors are used in a side mounted auxiliary switch to detect the contactor movable contact assembly in the energized or de-energized position, or en route between the two positions. A single photoelectric sensor is used in a top adder auxiliary switch to detect if the movable contact assembly is or is not in the extended (de-energized) position. The auxiliary switches provided logic level output signals directly usable with microprocessor based controllers.

Abstract: A circuit breaker with trip indicator assembly for indicating the trip status of the circuit breaker. The trip indicator assembly includes a spring powered shaft movable between a cocked position and a trip position in which the spring powered shaft protrudes through the housing of the circuit breaker to indicate the trip status. The shaft is operatively connected to a trip actuating mechanism of the circuit breaker so as to actuate the shaft in response to the trip actuating mechanism actuating an operating mechanism of the circuit breaker. A lost motion coupling is provided to assure that the trip indicator assembly is not actuated until after actuation of the operating mechanism. A bell alarm switch assembly for signalling the trip status of the circuit breaker may be operatively connected to the trip indicator assembly.

Abstract: The circuit breaker comprises a circuit breaker unit onto which there are fixed a communication module, a processing module and a calibration module. The communication module communicates with the processing module only via a connection with galvanic isolation, preferably an optical connection, whereas the calibration module is electrically connected to the processing module. The communication module is, in addition, connected by a mechanical connection to parts of the circuit breaker unit representative of the state of the circuit breaker, and by a bidirectional electrical connection to an external communication bus. An interface connected to the circuit breaker unit can act as support for the calibration module and for an additional module containing information representative of the breaking capacity of the circuit breaker and electrically connected to the processing module.

Abstract: A circuit breaker device for interrupting current in a circuit path between a source and a load. The device includes a first contact and a second contact cooperatively arranged in the circuit path so as to provide current from the source to the load. At least one of the contacts is disposed on a contact carrier which is movable for interrupting the current provided to the load. A contact status indication arrangement is provided for indicating the status of the contacts. The contact status indication arrangement includes a trip flag, a status insert, a clear plastic lens, a flag guide, and a status flag. The trip flag, status insert and status flag are viewable through the lens, which is disposed in an aperture in the circuit breaker housing. Only one status indicator is viewable through the lens at any one time, each indicating a different circuit breaker status.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus includes sensors for interconnection with the load output terminal of a corresponding circuit breaker. The sensors sense the closed and open states of the corresponding circuit breakers and produce closure signals at outputs. The sensor outputs are interconnected in series to produce a combined closure signal for all of the circuit breakers. An indicating circuit interconnected with the combined closure signal outputs a signal, such as a relay contact or an audible, visual, or digital signal, to indicate the combined closure status of the circuit breakers.

Abstract: A safety device for mechanical switching devices such as circuit breakers which can be mounted on mounting surfaces or plugged into plug-in pin bases. The safety device ensures that the mechanical switching device is tripped both when it is being installed, and also when it is being removed.

Abstract: A bell alarm system is provided for a circuit breaker in which the actuation of a flux shift trip device causes an electrical switch to be energized thus providing a bell alarm indication that the circuit breaker has been tripped. The flux trip device impinges against a pivotally rotated lower lever mechanism which has a knee which causes rotation of an upper lever against the influence of a spring attached between the two levers. As the knee moves along a surface of the upper lever mechanism, the relative rotation of the two lever members about their support pins is such as to cause the tension on the spring to increase. Because of this vibration in the circuit breaker itself or minute low level movements of the plunger mechanism will not cause the bell alarm to be actuated.

Abstract: A switch is provided with the ability to diagnose its own operation and provide signals that represent the actuation of the switch and various diagnostic outputs that indicate fault conditions or potential fault conditions with regard to either the switch or related machinery. A magnetically sensitive component, such as a Hall element, is used to provide an analog output signal that is representative of the position of an actuator to which a magnet structure is rigidly attached. As the actuator moves in response to an external force, the magnet structure moves with respect to a stationary magnetically sensitive component. The analog output from the magnetically sensitive component can be used to determine the position of the switch. Based on this information, a microprocessor provides a binary output signal indicating whether the switch is actuated or deactuated.

