Abstract: A termination connector for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The termination connector preferably includes a plurality of single pole screw receiving members integrally attached by a molded housing for unitary attachment to a line or load end of a circuit breaker to assist in holding a nut or nut plate adjacent each screw hole in the circuit breaker's terminal straps. The molded housing preferably includes a line of perforations between each single pole screw receiving member so that the correct number of single pole screw receiving members can be retained and the others can be knocked off along the line of perforations. Provisions are disclosed for adaption of the connector to metric or English standard nut hardware. In addition, the termination connector and circuit breaker are provided with mating attachment devices for providing a simple yet secure connection.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker housing employs a tri-furcated design that imparts structural stability and manufacturing efficiency. The design provides a separate top cover, mid-cover and base wherein the mid-cover wall height to base wall height ratio is such that the stresses imparted upon the base sidewalls when pressures are exerted, for example, by gaseous discharges are withstood.

Abstract: Switch with at least one set of interacting contacts which is accommodated in the switch housing and can be seen through a transparent window. The contacts are arranged on the free ends of current-carrying strips which run towards the window. At least one of the strips has U-shaped section adjacent to its contact, the opening of the U-shaped section facing away from the window. A plate made from magnetizable material is arranged between the limbs of the U-shaped section of at least one strip.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive trip mechanism for actuating a circuit breaker operating mechanism to trip a circuit breaker includes a trip lever and a trip bar. The trip lever is rotatable about a first pivot. The trip bar is positioned proximate the trip lever. The trip bar is arranged to rotate about a second pivot in response to a predetermined level of pressurized gas created by separation of the pair of electrical contacts, thereby urging the trip lever to unlatch the circuit breaker operating mechanism. The pressure sensitive trip mechanism provides for very fast tripping of the circuit breaker in the event of a short circuit condition or an overcurrent fault condition within any one on the circuit breaker poles. In a multi-pole circuit breaker, the present invention provides for protection against single-phasing.

Abstract: A pole of a low-voltage limiting electrical power circuit breaker comprises a stationary contact defining a contact area, at least one movable contact finger and an arc extinguishing chamber. The finger is pivotally mounted on a movable support, itself linked to an opening mechanism. A spring biases the finger to a contact position. The lateral branches of a U-shaped magnetic circuit bound the contacts on each side, with interposed insulating side walls which form a passage between the contact area and the arc extinguishing chamber. This passage forms a constriction at the inlet of the chamber. The pole comprises in addition a receiving surface of an electric arc root, situated between the contact area and the constriction and electrically connected to the contact area and which is extended towards the inside of the chamber by a narrower part.

Abstract: A compact power circuit breaker has a molded insulative casing providing the structural support and electrical isolation for the pole mechanisms mounted in cavities in the casing and the operating mechanism mounted to the front of the casing. A grounded barrier between the pole mechanisms and the operating mechanism protects the operator actuating push buttons controlling the operating mechanism and accessible through a molded insulative cover. Preferably, the grounded barrier is sandwiched between a rear section of the molded casing containing the pole cavities and a forward section to which the operating mechanism is secured. The grounded barrier is connected to an electrically conductive pan extending under the molded insulative casing which also houses electrically grounded linkages coupling the operating mechanism to the vacuum interrupters of the pole mechanisms.

Abstract: An identification system for identifying correct placement of various circuit breaker accessories within recesses of a circuit breaker molded frame is disclosed. The system includes recess symbols adjacent the recesses in the frame and matching accessory symbols positioned on a front, visible surface of the accessories. The system may further include name labels positioned on the accessories for labeling the accessories'names. A circuit breaker employing the identification system of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A molded circuit breaker cover for providing access to a calibration screw of a thermal trip unit is disclosed. The cover includes an exterior surface having an opening disposed therein and a locator extending from an underside of the cover. The locator includes a channel surface defining a channel continuous with the opening wherein the locator captures the calibration screw and aligns the calibration screw with the opening. Locator significantly increase the calibration yield of multi-pole circuit breakers by decreasing misalignment of the calibration screws during assembly of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including separable main contacts, an operating mechanism interconnected with the contacts, and a housing in which the contacts and the operating mechanism are disposed. The housing includes a first attaching region and a mounting cutout. A shield is provided that includes a second attaching region attaching with the first attaching region for connecting the shield to the housing. The shield includes a tab adapted for covering the mounting cutout when the connection is made.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided with a case having a groove on the load end and a groove on the side. The grooves are sized and positioned on the case to allow several isolation accessories to be mounted to the circuit breaker. The isolation accessories include at least a terminal cover and a phase separator which electrically isolate adjacent circuit breaker poles.

