An overload release includes a bimetallic element, a tripping slide, a latch and an energy store. In an overload situation the bimetallic element actuates the tripping slide; as a result, the tripping slide actuates the latch, and as a result, the latch allows the movement of the energy store. The latch is provided with a latch area and the energy store is provided with a latching area, the two areas mechanically interacting in the latched state and the latch area being released from the latching area in the unlatched state, when there is an overload, to allow the movement of the energy store. Further, the latch area or the latching area includes a projection.

A circuit breaker according to the present invention includes a terminal switching unit mounted in an enclosure thereof, and the terminal switching unit accommodates, in a base as an outer casing thereof, a fixed contactor and a movable contactor contactable with and separated from each other, a sliding unit rotatably supporting the movable contactor, and a detection mechanism to detect a fault current. Radiators are provided at side portions of at least one of a contact portion where the movable contactor comes in contact with the fixed contactor, the sliding unit and the detection mechanism, each radiator radiating heat to the outside of the base. This may prevent an increase in temperature of the circuit breaker within a limited space without an increase in costs.

An overcurrent protection device for a circuit to be monitored, includes at least one trigger unit, which is configured for an interruption of the circuit in at least one trigger situation and which comprises at least one conductor section, which is configured for a conduction of a current to be monitored, at least one trigger element, which comprises at least one magnetically and thermally shape-shiftable material and is, in the trigger situation, configured for a thermally-induced and/or magnetically-induced deformation in dependence on a current that flows through the conductor section, and at least one actuation element, which is operatively connected with the trigger element and is configured for a transmission of at least one actuation movement and/or at least one actuation force to at least one interrupter switch.

An overcurrent protection device for a circuit to be monitored, includes at least one trigger unit, which is configured for an interruption of the circuit in at least one trigger situation and which comprises at least one conductor section, which is configured for a conduction of a current to be monitored, at least one trigger element, which comprises at least one magnetically and thermally shape-shiftable material and is, in the trigger situation, configured for a thermally-induced and/or magnetically-induced deformation in dependence on a current that flows through the conductor section, and at least one actuation element, which is operatively connected with the trigger element and is configured for a transmission of at least one actuation movement and/or at least one actuation force to at least one interrupter switch.

A switching mechanism of a circuit breaker includes a case, a handle rotatably coupled to a side plate fixed to the case, a U-pin coupled to a lower portion of the handle, a lever coupled to the U-pin, and a crossbar disposed in a mounting portion protruding from the case to be perpendicularly movable, the crossbar being moved by receiving contact pressure of the lever, wherein the lever is provided with a contact pressure portion formed in a curved surface on a lower surface thereof, to press the crossbar perpendicularly downward upon closing a circuit.

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.

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.

An overcurrent protection device for a circuit to be monitored, includes at least one trigger unit, which is configured for an interruption of the circuit in at least one trigger situation and which comprises at least one conductor section, which is configured for a conduction of a current to be monitored, at least one trigger element, which comprises at least one magnetically and thermally shape-shiftable material and is, in the trigger situation, configured for a thermally-induced and/or magnetically-induced deformation in dependence on a current that flows through the conductor section, and at least one actuation element, which is operatively connected with the trigger element and is configured for a transmission of at least one actuation movement and/or at least one actuation force to at least one interrupter switch.

An overcurrent protection device for a circuit to be monitored, includes at least one trigger unit, which is configured for an interruption of the circuit in at least one trigger situation and which comprises at least one conductor section, which is configured for a conduction of a current to be monitored, at least one trigger element, which comprises at least one magnetically and thermally shape-shiftable material and is, in the trigger situation, configured for a thermally-induced and/or magnetically-induced deformation in dependence on a current that flows through the conductor section, and at least one actuation element, which is operatively connected with the trigger element and is configured for a transmission of at least one actuation movement and/or at least one actuation force to at least one interrupter switch.

The present disclosure relates to a circuit breaker, and more particularly, to a switching mechanism of a circuit breaker. A switching mechanism of a circuit breaker according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a case, a handle rotatably coupled to a side plate fixed to the case, a U-pin coupled to a lower portion of the handle, a lever coupled to the U-pin, and a crossbar disposed in a mounting portion protruding from the case to be perpendicularly movable, the crossbar being moved by receiving contact pressure of the lever, wherein the lever is provided with a contact pressure portion formed in a curved surface on a lower surface thereof, to press the crossbar perpendicularly downward upon breaking a circuit.