Eaton Corporation

Glen Charles Sisson

Paul Richard Rakus

Thomas Alan Whitaker

Erik Russell Bogdon

Perry Robert Gibson

William John Jones

James Michael Smeltzer

Ronald W Brand

Robert Stephen Estok

Keith Lynn Mayhood

The contact fingers of electrical switching apparatus have radial convex surfaces centered on the pivot pins which seat on concave surfaces in the molded contact carrier to transmit bending loads on the pin into the carrier. A seal member which snaps onto the end of the pivot pin has fins which extend between the contact fingers to block flow of arcing gases through the carrier. For lower current ratings, some of the contact fingers are replaced by annular spacers which also transmit bending moments into the carrier and restrict gas flow. A stop ledge on the carrier against which the contact springs bias the contact fingers has a recess which allows the center fingers to project farther toward the stationary contacts so that the arc toes on these fingers are the last to separate on opening and the arc is concentrated on them. The drive pin connecting the carrier to the operating mechanism has flats which key it for engagement in a slot in the carrier for installation and removal only with the carrier pivots lifted out of their bearing pockets by removal of the rear casing.

Electrical switching apparatus with improved contact arm carrier

An integral stationary arcing contact and arc runner for electrical switching apparatus is formed by an electrically conductive member secured to the line conductor adjacent the stationary main contact thereby providing a joint free path for the arc to pass from the arcing contact to the arc runner. Preferably, the electrically conductive member is a sheet metal member having a base section secured to the line conductor, an arcing contact section adjacent the stationary main contact and extending generally perpendicular to the line conductor and a runner section extending at an obtuse angle to the arcing contact section toward the arc chute. A support member between the arcing contact section and the housing transmits reaction forces imposed by the moving conductor assembly on the sheet metal member into the housing.

Electrical switching apparatus having arc runner integral with

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Center Township, PA, United States of America

Glen Charles Sisson