Abstract: A switching device comprising first and second body parts and a first operating device for moving the body parts into a closed state. A piezoelectric actuator is coupled to each body part and is operable to move the body parts part away from one another. The switching device may be incorporated into an actuator for operating the vacuum interrupter of a vacuum circuit breaker.

Abstract: Multi-pole and single-pole circuit breakers include a housing and a reset lockout mechanism disposed within the housing. The reset lockout mechanism disables electrical communication between line and load terminals of the circuit breaker if a predefined condition exists. Some circuit breakers include a single actuator, transition between ON and OFF states, and are capable of performing test functions. The test functions may involve testing AFCI and/or GFCI functions of the circuit breakers. The test functions may be performed when the circuit breaker transitions from an OFF state to an ON state. Some circuit breakers including a reset lockout mechanism may be powered only on its line side. Some circuit breakers provide an electrical indication when they are in the OFF state.

Abstract: An adjustable trip assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, separable contacts and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The adjustable trip assembly includes a load conductor, a magnetic assembly comprising a magnetic member and an armature movably coupled to the magnetic member, and a calibration assembly comprising a calibration bracket cooperating with the armature, and an adjustment mechanism being adjustable to move the calibration bracket and thereby adjust the position of the armature with respect to the magnetic member to calibrate the magnetic assembly. The magnetic assembly further includes a biasing element that biases the armature away from the magnetic member.

Abstract: An energy-storing unit with a forcing mechanism and an on-load tap changing device provided with the same which employ an inexpensive and simple structure and which can suppress a loading torque to operate stably. A forcing mechanism built in an energy-storing unit includes a protrusion, a bearing, and a loading cam. Among those components, the protrusion is attached to the bottom face of an eccentric cam, and the bearing is attached to the tip of the protrusion. The loading cam is an isosceles triangle having a vertex that is substantially 90 degrees, and is attached to the top face of an energy-storing case. The loading cam becoming in contact with the bearing causes a crank to rotate through the energy-storing case, and feeds a catch to a standby position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a contact structure of a low-voltage electrical apparatus. The contact structure is in a dual-breakpoint form, and comprises: two U-shaped static contacts, the U-shaped static contact enabling the current direction in the static contact to be opposite to the current direction in a movable contact; a contact bridge; two movable contacts, disposed on the contact bridge, and respectively corresponding to the two static contacts; a contact support member, disposed on the movable contacts and connected to the movable contacts; two main contact springs, symmetrically disposed under the movable contacts and forming an angle with the contact bridge; and a spring support member, disposed under the two movable contacts and connected to the two main contact springs.

Abstract: A disconnect mechanism for a power receptacle, which includes a disconnect block, a locking member slidably coupled to the disconnect block, and an electromagnetic device moveably coupled to the locking member. The disconnect block includes two side arms extending outwards. A pressing plate is disposed above the disconnect block, and a disconnect spring is disposed above the pressing plate. The moveable contact arms of the main switch of the receptacle are disposed between the pressing plate and the disconnect block, and the pressing plate pushes the moveable contact arms when the main switch is being opened when a current leakage is detected. The receptacle also includes an auxiliary switch disposed because the disconnect block and the circuit board.

Abstract: A device for transferring motion from a manual lever to a reset lever of a pressure trip mechanism in a molded case circuit breaker. The pressure trip mechanism is activated when hot gasses are released during an arc event and the resultant increase in pressure forces a piston in the mechanism to expand and thereby activate the breaker. In some interruption events, hot gasses, and occasionally fragments of molten metal, are responsible for marring the plastic piston surface of the pressure trip mechanism and prevent the mechanism from returning to its pre-interruption position even when it is biased to the pre-interruption position with a spring. A configuration disclosed herein provides for linking the motion of the hand-driven manual lever used to reset the breaker to the reset lever connected to the pressure trip mechanism in order to force the pressure trip mechanism to return to its pre-interruption position.

