Terminal barrier system for molded case circuit breaker

Abstract

A circuit breaker (,) including a terminal barrier system (,). The terminal barrier system (,) includes a terminal barrier (,) attached to a circuit breaker base (,) at the terminals (,), line and load, of the breaker (,) and a terminal connector (,) mounted in the terminal barrier (,) to align with a terminal (,) of the breaker (,). Several embodiments of the terminal barrier (,) and terminal connector (,) are provided which allow flexibility in combining the various terminal barriers and terminal connectors for a given current rating of the breaker (,). The terminal barrier system (,) protects the terminals (,) of the circuit breaker during short circuit condition operations, prevents pole to pole electrification and prevents accidental contact with live electrical wires in the contacts (,). The circuit breaker (,) also includes a molded case (,), a first and second terminal (,) mounted in the case (,), the first contact (,) electrically coupled to the first terminal (,) and a second contact (,) electrically coupled to the second terminal (,). An operating mechanism (,) having a pivoting member (,) movable between an ON position, and OFF position and a TRIPPED position is coupled to the second contact (,). An intermediate latch mechanism (,) mounted in the housing (,)is coupled to the operating mechanism (,) and is selectively operated by a trip unit (,) coupled to the second contact (,) and the second terminal (,). An electric arc extinguishing apparatus (,) is mounted in the housing (,) and positioned in confronting relation with the first and second contact. (,)