Abstract: A device is provided for adjusting the thermal current of a bimetallic strip thermal tripping device and a protection switch including such a device, said adjustment device including a graduated wheel accessible from outside the switch box and having inner toothing; a flange centered on the wheel, with a member meshing with the toothing of the wheel, and formed with an excentric groove; a tumbler rotated through a finger engaged in the groove of the flange; a hook mounted for pivoting about a pin fixed with respect to the case; and a lever mounted for pivoting by means of a pin on the hook and connected to the tumbler by a stud, the lever being positionable with respect to the bimetallic strip at a given distance depending on the value of the thermal tripping current.

Abstract: In a circuit breaker includes a fixed contactor, a moving contactor subjected to a switching operation of a switching mechanism, a heater connected to the moving contactor and disposed in such a manner as to extend along a fixed core and a moving core pivotally supported by the fixed core, the fixed contactor is formed in a J-shape and is interposed between an insulating member disposed on the fixed contactor in such a manner as to extend along the side of the fixed contactor facing the moving contactor and a demagnetizing member disposed in such a manner as to extend along the bent inner surface. The circuit breaker includes also an operation time adjusting mechanism engaging with the moving core and capable of adjusting the operation time of the moving core, and a casing storing therein the constituent elements. The operation time adjusting mechanism is brought into abutment against an adjustment portion formed on the moving core, and is detachably mounted on the casing.

Abstract: A circuit breaker structure having a faster trip unit characterized by a circuit breaker operator and a trip unit comprising a coil, a core, and an armature, a flux concentrating plate spaced from and on the side of the armature opposite the core and for concentrating the magnetic field between the core and the armature, and a hold-back bracket having extending from and retaining the armature in a spaced position from the core so as to cause the magnetic field lines to flow through the bracket and the armature.

Abstract: A push-to-trip button for a circuit breaker characterized by a circuit breaker within an insulating housing and having trip means for releasably holding a circuit breaker operating mechanism in an untripped position and including a trip bar biased in an untripped position, a trip delay member biased away from the trip bar and including an adjustment bar for applying a pressure on the member, a trip button extending through the housing and having a first surface contacting the trip bar, and the adjustment bar having a second surface for applying limited pressure on the trip button for holding the first surface in contact on the trip bar, without moving the trip bar to a tripped position.

Abstract: A circuit breaker structure having an adjustable magnetic trip unit characterized by an insulating housing containing a circuit breaker mechanism having separable contacts and containing a trip unit comprising a magnetic device responsive to overload current conditions for separating the contacts, the magnetic device having an armature and a calibrating screw for calibrating an air gap between the armature and an associated magnet, the trip unit also including a cam for varying the tension of the spring and the cam having spaced indexing indentations and an associated ball in the frame for rolling engagement with the cam surface and for seating in any indentation to provide positive settings of the spring tension.

Abstract: A magnetic structure is provided for calibrating a circuit breaker. The magnetic structure includes an E-shaped core which has an adjustable center post for varying the magnetic force between the core and armature by changing the gap between the center post and the armature. Variations in the field for a given current allow the tripping current for the circuit breaker to be precisely calibrated.

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

Abstract: A circuit breaker characterized by a housing and a circuit breaker structure within the housing and comprising an electromagnetic trip including a magnetic yoke and armature and means associated with the armature for adjusting the electromagnetic force required to pull the armature to the yoke, whereby changing of the force requirement results in significant reduction in operating time of the trip unit.

Abstract: A blow open contact arm assembly is provided for a molded case circuit breaker. A ferromagnetic carrier is attached to the movable contact arm and is positioned thereabout for creating a magnetic field about the movable contact arm which attracts the contact arm to the open position during severe fault conditions. The molded case housing has reinforced walls to withstand the pressures exerted on the walls of the houses during a blow open operation of the contacts.

Abstract: A single pole circuit breaker comprising a single section. The single section, single pole comprises an electromagnetic sensing device and a pair of relatively movable contacts. The electromagnetic sensing device is electrically connected at one end to the load terminal. The movable contacts are engageable with a pair of stationary contacts carried by a line terminal. A metering or calibrating shunt device is connected on one side to the electromagnetic sensing device and is connected on the other side to the pair of movable contacts to thereby connect in electrical series the electromagnetic sensing device and the pair of movable contacts through the metering or calibrated shunt device. A volt meter connected across the calibration points of the metering or calibrated shunt device will then read a voltage proportional to the current flow through the circuit breaker.