Abstract: A power control apparatus in the form of a standard, toggle, wall-mounted light switch for remote actuation of an electrical load or local manual override. A switch housing supports and retains a latching relay that includes power terminals, a switching terminal for remote actuation by a control signal, and a manual override. A switch lever extends from the body of the switch housing for manual actuation to override the state of the relay. The switch lever engages the manual override of the latching relay upon manual actuation by a person. A centering structure maintains the switch lever in a centered position to allow unimpeded movement of the manual override. The latching relay can be remotely actuated by a signal at its switching terminal to switch a power load connected to the power terminals on or off, or the relay can be manually overridden by actuation of the switch lever.

Abstract: An overload relay trip mechanism includes a housing, a reset button, a leaf spring, a test button, a coil spring, and an actuator. The reset button can be actuated from a normal position to a reset position to cause the leaf spring to transition from a first position to a second position, which causes a reset actuator-engaging element to move the actuator from a tripped position to a closed position. The test button can be actuated from a normal position to a test-stop position to cause a first test actuator-engaging element to move a moveable contact from an electrically connected position to an electrically disconnected position. The test button can further be moved from the test-stop position to the test-trip position to cause a second test actuator-engaging element to move the actuator from the closed position to the tripped position.

Abstract: A leakage protective plug comprises a case and electric contacts. A protective cap is fixed on the top of the case and includes a reset button protective cap and a test button protective cap. The reset button protective cap is interiorly provided with a reset button connected with a push rod which in order penetrates an electric contact upper panel, an upper spring, an electric contact lower panel and a lower spring. The electric contact upper panel is provided at a right side thereof with a locking member linked with a brake connecting rod which is linked with a brake plate. The brake plate is located at a lower right side of the locking member. Below the brake plate are disposed an electromagnet pole shoe, an electromagnet coil, and an electromagnet core. The test button protective cap is provided with a test button having a test electric contact.

Abstract: A disconnect mechanism for a power receptacle, which includes a disconnect block, a locking member slidably coupled to the disconnect block, and an electromagnetic device moveably coupled to the locking member. The disconnect block includes two side arms extending outwards. A pressing plate is disposed above the disconnect block, and a disconnect spring is disposed above the pressing plate. The moveable contact arms of the main switch of the receptacle are disposed between the pressing plate and the disconnect block, and the pressing plate pushes the moveable contact arms when the main switch is being opened when a current leakage is detected. The receptacle also includes an auxiliary switch disposed because the disconnect block and the circuit board.

Abstract: A magnetic circuit includes a stationary iron core, a permanent magnet, and an armature, in a circular pattern. A contact mechanism spring separates the armature from the stationary iron core to open the magnetic circuit to switch a contact mechanism to a reset position. A coil on the magnetic circuit generates a magnetic flux in a direction same as that of the permanent magnet when an overload is detected and in an opposite direction when a predetermined time is elapsed after detecting the overload. A reset bar switches a movable stopper between an engaging position and a non-engaging position with the contact mechanism against a biasing force of the contact mechanism spring.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independent trip portions and/or a reset lockout portion are provided. The reverse wiring protection operates at both the line and load sides of the device so that in the event line side wiring to the device is improperly connected to the load side, fault protection for the device remains. The trip portion operates independently of a circuit interrupting portion used to break the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. The reset lockout portion prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in open conductive paths if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists or if the device is reverse wired. Methods for ensuring a reset lockout state before shipment are provided.

Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter device is described.

Abstract: A lever arm assembly is provided for a circuit breaker trip actuator reset assembly including a cradle assembly pivotably coupled to the circuit breaker pole shaft, a reset lever pivotably coupled to the circuit breaker housing, and a trip actuator including an actuating element, which moves the reset lever in response to a trip condition. The lever arm assembly includes at least one linking element including a first end pivotably coupled to the cradle assembly, a second end, a pivot, and a deflection assembly having a deflection member. When the cradle assembly moves from a first position toward a second position, it moves the linking element, thereby moving the deflection member into engagement with the reset lever. This pivots the reset lever to reset the trip actuator. After the trip actuator has been reset, the deflection assembly is deflectable to accommodate excess motion of the cradle assembly.

Abstract: A circuit breaker and method include main contacts configured to connect in an on position and be separated in an off position. A handle is coupled to one of the main contacts to adjust the contacts between the on position, the off position, a trip position and an over on position. Secondary contacts are configured to provide power when connected using the handle in the over on position, even when the main contacts are separated. A stop mechanism configured to maintain separation between the main contacts to enable testing using the secondary contacts to power a test circuit such that if a test passes, the stop mechanism is released to permit resetting of the main contacts.