Abstract: An improved rating plug housing is presented for use with circuit breakers having electronic trip units. The housing (10) for the rating plug has a series of protruding tabs (14) on the bottom of the housing (10). A trip unit housing (50) forms part of a circuit breaker housing. Trip unit housing (50) includes a recess (52) for receiving the trip unit housing (10). Recess (52) has a series of castellations (54) on the bottom of the recess (52). If a rating plug is appropriate for a given trip unit, the pattern of tabs (14) and castellations (54) will not interfere, and insertion will be permitted. If a rating plug is not appropriate for a given trip unit, the pattern of tabs (14) and castellations (54) will interfere, and insertion will not be permitted. Tabs (14) or projections (53) may be removed from housing (10) or recess (52) using a hand-held tool.

Abstract: Fixed terminals 60 and 80 are mounted by being engaged with the flanges of the spools of electromagnetic blocks 1 and 31 by use of a press fitting or another method, by which the flanges are joined in parallel to each other so as to join the electromagnetic blocks 1 and 31 to each other. This arrangement allows the provision of a twin type electromagnetic relay in which two electromagnetic blocks are joined in parallel to each other, the relay has a reduced number of components and a simple structure in which the electromagnetic blocks and the fixed terminals are stably joined to each other with high accuracy.

Abstract: A compact power circuit breaker has a molded insulative casing providing the structural support and electrical isolation for the pole mechanisms mounted in cavities in the casing and the operating mechanism mounted to the front of the casing. A grounded barrier between the pole mechanisms and the operating mechanism protects the operator actuating push buttons controlling the operating mechanism and accessible through a molded insulative cover. Preferably, the grounded barrier is sandwiched between a rear section of the molded casing containing the pole cavities and a forward section to which the operating mechanism is secured. The grounded barrier is connected to an electrically conductive pan extending under the molded insulative casing which also houses electrically grounded linkages coupling the operating mechanism to the vacuum interrupters of the pole mechanisms.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a housing, separable main contacts disposed in the housing, and an operating mechanism disposed in the housing and interconnected with the contacts. The operating mechanism includes a handle having a base into which is formed a channel. The base includes a compressible protrusion that is disposed within the channel. The operating mechanism further includes a handle assembly having a platform that inserts into the channel of the base. The platform includes an indent that mates with the protrusion.

Abstract: A low-voltage multipole circuit breaker with high electrodynamic strength comprises a case made of insulating material, subdivided into a front compartment housing an operating mechanism commanding opening and closing of the circuit breaker and a rear compartment separated from the front compartment by an intermediate wall. The rear compartment is itself subdivided into individual compartments by separating partitions, each individual compartment housing one of the poles of the circuit breaker. The operating mechanism is linked to a pole shaft common to all the poles. The pole shaft is located in the rear compartment and supported by bearings passing through the separating partitions.

Abstract: In an overcurrent-tripping device for a circuit breaker, an electromagnet is used to open a movable contact shoe when a heavy current flows through a conduction path. A push rod is provided so as to contact the movable contact shoe. The electromagnet of the overcurrent-tripping device is located above the push rod so as to attract a movable iron core of the overcurrent-tripping device linearly along a moving direction of the push rod. When the heavy current such as a short-circuit current flows through the conduction path, the movable iron core is attracted to push the movable contact shoe via the push rod for rapid opening of the movable contact shoe. Thus, before a tripping operation of the opening-and-closing mechanism, the movable contact shoe is moved, so that the time required by the movable contact shoe for the opening operation is reduced.

Abstract: An electrically-insulative terminal cover is arranged on the line end of a light industrial-rated circuit breaker to allow a close-fit arrangement between a plurality of such circuit breakers within a common enclosure. The terminal cover is in the form of a top piece and a perpendicular side piece. The top piece comprises a pair of notches for receiving a pair of electrical conductors connecting with a corresponding pair of circuit breaker electrical terminals. The side piece includes a pair of elongated notches adapted for receiving sides of a pair of adjacent circuit breakers. A center side piece between the elongated notches can be press-fit within a combined slot defined by slots in sides of a pair of abutting side walls of adjacent circuit breakers. The top piece provides electric isolation to a top of the electrical terminals while the side piece provides electric isolation to a front of the electrical terminals.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device with a multipart housing. The magnet core of the switching device, including the coil, is accommodated in one of the housing parts. Identical connecting modules are provided for each outer terminal of the device. These connecting modules can be slipped on on the top side of the housing part in which the magnet core is accommodated, in the area of the four corners of said housing part. A blank module is configured externally in the same way and can be slipped on on the corner of the housing part which is not occupied by a connecting module.

