Eaton Corporation

Eaton Intelligent Power Limited

Edward Ethber Lias

Michael Jerome Whipple

Jeffrey Scott Gibson

James Gerard Maloney

Michael Joseph Erb

Michael W Nordmeyer

Stephen A Mrenna

Sandy Omar Jimenez

Jeffrey Wayne Lockhart

Michael J Erb

Kevin Anthony Simms

Thomas Edward Natili

Tony Ray Benson

Eric Alan Samuelson

Ronald Dale Smiddle

Jeffrey Michael Cox

Richard Michael Elchik

Hoyma Joel Mazara

Andy Jay Foerster

Jeff S Gibson

Jeffery S Gibson

Stephen Albert Mrenna

Kevin A Simms

Eric A Samuelson

Tony R Benson

Sandy O Jimenez

The disclosed concept relates to compositions and methods for the manufacture of electrically resistive, thermally conductive electrical switching apparatus. The composition includes a polymer component and a nanofiber component. The thermal conductivity of the nanofiber component is higher than the thermal conductivity of the polymer component such that the electrical switching apparatus which includes the composition of the disclosed concept has improved heat dissipation as compared to an electrical switching apparatus constructed of the polymer component in the absence of the nanofiber component. Further, the disclosed concept relates to methods of lowering the internal temperature of an electrically resistive, thermally conductive electrical switching apparatus by forming the internals of the apparatus, e.g., circuit breakers, and/or the enclosure from the composition of the disclosed concept.

Heat sink composition for electrically resistive and thermally conductive circuit breaker and load center and method of preparation therefor

The disclosed concept relates to compositions and methods for the manufacture of electrically resistive, thermally conductive electrical switching apparatus. The composition includes a polymer component and a nanofiber component. The thermal conductivity of the nanofiber component is higher than the thermal conductivity of the polymer component such that the electrical switching apparatus which includes the composition of the disclosed concept has improved heat dissipation as compared to an electrical switching apparatus constructed of the polymer component in the absence of the nanofiber component. Further, the disclosed concept relates to methods of towering the internal temperature of an electrically resistive, thermally conductive electrical switching apparatus by forming the internals of the apparatus, e.g., circuit breakers, and/or the enclosure from the composition of the disclosed concept.

Circuit breakers with a metal arc chute having a base and sidewalls extending outward from the base forming an open cavity, a movable arm holding a movable contact adjacent to the arc chute, a line conductor electrically connected to a stationary contact residing adjacent to the arc chute facing the movable contact and a overlay material of reduced electrical conductivity attached to the arc chute and residing in the cavity of the arc chute between the stationary and movable contacts. The overlay material can be a solid three-dimensional shaped insert/molded member with a cavity and/or an overmolded material directly attached to the metal arc chute.

Circuit breakers with metal arc chutes with reduced electrical conductivity overlay material and related arc chutes

A line terminal is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a stationary contact and a movable contact structured to move into and out of engagement with the stationary contact in order to close and open the electrical switching apparatus, respectively. The line terminal includes a lip portion structured to be connected to the stationary contact in order to provide an electrical pathway therebetween; an arm portion extending from the lip portion, the arm portion having an engaging portion structured to receive and engage a conductive post member and provide an electrical pathway between the conductive post member and the stationary contact; a neck portion extending from the arm portion; and a tab portion extending from the neck portion and being located internal with respect to the engaging portion.

Circuit breaker having line terminal and associated indicating method

A modular accessory system is structured to be mounted in a panel board including a housing assembly and a number of conductors with each conductor having a number of stabs extending therefrom. The modular accessory system includes an interface assembly structured to be selectively coupled to the panel board and a number of modules disposed on the interface assembly. Each module is structured to at least monitor or regulate one or more attributes of the panel board.

Modular accessory system for panel board

An electrical enclosure that includes a dead front and a lockout switch is described herein. The lockout switch detects the position of the dead front. Based on the detected position of the dead front, the lockout switch actuates a power disconnection mechanism. In one embodiment, the disconnection mechanism is a shunt trip breaker that trips at least one circuit breaker when actuated by the lockout switch detecting removal of the dead front. The shunt trip breaker receives power from a main conductor to a coil that moves a solenoid.

Automatic dead front disconnect and lockout

An improved connection apparatus is connectable with an elongated neutral bus to electrically connect a neutral conductor to the neutral bus. The connection apparatus is movable among any of a variety of positions along the neutral bus in order to facilitate connection of the various neutral conductors with the neutral bus at various desirable locations within an electrical enclosure. The connection apparatus is also advantageously removable from the neutral bus and is reinstallable thereon to facilitate changing the locations of the connections between the neutral conductors and the neutral bus and to avoid interference between any of a neutral connection, a connection apparatus, a neutral bus, and a circuit interrupter.