Abstract: An electrical contact position indicator assembly is operatively coupled to an electrical device, such as a recloser, for indicating the relative position of the contacts of the electrical device, i.e., opened or closed, at any given time during operation of the electrical device. The position indicator assembly includes a movable indicator having first indicia to indicate that the contacts are opened, and second indicia to indicate that the contacts are closed. Each of the first and second indicia of the indicator lies in more than one plane. Preferably, each of the first and second indicia of the indicator lies on a three-dimensional, curvilinear or spherical surface. In the preferred embodiment, the indicator includes a mechanical linkage to the contact opening and closing assembly.

Abstract: A power circuit breaker (1) is provided with an arrangement that controls its switching-on depending on operating parameters (A . . . E, M1, M2, S). These parameters may be, for example, the position of switching contacts, the state of excitation of an undervoltage release and the switching position of another power circuit breaker. The arrangement has a coupling shaft (32) that may be rotated by a tripping half-wave by means of a steering lever (34) and by certain parameters by means of a sensor lever (36). A coupling member (20) that may be swivelled by the coupling shaft (32) allows a ratchet device (5, 6) of the energy store (7) of the power circuit breaker (1) to be released only when all conditions required for switching-on are met.

Abstract: A resettable, latching indicator is described. The indicator has a pair of electrical terminals through which it connects to the circuitry whose state is being indicated. The device includes an electromagnetic coil with a first lead connected to a first terminal of the device and a second lead connected to a first contact within the device. A second contact within the device is connected to the second indicator terminal, completing the circuit within the device. In a preferred embodiment, the device is arranged as a fuse state indicator with the device terminals connected in parallel with a fuse. Before fuse blow, an internal electrical contact is formed as the first and second contacts are closed an abutment formed on a spring-biased indicator flag. When the fuse blows, current passes through the coil, thus creating a magnetic field. The field moves a spring-biased armature having a catch which normally retains the indicator flag in a non-indicating position.

Abstract: A circuit configuration for a signalling device in circuit breaker units, in particular in power circuit breakers, which have an electronic tripping device and which become effective in the event of a fault in an electrical system to be protected, whereby the electronic tripping device includes a microcontroller which performs a fault evaluation, and for each type of fault makes available an output pin, from which the corresponding fault signal is amplified and transmitted to an electrical relay. The fault signal (FM, FM1 . . . FMn) is transmitted to the circuit configuration (SA, SA1 . . . SAn), and by means of logic operation with the action of a static standard signal and of a clock pulse signal (Clock Pulse) acts on the electrical relay, which is realized in the form of a bistable relay (RB, RB1 . . . RBn) the contact system of which corresponds to a make function or a break function, depending on the signal status of the standard signal.

Abstract: A circuit breaker 10 includes a housing and an operating mechanism 12 contained within the housing. An indicating arrangement is carried by the operating mechanism 12 and is displaceable relative to the housing under the action of the operating mechanism 12 for indicating the status of the operating mechanism 12.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low burden visual POWER ON indicator for a self-powered electrical circuit protection device. The visual indicator includes a current transformer for producing an induced current in direct proportion to the current supplied to an electrical device protected by the protection device. The induced current is summed and rectified. An energy accumulator stores a predetermined voltage required to operate the protection device. The stored voltage is controlled by an accumulation switch which in turn is controlled by a hysteresis control circuit. The hysteresis control circuit includes an operational amplifier which is biased by a stable reference voltage. When the voltage on the energy accumulator is equal to the stable reference voltage the operational amplifier produces a HIGH output signal. When the voltage on the energy accumulator is less than the stable reference voltage the operational amplifier produces a LOW output signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating alarms for a group of circuit interrupters, especially those which respond to arcing faults, includes a device associated with each circuit interrupter providing an indication of a tripped condition and a common alarm generator which generates an alarm when any one, or at least any one of a number of selected circuit interrupters, is in the tripped condition. In one embodiment of the invention, switches indicating that associated circuit interrupters are tripped generate auxiliary trip signals on a common alarm bus. The auxiliary trip signals are latched by a latch on the common alarm bus which energizes a relay to activate a local and/or remote alarm. The latch is reset by a switch on the load center door. In another embodiment of the invention, an IR beam is blocked from reaching a photo-detector whenever a circuit interrupter handle is in the tripped position which also results in energization of a relay to actuate the common alarm.