Abstract: Resettable circuit breakers having an independent trip mechanism and a reset lockout are provided. The trip mechanism operates independently of the fault protection operations, and the reset lockout prevents the resetting of the circuit breaker if the fault protection is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit interrupting device, preferably a ground fault circuit interrupter, which provides a quick and reliable connection/disconnection of electrical continuity through a combined use of a reset spring and a quick trip spring; an innovative circuit interrupting assembly containing a pair of input flexible metal pieces, a pair of user accessible load flexible metal pieces, and two pairs of fixed contacts on the load terminals; an automatic end-of-life testing mechanism by way of a simulated leakage current metal piece assembly; a reverse wiring protection by way of a reset start switch; an electrical surge protection through a power discharge mechanism; and a periodical end-of-life testing using a timer chip.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include a reset lock-out mechanism are provided. The reset lock-out mechanism prevents the resetting of electrical connections between input and output conductors if the circuit interrupting mechanism used to break the connection is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independent trip portions and/or a reset lockout portion are provided. The reverse wiring protection operates at both the line and load sides of the device so that in the event line side wiring to the device is improperly connected to the load side, fault protection for the device remains. The trip portion operates independently of a circuit interrupting portion used to break the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. The reset lockout portion prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in open conductive paths if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists or if the device is reverse wired. Methods for ensuring a reset lock out state before shipment are provided.

Abstract: Resettable circuit breakers having an independent trip mechanism and a reset lockout are provided. The trip mechanism operates independently of the fault protection operations, and the reset lockout prevents the resetting of the circuit breaker if the fault protection is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists.

Abstract: This invention relates to a circuit interrupting device having a trip button for disconnecting a load from a source of electrical power and a reset button for resetting the device after it has tripped. When the device is operating in its reset state, a source of electrical power is connected to a load through a set of contacts located within the device. The contacts are held closed by the spring loaded reset button which holds captive and urges a latch plate to move up to close normally open contacts. In the preferred mechanical trip mechanism, depressing the trip button causes the latch plate to move forward and be released from the reset button. The latch plate, upon being released from the reset button moves down to allow the contacts, which are biased to be normally open, to assume their normally open position. At this time, pressing the reset button initiates an electrical cycle which causes the normally open contacts to close only if the device is operating properly and there is no fault on the line.

Abstract: An electronic type protective relay integrates the mechanical structure into a single operation rod to protect electric machinery. The electronic type protective relay includes an insulating shell, a tripping rod, a magnetic-force device and an operation device. The tripping rod is pivoted in the inner part of the insulating shell and conducts two pairs of connection pins. The tripping rod includes a control magnetic core. The magnetic-force device includes a tripping electromagnet, a reset electromagnet, and a permanent magnet installed between the tripping electromagnet and the reset electromagnet. The operation device includes an auxiliary rod located on one side of the tripping rod, an operation rod installed between the tripping rod and the auxiliary rod and protruding beyond the insulating shell. The operation rod can be located at four locations and in cooperation with the auxiliary rod to stop or reset.

Abstract: A circuit breaker electromagnetic tripping device in which the contact between the movable contacts and the stationary contacts is stable and well, and the tripping does not tend to fail is disclosed. In one embodiment, the circuit breaker device comprises a casing, a tripping armature and a tripping armature spring which are disposed transversely within the casing, and a tripping coil fitted over the casing corresponding to tripping armature. The device also includes a moveable support which is disposed longitudinally within the casing and moveable inside the casing and a lower end of the moveable support can be engaged with or disengaged from a front end of the tripping armature, and an attracting armature and an attracting armature spring which are disposed longitudinally at a center of the moveable support.

Abstract: A grounding fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), including a housing, a trip means, a pair of static contact pieces fixed on the housing, a pair of load contact pieces fixed on the housing, a pair of slide frames, a pair of movable contact pieces fixed on the slide frames respectively, which is resiliently movable, said trip means including a trip coil, a plunger provided in the trip coil, a trip spring abutted against the plunger, a balance frame, a latch, a reset pull rod, wherein said plunger is provided with an annular groove, the plunger movably connected to the latch through the annular groove, wherein the latch has an arc-shaped opening thereon and is movably provided on the balance frame, said balance frame having two wedge sides, the wedge sides in contact with the slide frames; wherein when the reset pull rod is connected with the latch, the static contact pieces are in contact with the movable contact pieces.

