Circuit interrupter with accessory trip interface and break-away access thereto

Abstract

A circuit interrupter including a housing having a cover connected to a base, separable main contacts within the housing, and an operating mechanism within the housing and interconnected with the contacts. A trip mechanism is disposed within the housing and includes a rotatable trip bar assembly that, when selectively rotated, generates a tripping operation. The trip mechanism includes a dual-purpose trip actuator biased upwards and positioned for vertical movement within the housing and having a top portion extending through the cover. The actuator includes a push-to-trip member and an interlock trip member. The trip bar assembly includes a multi-purpose trip member having a push-to-trip actuating region, an interlock trip actuating region, and an accessory trip actuating region. The push-to-trip member contacts the push-to-trip actuating region when the top portion is depressed, causing the trip bar assembly to rotate. The interlock trip member contacts the interlock trip actuating region when the cover is removed from the base, causing the trip bar assembly to rotate. The accessory trip actuating region is positioned to be contacted by the tripping member of the external accessory device and thereby cause rotation of the trip bar assembly.