Patent · US Expired

Current-limiting circuit breaker adapter

US4458224A · kind A · utility

10Cited by
3References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 20, 1982
Grant dateJul 3, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 20, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H71/2472
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A current-limiting electrical apparatus is provided including a housing with first and second electrical terminals contained therein. A pair of electrical contacts is disposed within the housing and electrically connected in series with the first and second terminals. A biasing means applies a biasing force to the pair of electrical contacts to bias them to a closed position. The pair of electrical contacts is configured to cause the contacts to electromagnetically repel each other and to overcome the biasing force and open when the current flowing through the contacts exceeds a predetermined value. A mechanism is provided responsive to the current flowing through the pair of electrical contacts for decreasing the biasing force as the current flowing in the electrical contacts approaches the predetermined value, to thereby decrease the predetermined value causing the electrical contacts to immediately open. The housing is an insulating housing and is designed to connect with the insulating housing of a molded case circuit breaker so that the apparatus may be affixed thereto.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.