Abstract: A linkage for a solenoid actuated circuit breaker operating mechanism is provided. The operating mechanism includes a trip device and a close device. Either the trip device or the close device is coupled to a solenoid, by an ultra-lightweight connection member. The ultra-lightweight connection member is so light as to not create a sufficient force to effect the trip device or the close device even when the circuit breaker is subjected to a shock load.

Abstract: A fast engage, slow release electrical actuator combines an electromagnetic actuator with a thermal actuator, the latter which retains the electromagnetic actuator after the former has been actuated to delay the release thereof.

Abstract: A switching device includes a latching mechanism and is cheap to produce and easy to assemble. To this end, the construction is essentially formed from a three-part modular unit including metallic material, and has a spring which supports the back-latching of the latching mechanism, and forces which extend essentially in one plane in the latching mechanism.

Abstract: A trip actuator (66) includes a trip spring (106) to bias the trip arm (104) in a clockwise direction about trip arm pivot (120). In the latched and ready to operate state, the clockwise moment about the axis of the latch pivot (132) created by force “F” opposes the counterclockwise moment created about the axis of the latch pivot (132) created by the horizontal component “fx” of force “f”, to hold the latch (110) in the upright position against the force of the trip arm (104). When a trip (triggering) signal is provided to the flux shifter (102), the flux shifter (102) releases the plunger (130). With the force “F” removed, the trip arm (104) will drive the latch pin (134), causing the latch (110) to rotate counterclockwise about the latch pivot (132). As the latch (110) and trip arm (104) rotate, the latch pin (134) slides off the latch surface (126), fully releasing the trip arm (104) and allowing the trip paddle (96) to move the secondary latch tab (50).

Abstract: A detent mechanism comprising a support member having a fixed seating member comprising opposite sides; a first spring for exerting a first spring force, disposed between one side of the fixed seating member and a first sliding member, further comprising a second spring member exerting a second spring force less than said first spring force, disposed between the other side of said fixed seating member and a second sliding member, whereby the forces of the springs are directed to operate on said first and second sliding members in opposite directions. A push button can apply an external force to the first sliding member to move it from a first position relative to the fixed seating member to a second position against the action of said first spring force. A detent mechanism connects the first and second sliding members when the first sliding member is in its second position and the second slidable member is in a first position.

Abstract: A portable ground fault interrupter is provided which includes a strong environmentally durable housing and plug inputs for plugging into an electrical outlet. The housing also contains receptacles to accept an electrical plug. A plurality of first electrical contacts are within the housing and stationary relative to the housing. A second plurality of electrical contacts corresponding to said first contacts are suspended within the housing by electrical conducting strips which biasingly move the second contacts away from the first contacts. A latching assembly selectively and operably engages said second contacts to overcome the force of the suspending strips to move the second contacts into electrical engagement with the first contacts. Occurrence of a ground fault removes the latching assembly from engagement with the second contacts breaking electrical contact between the first contacts and second contacts.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having a contact movable between open and closed positions, includes a closing spring assembly having a closing spring and first and second brackets. The closing spring assembly is chargeable when in a reset position in which the first bracket is hooked by a first hook. The closing spring is charged, manually or electrically, with support of the second bracket being transferred to a second hook. The closing spring is discharged to close the circuit breaker, with the closing spring assembly moving from the reset position to a discharged position in the process. The closing spring assembly is then moved as an integral unit, back to the reset position, with the closing spring again being charged, enabling the circuit breaker to immediately reclose in the event of a trip due to a transient condition. An improved breaker operating mechanism and power operated charging mechanism, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical recloser apparatus includes a tank (10) having bottom, top and side walls (18, 22, 16) which define an interior, sealed space (14), and a current interrupter (44) disposed within the sealed space (14) and including a pair of relatively movable contacts (46, 48) which are movable between a closed, current-carrying position and an open, current-interrupting position. A control assembly (30) is provided for electronically controlling the opening and closing of the contacts (46, 48), the control assembly (30) initiating operation of the contact moving means (58) to move the contacts (46, 48) to the open position in response to a fault current sensed by a sensing means (66), and initiating operation of the contact moving means (58) to move the contacts (46, 48) to the closed position after each one of a predetermined number of opening operations.

