Square D Company

Ron E Stecker

Brett E Larson

William Weizhong Chen

Bruce F Lindholm

The present invention provides a current limiting circuit breaker having a plurality of current responsive devices for opening a pair of contacts upon short circuit conditions. One such device is a conventional magnetic tripping mechanism. The other device utilizes an insulating object driven by a magnetic force caused by the short circuit current. Upon opening of the contacts with the use of the insulating object, let-through current flows through a secondary contact, positioned on the insulating object, to a positive temperature coefficient resistivity element which limits the current and arcing in the contacts. In an alternative embodiment, at least one steel component is added to increase the magnetic force, thereby providing a greater force on the insulating object. An insulation component is also added to further suppress any arc generated between the contacts when going from a closed state to an open state. In another alternative embodiment, the magnetic tripping mechanism is actuated by the device utilizing the insulating object driven by the magnetic force.

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Marion, IA, United States of America

Ron E Stecker