Patent classifications
H01H71/2463
CIRCUIT BREAKERS INCORPORATING RESET LOCKOUT MECHANISMS
A circuit breaker includes a line phase terminal, a load phase terminal, a line neutral terminal, a conductive path formed between the line phase terminal and the load phase terminal, the conductive path having an open configuration and closed configuration, a sensor, a linkage configured to move the conductive path between the open configuration and the closed configuration, a rocker selectively engageable with the linkage, the rocker configured to move the linkage between an open position and a closed position, and an arm selectively engageable with the rocker, the arm to prevent the conductive path from moving to the closed configuration unless the circuit breaker passes a self-test when movement of the rocker is detected. A trip operation of the circuit breaker includes a time delay based upon an amount of current on the conductive path detected by the sensor.
Smart circuit interrupter accessories internal component diagnostics
A smart accessory device includes an actuator and is designed to be used to actuate an operating mechanism of a circuit breaker in order to either open or close the separable contacts of the circuit breaker. The accessory can be one of a shunt trip, spring release, or under voltage release device. The actuator includes a solenoid and plunger. The accessory determines the operating condition of the actuator based on how much current flows through the coil when the power source provides power to the accessory device, and continually executes a coil diagnostic to determine the operating condition of the coil while power is being provided to the accessory device. If the accessory fails to trip the circuit breaker when required, the accessory can determine whether the failure was due to either of the solenoid or the plunger.
Plug-on neutral circuit breakers with lockouts and related loadcenters and methods
Plug-on neutral circuit breakers include a housing, a plug-on neutral clip with legs extending out from the housing and a mechanical coupler of a lockout latch assembly in the housing coupled to a latch link and the plug-on neutral clip to move the mechanical coupler in response to a change in position of the plug-on neutral clip between first and second positions associated with partially and fully installed orientations to thereby provide a lockout state when not in the second position.
Miniature circuit breaker capable of rapid breaking
A miniature circuit breaker with quick current breaking capability which includes a miniature circuit breaker body, a current transformer CT1, a zero-sequence current transformer CT2 and a smart controller module. The miniature circuit breaker body is internally provided with a main arc extinguishing chamber, a fixed contact, a movable contact, a tripping mechanism, and a magnetic tripping push rod. The tripping mechanism includes a lock catch, a movable contact rocker arm, a jump pin, a connecting rod, and a tension spring. A rotated-hinge repulsive force structure is applied between the fixed contact and the movable contact. The tripping mechanism is further provided with a torsional spring to press the movable contact close to the fixed contact. A shunt tripping device controlling the miniature circuit breaker switch to be turned off is arranged in the smart controller module.
PLUG-ON NEUTRAL CIRCUIT BREAKERS WITH LOCKOUTS AND RELATED LOADCENTERS AND METHODS
Plug-on neutral circuit breakers include a housing, a plug-on neutral clip with legs extending out from the housing and a mechanical coupler of a lockout latch assembly in the housing coupled to a latch link and the plug-on neutral clip to move the mechanical coupler in response to a change in position of the plug-on neutral clip between first and second positions associated with partially and fully installed orientations to thereby provide a lockout state when not in the second position.
Interruption apparatus employing actuator having movable engagement element
An improved interruption apparatus includes a plurality of poles, with each of the poles including an actuator. In one embodiment, the actuator can be a fuse having a movable engagement element, and in another embodiment the actuator can be an electric coil that is operable to move a movable engagement element. The interruption apparatus has a single trip unit, and the engagement element of any actuator can actuate the trip unit to move all of the poles from a CLOSED state to an OPEN state.
NONCONTACT SOLENOID FOR MINIATURE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WITH A MOVABLE FRAME AND MAGNETIC COUPLING
A touchless magnetic-only coupled solenoid trip system for a miniature circuit breaker achieves magnetic tripping using a floating plunger assembly in a solenoid coil/housing to narrow a magnetic gap between plunger and trip assembly to cause the magnetic trip The floating plunger of the solenoid can also move out of the way if the bimetal bends to cause a thermal trip.
Low Profile Circuit Breaker with Self Cleaning Contacts
A circuit interrupter includes a stationary contact and a moveable contact arm assembly having a moveable contact positioned thereon, the moveable contact configured to be moveable into and out of physical contact with the stationary contact. The circuit interrupter also includes an overcurrent tripping device coupled to the moveable contact arm assembly via a linkage assembly and configured to move the moveable contact out of physical contact with the stationary contact upon detection of an overcurrent situation. The moveable contact arm assembly is connected to the linkage assembly via at least two pivots positioned on the contact arm assembly, so as to cause a relative sliding action between the moveable and stationary contacts as the moveable and stationary contacts are moved into or out of contact with each other such that a wiping action is created in order to clean the moveable and stationary contacts.
Circuit breakers with plug-on neutral connection to load center neutral bar and related load centers and methods
Plug-on neutral circuit breakers include a housing, a plug-on neutral clip with a crown held in the housing and with legs extending out from the housing and in communication with a biasing member that resides at least partially in the housing that allows the plug-on neutral clip to move between first and second positions associated with pre-installed and fully installed orientations.
Electromagnetic actuator and circuit breaker comprising such an actuator
An electromagnetic actuator including a magnetic housing, a coil that is rigidly connected to the housing and is capable of being connected to an electric circuit, a magnetic core that is arranged in the coil and can move along a central axis defined by the coil and according to the strength of the current flowing in the coil, and a shunt that is arranged in the coil and includes a magnetocaloric material the magnetisation of which is temperature-dependent. The shunt is arranged in the coil along the central axis along a length so as to create an air gap between the shunt and the magnetic core. The actuator further includes a device for attaching the shunt to the housing that are designed to adjust the length.