Abstract: The invention provides a magneto-thermal device for overcurrent relays.The end of a core, whose axial position may be adjusted with respect to a mobile plate, placed opposite and pivoting about one end of the yoke, is secured against movement by a wedge which is guided in a groove belonging to a flange of the coil shell.This device may be used in any thermal relay where a stable and precise adjustment of the tripping current threshold is desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disconnectable connection between a trip unit and circuit breaker. The disconnectable connections between the removable trip unit and the circuit breaker unit include inclined connection lugs so as to provide access to the set-screws of the connections on the narrow side face of the circuit breaker casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-pole circuit breaker with an interchangeable magneto-thermal tripping unit electrically and mechanically connected to the breaker unit by means of connecting screws. The connecting lugs of the breaker unit are positioned with vertical play in transverse slots in the breaker unit casing and are electrically connected to the movable contacts by flexible connections. When the connecting screws are tightened the breaker unit connecting lugs are shifted to bear on the associated tripping unit lugs irrespective of any positioning defects. A reset spring of the electro-magnetic tripping device is anchored on one end on the armature and on the other end to the tripping device adjusting bar.

Abstract: The mechanism is operable by a single test/reset push button whose initial travel from a normal operating position causes closing of test circuit contacts while power contacts are engaged. Upon an actual or test trip actuating the trip solenoid of the interrupter, a latch member releases a member holding movable power contacts and also extends the push button out due to spring action to indicate the occurrence of the trip. For resetting, the same button is again pushed to reengage the power contacts in a closed position after which release of the button returns it to its normal operating position in which the mechanism is latched.

Abstract: A movable contact is adapted to engage with and disengage from a fixed contact within a circuit breaker housing. A contact arm, coupled to the movable contact, is caused to trip when appropriate means are actuated. The invention resides in apparatus for actuating such means including a ferromagnetic material armature latch partially rotatable about a housing axis. The latch has a first retaining means and a first coupling surface. A latch member, partially rotatable about a housing axis, has a second retaining means and a second coupling surface adapted to couple with the first coupling surface. Further, the latch member is adapted to recouple the second coupling surface subsequent to it becoming uncoupled from the first coupling surface. A spring couples the two retaining means.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter trip unit characterized by a magnetic sensing and tripping device having improved means for adjusting between maximum and minimum air gaps between a magnet and armature for specific trip currents.

Abstract: A low voltage circuit breaker has an electromagnetic overcurrent tripping device consisting of a magnetic yoke, relative to the pole surfaces of which an armature is movably arranged. The spacing of the armature from the pole surfaces is established by a stop member carried on a stationary support. The stop member is in the form of a disc having pairs of pins on its opposite sides which are mounted on connecting lines which are perpendicular to each other. Which of the four stop surfaces of the stop member is set in place is decided by rotating the stop member by 180.degree. when it is facing one way or by reversing it, and rotating it 180.degree. in its new position to choose between the other surfaces. Both sides of the stop member carry markings for the tripping current level, the effective one being always readable in the upright position.

Abstract: An adjustable electromagnetic tripping mechanism for a circuit-breaker, includes in each pole, a fixed magnetic circuit excited by the current passing through the said pole. A movable magnetic member is held by the force of a return spring against a stop at a predetermined distance from the fixed magnetic circuit. A movable adjusting element bears the stop and includes a point of support or of attachment of the said return spring, which enables the limiting operating current of the circuit-breaker to be varied. The movement of the said movable adjusting element modifies at the same time and in the same sense of variation, firstly the distance predetermined by the stop between the movable magnetic member and the fixed magnetic circuit, and secondly the force exerted by the return spring upon the movable magnetic member. The invention is characterized in that the movable adjusting element consists of a small plate of generally plane form guided in translation in slides.

Abstract: A circuit breaker comprising a solenoid coil, an armature actuatable by the coil and a magnetizable frame carrying the coil enclosed with a case comprising two abutting half-cases. A time delay device comprising a tube of non-magnetic material within which is a movable magnetizable core and with which the coil cooperates to actuate the armature after a time delay period upon predetermined energization of the coil. The tube has a pole piece at one end and the armature has an attractable portion which moves toward said pole piece on predetermined overload conditions, the core being biased toward the end of the tube away from the pole piece. An adjustable cam is carried between said half-cases. Said attractable portion of the armature being biased by a spring into engagement with said cam and away from said pole piece. Said cam being rotatable to vary the air gap between said pole piece and said attractable portion of the armature, whereby the trip point of the circuit breaker may be varied.

