General Electric Company

Robert J Sabatella

Andre J M'Sadoques

John A Morby

Robert G Markowski

George L Shuttleworth

Joseph F Rich

Christine T Lamberti

Dean A Robarge

Robert L Owens

David A Reid

Jon P McCuin

Joseph F Noonan

Joseph J Mrowka

Denis A Perzan

Robert A Wall, Jr

Stephen G Midgley

Thomas A Yazvac

John J Bottalico

Stanley M Balcezak, Jr

Richard A Cornish

A circuit breaker support assembly allows a pair of industrial-rated molded case circuit breakers to be double-branch connected within a lighting panelboard enclosure. One of the branch circuit breakers can then operate as a main circuit breaker thereby eliminating the separate main circuit breaker commonly used within such lighting panelboard enclosures.

Double branch circuit breaker support

A combination panelboard-switchboard housing accepts plug-on connection with a plurality of modular electric switch-circuit breaker enclosures. The modular enclosure accepts circuit breakers or electric switches which can be field-installed with minor alteration to the enclosure. The modular switch enclosure further accepts a wide range of ampere ratings within a standard enclosure size. A mechanical latch arrangement on the bottom of the modular enclosure prevents the modular enclosure from being removed from the panelboard-switchboard housing. Controlled temperatures are achieved within the housing by optimized circulating air flow.

Electric power distribution panelboard-switchboard assembly

A combination panelboard-switchboard housing accepts plug-on connection with a plurality of modular electric switch-circuit breaker enclosures. The modular enclosure accepts circuit breakers or electric switches which can be field-installed with minor alteration to the enclosure. The modular switch enclosure further accepts a wide range of ampere ratings within a standard enclosure size. A mechanical latch arrangement on the bottom of the modular enclosure prevents the modular enclosure from being removed from the panel-board-switchboard housing. Controlled temperatures are achieved within the housing by optimized circulating air flow.

A multi-component electric switch-circuit breaker module permits electric switches and circuit breakers to be field-installed within existing panelboard-switchboard enclosures. The module contains a pair of compartments that are accessed by separate doors. Electric switches or circuit breakers can be arranged within both compartments or an electric switch can be installed within one compartment with an electric circuit breaker installed within the other. The module is removably attached to the panelboard-switchboard interior by means of a bail handle arrangement. The module is removed from the assembly by unscrewing the bail handle and manually accessing the module. Spring-loaded connector clips allow for repeated connection with and disconnection from the systems power bus with minimum contact resistance.

Modular electric switch-circuit breaker assembly

A fused disconnect switch within a metal enclosure provides rapid connection line and load stabs with a minimum degree of arcing. The operating handle is arranged within the switch enclosure and is accessed by means of an operating handle extension. The operating handle mechanism is isolated from the electrical components within the enclosure.

Fused disconnect switch

An adapter module allows circuit breakers and disconnect switches of varying ratings to be installed within a common power panel enclosure. The adapter consists of a plastic base member through which multiple contact jaws extend for plugging onto the individual phase buses of a multi-phase power system. The opposite ends of the jaws include means for connecting with the line terminal of both the electric circuit breakers as well as the electric disconnect switches.

Electric power panelboard adapter module

Molded case circuit breakers having rear mounted line connectors are provided with retainer clips and plates to prevent easy removal of the breakers from electric panel box load stab connectors. The breakers can be removed for replacement however, without disassembling the entire electrical panel box.

Method of retaining molded case circuit breakers

A compact electric safety switch including a rotatably mounted double contact assembly. Heavy duty compression springs are positioned under the blade assembly for rapid make and break connection between a pair of contact stabs. The series arrangement between the pair of contact stabs generates a corresponding pair of electrical arcs during the make and break occurrence which is less intense and of shorter duration than standard single contact arrangements. The pair of less intense arcs of short duration allow for a corresponding pair of arc chutes of smaller size than standard single arc chute arrangements. The contact stabs that receive the double contact blade are staggered to reduce electromagnetic attraction between the contact and the stabs.

Compact electric safety switch

A molded case circuit breaker plastic support saddle includes means integrally formed therein for supporting the main bus conductors along with neutral conductors. The neutral conductors are arranged as a pair of conductors parallel with and outboard of the main bus conductors. Interconnection between the neutral conductors is made by a C-shaped insulated metal crossarm contained within a two-part insulating casing. This arrangement of the main bus conductors and neutral conductors allows for robotic assembly in a high speed manufacturing process.

Circuit breaker support saddle having a split neutral connector

A modular molded plastic circuit breaker and power bus support carries a plurality of integrally formed circuit breaker support hooks and power bus support posts on a common thermoplastic saddle for automated assembly. Means are formed at one end of the saddle for receiving modular extension saddles to accommodate circuit breaker load centers and panel boards of varying length during the automated assembly process.

Molded case circuit breaker modular support assembly

Retainer for molded case circuit breakers

A multiple metering panelboard has an enclosure accommodating a plurality of watt-hour meter sections. Each section includes a molded plastic meter socket base and a molded plastic circuit breaker base mounted in interconnected relation to the enclosure in overlying relation to an array of busbars common to all meter sections of the assembly. The socket base of each section includes means for positioning at appropriate locations within the meter socket a plurality of jaws which are supported against meter insertion forces by rigid straps respectively electrically connecting the jaws to the underlying busbars and to circuit breaker line stabs mounted by the breaker base.

Multiple metering panelboard assembly

In a circuit breaker load center there is provided a main lug assembly constructed for interchangeable installation with a main circuit breaker. The lug assembly comprises an insulative mounting block to which are secured a pair of conductive straps in closely spaced parallel relation. An upstanding barrier wall integral with the block provides electrical isolation between the straps, as well as between wire connector lugs affixed in electrical connection to one end portion of each strap. The block is notched to expose the other terminal end portion of each strap for electrical connection to terminal ends of the load center busbars.

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Southington, CT, United States of America

Robert J Sabatella