S&c Electric Company

Robert H Harner

Thomas J Tobin

Leonard V Chabala

Edward J Rogers

Joseph W Ruta

Walter J Hall

Norman J Stranczek

An arrangement for efficiently assembling and providing a plurality of circuit protection device configurations by use of major components that are common to the configurations and that are adapted for interconnection and functioning with each other; some of the major components providing different or multiple functions in the various configurations. The various configurations satisfy the application requirements and customer needs with regard to voltage rating, efficient space usage, station layouts, and the provision of disconnect mechanisms. The configurations include various orientations of interrupting units and the provision of various types of disconnect mechanisms. The major components include an operator, an interrupting unit, an insulating support column, and a base drive. The operator provides a first drive output and a second drive output. The insulating support column is capable of being rotated to provide a rotary drive output for disconnect mechanisms. The insulating support column also internally carries an operating member. The operating member is driven to operate the interrupting unit. The base drive is connected to receive the first drive output of the operator and in turn to provide a driving output to the operating member. The second drive output is connected through appropriate linkage to rotate the insulating support column.

Arrangement for providing various circuit protection device

A control circuit is provided for operating a circuit interrupter in response to overcurrent in an alternating-current line in which the circuit interrupter is located. The control circuit includes a transducer for producing output current proportional to the current in the line. A time-current trip signal generator circuit responds to output current representative of moderate overcurrent in the line by producing a trip signal after the passage of a time period that is inversely related to the overcurrent. An instantaneous trip signal generator circuit produces a trip signal after a predetermined time interval in response to output current between a minimum and maximum magnitude and increasing at a rate greater than a selected rate, which conditions indicate the presence of high overcurrent in the line. In the preferred arrangement, the predetermined time interval is measured from the time that the rate of change of the current exceeds a predetermined rate. Accordingly, when the onset of high overcurrent is detected, the current is interrupted with a minimum possible delay while substantially reducing undesired response to noise and false signals.

Control circuit for a circuit interrupter

An arrangement including an insulative support column provides independent rotary and linear drive outputs for the operation of electrical switches, circuit interrupters and/or disconnects or the like. A first, linear drive linkage provides translating motion at a first output in response to linear translating motion at a first input. The linear drive arrangement is provided by an elongated, insulative operating member that is disposed within an elongated bore of the insulative support column, with the operating member extending through the top and bottom ends of the column. A second, rotary drive output is provided by rotation of the support column. The column fixedly carries a lower base member which is rotatably supported within a base housing. The operating member extends through and exits the base member and cooperates with a bearing carried by the base member. The lower end of the operating member is coupled to the linear drive linkage input. The support column is rotated by means of a suitable drive linkage attached at the lower end of the column. A tubular shaft is fixedly carried at the top of the column, the operating member extending therein. Rotation of the tubular shaft is coupled through suitable linkage to drive a disconnect or the like. For interrupters that are mounted generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support column, the cylindrical wall of the tubular shaft is cut away to provide for the output connection of the operating member to a transfer linkage without interference from the rotation of the tubular shaft.

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Park Ridge, IL, United States of America

Robert H Harner