General Electric Company

Donna C DeRosier

James L Rosen

Roger J Morgan

David A Ferullo

Roger N Castonguay

Joseph M Palmieri

Linda Yvonne Jacobs

Graham A Scott

Richard A Dziura

James M Mitsch

Thomas G Hampton

David S Parker

Eric D Juntwait

A molded case circuit breaker enclosure and operating components are provided with additional features to enable compliance with a variety of international electrical requirements for sales in the world market. The circuit breaker operating handle is prevented from returning to the OFF position upon contact welding as one example. Another modification includes a reinforcement and rejection pin used with the enclosure case. A further modification includes a shield used with the movable contact arm to prevent the arc gas contaminants from contacting the circuit breaker operating springs.

Industrial-rated circuit breaker having universal application

A molded case multi-pole circuit breaker having an electronic trip unit to determine overcurrent conditions connects with a corresponding current transformer within each pole to sample circuit current. Upon the occurrence of an overcurrent condition, a trip actuator is energized to interrupt the circuit current. A current transformer adapter unit supports the trip actuator wire conductors and pin connectors while at the same time shielding the current transformers from the circuit breaker exhaust gases.

Molded case circuit breaker current transformer adapter unit

An industrial-rated circuit breaker line and load terminal lug and connector for connection with the power distribution line and load cables also includes a receptacle that allows connection with an auxiliary device for load indication and voltage metering. The receptacle is in the form of an insulative sleeve arranged around a metal contact blade in electric circuit with the line and load lugs. Electrical connection with the line and load cables and the auxiliary device occurs when the combined terminal lug and connectors are connected with the power distribution line and load cables.

Circuit breaker combined terminal lug and connector

A compact circuit breaker containing an electronic trip unit for interrupting overcurrent conditions within a protected circuit is made operable over a wide operating current range by means of current transformers having multiple turn primary windings. The primary windings are selected to provide a constant ampere-turns ratio to the current transformers without changing the size of the secondary winding or the volume of the transformer core.

Compact circuit interrupter having multiple ampere ratings

A magnet piece and armature are arranged around a circuit breaker load strap having a bimetal strip attached thereto. The magnet piece is formed in a U-shaped configuration and is attached to the load strap. A corresponding U-shaped armature is pivotally mounted to the magnet piece in a partially overlapping relation. The U-shape armature presents a larger magnet pole surface to the magnet piece for enhanced magnetic interaction.

Growing community of inventors

Plainville, CT, United States of America

Donna C DeRosier