Abstract: In an arc suppression housing for an electric connection the contacts are located in at least one housing part filled with sealing compound. The arc suppression housing is composed of at least two separate housing parts put together to form a preferably enclosed shape, at least one of which housing parts having a sealing compound filling channel formed by material removal.

Abstract: A DIN rail adapter for a circuit interrupter including a backplate having two guide members and two substantially planar stabilizing tab. The backplate further includes a first spring attachment region. A slider is slideably disposed between the guide members and the stabilizing tabs, and includes a second spring attachment region. A spring is disposed between the first and second spring attachment regions for biasing the slider in a first direction.

Abstract: A reed switch unit 44 for detecting a liquid level in a reservoir 30 of a master cylinder which comprises a reed switch 11 including a contact part 14 which is sealingly contained in a glass tube 16, and lead portions 18, 18 which axially extend from opposite ends of the glass tube 16, and a unit body 45 provided with terminals 50 for respectively supporting the lead portions 18, 18 so as to be electrically connectable thereby to fix the reed switch 11. The lead portions 18 and the terminals 50 are connected with each other by means of a resistance welding. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a reed switch unit which is improved in quality as well as enhanced in productivity, by mounting a reed switch on a unit body without conducing soldering.

Abstract: There is provided an electromagnetic relay including (a) a coil assembly including a core, a coil wound around the core, and a magnet located at the center of the coil assembly, (b) an armature block assembly including an armature swingable relative to the core, a spring swingable together with the armature and having a contact at a distal end thereof, and an insulating block formed integral with the armature and the spring, (c) a base assembly including a fixed contact facing to the spring, a fixed contact terminal on which the fixed contact is formed, a neutral terminal to be electrically connected to the spring, a coil terminal to be electrically connected to the coil, and an insulating block formed integral with the fixed contact, the fixed contact terminal, the neutral terminal, and the coil terminal, and (d) a cover housing therein the coil assembly, the armature block assembly, and the base assembly, the cover including (d-1) an enclosure having both a bottom edge defining an open bottom, and an insula

Abstract: A circuit breaker bracket assembly has two generally U-shaped metal clips, each metal clip having a rearwardly projecting resilient wing formed therein with two forwardly projecting arms extending therefrom, each arm having an aperture which engages a nodule of a recess on a basal portion of a molded plastic cover plate. The molded plastic cover plate has a top face which has flanges preventing the cover plate from sliding through a panel opening. The basal portion has two mounting plugs formed on the back thereof which engage openings in each circuit breaker half case part and upon assembly of the circuit breaker holds the circuit breaker bracket assembly to the circuit breaker case.

Abstract: A capacitor switching contactor is described which includes a standard contactor, an auxiliary switch, an input terminal block, an output terminal block, as well as resistance wires disposed between the terminal blocks, on the one hand, and the auxiliary switch, on the other hand. The resistance wires are connected to connecting terminals in chambers of the terminal blocks, and largely accommodated in the housing of the terminal blocks.

Abstract: A terminal connector connects wire with a range of diameters to the conductor of an electrical power switch. The connector includes a collar with a laterally extending slot sized and shaped to receive the switch conductor. An aperture adjacent the slot is sized to accommodate the full range of wire diameters. A screw is threaded into a longitudinal tapped bore in the collar to clamp the wire to the conductor. The collar is reversible on the conductor for access to the screw for panel and DIN rail mounting of the power switch. A telescoping screw extends the range of wire sizes accommodated. The aperture is shaped to funnel wire diameters in the lower end of the range of diameters under an inner screw of the telescoping screw and into engagement with the switch conductor.

Abstract: The secondary cover of a molded case electric power switch housing is removably secured in place to enclose cavities in a primary cover for auxiliary devices by an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly includes one or more studs having a first end section with self-tapping threads which fix the studs to the molded primary cover with a second end section having a conventional screw thread projecting outward from the top face of the primary cover. The attachment assembly also includes fasteners in the form of nuts rotatably captured in mounting holes in the secondary cover. Each nut includes a head configured for grasping by a tool and an integral cylindrical collar which extends through the associated mounting hole in the secondary cover. The nuts are retained in place by an outward flair on the free end of the collar.

