Abstract:
An indicator circuit used primarily, but not exclusively, within a conventional circuit breaker. The indicator circuit consists of a light-emitting diode and a capacitor connected in series and provided on the neutral line of the circuit breaker. The circuit is connected in series with the main breaker switch and the light-emitting diode is energized when the circuit breaker is in the ON position. Alternatively, this indicator circuit can be used to determine the operational status of various load devices.
Abstract:
A circuit breaker having a manually-resettable handle which extends when the breaker is tripped by a circuit overload. An indicator lamp housed within the handle is lit when an overload condition occurs. The handle also has a lens for allowing light from the lamp to be visible. The far end of the handle has a wedge-shaped member for breaking the main circuit between two main contacts in the circuit breaker when an overload occurs. The wedge-shaped member also has two conductive sheets on its upper and lower surfaces for completing the circuit for the indicator lamp when the overload condition occurs. When the handle moves as a result of a circuit overload, the wedge-shaped member of the handle moves in between the main contacts in the circuit breaker and separates them thereby breaking the main circuits. At the same time that the main circuit contacts are being opened, the conductive sheets on the upper and lower surfaces of the wedge-shaped handle member complete the circuit for the indicator lamp thereby indicating the presence of an overload and a tripped circuit breaker.
Abstract:
A circuit breaker is provided with a hook operating to hold the breaker movable contacts open against the bias of charged mechanism springs. The hook is selectively actuated by a closing solenoid to release the contacts for abrupt closure under the urgence of the mechanism springs. An indicator is appropriately positioned under the joint control of the breaker mechanism and movable contacts to identify OFF, charged and ON breaker conditions and to, in turn, control an actuating lever for a switch operating in an external charged signalling and closing solenoid circuit.
Abstract:
A circuit breaker having a handle stop for restraining the handle in a "tripped" or central position after the circuit breaker is electrically tripped to mechanically and visually indicate the tripped position.Also, an actuator is supported within the case of the circuit breaker and pivoted by the linkage mechanism (only when the latter is electrically tripped). During manual opening and closing of the circuit breaker contacts, the linkage mechanism does not pivot the actuator.Pivoting of the actuator (upon electrical tripping of the linkage mechanism) causes the actuator to engage and activate an auxiliary switch.When the circuit breaker handle is moved to the "off" position from the "tripped" or central position, the linkage mechanism simultaneously releases the actuator and the auxiliary switch is deactivated.
Abstract:
A plug-in line protector of small size for a communications circuit for protection of personnel and inside equipment against overvoltage, overcurrent, or both. An overvoltage of short duration applied to the protector arcs across an airgap to ground, while overvoltage of longer duration generates heat that melts a solder pellet permitting a spring-pressed contact member to establish a metallic path from line to ground. Following such action, the contact member and associated solder can be removed and replaced by a new member and solder pellet. The protector also contemplates an overcurrent protective means having a printed circuit insulating member movable from a normal inward position by a spring means to an outward position when subjected to an overcurrent condition. The movable printed circuit insulating member has a heat-responsive mechanism, including a ratchet wheel and pawl means, actuated by a heat coil to sense an overcurrent condition. When the printed circuit insulating member is moved from inward to outward position as a result of an overcurrent condition on an incoming line terminal of the protector, the incoming terminal is connected to ground through a metallic path and the outgoing terminal of the protector leading to inside equipment is disconnected from the circuit. The protector has visual means for locating readily a circuit exposed to an overcurrent condition, and also an auxiliary circuit for energizing an audible device to provide supplementary indication of the condition. The overcurrent protective means following an instance of operation readily may be reset by manually moving the printed circuit insulating member to inward position, thereby conditioning the protector for response to a subsequent overcurrent condition. In the illustrated embodiment, the protector has two incoming terminals and two outgoing terminals. An overvoltage of longer duration on either incoming terminal will melt the aforesaid solder pellet and provide a metallic path to ground for both incoming terminals, thereby maintaining the associated communications circuit in balanced condition.