Abstract: An energy accumulator for a circuit breaker comprises a cross piece which can be inserted between side walls of the support mechanism of the circuit breaker, which has a substantially U-shaped cross section and against the center part of which coil compression springs are braced. With their opposite ends, the springs rest against a movable abutment which likewise has a U-shaped cross section. A push rod which goes through one of the springs in its longitudinal direction is guided in the cross piece and has a transverse hole for inserting a securing pin in the partially cocked state of the springs. Between the legs of the cross piece there are inserts which have an extension pointing in the direction of the movable abutment. Thereby, a space for the engagement of a leg of the movable abutment is formed if the springs are tensioned more heavily.

Abstract: A manually operated trip operator is inserted within a recess formed in a molded case circuit breaker cover, and extends down within the breaker case to interact with the circuit breaker trip bar. The trip operator is formed from a unitary thermoplastic configuration which integrally includes means for interacting with the circuit breaker trip bar and for biasing the trip operator back to its initial position. The unitary manual trip operator is down-loaded into the circuit breaker cover in an automated circuit breaker assembly process.

Abstract: In a high voltage circuit interrupter switch or recloser a single multi-function control actuator is connected to a trip bar for tripping contact operating linkage to effect opening of one or more movable contacts. The control actuator includes a spring biased crank member and a toggle linkage operably associated to permit resetting of the control actuator to its initial position upon effecting movement of the contact operating linkage. The recloser has a switch for energizing a closing solenoid to reclose the interrupter contact. A movable catch is associated with switch operating linkage and is operably connected to the control actuator whereby the control actuator may effect energization of the solenoid to close the interrupter contacts. The control actuator is also connected to a lockout linkage for effecting lockout of the contact operating linkage upon receipt of a control signal when a predetermined number of circuit interruptions have been performed in a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An operating mechanism is provided for push-button circuit breakers. The breaker mechanism includes a frame and a pair of contacts supported relative to the frame which are displaceable relative to one another between an open and a closed position. A bell crank having a deflecting surface and a cam surface is pivotally mounted on the frame so as to pivot between a first and second stable position. A linkage assembly is coupled with the bell crank and at least one of the contacts and is displaceable so as to open and close the contacts. A push-button actuator is movably supported relative to the frame. The push-button actuator is adapted to engage the cam surface of the bell crank in its first stable position to displace the bell crank into the second stable position in order to displace the linkage assembly to close the contacts.

Abstract: A circuit breaker characterized by a roller guide member, 1a, provided on the inside wall of an upper part of the case 1. The roller quite member, 1a, has a curved shape designed to form or smooth curved path, 100, in cooperation with the roller receiving indents 5a and 56, so that the roller can be reliably reset in the roller-receiving indents 5a and 5b.

Abstract: A resettable circuit breaker has a pair of normally closed contacts through which a load is connected to a power line and means for opening the contacts in response to a predetermined change in electrical current flowing to and from the power line. One of the contacts is mounted on a rocking member which is maintained between a pivot on the base of the apparatus and the armature of a latching solenoid responsive to the predetermined current change by a spring assembly which causes the rocking member to rotate about the pivot means thereby opening and closing the contacts depending on the position of the armature.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker includes a manually resettable undervoltage trip mechanism for initiating a trip operation of the circuit breaker upon an undervoltage condition. The undervoltage trip mechanism includes a solenoid having a fixed electrical coil surrounding a pair of separable movable ferromagnetic plungers. Disposed between and captured by the two plungers is a compression spring for physically separating the two plungers upon the occurrence of an undervoltage condition. Upon such an undervoltage condition, one of the plungers is positioned to engage and rotate a trip lever for initiating a trip operation of the circuit breaker. The other plunger is secured to an elongated manually depressible reset button that extends through the molded case of the circuit breaker. After a trip operation, the reset button can be depressed to reestablish physical engagement between the first and second plungers, enabling the circuit breaker to be reset.

