Patent classifications
H01H2001/506
Power contact end-of-life (EoL) predictor apparatus and method
A power contact EoL predictor includes a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a set of switchable contact electrodes of a power contact; a power switching circuit configured to trigger activation of the contact electrodes based on a first logic state signal or deactivation based on a second logic state signal; a contact separation detector determining a time of separation of the switchable contact electrodes of the power contact during the deactivation, and a controller configured to generate the second logic state signal to trigger the deactivation, and determine a stick duration associated with the set of switchable contact electrodes. The stick duration is based on a difference between a time the second logic state signal is generated and the time of separation during the contact cycle. The controller generates an EoL prediction for the contact electrodes based on the determined stick duration for multiple contact cycles.
Power Contact Health Assessor Apparatus and Method
A system includes a dry contact with a first pair of switchable electrodes, a wet contact with a second pair of switchable electrodes, an arc suppressor operatively, and a controller circuit operatively coupled to the arc suppressor and the first and second pairs of switchable electrodes. The controller circuit is configured to detect a failure of the wet contact and determine a stick duration associated with the first pair of switchable electrodes. The controller circuit generates a health assessment for the first pair of switchable electrodes based on a comparison of the determined stick duration with an average stick duration associated with a window of observation.
Electronic circuit breaker with physical open-contact construction and fail-safe protection with disabling feature
A circuit breaker includes contacts movable between a closed position wherein a line terminal and a load terminal are in electrical communication, and an open position wherein the line and the load terminals are electrically isolated. A primary trip coil and a secondary trip coil are connected to the contacts, each causing the contacts to move from the closed position to the open position when activated, thereby tripping the breaker. A monitoring circuit, upon a determination being made that the breaker is not operating within acceptable trip parameters, causes activation of the primary coil, and, upon a determination being made that the breaker is not operating within acceptable disable parameters, causes activation of the secondary coil. The breaker is user resettable if the breaker has been tripped by the primary trip coil, but is not user resettable if the breaker has been tripped by the secondary trip coil.
Protection device
A protection device includes a movable arm, a fixed terminal, and a bimetallic member, and a casing that accommodates them, the bimetallic member is located either above or below the movable arm, one end of the bimetallic member applies force to one end of the movable arm, thereby holding one end of the movable arm and the fixed terminal in contact.
Retaining assembly for a circuit breaker contact system
A moveable contact arm assembly includes a moveable contact arm having a moveable contact thereon. Also included is a carrier assembly operatively coupled to the moveable contact arm. Further included is a first end plate operatively coupled to the carrier assembly and a bottom bracket operatively coupled to the first end plate. Yet further included is a first latch member coupled to the bottom bracket, the first latch member comprising a first guiding surface and defining a first recess portion. Also included is a guide pin extending from the carrier assembly and in contact with the first guiding surface of the first latch member during movement of the moveable contact arm assembly. Also included is a first stop pin extending from the carrier assembly and disposed in the first recess portion of the first latch member in the blow open condition of the circuit breaker.