General Electric Company

David B Powell

Roger N Castonguay

Jon P McCuin

Vincent P Acampora

Donald F Aitken, Jr

An interlock arrangement is provided between adjoining circuit breaker compartments by the addition of a contact arm operated interlock to circuit breakers which contain trip arm operated interlocks. The contact arm interlock comprises a paddle mounted on the rear surface of each of the adjoining breakers for sensing the condition of the contacts in one breaker and for interreacting with the trip arm interlock mechanism to trip the breaker when an attempt is made to close the first breaker contacts while the adjoining breaker contacts are closed. A stop lever mounted in the first breaker compartment interconnects with a similar lever mounted in the compartment of the adjoining breaker to prevent the first breaker contacts from being closed while the adjoining breaker contacts are closed. The compartment interlock arrangement finds utility when one of the interconnected circuit breakers connects with a utility power source and the other circuit breaker connects with an auxiliary generator.

Interlock arrangement for circuit breaker compartments

A switchgear unit contains interlocked circuit breaker and fuse compartments. The interlock prevents the fuses from being withdrawn from their power stabs until the circuit breaker is withdrawn from its power stabs first. A mechanical linkage arrangement causes an interference between the racking tool and the fuse compartment racking shaft until the breaker is withdrawn from the breaker compartment power stabs.

Electric switchboard apparatus with a breaker-fuse interlock

A manually operated mechanism of an industrial circuit breaker utilizes a hook to hold the movable contacts open against the bias of charged mechanism springs. Manual or closing solenoid initiated articulation of the hook releases the contacts for abrupt closure under the urgence of the discharging mechanism springs. An indicator appropriately positioned by the operating mechanism identifies the charged and discharged mechanism states.

Manually operated generator circuit breaker

A circuit breaker is equipped with both a rotary operating handle and a power unit for selective manual and motor driven operation thereof. Mechanical and electrical control elements cooperate to insure a reliable operation in both the manual and motor driven operating modes, and, as a safety measure, to provide fool-proof, visual indications of the circuit breaker condition during the progressive stages of either operating mode. The power unit utilizes a permanent magnet, DC motor for improved performance and economies in design.

Manual and motor operated circuit breaker

A circuit breaker includes an operating mechanism having powerful mechanism springs to achieve the requisite contact pressure for high current carrying capacity. A rotary handle resets the operating mechanism via a reciprocating slide and latching mechanism, while loading the mechanism springs. Return of the handle to its original position achieves rapid closure of the circuit breaker contacts. The circuit breaker is equipped with a trip solenoid and an accessory which includes a bell alarm switch and a breaker lockout operating automatically in response to tripping of the circuit breaker by the trip solenoid.

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Burlington, CT, United States of America

David B Powell