Abstract: The secondary cover of a molded case electric power switch housing is removably secured in place to enclose cavities in a primary cover for auxiliary devices by quick release fasteners. These quick release fasteners have a shaft with self taping threads which engage mounting holes in the top face of the primary cover. In an unlatched position, the non-circular heads register with complimentary non-circular apertures in the secondary cover which passes down over the heads of the quick release fasteners and seats on the top face of the primary cover. The quick release fasteners are then rotated clockwise ¼ turn by a tool to a latched position to clamp down on the secondary cover. A pair of diametrically opposite arcuate recesses in the secondary cover at each non-circular aperture assure that the quick release fasteners can only be rotated clockwise to the latched position as side walls of these recesses form stops at the ¼ turn position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a relay wherein the relay has a coil body that is formed by plastic injection molding. The method further includes the step of embedding into the coil body injection mold a contact spring terminal pin and a number of fixed contact carriers and coil terminal pins. The method also includes the step of embedding a core into the coil body injection mold.

Abstract: Sealed relays intended for high-voltage or high-power switching are enclosed in a herrnetically sealed plastic housing or jacket (11) capable of long-term maintenance of either a high vacuum or a pressurized insulating gas within the relay to suppress contact arcing during switching. The impermeable plastic housing eliminates need for conventional glass or ceramic contact enclosures, and enables use of inexpensive relays (71) in demanding applications.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a housing, separable main contacts disposed in the housing and rotatable between a contact open position and a contact closed position, and an operating mechanism disposed in the housing and interconnected with the contacts for rotating the contacts alternatively between the contact open position and the contact closed position. The operating mechanism includes a handle moveable by an operator between handle open and handle closed positions normally corresponding to and resulting in the contact open position and the contact closed position, with the handle including a protrusion. The operating mechanism further includes a crossbar assembly for rotating with the contacts as the contacts rotate between the contact open position and the contact closed position.

Abstract: A cable lug conductor adapter for connecting to a circuit breaker bus having two lug attachment openings and which is structured to engage ND sized lugs, which are larger than lugs having a first size, to a cable terminal having a single opening which is structured to engage a lug having a second size, where the adapter includes a planar member having three threaded openings. Two of the three openings are threaded and sized to engage a lug of the first size, and one the three openings is threaded and sized to engage a lug of the second size.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a housing having a cover connected to a base, separable main contacts within the housing, and an operating mechanism within the housing and interconnected with the contacts. A trip mechanism is disposed within the housing and includes a rotatable trip bar assembly that, when selectively rotated, generates a tripping operation. The trip mechanism includes a dual-purpose trip actuator biased upwards and positioned for vertical movement within the housing and having a top portion extending through the cover. The actuator includes a push-to-trip member and an interlock trip member. The trip bar assembly includes a multi-purpose trip member having a push-to-trip actuating region, an interlock trip actuating region, and an accessory trip actuating region. The push-to-trip member contacts the push-to-trip actuating region when the top portion is depressed, causing the trip bar assembly to rotate.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a housing, separable main contacts disposed in the housing, and an operating mechanism disposed in the housing and interconnected with the contacts. The housing has a cover securable to a base, with the cover including a downwardly-facing abutment portion. An electrical terminal is releasably disposed within the base and has a tab that abuttingly engages the abutment portion of the cover when the cover is secured to the base. The base also includes channels formed in the sides of the base, and the electrical terminal includes sides that insert into the channels and that include rib portions that frictionally engage the channels upon insertion. The base also includes tapered sides, with the electrical terminal sides being tapered in order to follow or mirror the tapered sides of the base.

Abstract: A cassette assembly for rotary contact circuit breakers utilizing a first electrically insulative cassette half piece and a second electrically insulative cassette half piece which are arranged to mate with each other to form an enclosure. The electrically insulative cassette half pieces include improper installation rejection features for both the rotor and arc chute assemblies. The inner surface of a electrically insulative cassette half piece including a groove and recesses formed therein. A rotor is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a pin on the face of the rotor into the groove. An arc chute assembly is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a tab located on a side member of the arc chute assembly into a corresponding recess located in the electrically insulative cassette half piece.

