A solid-state circuit breaker comprises an airgap operating mechanism including components and a housing that houses the components of the airgap operating mechanism such that each component in the operating mechanism is configured to operate in a way that only limited amount of space is required to achieve functions of ON, OFF, and TRIP. The components of the operating mechanism include a contact arm, a handle, and an interface feature to interface between the handle and the contact arm to apply a force thereon. The interface feature is configured to adjust the contact arm ensuring an optimal positioning. The components of the operating mechanism include a double pivot of the contact arm and a handle feature in that the contact arm has two-pivot legs, an armature, an armature pivot feature and a stopper feature, a cradle, and a stopper pin configured to stop the cradle during TRIP operation.

A solid-state circuit breaker configured to turn off electronics before a pair of opposing primary main contacts are opened. The solid-state circuit breaker includes a main mechanism including a pair of opposing primary main contacts. The solid-state circuit breaker further includes electronics including semiconductors and software algorithms that control the power and can interrupt currents. The solid-state circuit breaker further includes a switching system including a secondary switch that is configured to be actuated prior to opening of the primary main contacts. The secondary switch is configured to turn off the power to the electronics of the solid-state circuit breaker before the primary main contacts are opened to eliminate or reduce electrical arcing across the primary main contacts.

A multi-finger electrical contact assembly having unequal electrical resistance in current paths through each finger providing relatively high current withstand capability. The multi-finger electrical contact assembly includes three or more fingers each with a coupled conductor, wherein one or more outer fingers and coupled conductor of the assembly have greater electrical resistance than an inner finger and coupled conductor. Multi-phase circuit breakers including the multi-finger electrical contact assembly and methods are provided, as are other aspects.

Circuit breakers are configured with line terminal geometry that drives the current from a terminal input in a direction that can reduce electromagnetic forces and that can also or alternatively include an arc chute assembly that can reduce repulsive electromagnetic forces to improve the operating level of withstand current (Icw).

Disclosed is a switching device comprising a vacuum tube and an adjustable drive for opening and closing the contacts of the switching device. The switching device also comprises a sensor for detecting physical properties of the operating site of the switching device. The detected physical property adapts the adjustable drive for opening and closing the contacts to the operating site.

A vacuum interrupter is provided for use in a low voltage residential circuit breaker. The vacuum interrupter comprises a sealed vacuum tube. The sealed vacuum tube is being closed at a first end with an end plate and closed at a second end with an end spring. The vacuum interrupter comprises a first contact terminal passing through the end plate and having a fixed contact near a distal end of the first contact terminal. The vacuum interrupter comprises a second contact terminal having a free end. The second contact terminal passing through the end spring and having a movable contact being configured to contact the fixed contact of the first contact terminal. The end spring is configured to receive a force on the free end of the second contact terminal to provide open or close operations of the vacuum interrupter.

A vacuum interrupter is provided for use in a low voltage residential circuit breaker. The vacuum interrupter comprises a sealed vacuum tube. The sealed vacuum tube is being closed at a first end with an end plate and closed at a second end with an end spring. The vacuum interrupter comprises a first contact terminal passing through the end plate and having a fixed contact near a distal end of the first contact terminal. The vacuum interrupter comprises a second contact terminal having a free end. The second contact terminal passing through the end spring and having a movable contact being configured to contact the fixed contact of the first contact terminal. The end spring is configured to receive a force on the free end of the second contact terminal to provide open or close operations of the vacuum interrupter.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a movable contact assembly for a circuit breaker, which includes a fixed contact, a connector formed to protrude from one side of a terminal connected to a load or a power source, a plurality of movable contacts pivotably installed at the connector through a connector pin and configured to be contactable to or separable from the fixed contact, a side holder pivotably installed at the connector through the connector pin, a catch pivotably installed at the connector, supported on the side holder, and configured to restrict a rebound phenomenon of the plurality of movable contacts when current limiting interruption occurs, and a pressurizing protrusion formed at a lower portion of each of the plurality of movable contacts and configured to push the catch when the current limiting interruption occurs.

An interrupter system includes a first coil and an interrupter electrically connected to the first coil. The interrupter includes: a first terminal; a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal; a third terminal electrically separated from the first terminal and the second terminal; a heat generating element electrically connected to the third terminal; and an explosive configured to be ignited by the heat generating element to produce a gas for interrupting an electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first coil is electrically connected to the heat generating element via the third terminal. Moreover, the first coil is configured to, when an abnormal current flows between the first terminal and the second terminal, generate an electric power for igniting the explosive from the abnormal current.

An electrical circuit breaker with separable electrical contacts includes a fixed electrical contact, a mobile electrical contact, that can be displaced between open and closed positions and including several electrical contact fingers, arranged aligned along a row and that can be displaced relative to the mobile electrical contact, several bearing members, each associated with a contact finger to exert a force on this contact finger in order to displace it. The bearing members associated with the contact fingers situated in lateral end zones of the row exhibit a higher stiffness than the bearing members associated with the contact fingers situated in a central part of the row.