Connection apparatus connectable with neutral bus

A trip mechanism includes a bimetal having a first side and an opposite second side, a magnetic yoke disposed proximate the first side of the bimetal, and a magnetic armature pivotally connected to the bimetal and disposed proximate the opposite second side thereof. The armature has a first side with a surface, an opposite second side, and an opening extending from the first side to the opposite second side of the magnetic armature. The opening has a latch surface structured to engage the latch surface of an operating mechanism. The first side of the magnetic armature is structured to engage the opposite second side of the bimetal. At least one of the bimetal and the magnetic armature is structured to provide an offset between the bimetal and the surface of the first side of the magnetic armature at the opening of the magnetic armature.

Bimetal and magnetic armature providing an arc splatter resistant offset therebetween, and circuit breaker including the same

A circuit breaker test system includes a circuit breaker under test having a deformable frame with an elongated slot, an elongated deformable portion adjacent the elongated slot and a movable portion adjacent the deformable portion, and a thermal trip assembly coupled to the movable portion. A calibration device includes a forked tool straddling the deformable portion. The trip assembly has a first thermal response. The calibration device rotates the tool in a first rotational direction and responsively deforms the deformable portion and moves the movable portion in a first direction, in order to calibrate the trip assembly for a second different thermal response. The calibration device rotates the tool in an opposite second rotational direction and responsively deforms the deformable portion and moves the movable portion in an opposite second direction, in order to re-calibrate the trip assembly for a third thermal response between the first and second thermal responses.

Method of bi-directional thermal calibration of a circuit interrupter frame and circuit interrupter test system including the same

An electrical connector assembly is provided for electrically connecting an electrical apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, to an electrical bus member. The electrical connector assembly includes a contact stab extending outwardly from the electrical bus member. The contact stab includes first and second sides having first and second indentations, respectively, which are disposed opposite one another. A clip member mechanically couples and electrically connects the circuit breaker to the contact stab. The clip member includes a first leg and a second leg disposed opposite and distal from the first leg. The first leg engages the first indentation of the first side of the contact stab and the second leg engages the second indentation of the second side of the contact stab, thereby retaining the clip member on the contact stab.

Power distribution system and electrical connector assembly therefor

A trip indicator is for a circuit breaker having a housing including first and second openings, separable contacts and an operating mechanism having an operating handle for opening and closing the separable contacts. The trip indicator includes a trip indicating member with a first end having a trip indicia and a second end with first and second projections. The first projection is engaged by a cradle of the operating mechanism when the separable contacts are not tripped, in order to prevent the trip indicia from being viewable at the second opening of housing. The first projection is disengaged and released when the separable contacts trip, causing the trip indicating member to move in order that the trip indicia is viewable at the second opening. A locking feature in which the second projection engages and locks operating handle, is also disclosed.

Trip indicator and electrical switching apparatus employing the same

A removable universal terminal assembly has a molded housing that clips onto an electric power switch and two terminal members that can be alternatively installed in the molded housing to provide either a quick connect termination or a binding post termination.

Universal terminal assembly for electric power switch

A terminal assembly can be alternatively used to make either a pressure plate or screw type connection for connecting stranded wire or solid wire, respectively, to a power conductor of electric power apparatus such as a circuit breaker. An electrically insulative barrier has an elongated member with a lateral extension at one end having a recess that captures the head of the screw of a terminal collar for the pressure plate connection. As the screw is tightened, the collar is drawn toward the power conductor to clamp the stranded wire between the collar and one side of the power conductor. With the elongated member turned end for end, the screw is free to clamp the solid wire against the other side of the power conductor. Pairs of integral compliant latches on the elongated member accommodate quick conversion between the two types of connections.

Dual function terminal assembly and electric power apparatus incorporating the same

A trip spring electrical isolation device for a circuit breaker operating mechanism assembly, where the operating mechanism assembly has an operating arm and a cradle member with a trip spring disposed therebetween. The isolation device includes a non-conductive barrier structured to be coupled to either end of the trip spring.

Non-conductive barrier for separating a circuit breaker trip spring and cradle

A circuit breaker includes separable contacts and an operating mechanism having a cradle for opening and closing the separable contacts. A trip mechanism cooperates with the cradle of the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes a bimetal conductor, which is electrically connected in series with the separable contacts. The trip mechanism is responsive to a predetermined condition of current flowing in the bimetal conductor. The trip mechanism also includes a magnetic yoke coupled to the bimetal conductor, an armature pivotally mounted to the magnetic yoke, and a spring biasing the armature away from the magnetic yoke. The spring is set apart from the bimetal conductor. The spring is coupled to the armature and engages the magnetic member.

Growing community of inventors

Aliquippa, PA, United States of America

Edward Ethber Lias