A safety switching device for driving a plurality of different kinds of guard locking devices is provided. The safety switching device comprises a first terminal and a second terminal for connecting a guard locking device, and a safety processor adapted for controlling drive signals at the first and the second terminal to drive the guard locking device. The safety processor is adapted for determining a kind of a guard locking device connected to the first and/or the second terminal out of a plurality of different kinds of guard locking devices by detecting external electrical connections between the first terminal, the second terminal, and a reference potential. The safety processor is further adapted for controlling the drive signals depending on the determined kind of the guard locking device.

Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for a selectivity device for a circuit breaker. The invention includes a modular assembly adapted to be coupled to a load conductor assembly. The modular assembly includes a tripping plunger including a cam surface adapted to interact with a breaker tripping mechanism; an armature coupled to the tripping plunger; a yoke adapted to generate a magnetic field in response to an electric current in the load conductor assembly and disposed to apply a magnetic force proportionate to the electric current on the armature; and a spring assembly adapted to counter-balance the magnetic force up to a predefined tripping current in the load conductor assembly. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for a selectivity device for a circuit breaker. The invention includes a modular assembly adapted to be coupled to a load conductor assembly. The modular assembly includes a tripping plunger including a cam surface adapted to interact with a breaker tripping mechanism; an armature coupled to the tripping plunger; a yoke adapted to generate a magnetic field in response to an electric current in the load conductor assembly and disposed to apply a magnetic force proportionate to the electric current on the armature; and a spring assembly adapted to counter-balance the magnetic force up to a predefined tripping current in the load conductor assembly. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

The invention relates to a temperature switch comprising a housing (2), a switching system (3) consisting of a first support (3.1) with a fixed contact (3.2) and a second support (3.3), on which a switch spring (3.4) with a switch contact (3.5) is arranged and a switching arrangement (4), which effects a positional change of the switch contact (3.5) as a function of the temperature.

Disclosed is a gap adjusting method which easily adjusts a gap between a bimetal and a crossbar by using a gap adjusting block and an adjusting screw in a trip mechanism of a molded case circuit breaker without a separate additional device. The gap adjusting method in the trip mechanism of the molded case circuit breaker includes setting a reference gap between a crossbar and a bimetal, measuring a total resistance of the trip mechanism and a trip stroke of a switching mechanism to set a compensation gap, placing a gap adjusting block on a position separated from a crossbar by a gap based on the sum of the reference gap and the compensation gap, rotating an adjusting screw assembled with the bimetal to contact the adjusting screw with the gap adjusting block, and adhering the adjusting screw to the bimetal.

Disclosed is a gap adjusting method which easily adjusts a gap between a bimetal and a crossbar by using a gap adjusting block and an adjusting screw in a trip mechanism of a molded case circuit breaker without a separate additional device. The gap adjusting method in the trip mechanism of the molded case circuit breaker includes setting a reference gap between a crossbar and a bimetal, measuring a total resistance of the trip mechanism and a trip stroke of a switching mechanism to set a compensation gap, placing a gap adjusting block on a position separated from a crossbar by a gap based on the sum of the reference gap and the compensation gap, rotating an adjusting screw assembled with the bimetal to contact the adjusting screw with the gap adjusting block, and adhering the adjusting screw to the bimetal.

Circuit breakers with handles have common trip cams with an integrated spring and trip cam base. The integrated spring directly contacts the armature in lieu of having the trip cam base formed to do so thereby allowing the use of alternative trip cam base configurations and materials from conventional relatively expensive materials.

A trip cam is for an operating handle assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing and a number of poles. The operating handle assembly has an operating handle partially extending into the housing. The trip cam includes a mounting portion structured to be disposed in the housing, and an operating handle protrusion extending from the mounting portion and being structured to engage the operating handle.

A trip cam is for an operating handle assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing and a number of poles. The operating handle assembly includes an operating handle partially extending into the housing and a cradle member cooperating with the operating handle. The trip cam includes: a mounting portion structured to be disposed in the housing, the mounting portion including a first region, a second region disposed generally opposite the first region, and a third region disposed generally between the first region and the second region; a transfer leg extending from the first region and being structured to cooperate with each of the number of poles; a driving leg extending from the third region and being structured to be driven by the cradle member; and an operating handle protrusion extending from the second region and being structured to engage the operating handle.

A trip cam is for an operating handle assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing and a number of poles. The operating handle assembly includes an operating handle partially extending into the housing and a cradle member cooperating with the operating handle. The trip cam includes: a mounting portion structured to be disposed in the housing, the mounting portion including a first region, a second region disposed generally opposite the first region, and a third region disposed generally between the first region and the second region; a transfer leg extending from the first region and being structured to cooperate with each of the number of poles; a driving leg extending from the third region and being structured to be driven by the cradle member; and an operating handle protrusion extending from the second region and being structured to engage the operating handle.