Abstract: A multi-pole circuit breaker having a molded case and a contact operating mechanism supported in said case. The mechanism is controlled by a handle and a trip device. To obtain the reset of the trip hook when said trip device has opened the contacts, a rocker secured to the handle engages a drive lever forming an extension of the upper link of a toggle joint of said mechanism. The catch of the trip device is biased into an intermediate balanced locking position by means of a spring and is positioned onto a pivot pin by means of radial projection insides the bore of the catch which fits into a matching groove of the pin.

Abstract: An electric switch, more particularly a current-limiter, to be actuated by a control pin which indicates the OFF or the ON condition, and which can be opened also by the agency of thermomagnetic tripping mechanisms and by means of a coil. A crank lever is linked to a swinging assembly which is rockably mounted about the pin and to a rocker carrying the rod to actuate the movable contacts. The lever, to be able to permit that the contacts may be closed, must rest on a step of another lever and this resting relationship can be undone either by acting upon the pin, or by means of the tripping mechanisms and the coil. The opening by means of the tripping mechanisms takes place with a kind of "stroke trip" action, the mechanism being automatically reset during opening. The action of the tripping mechanisms is visually displayed and the reclosure of such a switch can be caused dependent from a local intervention by means of a pushbutton.

Abstract: A circuit breaker wherein one or two of circuit-breaking electric element blocks respectively including current source side and load side terminals, fixed and movable contactors, means for forcibly tripping the movable contactor away from the fixed contactor by operating at least electromagnetically responsive to an overcurrent and an arc suppressing means, and movably supporting the movable contactor at a stationary part of the tripping means is arranged in each of side spaces within a single housing, while a single mechanical contact operating mechanism for moving the movable contactor in each of the blocks between both positions of opening and closing contacts responsive to an external operating force and operatively connected with the tripping means of the blocks is contained in an intermediate space provided between the side spaces, in each of the latter of which the movable contactor of an elongated member is arranged with one end having the movable contact directed toward the source side terminal and w

Abstract: A circuit breaker characterized by a toggle lock means for holding toggle springs in a charged condition ready for closing a circuit through the circuit breaker contacts when necessary.

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: In a circuit breaker equipped with a hook releasably holding movable contacts in a hooked open position, the plunger of an undervoltage release solenoid is releasably latched in its seated position to inhibit premature tripping of the breaker latch and thus enable the operating mechanism to be charged. Articulation of the hook leading to release of the contacts from their hooked open position precipitates unlatching of the plunger and discharge of the operating mechanism to preclude breaker closure into an undervoltage condition. Resetting of the plunger is effected under the control of the operating mechanism by a separate spring-power reset arm.

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 narrow molded case circuit breaker is constructed with a planar cradle having an edge portion to achieve relatching and another edge portion to achieve kicking of the contact arm for weld breaking. A single bonding operation is utilized to connect the movable contact directly to a flexible conductor and at the same time simultaneously secures the movable contact and conductor to the movable contact arm. Since the movable contact is bonded directly to the flexible conductor, the movable contact arm may be constructed of steel or other relatively poor electrical conducting material.

Abstract: A shunt trip mechanism includes a ratchet facility added to a self-contained, line potential stored-energy operating mechanism of a circuit interrupting device. Operation of the ratchet facility releases the stored energy to operate the device. A portion of the ratchet facility may also be operated to reset the device if it has previously been operated by either the shunt trip mechanism or the operating mechanism's current-responsive elements. The main portion of the shunt trip mechanism is at ground potential and is mechanically tied to and operates the ratchet facility by a movable insulated strut. The strut is moved by the shunt trip mechanism upon the occurrence of an event such as transformer overpressure. A ground level handle may be operated to reset the device whether it was operated by the operating mechanism or the shunt trip mechanism.

Abstract: A circuit breaker characterized by a roller guide member, 1a, provided on the inside wall of an upper part of the case 1. The roller quite member, 1a, has a curved shape designed to form or smooth curved path, 100, in cooperation with the roller receiving indents 5a and 56, so that the roller can be reliably reset in the roller-receiving indents 5a and 5b.