Disclosed herein are efficient mechanical fuse devices that are capable of functioning at high current levels. These devices comprise mechanical features configured such that the fuse devices have a non-triggered state, which allows current to flow through the device, and a triggered state, which does not allow current to flow through the device. In some embodiments, the devices are configured such that a certain pre-determined current level flowing through the device will generate a sufficient electromagnetic field to cause the mechanical elements to transition the fuse device into the triggered state and thus interrupt a connected electrical circuit, device or system. In some embodiments, these devices can also comprise hermetically sealed components. In some embodiments, the fuse devices can comprise pyrotechnic features.

Circuit breakers with a housing with a line side and a load side and an electronically controlled lock-out lock member coupled to the housing configured to electronically controllably travel between a first position and a second position. In the second position, the lock member is in a lock-out position and prevents the handle from moving to an ON position associated with electrical current conduction and in the first position the lock member is translated to a position that allows the handle to move to the ON position.

A device with “plug-in” receptacle that mounts in a breaker panel. The plug receptacle receives a power cord inserted by the operator. The device includes a multifunction circuit interrupt that offers overload, thermal, and ground fault (GFCI) protection for the operator in hazardous environments such as garages, shops and spider boxes at construction sites. The devices may include a networkable node or port and onboard comm circuitry that is compatible with a wired or wireless TOT network. In another embodiment, a dummy breaker body includes a plug receptacle with a GFCI interrupt circuit but no direct electrical connection to the hot bus bar, and is wired in series with a conventional circuit breaker module in a breaker panel. Using solid state electronics, the GFCI panel-mounted devices may be configured to perform an automatic fault test prior to each use. Network systems using smart breaker devices are described.

Provided is a molded case circuit breaker including a front space, a rear space divided from the front space, a fixed contact unit provided on one side of the front space and in electric contact with one of a power supply and a load, a movable contact unit installed in the front space to be movable and in contact with the fixed contact unit, a switching device installed in the rear space and operating to allow the movable contact unit to be in selective contact with the fixed contact unit, an operation device installed in the front space and the rear space and transferring the movable contact unit according to operation of the switching device, an arc extinguishment chamber installed on the one side of the front space and extinguishing an arc induced while the fixed contact unit is being separated from the movable contact unit, and a barrier preventing backward movement of the arc from at least one position of a moving way of the movable contact unit, the position separate from the fixed contact unit.

Provided is a molded case circuit breaker including a front space, a rear space divided from the front space, a fixed contact unit provided on one side of the front space and in electric contact with one of a power supply and a load, a movable contact unit installed in the front space to be movable and in contact with the fixed contact unit, a switching device installed in the rear space and operating to allow the movable contact unit to be in selective contact with the fixed contact unit, an operation device installed in the front space and the rear space and transferring the movable contact unit according to operation of the switching device, an arc extinguishment chamber installed on the one side of the front space and extinguishing an arc induced while the fixed contact unit is being separated from the movable contact unit, and a barrier preventing backward movement of the arc from at least one position of a moving way of the movable contact unit, the position separate from the fixed contact unit.

A trippable control system for one or more electrical breaker poles, comprises a first link pivotable about a first pivot point between first and second positions; a second link pivotable about a pivot axis for connecting to one or more breaker poles, whereby movement of the first link causes the second link to pivot about the pivot axis between a position for opening and a position for closing the breaker pole(s); and a trip mechanism suitable for releasing the first pivot point and for exerting a movement force on the first link to move the first link between the second and third positions when the first link pivots about a second pivot point. Movement of the first link between the second and third positions causes the second link to pivot about the pivot axis between the position for closing the breaker pole(s) and the position for opening the breaker gear.

A pyrotechnic circuit breaker (1), comprising a body (2), an igniter (4), a piston (5) and a bus bar (6), wherein the igniter (4), the piston (5) and the bus bar (6) are adapted to be accommodated within the body (2), and wherein the piston (5) comprises a cutting edge (51) and is adapted move along a normal direction (Z-Z) to cut a portion (61) of the bus bar (6), thereby separating the bus bar (6) into a proximal portion and a distal portion in order to break a circuit,

wherein the cutting edge (51) of the piston (5) is stepped so that the portion of the bus bar (6) is cut sequentially, in at least two successive cutting operations along the movement of the piston (5) from a raised position to a lowered position,

characterized in that the bus blade (6) comprises a breakable portion (61) configured to be cut by the cutting edge (51) of the piston (5), wherein said breakable portion (61) comprises slots (62) in order to divide the breakable portion (61) into multiple sub-portions (61a, 61b, 61c) that are adapted to be cut sequentially by the stepped cutting edge (51) of the piston (5).

A pyrotechnic circuit breaker (1), comprising a body (2), an igniter (4), a piston (5) and a bus bar (6), wherein the igniter (4), the piston (5) and the bus bar (6) are adapted to be accommodated within the body (2), and wherein the piston (5) comprises a cutting edge (51) and is adapted move along a normal direction (Z-Z) to cut a portion (61) of the bus bar (6), thereby separating the bus bar (6) into a proximal portion and a distal portion in order to break a circuit,

wherein the cutting edge (51) of the piston (5) is stepped so that the portion of the bus bar (6) is cut sequentially, in at least two successive cutting operations along the movement of the piston (5) from a raised position to a lowered position,

characterized in that the bus blade (6) comprises a breakable portion (61) configured to be cut by the cutting edge (51) of the piston (5), wherein said breakable portion (61) comprises slots (62) in order to divide the breakable portion (61) into multiple sub-portions (61a, 61b, 61c) that are adapted to be cut sequentially by the stepped cutting edge (51) of the piston (5).

An apparatus for auxiliary contact of a circuit breaker includes a frame, a fixed contactor fixed to the frame inside the frame, a movable contactor installed inside the frame to be contacted with or separated from the fixed contactor, and a contact control member installed inside the frame, the contact control member being formed in a straight line shape, the contact control member being pressurized upward as an overcurrent is applied to the circuit breaker to allow the movable contactor to be contacted with or separated from the fixed contactor.

An apparatus for auxiliary contact of a circuit breaker includes a frame, a fixed contactor fixed to the frame inside the frame, a movable contactor installed inside the frame to be contacted with or separated from the fixed contactor, and a contact control member installed inside the frame, the contact control member being formed in a straight line shape, the contact control member being pressurized upward as an overcurrent is applied to the circuit breaker to allow the movable contactor to be contacted with or separated from the fixed contactor.