A stored energy-type circuit breaker includes a sensor that operates as a full open sensor, and that is used to prevent the circuit breaker from closing in response to either a closing signal or a manual operation. The full open sensor exhibits a first output condition when the moveable contact is in a fully open position and a second output condition when the moveable contact begins to leave the fully open position. An electronic trip unit (ETU) is electrically connected to the sensor and, when in a close break mode, blocks the circuit breaker from closing. The ETU does this by, upon detecting that the sensor is in the second output condition, generating a signal that will cause the breaker's opening spring to return the moveable contact to the fully open position.

A plug-in circuit breaker that includes a circuit breaker housing with a limiting hole and a opening and closing button. The circuit breaker further includes a locking member rotatably arranged inside the circuit breaker housing with an upper portion close to the limiting hole provided with a locking protrusion fitting. A lower portion of the circuit breaker housing is provided with a locking driving surface fitting with the opening and closing button. When the limiting hole is not shielded, the opening and closing button jacks up the locking driving surface to enable the locking protrusion to extend out of the limiting hole. The plug-in circuit breaker is closed when the limiting hole is shielded, so that the locking protrusion cannot extend out of the limiting hole. The locking driving surface limits the opening and closing button, so that the opening and closing button cannot press to the destined position.

A plug-in circuit breaker that includes a housing with a limiting hole, a button mechanism having a closing position and an opening position, and an operating mechanism actuated by the button mechanism. The plug-in circuit breaker includes a locking member arranged inside the housing. The locking member has a locking protruding stand opposite the limiting hole. When the button mechanism is in the closing position, the locking protruding stand of the locking member extends out of the limiting hole and limited by the button mechanism. When the button mechanism is in the opening position, the locking protruding stand of the locking member extends out of the limiting hole to apply an external force on the locking member for retraction. The locking protruding stand of the locking member can retract into the housing, and the locking member limits the button mechanism to perform the closing operation.

A protection system including: a DC power supply; a power converter that converts DC power of the DC power supply into AC power, a circuit breaker that is series-connected to an electrical path located between the DC power supply and the power converter and can open the electrical path; a DC capacitor connected to a circuit located in the power converter; a timer that counts a lapse of a predetermined length of time from turn-on of the circuit breaker; a current detector that detects current flowing in the power converter; and a protection determiner that issues an open operation command to the circuit breaker when the current detector does not detect a decrease in the current after the timer has counted a lapse of the predetermined length of time from turn-on of the circuit breaker.

A protection system including: a DC power supply; a power converter that converts DC power of the DC power supply into AC power, a circuit breaker that is series-connected to an electrical path located between the DC power supply and the power converter and can open the electrical path; a DC capacitor connected to a circuit located in the power converter; a timer that counts a lapse of a predetermined length of time from turn-on of the circuit breaker; a current detector that detects current flowing in the power converter; and a protection determiner that issues an open operation command to the circuit breaker when the current detector does not detect a decrease in the current after the timer has counted a lapse of the predetermined length of time from turn-on of the circuit breaker.

A plug-in circuit breaker with an operating button that includes a button inner end inserted inside the circuit breaker and a button outer end. An indicator slot is arranged inside the operating button, an indicating hole is arranged on the button outer end. The plug-in circuit breaker further includes an indicating member slidably inserted inside the indicator slot and one end of which is provided with a make-contact indicating surface and a break-contact indicating surface. When the plug-in circuit breaker is in a break-contact state, the break-contact indicating surface is arranged opposite to the indicating hole, thus during pressing the operating button, the indicating member moves inside the indicator slot. After the make-contact state, the make-contact indicating surface is arranged opposite to the indicating hole. The indicating member is arranged inside the operating button to save space and to indicate the break-contact and make-contact state through the indicating hole.

Devices, systems and methods for coupling sensors to intelligent electronic devices (IED's), e.g., an electrical power meter, via various communication media for electrical utility submetering are provided. The present disclosure provides a mechanism for coupling an IED to another desired device, e.g., a circuit breaker, using modular connectors (e.g., a RJ-45 connector, fiber optic connectors, etc.) and fiber-optic cables. The present disclosure also provides for coupling devices using modular connectors via wired or wireless connectivity.

A switchgear assembly includes an indicator assembly to indicate whether a movable contact is in an open or a closed position. The indicator assembly includes an indicator body having first and second sections. The indicator body is rotatable to display the first section in the open position and the second section in the closed position. The indicator assembly also includes a drive gear having a first helical spline and coupled to an actuator of the switchgear assembly such that operation of the actuator moves the drive gear, and an elongated driven gear having a second helical spline extending along a length of the driven gear and engaged with the first helical spline of the drive gear such that movement of the drive gear rotates the driven gear. The driven gear is coupled to the indicator body such that rotation of the driven gear causes rotation of the indicator body.

A switchgear assembly includes an indicator assembly to indicate whether a movable contact is in an open or a closed position. The indicator assembly includes an indicator body having first and second sections. The indicator body is rotatable to display the first section in the open position and the second section in the closed position. The indicator assembly also includes a drive gear having a first helical spline and coupled to an actuator of the switchgear assembly such that operation of the actuator moves the drive gear, and an elongated driven gear having a second helical spline extending along a length of the driven gear and engaged with the first helical spline of the drive gear such that movement of the drive gear rotates the driven gear. The driven gear is coupled to the indicator body such that rotation of the driven gear causes rotation of the indicator body.

A circuit breaker includes a first fixed contact and a first movable contact which can be switched between a closed status and a tripped status, a signaling device for signaling when the circuit breaker is in a tripped status, a trip actuator movable from an initial position to an end-stroke position when the first movable contact is switched from the closed status to the tripped status, a tripping bar which is connected to the first movable contact so as when the trip actuator moves from the initial position, the tripping bar moves and triggers switching of the first movable contact from the closed status into the tripped status, and a trip member having a single-piece shaped body, which includes a first portion actuated by the trip actuator, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and a third portion spaced apart from the first and second portions.