Eaton Corporation

Randal D Gazdecki

Xin Zhou

Robert Michael Slepian

Lance Gula

Richard Paul Malingowski

Paul Jason Rollmann

Craig Allen Rodgers

Craig Joseph Puhalla

Peter K Moldovan

Edward Louis Wellner

Michael R Larsen

Richard D Prohaska

Warren Clift Sipe

Percy J Lipsey, Ii

John Robert Skibinski

Ernesto J Tongo

Jose I Alarcon

An improved arc extinction apparatus that can be used in an improved DC switch apparatus includes a pair of magnetic field elements in the exemplary form of permanent magnets to apply Lorentz forces to the arcs. The magnetic fields are arranged in the vicinity of the air gaps that form between the ends of a pivoting conductor and a pair of contacts such that the system is optimized to extinguish an arc at one air gap when current is flowing through the conductor in a first direction and is further optimized to extinguish an arc at the other air gap when current is flowing in an opposite direction through the conductor. This is accomplished by providing a magnet at each air gap of the circuit, with the magnetic fields being oriented parallel with the pivot axis and having their north poles pointed in the same direction.

Arc extinction apparatus and DC switch apparatus

The auxiliary switch includes a non-contact sensor, such as a Hall effect device, that is switched by the condition of a magnetic field. The magnetic field condition is effected by a movable contact indicator that moves between open and closed positions with the separable contacts of the electric power apparatus. A magnet may be attached to the movable contact indicator, or the movable contact indicator can be magnetized to form the magnet. Alternatively, the moving contact indicator can intercept or not intercept a magnetic field produced by a fixed magnet spaced from the sensor. The Hall effect device may be mounted on the outside of the nonmagnetically permeable housing of the electric power apparatus, or inside if there is sufficient room. In either case, no mechanical coupling is required for the sensor.

Non-contact auxiliary switch and electric power apparatus incorporating same

A circuit breaker includes a housing having an opening, separable contacts within the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a generally transparent operating handle having a portion protruding through the opening of the housing. An auxiliary switch associated with the operating mechanism provides a first normally closed output when the separable contacts are open and a second normally open output when the separable contacts are closed. A first LED indicator cooperates with the first output, is proximate the operating handle and is illuminated when the separable contacts are open. A second LED indicator cooperates with the second output, is proximate the operating handle and is illuminated when the separable contacts are closed. One of the first and second LED indicators illuminates the operating handle.

Circuit breaker employing an illuminated operating handle

A circuit breaker includes a case, separable contacts having a fixed contact and a movable contact, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a closed position, an open position, an operating handle for moving the operating mechanism between the open and closed positions, a movable contact arm carrying the movable contact, a linkage having a first end and a second end, and a snap lever. The second end of the linkage is pivotally mounted to the movable contact arm. The snap lever holds the linkage in the open position of the operating mechanism and releases the linkage as the operating handle moves from the open position toward the closed position of the operating mechanism, in order to snap close the separable contacts.

Circuit breaker including lever for snap close operation

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Monaca, PA, United States of America

Randal D Gazdecki