An insulating-material housing has first and second current path region next to each other and each having a first receiving space for a short-circuit tripping apparatus, a second receiving space for a switching contact and a third receiving space for an arc-quenching apparatus. The two first receiving spaces are arranged in a front side and a respective narrow side of the housing. The two second receiving spaces are arranged centrally between the two first receiving spaces. The third receiving spaces are arranged between a fastening side of the housing and the respectively associated first receiving space. A fourth receiving space for an additional functional assembly is next to the first and/or third receiving space of the first current path region in a normal direction of the broad sides. The compact configuration allows the circuit breaker to be expanded by an additional functional assembly in the fourth receiving space.

An insulating-material housing has first and second current path region next to each other and each having a first receiving space for a short-circuit tripping apparatus, a second receiving space for a switching contact and a third receiving space for an arc-quenching apparatus. The two first receiving spaces are arranged in a front side and a respective narrow side of the housing. The two second receiving spaces are arranged centrally between the two first receiving spaces. The third receiving spaces are arranged between a fastening side of the housing and the respectively associated first receiving space. A fourth receiving space for an additional functional assembly is next to the first and/or third receiving space of the first current path region in a normal direction of the broad sides. The compact configuration allows the circuit breaker to be expanded by an additional functional assembly in the fourth receiving space.

The present invention relates to a molded-case circuit breaker for direct current (DC), and more particularly, to a molded-case circuit breaker for DC that contains an internal connecting conductor connecting adjacent terminals to improve insulation performance and assemblability and reduce occupied space. There is provided a molded-case circuit breaker for DC that contains a plurality of interruption units within an outer casing, the DC circuit breaker including a two-unit connecting heater that connects fixed contacts of adjacent interruption units, the two-unit connecting heater being placed within the outer casing.

A miniature circuit breaker, a control method thereof, and a control system thereof, where the miniature circuit breaker includes a circuit breaker body and a current detection unit. The circuit breaker body and the current detection unit are located in respectively independent cavities in the circuit breaker and are electrically coupled to each other. After a current that flows from one end of the circuit breaker body flows through the current detection unit, the current flows into another end of the circuit breaker body. The current detection unit includes a voltage drop detection assembly and a signal output terminal. The voltage drop detection assembly includes a first voltage sampling point and a second voltage sampling point, where the first voltage sampling point and the second voltage sampling point are coupled to the signal output terminal.

A miniature circuit breaker, a control method thereof, and a control system thereof, where the miniature circuit breaker includes a circuit breaker body and a current detection unit. The circuit breaker body and the current detection unit are located in respectively independent cavities in the circuit breaker and are electrically coupled to each other. After a current that flows from one end of the circuit breaker body flows through the current detection unit, the current flows into another end of the circuit breaker body. The current detection unit includes a voltage drop detection assembly and a signal output terminal. The voltage drop detection assembly includes a first voltage sampling point and a second voltage sampling point, where the first voltage sampling point and the second voltage sampling point are coupled to the signal output terminal.

A fastening assembly is for a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker has a base and a bimetal. The fastening assembly includes a heater element structured to be coupled to the bimetal and the base, and a plurality of fastening members including a nut and a coupling member coupled to the nut. The nut is structured to be disposed between the heater element and the bimetal. The coupling member extends through the heater element and into the nut in order to minimize movement of the heater element with respect to the base.

