A solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) comprises a breaker housing, line-in and line-out terminals and one or more solid state switching components. The SSCB further comprises an air gap disposed between the line-in and line-out terminals and coupled in series with the solid-state switching components to complete a current conducting path when closed. The air gap includes an air gap driving mechanism. The solid-state circuit breaker further comprises an air gap actuator to interact with the air gap driving mechanism. The SSCB further comprises a controller that controls the air gap actuator and is configured to: (a). send a tripping signal to the air gap actuator and the one or more solid state switching components at substantially the same time or (b). send a tripping signal to the air gap actuator a short amount of time earlier than sending the tripping signal to the one or more solid state switching components.

Multi-pole and single-pole circuit breakers include a housing and a reset lockout mechanism disposed within the housing. The reset lockout mechanism disables electrical communication between line and load terminals of the circuit breaker if a predefined condition exists. Some circuit breakers include a single actuator, transition between ON and OFF states, and are capable of performing test functions. The test functions may involve testing AFCI and/or GFCI functions of the circuit breakers. The test functions may be performed when the circuit breaker transitions from an OFF state to an ON state. Some circuit breakers including a reset lockout mechanism may be powered only on its line side. Some circuit breakers provide an electrical indication when they are in the OFF state.

Multi-pole and single-pole circuit breakers include a housing and a reset lockout mechanism disposed within the housing. The reset lockout mechanism disables electrical communication between line and load terminals of the circuit breaker if a predefined condition exists. Some circuit breakers include a single actuator, transition between ON and OFF states, and are capable of performing test functions. The test functions may involve testing AFCI and/or GFCI functions of the circuit breakers. The test functions may be performed when the circuit breaker transitions from an OFF state to an ON state. Some circuit breakers including a reset lockout mechanism may be powered only on its line side. Some circuit breakers provide an electrical indication when they are in the OFF state.

Multi-pole and single-pole circuit breakers include a housing and a reset lockout mechanism disposed within the housing. The reset lockout mechanism disables electrical communication between line and load terminals of the circuit breaker if a predefined condition exists. Some circuit breakers include a single actuator, transition between ON and OFF states, and are capable of performing test functions. The test functions may involve testing AFCI and/or GFCI functions of the circuit breakers. The test functions may be performed when the circuit breaker transitions from an OFF state to an ON state. Some circuit breakers including a reset lockout mechanism may be powered only on its line side. Some circuit breakers provide an electrical indication when they are in the OFF state.

Multi-pole and single-pole circuit breakers include a housing and a reset lockout mechanism disposed within the housing. The reset lockout mechanism disables electrical communication between line and load terminals of the circuit breaker if a predefined condition exists. Some circuit breakers include a single actuator, transition between ON and OFF states, and are capable of performing test functions. The test functions may involve testing AFCI and/or GFCI functions of the circuit breakers. The test functions may be performed when the circuit breaker transitions from an OFF state to an ON state. Some circuit breakers including a reset lockout mechanism may be powered only on its line side. Some circuit breakers provide an electrical indication when they are in the OFF state.

A circuit breaker includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact moveable between an open state and a closed state; an armature, wherein movement of the armature from a first position to a second position initiates the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact to move from the closed state to the open state; a first electromagnetic device configured to move the armature from the first position to the second position in response to being energized by a first signal; and a second electromagnetic device configured to move the armature from the first position to the second position in response to being energized by a second signal and in response to generation of the first signal and the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact still being in the closed state. Other circuit breakers and methods of operating circuit breakers are disclosed.

A fault detector test device includes a test switch including a pivotable lever arm having a first end pivotably connected to rotate about an axis and a second end pivotable in an arc around the axis between an active position and an inactive position. A slide member has a first end accessible by an operator and a second end that cooperates with the second end of the lever arm, the slide member being slideable with respect to the axis of the lever arm such that the second end of the slide member slides in a plane that is substantially tangential to the arc in which the second end of the lever arm pivots. The second end of the slide member and the second end of the lever arm cooperate such that generally planar sliding motion of the slide member is translated into pivoting motion of the lever arm.

The circuit breaker according to the present invention comprises: a pair of contact mechanisms for switching a pair of circuits; a switching mechanism for driving the pair of contact mechanism to a circuit opening position or a circuit closing position; a trip bar rotatable to a first position for latching the switching mechanism or to a second position for releasing the switching mechanism; and an instant trip mechanism for pressing the trip bar to rotate to the second position, wherein the instant trip mechanism comprises a pair of armature assemblies and movable to a position for pressing the trip bar to rotate to the second position; and a pair of electromagnets provided to face the pair of armature assemblies and applies a magnetic attractive force to the pair of armature assemblies in response to the fault current on the circuit requiring an instant trip.

A circuit breaker includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact moveable between an open state and a closed state; an armature, wherein movement of the armature from a first position to a second position initiates the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact to move from the closed state to the open state; a first electromagnetic device configured to move the armature from the first position to the second position in response to being energized by a first signal; and a second electromagnetic device configured to move the armature from the first position to the second position in response to being energized by a second signal and in response to generation of the first signal and the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact still being in the closed state. Other circuit breakers and methods of operating circuit breakers are disclosed.

A fault detector test device includes a test switch including a pivotable lever arm having a first end pivotably connected to rotate about an axis and a second end pivotable in an arc around the axis between an active position and an inactive position. A slide member has a first end accessible by an operator and a second end that cooperates with the second end of the lever arm, the slide member being slideable with respect to the axis of the lever arm such that the second end of the slide member slides in a plane that is substantially tangential to the arc in which the second end of the lever arm pivots. The second end of the slide member and the second end of the lever arm cooperate such that generally planar sliding motion of the slide member is translated into pivoting motion of the lever arm.