Square D Company

Robert J Clark

Willard J Rezac

Greg Ghere

Jeffrey M Kaufman

Terry Dean Repstien

Steven C Wilgenbusch

An arrangement in an electrical switching device for protection against electrical arcs comprises a tripping mechanism, a stationary contact carrier, a movable contact carrier, an exhaust vent, an arc runner, and an arc extinguishing barrier. The stationary contact carrier has a stationary contact mounted thereon, and the movable contact carrier has a movable contact mounted thereon. In response to an overcurrent condition, the tripping mechanism causes the movable contact carrier to rotate from a closed position to an open position, thereby generating an electrical arc. In the closed position the movable contact abuts the stationary contact, and in the open position the movable contact is separated from the stationary contact. The arc extinguishing barrier is composed of an outgassing material and is located between the stationary contact and a portion of the tripping mechanism. The stationary contact is located generally between the portion of the tripping mechanism and the arc runner such that the arc runner draws the electrical arc away from the portion of the tripping mechanism. The exhaust vent is located generally in line with the initial direction of movement of the movable contact when the movable contact carrier begins rotating from the closed position to the open position.

Circuit breaker arrangement for protection against electrical arcs

In an electrical switching device including a stationary contact carrier having a stationary contact mounted thereon, a contact carrier assembly comprises a movable contact carrier and an arc-resistant protective shield. The movable contact carrier has a movable contact mounted thereon. The movable contact carrier is movable between a closed position and an open position. The movable contact abuts the stationary contact while the movable contact carrier is in the closed position, and the movable contact is separated from the stationary contact while the movable contact carrier is in the open position. The arc-resistant protective shield is mounted to the movable contact carrier and surrounds the movable contact. The shield protects the movable contact carrier from electrical arcs generated during circuit interruption.

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Cedar Rapids, IA, United States of America

Robert J Clark