Abstract: A three pole circuit breaker includes, for each pole, an electrical conductor, a magnet in close proximity to the conductor so as to generate a magnetic field when excessive current flows therethrough, an armature adapted to be attracted to the magnet when the magnetic field is generated therein, and an extension spring adapted to restrain the armature from attraction by the magnet. A common translating crossbar is coupled to the extension springs for simultaneously varying forces on the three extension springs, so as to vary a magnetic level for the circuit breakers.The circuit breaker further includes a housing, a button rotatable within the housing and adapted to be rotated from without the housing, and a cam affixed to the button within the housing. The cam is coupled to the crossbar so that rotation of the button causes translating movement of the crossbar.

Abstract: A three pole circuit breaker includes, for each pole, an electrical conductor, a magnet in close proximity to the conductor so as to generate a magnetic field when excessive current flows therethrough, an armature adapted to be attracted to the magnet when the magnetic field is generated therein, and a torsional spring adapted to restrain the armature from attraction by the magnet. A common rotatable crossbar is coupled to the torsional springs for simultaneously varying forces on the three torsional springs, so as to vary a magnetic level for the circuit breaker.The circuit breaker further includes a housing, a button rotatable within the housing and adapted to be rotated from without the housing, and a cam affixed to the button within the housing. The cam is coupled, via a rotatable link, to the rotatable crossbar so that rotation of the button causes angular movement of the crossbar.

Abstract: A tripping device of a circuit-breaker is detachable so as to be able to cover ranges of excess currents with a small number of calibers each represented by an interchangeable tripping device. For this purpose, the magnetic excess current detection circuits are made in two detachable parts, one fixed to the tripping device, the other installed floating on the housing of the device to be controlled whose interchangeability permits the automatic changing of the magnetic characteristics of the tripping device.

Abstract: A high performance, manually and automatically operable, trip-free magnetic circuit breaker incorporates compact, readily accessible calibration means in which the direction of application of a substantially constant spring force is varied to permit convenient, high resolution calibration of the breaker.

Abstract: A unitized combination motor starter is provided with a single insulated housing wherein a plurality of pole units are disposed in side-by-side relationship. The pole units are electrically connected in series with an electromagnetic contactor disposed within the insulated housing and located at one end of the pole units. A spring powered contact operating mechanism for the pole units is disposed on one side of the pole units. An overload sensing electromagnet coil, provided for each of the pole units, is positioned for removal and replacement after opening the front cover of the insulated housing.

Abstract: A circuit breaker responsive to abnormal currents in conductors of an electrical distribution system characterized by separable contacts and trip means therefor, which means comprises a stationary magnetic structure for each conductor including a magnetic coil and core assembly and armature therefor, a lever associated with each stationary magnetic structure removing a trip bar to an unlatched position, the lever comprising the armature and being movable in response to abnormal currents in at least one of the conductors, and tension means for varying tension on the lever and including a manually operable cam, cam follower, and tension spring operatively connected between the cam follower and the lever for adjusting the force required to attract the armature to said assembly.

Abstract: A device for protection against current overcharges comprising on a same mounting plate a thermal protection device constituted by an active bimetal fixed on the mounting plate, a compensating bimetal fixed on a striker which is movable about a pivot, a shield separating the bimetals and a magnetic protection device constituted by a relay whose armature is held at rest, in spaced relation from the magnetic circuit by a spring whose tension is adjustable.

Abstract: An electrical control device has an electromagnet, and means is adapted for attraction from a generally at-rest position through an air gap into magnetic holding engagement with the electromagnet upon its energization. In combination with the device, there is provided means for adjusting the attraction means toward a selected at-rest position thereof and also means for mounting the adjusting means so that it is rotatable to drive the attraction means toward the selected at-rest position and conjointly linearly movable in a direction generally away from its driving engagement with the attraction means. The adjusting means is conjointly rotatably and linearly movable in response to an applied adjusting force thereon to drive the attraction means toward the selected at-rest position with respect to the electromagnet to adjustably alter the air gap therebetween.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker having a solid-state trip unit adjustable over a variety of ratings. One-way adjustment is provided, permitting a reduction in the rating of the circuit breaker and preventing an increase in the rating. A ratchet mechanism and a one-way screw mechanism are provided to implement the one-way adjustment.

Abstract: A trippiong device of a circuit-breaker is detachable so as to be able to cover ranges of excess currents with a small number of calibers each represented by an interchangeable tripping device. For this purpose, the magnetic excess current detection circuits are made in two detachable parts, one fixed to the tripping device, the other installed floating on the housing of the device to be controlled whose interchangeability permits the automatic changing of the magnetic characteristics of the tripping device.