Two-pole compartmentalized ground fault miniature circuit breaker with increased current rating
US5453723A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 1994 |
| Grant date | Sep 26, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H9/342
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A miniature circuit breaker with two thermal-magnetic poles has an electronic trip device providing ground fault, and sputtering arc fault (if desired), protection located entirely in a large central compartment of a molded housing between compartments housing the two mechanical poles. The current rating of the circuit breaker is increased by a gas vent channel extending between the two mechanical pole compartments adjacent the respective breaker contacts which allows gases generated by arcing during current interruption to expand into both outer compartments, thereby permitting the circuit breaker to interrupt larger short circuit currents. The gas vent channel extends through, but does not communicate with, the central electronics compartment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.