H01H69/00

Circuit breakers with shaped neutral busbars and/or load terminals and related methods

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI), Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) or AF/GF circuit breakers which may optionally have relatively small or compact bodies that have shaped neutral busbars and/or load terminals with an arm that extends through a window of a current transformer in a circuit breaker housing. The neutral busbar and/or load terminal can have a rigid or semi-rigid shaped body with a first segment that extends through the window of the current transformer and a second segment that extends behind the first segment about a printed circuit board. A plug-on, pigtail or bolt-on neutral can engage an electrical pad of the neutral busbar.

Wire nut (lug) fuse holder combination

A device is provided for use with an electrical apparatus. The device comprises a wiring lug having a side and a base configured to receive a mounting screw. The wiring lug is configured to connect with a wire. The device further comprises a shaped spring configured to apply a force to a fuse for maintaining an electrical connection between the fuse and the wiring lug thus eliminating a separate electrical bus part that in a typical installation would pass a current from a conductive fuse clip to the wiring lug. The shaped spring provides a fuse clip with one side defined by the shaped spring and other side defined by the side of the wiring lug to contact a ferrule on the fuse or contact a blade extending from the ferrule on the fuse.

Wire nut (lug) fuse holder combination

A device is provided for use with an electrical apparatus. The device comprises a wiring lug having a side and a base configured to receive a mounting screw. The wiring lug is configured to connect with a wire. The device further comprises a shaped spring configured to apply a force to a fuse for maintaining an electrical connection between the fuse and the wiring lug thus eliminating a separate electrical bus part that in a typical installation would pass a current from a conductive fuse clip to the wiring lug. The shaped spring provides a fuse clip with one side defined by the shaped spring and other side defined by the side of the wiring lug to contact a ferrule on the fuse or contact a blade extending from the ferrule on the fuse.

Circuit breaker with interference fit socket

A circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, a trip mechanism, a first terminal, a second terminal, a first press fit connector, a second press fit connector, a first socket, and a second socket. The first terminal is electrically connected with a first contact of the separable contacts and includes a first base section disposed outwardly from the housing. The second terminal is electrically connected with a second contact and includes a second base section disposed outwardly from the housing. The first press fit connector is attached to the first base section via a first press fit. The second press fit connector is attached to the second base section via a second press fit. The first socket is attached to the first press fit connector. The second socket is attached to the second press fit connector.

Circuit breaker with interference fit socket

A circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, a trip mechanism, a first terminal, a second terminal, a first press fit connector, a second press fit connector, a first socket, and a second socket. The first terminal is electrically connected with a first contact of the separable contacts and includes a first base section disposed outwardly from the housing. The second terminal is electrically connected with a second contact and includes a second base section disposed outwardly from the housing. The first press fit connector is attached to the first base section via a first press fit. The second press fit connector is attached to the second base section via a second press fit. The first socket is attached to the first press fit connector. The second socket is attached to the second press fit connector.

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND RESPONDING TO POWER SUPPLY AND/OR DETECTION CIRCUIT FAILURES WITHIN AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BREAKER
20180131174 · 2018-05-10 ·

An electronic circuit breaker may include a monitoring circuit configured to monitor and respond to a power supply and/or detection circuit failure within the electronic circuit breaker. In some embodiments, the monitoring circuit may monitor a DC current received from a detection circuit within the electronic circuit breaker. A response to a power supply and/or detection circuit failure may include interrupting current flow between an electrical power source and an electrical circuit protected by the electronic circuit breaker. Methods of monitoring and responding to a power supply and/or detection circuit failure within an electronic circuit breaker are also provided, as are other aspects.

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND RESPONDING TO POWER SUPPLY AND/OR DETECTION CIRCUIT FAILURES WITHIN AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BREAKER
20180131174 · 2018-05-10 ·

An electronic circuit breaker may include a monitoring circuit configured to monitor and respond to a power supply and/or detection circuit failure within the electronic circuit breaker. In some embodiments, the monitoring circuit may monitor a DC current received from a detection circuit within the electronic circuit breaker. A response to a power supply and/or detection circuit failure may include interrupting current flow between an electrical power source and an electrical circuit protected by the electronic circuit breaker. Methods of monitoring and responding to a power supply and/or detection circuit failure within an electronic circuit breaker are also provided, as are other aspects.

CIRCUIT BREAKER INCLUDING ROTARY HANDLE
20180114661 · 2018-04-26 ·

A circuit breaker includes an electrically insulative case and a handle rotatably coupled to the electrically insulative case. The circuit breaker also includes a gear train mechanism. The gear train mechanism includes a drive gear drivingly coupled to the handle and a plurality of pinions engaged with the drive gear. The drive gear is arranged to rotate the plurality of pinions in response to a rotation of the handle. The gear train mechanism also includes a rack engaged with the plurality of pinions. The rack is arranged to translate in response to a rotation of the plurality of pinions.

CIRCUIT BREAKER INCLUDING ROTARY HANDLE
20180114661 · 2018-04-26 ·

A circuit breaker includes an electrically insulative case and a handle rotatably coupled to the electrically insulative case. The circuit breaker also includes a gear train mechanism. The gear train mechanism includes a drive gear drivingly coupled to the handle and a plurality of pinions engaged with the drive gear. The drive gear is arranged to rotate the plurality of pinions in response to a rotation of the handle. The gear train mechanism also includes a rack engaged with the plurality of pinions. The rack is arranged to translate in response to a rotation of the plurality of pinions.

CIRCUIT BREAKER INCLUDING ROTARY HANDLE
20180114662 · 2018-04-26 ·

An electrically insulative case includes a door arranged to move between an opened position and a closed position and a rack mechanism arranged to move between an ON position and an OFF position. The electrically insulative case further includes an interlock including a plunger arranged to move between a locked position and an unlocked position. The interlock also includes an engagement mechanism that is coupled to the plunger. The engagement mechanism is arranged to move between a first position in which the engagement mechanism is spaced from the rack mechanism and a second position in which the engagement mechanism is engaged with the rack mechanism. The door is inhibited from moving to the opened position when the plunger is in the locked position. The plunger is arranged to move to the locked position when the engagement mechanism is in the second position and the rack mechanism is in the ON position.