Abstract: An auxiliary position switch assembly for a circuit breaker provides an electrical signal to an external monitoring device indicative of the position of a pair of separable contacts of the circuit breaker. The auxiliary position switch assembly engages a rod that switches from a retracted and extended position in response to the opening and closing of the separable contacts of the circuit breaker. The switch assembly includes a switch having a pair of separable contacts and a plunger having one end engaging one of the contacts. The plunger slidably engages a concave upper engagement surface of a pivotally mounted actuator. The actuator includes a lower convex engagement surface that engages the rod. A biasing spring connected to the actuator urges the actuator against the rod during operation of the switch assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic latching contactor for high current switching applications. A stationary assembly is provided which comprises a first passive biasing member and an active biasing member. A moveable assembly is slidably coupled to the stationary assembly for movement between a first stable position and a second stable position. A second passive biasing member is also provided. The first passive biasing member applies a first passive biasing force to the moveable assembly biasing the moveable assembly toward the first stable position. The second passive biasing member applies a second passive biasing force to the moveable assembly biasing the moveable assembly toward the second stable position. The active biasing member provides an active biasing force to the moveable assembly alternatively biasing the moveable assembly to the first stable position and the second stable position.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker assembly using auxiliary switches to perform indication and control functions. The circuit breaker assembly having at least one pole comprising a stationary and a moveable contact where the moveable contact is connected to a moveable contact arm which is activated by a spring mechanism. The spring mechanism is affixed to an operating handle. A trip device, housed in a mid-cover of the molded case, separates the stationary and moveable contacts when a fault is sensed. The mid-cover comprises at least one auxiliary switch compartment, where a single auxiliary switch compartment is capable of housing multiple compatible auxiliary switches.

Abstract: This concerns a molded case circuit breaker having separable main contacts and an operating mechanism utilized to cause the separable main contacts to open and close. A trip unit is provided to actuate the operating mechanism in desirable circumstances. The aforementioned trip unit has disposed on an outside surface thereof, dials for adjustment of the thermal and magnetic tripping characteristics of the circuit breaker. The face of the trip unit also has a set of hinge regions disposed therein into which a plastic, transparent, hinged cover may be inserted. The top of the trip unit has a convenient ridge around the outside of the dial regions. The cover after insertion is rotated downward on to the face of the dial region and then moved transversely to abut one of the ridges. Both the cover and the surface of the dial region have bridged openings therein through which a single wire may be fed and locked in place with a solder lock at the ends of the wires.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including separable main contacts, an operating mechanism interconnected with the contacts, and a housing in which the contacts and the operating mechanism are disposed. The housing includes a base having a bottom including a break-away region into which a tool may be inserted for breaking off the region for providing internal access to the operating mechanism.

Abstract: The inventive relay has a base body in the form of a coil body (1), the base body supporting a core (16), a yoke (20), an armature (22) and a contact spring (23) which is connected to the armature. Fixed contact supports (34) and a contact spring connection pin (5) which consist of semi-finished wire with a preferably rectangular or square cross-section are embedded in a flange (12) of the coil body (1). The inventive electromagnetic relay is therefore very simple to produce. There is no wasted material, no punching tools are needed for the contact connection parts and since no particles of plastic are abraded by insertion, there is no risk of this impairing the quality of the relay.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having a magnetic trip assembly includes a load terminal conductor having a first section, a second section, and a transition section connecting the first section and the second section, the transition section having a pair of faces lying in a plane generally perpendicular to a surface of the second section; a current transformer positioned around the second section of the load terminal conductor, the current transformer having a first side positioned generally parallel to the faces of transition section; and an insulating barrier positioned between the first side of the current transformer and the faces of the transition section of the load terminal conductor, the insulating barrier having a generally planar portion and a pair of leg portions extending from one edge of the generally planar portion, each leg portion lying along a side of the second section of the load terminal conductor and having a protrusion positioned adjacent a distal end thereof, each of said protrusions being positione

Abstract: A switch apparatus having an integrated flasher relay for activation and deactivation of a hazard signaling system particularly for use in automotive vehicles. The actuator has an integral flasher relay that moves with the actuator through the activation and deactivation operations. The switch is also provided with a detent utilizing a roller for releasably locking the actuator in a predetermined position.

