Square D Company

Charles H Wagner

John M Winter

James V Fixemer

Thomas A Edds

Matthew D Sortland

Gary W Scott

Duane Lee Turner

Eugene W Wehr

Neil R Palmer

Rodney J Brune

Guntis U Strauss

An improved miniature circuit breaker is provided which is adapted to improved automatic assembly of all components thereof. Key components of the breaker are individually and collectively designed to be susceptible to total Z-axis assembly. In particular, the circuit breaker operating mechanism which operates the contacts thereof to make or break the electric circuit is formed of elements designed to interact in a Z-axis assemblable fashion. The movable contact is defined on a contact carrier or blade assembly which is adapted for Z-axis assembly and also provides increased arc erosion resistance and improved opening of the breaker contacts.

Automatic miniature circuit breaker with Z-axis assemblable contact

An improved miniature circuit breaker is provided which is adapted to improved automatic assembly of all components thereof. Key components of the breaker are individually and collectively designed to be susceptible to total Z-axis assembly. In particular, the magnetic-yoke and armature which comprise the current response mechanism for the circuit breaker are designed to interact with each other so that the magnetic armature can easily be Z-axis assembled onto the magnetic yoke.

Automatic miniature circuit breaker with Z-axis assemblage current

An improved miniature circuit breaker is provided which is adapted to improved automatic assembly of all components thereof. Key components of the breaker are individually and collectively designed to be susceptible to total Z-axis assembly. In particular, the trip mechanism including the trip lever, and the associated activation means, tension means and reset means are defined by elements designed to interact in a Z-axis assemblable fashion. The trip mechanism components are also designed for improved trip action and enhanced breaker performance in repeated OPEN, CLOSED, and TRIP operations.

Automatic miniature circuit breaker with Z-axis assemblable trip

An automatic electric side-by-side two-pole circuit breaker having an insulating casing formed from the complementary association of a base casing, an intermediate casing and a cover which provide a pair of mechanism receiving compartments in side-by-side association. Each compartment carries a pivotally supported operating handle which extends partially outward from the casing for external manual operation, a line terminal, a load terminal electrically connected to said line terminal, a stationary contact intermediate said line terminal and said load terminal and a movable blade which carries a movable contact on one end and has its opposite end connected to the handle. A releasably latched generally thin trip lever is pivotally mounted within the compartment and is releasable from its latched position to a tripped position to effect separation of the contacts. The trip lever includes an upstanding leg which is engaged by a protuberance on the handle for resetting the trip lever. The handle overlaps the trip lever as does the movable contact blade which has an extending top segment received in a recess of the handle for operation of the movable blade by the handle. A spring is connected between the generally J-shaped blade and the trip lever for snap action of the blade.

Circuit breaker

Growing community of inventors

Hickman, NE, United States of America

Charles H Wagner