Abstract: A liquid level controller comprises of a control circuit, a control box, a sump pump, and a liquid level indicating means, the liquid level indicating means comprising a high level indicating device and an impulse indicating device, the high level indicating device and the impulse indicating device comprising pipe bodies, magnetic switches, floating element or impulse element. The pipe body of the impulse indicating device has a connecting pipe connected to the side thereof. The magnetic switches located on the top of the pipe bodies and connected to the control circuit with electric wires. When the liquid surface raises and buoys the floating element of the high level indicating device to contact the magnetic switch, the magnetic switch produces a signal to the control circuit and the sump pump is started to draw the liquid out of the tank.

Abstract: An overload relay with a multi-function control button is disclosed herein. The overload relay includes a contactor having a solenoid which holds the contacts of the contactor closed when energized. Power to the solenoid is provided by the power conductors connected to the contacts of the contactor. The power provided to the solenoid is controlled by a switch which is operated with the multi-function button. The multi-function button includes a slidable member and an indicator member movably contained within the slidable member. The indicator member is mechanically connected with the contacts of the switch which control the application of power to the solenoid. When these contacts are disengaged, the indicator member has a portion which extends beyond the tubular member to produce a visual indication that the supply of power to the contactor solenoid has terminated and the contacts of the contactor are open.

Abstract: A location marker includes a casing, a switch assembly and a lens enclosing a flashable strobe lamp. The location marker is powered by batteries and an electronic circuit that converts the battery voltage to a trigger voltage for illumination of the strobe lamp. The switch assembly is non-intrusive and maintains water tight integrity inside the casing. The switch assembly futher includes a magnetically operable switch for selectively connecting and disconnecting two pairs of terminals. An R.F. transmitting location marker is also employed using a transmitter circuit and an antenna.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker with interchangeable trip units has on its front face a frame protruding out from the front panel of the circuit breaker, and surrounding the circuit breaker operating handle. The frame has a window in which the end of a bracket support is inserted fixedly secured to the trip unit, when the latter is in place. An inscription, notably of the rating of the trip unit, is borne by a face of the bracket support so as to be visible at all times, even when a front protection plate covers the trip unit.

Abstract: A circuit breaker arranged with overload sensing, switches and LED indicators. Provided is a green LED (42) which when lit indicates that the circuit is blown and so the electrical wires from the breaker are not powered--the wires are "dead"; a red LED is also provided to indicate, when lit, that the electrical wires are powered or "live", in addition there is an amber third LED (52) which, when lit, indicates that a short circuit overload is still connected to the breaker output terminals.

Abstract: A status indicator for monitoring a fuse or a circuit breaker, including optically isolated triggering and alarm circuits which can be integrated into a fuse holder or circuit breaker housing. More particularly, a status indicator having an LED connected in series with a fuse or circuit breaker across a power source, and a phototransistor arrangement, connected across the power source, in series with an alarm circuit. The arrangement is configured so that as long as current flows through the fuse or circuit breaker, the LED produces light which causes the phototransistor to be maintained in a non-conducting state, and the status indicator to remain in a non-alarm state. Upon failure of the fuse or circuit breaker, current flow to the LED is interrupted, resulting in the phototransistor being biased into a conductive state, and the alarm circuit being activated.

Abstract: A tagging relay is designed to provide for remote, central control of electrical distribution lines and their respective breaker coils, such control formerly being manually effected only. The relay has a switch shaft construction rotatable from a first, "closed" position to a second, "open" position, from the second position to a third, "tagged" position, from the third to the second position, or from the second to the first position. The rotation can be effected manually via a handle, or remotely via electrical input to one or more solenoids. The relay is designed and constructed such that actuation of any one solenoid may effect rotation of the switch shaft construction to one of the three positions, exclusively. The switch shaft construction is operably linked to a contact-carrying rotary switch shaft provided within a conventional, stationary contact-carrying switch body.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker rotary handle operator allows the circuit breaker handle to be locked when the circuit breaker contacts are open. The handle is prevented from being locked in position when the circuit breaker contacts are welded in their closed condition.

Abstract: An energization indicator for a solenoid includes an electrically operable signaler (70) having a coil (72) for energizing the signaler (70) when a magnetic flux field sweeps such coil, with the coil (72) being mounted in the magnetic flux path of the solenoid coil (53).

