Circuit breaker using multiple connectors

A method of operating a circuit breaker, wherein:

• the circuit breaker comprises:
• a stationary contact that is electrically connected to a first terminal,
• a movable tulip contact,
• a vacuum interrupter comprising:
• a first electrode assembly that is electrically contacted to the first terminal;
• and
• a second electrode assembly that is electrically connected to a movable second terminal, and
• a plurality of busbars that electrically connect the tulip contact to the second terminal;
• and
• the method comprises:
• passing current through the circuit breaker while the tulip contact is connected to the stationary contact and the vacuum interrupter is in a closed position, so that the tulip contact and stationary contact provide a first conductive path from the first terminal to the second terminal,
• separating the tulip contact from the stationary contact for a first period while the vacuum interrupter is in the closed position, so that the first conductive path is interrupted and the vacuum interrupter provides a second conductive path from the first terminal to the second terminal, and
• after the first period, opening the vacuum interrupter by separating the first electrode assembly from the second electrode assembly to result in both the first conductive path and the second conductive path being interrupted.

A circuit breaker comprising:

• a stationary contact that is electrically connected to a first terminal;
• a movable tulip contact comprising:
• a first end comprising a plurality of contact fingers configured to removably attach to the stationary contact, and
• a second end that is electrically connected to a second terminal,
• wherein the tulip contact and stationary contact provide a first conductive path from the first terminal to the second terminal when the tulip contact is connected to the stationary contact;
• and
• a vacuum interrupter comprising:
• a first electrode assembly that is electrically connected to the first terminal, and
• a second electrode assembly that is electrically connected to the second terminal,
• wherein:
• the vacuum interrupter provides a second conductive path from the first terminal to the second terminal when the vacuum interrupter is in a closed position;
• and
• the vacuum interrupter and the second conductive path are positioned at least partially within the tulip contact when the tulip contact is connected to the stationary contact.

A method of operating a circuit breaker, wherein:

• the circuit breaker comprises:
• a stationary contact that is electrically connected to a first terminal,
• a movable tulip contact, and
• a vacuum interrupter comprising:
• a first electrode assembly that is electrically contacted to the first terminal;
• and
• a second electrode assembly that is electrically connected to a second terminal;
• and
• the method comprises:
• passing current through the circuit breaker while the tulip contact is connected to the stationary contact and the vacuum interrupter is in a closed position, so that the tulip contact and stationary contact provide a first conductive path from the first terminal to the second terminal,
• separating the tulip contact from the stationary contact for a first period while the vacuum interrupter is in the closed position, so that the first conductive path is interrupted and the vacuum interrupter provides a second conductive path from the first terminal to the second terminal, and
• after the first period, opening the vacuum interrupter by separating the first electrode assembly from the second electrode assembly to result in both the first conductive path and the second conductive path being interrupted,
• wherein the vacuum interrupter and the second conductive path are positioned at least partially within the tulip contact when the tulip contact is connected to the stationary contact.