An electric switch includes a thermal tripping unit which, when a thermal budget acting on it is exceeded, trips and switches off the electric switch. In an embodiment, the tripping unit includes an adjustment module which, as a function of an accessory connected to the electric switch, uses an actuating element to set a tripping element of the thermal tripping unit such that the heat effect of the accessory is compensated for in the event of tripping.

An electric switch includes a thermal tripping unit which, when a thermal budget acting on it is exceeded, trips and switches off the electric switch. In an embodiment, the tripping unit includes an adjustment module which, as a function of an accessory connected to the electric switch, uses an actuating element to set a tripping element of the thermal tripping unit such that the heat effect of the accessory is compensated for in the event of tripping.

A circuit breaker (100) includes a housing (102), a first trip mechanism (120), and a second trip mechanism. The first trip mechanism (120) includes a first plunger (134) selectively spring biased to a first plunger extended position from a first plunger retracted position. The second trip mechanism (122) includes a second pin (154) supported on the first plunger (134) and configured to be driven by the first plunger (134) to a second pin extended position that follows the first plunger extended position. A second lever (160) fixed with respect to the second pin (154) is configured to be driven by the second pin (154) to a second lever extended position. A second plunger (162) is selectively spring biased to a second plunger extended position, and when the second pin (154) is driven to the second pin extended position, the second lever (160) follows the second pin (154) to the second lever extended position to allow the second plunger (162) to be in the second plunger (162) extended position.

A circuit breaker (100) includes a housing (102), a first trip mechanism (120), and a second trip mechanism. The first trip mechanism (120) includes a first plunger (134) selectively spring biased to a first plunger extended position from a first plunger retracted position. The second trip mechanism (122) includes a second pin (154) supported on the first plunger (134) and configured to be driven by the first plunger (134) to a second pin extended position that follows the first plunger extended position. A second lever (160) fixed with respect to the second pin (154) is configured to be driven by the second pin (154) to a second lever extended position. A second plunger (162) is selectively spring biased to a second plunger extended position, and when the second pin (154) is driven to the second pin extended position, the second lever (160) follows the second pin (154) to the second lever extended position to allow the second plunger (162) to be in the second plunger (162) extended position.

An electrical overload protection device for readily identifying and resetting a tripped circuit breaker includes a button, which is retained in depressed and extended configurations by a biaser. A first end and a second end of a plate spring are attached to the housing and the biaser, respectively. A bimetal strip, which is attached to and positioned in the housing, is reversibly deformable and thus bendable upon exposure to a specified current. Depressing the button contacts the biaser with the bimetal strip to complete an electrical circuit, which, should it exceed the specified current, bends the bimetal strip to actuate the plate spring to extend a shaft from the housing. The bending also disengages the biaser from the bimetal strip and breaks the electrical circuit. Depressing the shaft reverses deformation of the bimetal strip and reextends the button so it is again depressible to complete the electrical circuit.

A circuit breaker device includes a bimetallic overcurrent protection element which is configured to be placed in series with an integrated replaceable fuse. The replaceable fuse may be faster-acting than the bimetallic overcurrent protection element, and may be higher-rated than the bimetallic overcurrent protection element. The circuit breaker device may include an electrically isolated terminal stud having a height sufficient to retain the replaceable fuse thereon, the electrically isolated terminal stud not directly connected to the bimetallic overcurrent protection element, so that current can only flow through the bimetallic overcurrent protection element when a replaceable fuse comprising an intact fuse element is supported on the electrically isolated terminal stud.

Switches with integrated overcurrent protection elements are described. The overcurrent protection elements can include a bimetallic structure which is configured to move between a first shape and a second shape in response to heating. The overcurrent protection element can be rotationally coupled to a rotary knob in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the overcurrent protection element can be fixed, and the rotary knob can be connected to one or more rotatable conductive structures within the rotary switch.

Switches with integrated overcurrent protection elements are described. The overcurrent protection elements can include a bimetallic structure which is configured to move between a first shape and a second shape in response to heating. The overcurrent protection element can be rotationally coupled to a rotary knob in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the overcurrent protection element can be fixed, and the rotary knob can be connected to one or more rotatable conductive structures within the rotary switch.

A control system is designed to control an interrupter. The interrupter is started by a startup current to interrupt a main electric circuit. The startup current flows through an auxiliary electric circuit and has a current valve equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The control system includes a driving unit and a driven unit. The driving unit includes an intermediate electrical path to be connected to the main electric circuit. The driven unit is to be connected to the auxiliary electric circuit. When an abnormal current having a current value equal to or greater than a prescribed value flows through the intermediate electrical path, the driving unit uses, as a drive source for driving the driven unit, the abnormal current flowing through the intermediate electrical path. The driven unit supplies the auxiliary electric circuit with the startup current by being driven by the driving unit.

A control system is designed to control an interrupter. The interrupter is started by a startup current to interrupt a main electric circuit. The startup current flows through an auxiliary electric circuit and has a current valve equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The control system includes a driving unit and a driven unit. The driving unit includes an intermediate electrical path to be connected to the main electric circuit. The driven unit is to be connected to the auxiliary electric circuit. When an abnormal current having a current value equal to or greater than a prescribed value flows through the intermediate electrical path, the driving unit uses, as a drive source for driving the driven unit, the abnormal current flowing through the intermediate electrical path. The driven unit supplies the auxiliary electric circuit with the startup current by being driven by the driving unit.