Abstract: In a switch with pre-alarm means having level adjusting apparatus (105a) of the pre-alarming and an indicator (103) for showing that value of current flowing on a load corresponds to the pre-alarm level, the level adjusting apparatus (105a) is adjusted with monitoring the indicator (103). When the indicator (103) is lighted, the value shown by level indicator (105b) of the level adjusting apparatus (105a) corresponds to actual value of the current flowing on the load at that time.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated valve position sensing device for a linear or rotary valve comprising a switch housing completely enclosing one or more magnetic proximity switches. A mounting assembly comprises an outer housing for slideably receiving the switch housing, a magnetic rotary indicator on top the outer housing for indicating an open/close position for the valve and for actuating the switches in response to the shaft positions, and a shaft assembly for connecting the rotary indicator to the shaft of the rotary or linear valve. A bracket assembly mounts the switch housing to a stationary member of a linear valve and comprises brace members carrying magnets and connected to the linear valve shaft whereby the magnets actuate the switches upon translational movement of the brace members and the reciprocation of the linear shaft.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter manually opens and closes its contacts by use of a manually rotatable handle which acts through a collapsible linkage rotatably connected to a crank extension of the handle and rotatably connected to a rotatably movable contact support. The rotatable contact support is urged away from closed contact position by a main spring and in moving from one contact position to the other the axis of the rotatable connection between the handle crank passes over a center line defined by the center of rotation of the handle and the rotatable connection between the linkage and the movable contact support providing a toggle action to hold the movable contact in selected open or closed position. Upon overload, the mechanism causes collapse of the collapsible linkage allowing the movable contact support to move and open the contacts.

Abstract: An overload relay includes a base (22) with electrical contacts (162, 164) thereon. A lever (116) including a contact actuator (140) is in proximity to the contacts (162, 164) and a pivot (122) mounts the lever (116) on the base (22) for pivotal movement between first and second positions. A releasable latch (106) normally holds the lever (116) in a particular one of the positions and a spring (144) is interposed between the base (22) and the lever (116) at a location spaced from the pivot (122) to bias the lever (116) toward the other of the positions by applying a bias thereto in a generally predetermined direction. The direction and location are such that when the lever (116) is in a latched position, the bias will provide a relatively small force tending to move the lever (116) toward the unlatched position and further is such that as the lever (116) moves towards the first position, the bias produces an increasing force tending to move the lever (116) towards the unlatched position.

Abstract: An alarm circuit is provided which takes the place of auxiliary contacts that are generally used in association with circuit breakers or fuses to provide an alarm warning in the event that the circuit breaker or fuse in series with a load has opened for any reason. The alarm circuit is provided with a high resistance resistor that is connected to the load end of the circuit breaker, and at the other end of the resistor to a high gain amplifier or solid state switch. The output of the high gain amplifier is connected to a remote signal relay, which may be DC relay or an AC relay. The arrangement is such that the high gain amplifier becomes conductive in the event that the circuit breaker opens, thereby causing an alarm indication. Indicators are associated with the circuits, including an LED to provide a local signal indicative of the fact that the relay has changed its state. A remote alarm circuit is driven by the change of state of the remote signal delay.

Abstract: Low voltage electric switchgear equipment includes a central processor unit electrically interconnected with electronic main and branch circuit interrupters within the same enclosure and used within a multi-phase power distribution circuit. A terminal connector block is connected by cable with each of the electronic trip units within the branch circuit interrupters to provide communications between the branch circuit interrupters and the main circuit interrupter for continuously updating the status of the branch circuit interrupters and their associated electrical equipment. An operating program within the central processor unit determines whether unauthorized changes to the setpoints stored within individual branch circuit interrupters have occurred and immediately provides indication of such changes.

Abstract: An alarm assembly for use with a circuit breaker is provided. The assembly is used with the flux shunt trip device of the circuit breaker. The flux shunt trip device has a plunger which moves from a retracted position to an extended position to interrupt current through the circuit breaker upon a predetermined condition. The assembly includes an actuating member mounted in engageable relationship with the plunger so that when the plunger moves to its extended position, the actuating member moves to an actuated position. In the actuated position, the actuating member contacts a switch mechanism to actuate a switch which may be connected to an alarm or light indicator to identify that the circuit breaker has tripped. The actuating member remains in its actuated position until it is manually reset. A mechanism is provided for reset of the device.

