Abstract:
A so-called blow-off type current limiting circuit breaker includes a stationary contact strap that is divided into three elongated closely spaced coplanar parallel arms that are connected to each other at one end of the strap. The stationary contact is mounted to the interior one of the parallel arms at the end thereof remote from the one end of the strap. A terminal portion of the strap connects exterior ones of the parallel arms to one another at the ends thereof remote from the one end of the strap. A movable contact engageable with and disengageable from the stationary contact is mounted to one end of a movable contact arm that is pivoted at its opposite end in the region of the one end of the strap, extending parallel to the arms of the strap and being aligned with the interior arm. Current in the interior arm flows in a direction opposite to the direction of current flow in the exterior arms and the movable contact arm. With the contact engaged, the interior arm and the movable contact arm are very close to one another so that upon the occurrence of severe fault current conditions, repelling electrodynamic forces of sufficient magnitude are developed between the movable contact arm and the interior arm to separate the contacts very rapidly, thereby limiting the magnitude of the fault current to a value within the rating of the circuit breaker.
Abstract:
A magnetic trip means for automatically opening a circuit breaker contact upon the occurrence of predetermined fault current conditions is constructed of a stationary yoke, an armature biased away from the yoke and movable toward the yoke for tripping of the switch, an actuating coil in series with the contacts, and a sealed capsule coaxial with the coil for obtaining selected tripping characteristics. Within the sealed capsule there is a movable magnetic core biased to a normal position extending substantially outside the coil. The core is movable inside of the coil toward the armature upon the occurrence of overload current conditions with movements of the core toward the armature being retarded in a controlled manner. Control is obtained by closely spacing the outer cylindrical wall of the core and the inner cylindrical wall of the capsule, and additionally by utilizing a viscous fluid within the capsule. For a given overload current, as the core moves closer to the armature there is an increased force acting to move the armature toward tripping position.
Abstract:
A unitized combination motor starter is provided with a single insulated housing wherein a plurality of pole units are disposed in side-by-side relationship. The pole units are electrically connected in series with an electromagnetic contactor disposed within the insulated housing and located at one end of the pole units. A spring powered contact operating mechanism for the pole units is disposed on one side of the pole units. An overload sensing electromagnet coil, provided for each of the pole units, is positioned for removal and replacement after opening the front cover of the insulated housing.
Abstract:
A molded housing contains a pair of cooperating contacts arranged to be magnetically blown open and an arc chute therefor. The contacts are biased closed and there is no mechanism for manually operating or latching open the contacts. The magnetically blown-open contacts are connected in series with respective poles of a conventional circuit interrupter which also has magnetically blown open contacts but which also has manual operating means and latch means for the contact system.
Abstract:
An electric switch mounted within an enclosure having a hinged cover is manually operated from outside the enclosure by a handle mechanism secured to the enclosure. The cover is provided with a single aperture near the edge thereof remote from the cover hinges, with this aperture providing clearance for the operating handle of the mechanism when the cover is closed and also providing clearance for a catch which holds the cover closed. The mechanism also includes a defeatable cover interlock to prevent opening of the cover when the switch is closed, and a defeatable switch interlock to prevent closing of the switch when the cover is open.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a very simple and effective current limiting circuit breaker of great versatility which is especially adaptable for motor control centers and combinations starters. That breaker can be used with various interchangeable trip units always with the same basic mechanism.(a) for instantaneous trip type circuit breakers of various current ratings having high interrupting capacity and low I.sup.2 t value to protect control equipment at high fault currents.(b) for high interrupting capacity thermal magnetic circuit breakers at various current ratings.(c) for circuit breakers with solid state tripping units to protect against overloads, short circuits, single phasing, underloads, etc.
Abstract:
A so-called blow-off type current limiting circuit breaker is provided with an elongated movable contact arm that is pivotally mounted at one end thereof on a pin that projects from opposite sides of a support. The contact arm is constructed of parallel sections that are biased toward one another, by spring means disposed remote from the support, with the support being resiliently clamped between the sections to provide a good electrical connection between the support and contact arm. The pivot pin extends through aligned enlarged pivot apertures in the parallel sections to facilitate weld breaking. A wall of each pivot aperture is disposed to cooperate with the pivot pin to achieve a camming action that moves the contact arm slightly lengthwise after initial butting engagement of the circuit breaker main contacts to wipe the engaged contacts with respect to one another.
Abstract:
A unitized combination starter is constructed with circuit breaker and contactor sections, each of which is provided with a pair of spaced stationary contacts and a cooperating movable bridging contact. The bridging contacts are closely spaced, are parallel and carry currents which flow in opposite directions. Under severe fault conditions a strong blowoff effect is created to force both bridging contacts in their respective contact opening directions. This quickly places four air gaps in the current path to severely limit current rise and thereby facilitate circuit interruption.
Abstract:
A switch has contacts constructed so that an electro-dynamic force is created by the current flowing through the switch which tends to maintain the switch in a closed state. This force counteracts other electro-dynamic forces which tend to open the switch. The contact design is particularly adapted from use in a single pole-double throw switch having a contact arm that is movable between two fixed contacts. The electro-dynamic force compensation exists between the contact arm and whichever one of the fixed contacts the contact arm is against. The fixed contacts also include arc runners so that any arc that develops as the contacts separate eliminates electro-dynamic force which tends to maintain the switch in a closed state.
Abstract:
A multipole unitized motor starter is constructed of a common base having mounted thereon a disconnect switch, an electromagnetic contactor and a fuse unit connected in electrical series between the switch and contactor. The fuse unit is a plug-in device which is readily removable for service access and when operatively mounted is positioned to permit direct viewing of the switch contacts.