Abstract: An electromagnetic relay is designed so that it can be manufactured inexpensively and is based on a small unit size. The relay has a base group and a magnet system, it being possible to manufacture these separately and join them together as preassembled modular units. The base group has a base plate in which a component having a component wire is fixed in position. The magnet system has two flat pins each of which has a hole with a sharpened edge. When the magnet system is joined together with the base group, the flat pins are pushed into the base plate, in each case the edge at the wire component forming a contact created by an insulation displacement connection. The relay is preferably used in the automotive industry, especially if installation conditions are cramped.

Abstract: An accessory for use within a circuit breaker is provided. The accessory includes an actuator having a movable member, a trip member and a link between the movable member and the trip member. The trip member is configured by including a seat portion that allows for a set gap between the link and the movable member.

Abstract: A gas deflector for a line-in connector of a circuit breaker. The gas deflector is coupled to a collar with a top and a cavity, a threaded opening through the top, a screw threaded in the threaded opening. The collar is attached to the line-in for the circuit breaker. The gas deflector is an L-shaped shield with an integral screw sleeve and a slot sized to allow a terminal strap to pass therethrough. The terminal strap is connected to the collar. The shield device covers the collar top and the cavity and is held in place by the screw passing through the sleeve and by the terminal strap passing through the slot. The shield substantially reduces the amount of ionized gas infiltrating into the collar.

Abstract: The secondary cover of a molded case power switch housing is removably secured in place to enclose cavities in the insulative resin of a primary cover by an attachment assembly which includes metal attachment members or inserts seated in recesses in the primary cover. These inserts have tapped apertures aligned with mounting holes in the secondary cover through which screw fasteners are inserted and threaded into the tapped apertures. Such metal to metal connections can be repeatedly coupled and decoupled without significant wear as the secondary cover is removed and reinstalled to gain access to auxiliary devices mounted in the cavities in the primary cover. The inserts have second mounting apertures through which self tapping screws extend into the primary cover or through mounting holes in the primary cover and into the resin of the base to mount the inserts on the primary cover and to secure the primary cover to the base.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a housing, separable main contacts within the housing, and an operating mechanism within the housing and interconnected with the contacts. A trip mechanism is disposed within the housing and includes a rotatable trip bar assembly that, when selectively rotated, generates a tripping operation. The trip bar assembly includes an attaching structure which interconnects with an accessory trip member. The accessory trip member causes the trip bar assembly to rotate and generate a tripping operation when the accessory trip member is moved in a first direction. The accessory trip member is configured to enable flexing of the accessory trip member in a second direction opposite of the first direction.

Abstract: An electronic trip unit is adapted for connection to a circuit breaker for circuit interruptions. The electronic trip unit includes a frame module shaped to define a recess. An electronics module is releasably connected to the frame module. The electronics module has a housing, a circuit board assembly, and a facing surface providing access for adjustment of the electronics module. The housing of the electronics module is sized and shaped to fit at least partially within the recess defined by the frame module. An engagement surface is positioned for releasable engagement between the frame module and the electronics module in order to permit removal and replacement of the electronics module with respect to the frame module.

Abstract: A plug socket for relays has contact chambers that comprise plug slots open toward an upper base member side for the acceptance of flat plugs and into which plug jacks are inserted proceeding from the underside. These plug jacks have catch tongues branched off at both sides for latching in catch channels of the contact chambers. The contact chambers with the inserted plug jacks are narrower than the plug slots and are offset in alternation toward the ends of the plug slots. The oppositely applied catch channels are thus offset relative to one another in the partitions. In this way, more standard contact jacks can be accommodated in standardized contact chambers in the same space than present aligning arrangement of the contact chambers.

Abstract: A bottom vented circuit breaker capable of top-down assembly onto equipment (10) includes a plurality of breaker cassettes (12) disposed in a base (14) with a cover (16) mounted upon the base (14). Breaker cassettes (12) include breaker connection lugs (18) extending therefrom for electrically connecting to equipment connection lugs (20) extending from a protected circuit. Base (14) includes a plurality of discrete arc gas vent structures (56) extending from a bottom wall (52). Each arc gas vent structure (56) comprises a manifold portion (58) in fluid communication with duct portions (60, 62). Ducts (60, 62) extend substantially parallel to each other and outward from manifold (58) along spacers (54) or side walls (44, 46), culminating at exit ports (64, 66). The external surface (74) of ducts (60, 62) are separated by a minimum distance “A” forming access opening (21) in conjunction with side walls (44, 46) and spacers (54).