Abstract: A state indicating relay wherein a pair of signal contacts connectable to an external electrical circuit are shunted, or opened in response to a bridging contact mounted on the rear of a switching contact mounted on the relay armature. Insulation is provided between the signal/bridging contacts and the power switching contacts of the relay. Operation of the power switching contacts is indicated by the current state of the signal/bridging contacts.

Abstract: The open and closed conditions of the contacts within industrial-rated circuit breakers is externally ascertained by means of an auxiliary switch-contact position verifier accessory. A viewing aperture in the circuit breaker accessory cover provides visual access to a color-coded shutter that forms part of the auxiliary switch accessory and operates off the circuit breaker crossbar assembly. In the event that the circuit breaker contacts remain closed when the circuit breaker operating handle is moved to the OFF position, the colored indicia verifies the actual condition of the circuit breaker contacts.

Abstract: A relay with a safety spring set such that the spring contact sets are arranged in chambers, which are freely accessible from the outside via openings when the cover is removed so that the spring contact sets can be manipulated. To prevent broken pieces from ending up in the other regions of the relay in the event of breakage of the contact springs of the spring contact sets, the cover has inwardly directed projections which seal the openings of the chambers when the cover is in place.

Abstract: An electronic trip molded case circuit breaker includes components that are designed for high speed robotic assembly. A unitary trip-to-test button is down-loaded within the circuit breaker housing for automatic alignment with the circuit breaker operating mechanism during the circuit breaker assembly process. A unitary auxiliary switch interface unit is also down-loaded within the housing for automatic alignment with the operating mechanism during the assembly process.

Abstract: A visually inspectable indicator for a circuit breaker interrupter apparatus is provided. The visual indicator is located on a portion of the contact wipe assembly of an operating rod assembly of a circuit breaker to provide a reading of relative movement between components of the contact wipe assembly. This reading is related to integrity of the contacts. In a preferred embodiment, the indicator is a T-shaped cut out which is positioned and dimensioned such that it provides a reading relating to compression of the contact spring of the operating rod assembly when the assembly and the circuit breaker contacts are in the closed position which, in turn, provides an indication of the condition of the contacts.

Abstract: A circuit breaker which is thermally operable and resettable and a switch connected in series to the circuit breaker are housed in a case, and the switch is operable to turn ON and OFF by its rotational movement through actuation of a switching actuator. The circuit breaker in its breaking state is driven and reset by turning ON the switch through actuation of the switching actuator. At least one portion of the switching actuator is light-transparent and a light emitting element is disposed behind the light-transparent portion.

Abstract: A compact molded case circuit breaker with increased ampere rating employs a latch assembly for maintaining the circuit breaker operating mechanism in a closed condition against a pair of powerful operating springs. To increase the mechanical advantage required to move the operating handle against the springs, a retractable handle extender is attached to the handle. For higher-rated circuit applications, a lug cover extension is added to the line end of the breaker to assist in extinguishing the intense arc that occurs during circuit interruption and to protect the line lugs from inter-phasal circuit faults. A visual access slot is arranged next to the circuit breaker handle to ascertain and verify the condition of the circuit breaker contacts.

Abstract: A circuit breaker assembly incorporating a light emitting diode as an indicator when an overload condition is present and the circuit has been blown and further wherein the assembly includes an integral, internally placed load in the form of a capacitance sufficient to energize the light emitting diode when the load normally present in the circuit has been removed. The capacitance is connected in series with the light emitting diode as well as an external ground contact for providing the ground return for energizing the light emitting diode.

Abstract: An operating handle assembly for molded case circuit interrupters is robotically assembled to the circuit breaker operating mechanism without requiring any auxiliary fastening device. A visual access slot in the circuit breaker cover allows the condition of the circuit breaker contacts to be visually ascertained by use of colored indicia carried by the operating handle skirt. A slidably mounted handle shutter cooperates with the operating handle to prevent egress of arc exhaust gases in the event the circuit breaker contacts are closed or opened during overcurrent conditions when the circuit breaker is installed within an industrial power distribution circuit.