The invention relates to a short-circuiting device for use in low-voltage and medium-voltage systems for protecting parts and personnel, comprising a switching element which can be operated by the tripping signal of a fault detection device, two mutually opposite contact electrodes having power supply means, wherein contact can be made with said contact electrodes at an electrical circuit having connections at different potentials, furthermore, in at least one of the contact electrodes, a moving contact part which is under mechanical prestress and executes a movement to the further contact electrode in a manner assisted by spring force in the event of a short circuit, a sacrificial element as spacer between the contact electrodes and also having an electrical connection between the sacrificial element and the switching element on the one hand and one of the contact electrodes on the other hand, in order to cause current flow-induced thermal deformation or destruction of the sacrificial element in a targeted manner. According to the invention, the moving contact part is in the form of a hollow cylinder which is closed on one side and a spring for generating prestress is used in the hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder is guided in a movable manner in a complementary cutout in the first contact electrode so as to form a sliding contact. In the region of the base of the closed hollow cylinder, the cylinder wall of said hollow cylinder is configured to turn into a cone on its outer circumferential side. Furthermore, starting from the base, a first pin-like extension which is situated opposite a second pin-like projection which is insulated from the contact electrodes is arranged in the interior of the hollow cylinder, wherein the sacrificial element, in the form of a bolt or screw, is arranged between the first and the second pin-like projection. A cutout which is matched to the external cone of the moving contact and has an internal cone is provided in the second contact electrode, wherein the external cone and internal cone form a bounce-free short-circuit contact region with a force-fitting and interlocking connection on account of the plastic deformation which occurs.

The invention relates to a short-circuiting device for use in low-voltage and medium-voltage systems for protecting parts and personnel, comprising a switching element which can be operated by the tripping signal of a fault detection device, two mutually opposite contact electrodes having power supply means, wherein contact can be made with said contact electrodes at an electrical circuit having connections at different potentials, furthermore, in at least one of the contact electrodes, a moving contact part which is under mechanical prestress and executes a movement to the further contact electrode in a manner assisted by spring force in the event of a short circuit, a sacrificial element as spacer between the contact electrodes and also having an electrical connection between the sacrificial element and the switching element on the one hand and one of the contact electrodes on the other hand, in order to cause current flow-induced thermal deformation or destruction of the sacrificial element in a targeted manner. According to the invention, the moving contact part is in the form of a hollow cylinder which is closed on one side and a spring for generating prestress is used in the hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder is guided in a movable manner in a complementary cutout in the first contact electrode so as to form a sliding contact. In the region of the base of the closed hollow cylinder, the cylinder wall of said hollow cylinder is configured to turn into a cone on its outer circumferential side. Furthermore, starting from the base, a first pin-like extension which is situated opposite a second pin-like projection which is insulated from the contact electrodes is arranged in the interior of the hollow cylinder, wherein the sacrificial element, in the form of a bolt or screw, is arranged between the first and the second pin-like projection. A cutout which is matched to the external cone of the moving contact and has an internal cone is provided in the second contact electrode, wherein the external cone and internal cone form a bounce-free short-circuit contact region with a force-fitting and interlocking connection on account of the plastic deformation which occurs.

A thermomagnetic trip assembly includes a thermal trip, a magnetic trip, and first and second actuation levers. The thermal trip includes a bimetal strip that is capable of deforming in order to actuate the first actuation lever. The magnetic trip includes a movable armature, a fixed armature and an electrical conductor. The movable armature is capable of moving in order to actuate the second actuation lever. The electrical conductor and the bimetal strip are electrically connected in series with one another between first and second connection terminals of the trip assembly. The movable armature is connected to the first connection terminal, the fixed armature is connected to the second connection terminal, and the respective contact areas of the fixed armature and of the movable armature are made of electrically conductive materials that exhibit a low degree of mutual weldability.

A thermomagnetic trip assembly includes a thermal trip, a magnetic trip, and first and second actuation levers. The thermal trip includes a bimetal strip that is capable of deforming in order to actuate the first actuation lever. The magnetic trip includes a movable armature, a fixed armature and an electrical conductor. The movable armature is capable of moving in order to actuate the second actuation lever. The electrical conductor and the bimetal strip are electrically connected in series with one another between first and second connection terminals of the trip assembly. The movable armature is connected to the first connection terminal, the fixed armature is connected to the second connection terminal, and the respective contact areas of the fixed armature and of the movable armature are made of electrically conductive materials that exhibit a low degree of mutual weldability.