Fusible switching disconnect modules and devices with tripping coil

A fusible switch disconnect device comprising:

• a disconnect housing adapted to receive and engage at least a portion of a removable electrical fuse, wherein the removable electrical fuse comprises a rectangular fuse module having a pair of plug-in terminal blades and a fusible element electrically connected therebetween, the fusible element defining a first circuit path and being configured to permanently open the first circuit path in response to predetermined electrical current conditions experienced in the first circuit path;
• a second circuit path defined in the disconnect housing, the second circuit path including a line side terminal and a load side terminal both of which electrically connecting to the respective pair of plug-in terminal blades of the removable electrical fuse and to the first circuit path when the removable electrical fuse is received and engaged to the disconnect housing;
• wherein the second circuit path further includes a mechanical switch comprising:
• a switch actuator accessible through the disconnect housing for a manual operation by a user, the switch actuator movable relative to the disconnect housing between a first position and a second position;
• a pair of switchable contacts in the disconnect housing and linked to the switch actuator, the pair of switchable contacts provided between the line side terminal and one of the pair of plug-in terminal blades of the removable electrical fuse, the pair of switchable contacts being linked to one another and being simultaneously positionable along a first linear axis as the switch actuator is moved between the first and second positions between an open position and a closed position to respectively disconnect or connect an electrical connection between the line side terminal and the first circuit path of the fusible element while the removable electrical fuse is received and engaged to the disconnect housing;
• a trip mechanism including an electromagnetic coil and a pivotally mounted actuator arm each being inside the disconnect housing, the electromagnetic coil operable along a second linear axis, which is an axis of the electromagnetic coil and which extends perpendicular to the first linear axis, to automatically cause the pivotally mounted actuator arm to pivot and move the pair of switchable contacts from the closed position to the open position in response to a predetermined electrical condition when the removable electrical fuse is inserted and when the line side terminal is connected to an energized line circuitry;
• and
• an interlock element linked to the pivotally mounted actuator arm, the interlock element engaging a first one of the pair of plug-in terminal blades when the pair of switchable contacts is in the closed position and releasing from the first one of the pair of plug-in terminal blades when the pair of switchable contacts is in the open position.

A fusible switch disconnect device comprising:

• a disconnect housing adapted to receive and engage a removable electrical fuse;
• wherein the removable electrical fuse includes a housing, a first terminal and a second terminal both attached to the disconnect housing, and a fusible element defining a circuit path electrically connected between the first and second terminals, the fusible element being configured to permanently open the circuit path in response to a predetermined electrical overcurrent condition;
• a line side terminal and a load side terminal in the disconnect housing completing an electrical connection to the first and second terminals of the removable electrical fuse, respectively, when the removable electrical fuse is received and engaged by the disconnect housing;
• a mechanical switch assembly comprising:
• a switch actuator partially projecting from the disconnect housing and being rotatably movable relative to the disconnect housing between a first and a second positions;
• and
• a pair of switchable contacts in the disconnect housing at a location between the line side terminal and the removable electrical fuse, the pair of switchable contacts being attached to the switch actuator by an actuator link and also being linked to one another for a simultaneous movement thereof along a first linear axis by the actuator link as the switch actuator is rotatably moved between the first and second positions, the pair of switchable contacts being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position to respectively disconnect or connect an electrical connection between the line side terminal and the circuit path of the fusible element;
• a trip mechanism for the mechanical switch assembly, the trip mechanism inside the disconnect housing and including:
• an electromagnetic actuator having a coil and a plunger that is extendable and retractable along an axis of the coil;
• and
• a pivotally mounted actuator arm coupled to the switch actuator by a first mechanical link, the pivotally mounted actuator arm being disengaged from the plunger when the plunger is retracted;
• wherein the electromagnetic actuator is automatically operable in response to a predetermined electrical condition to extend the plunger and engage the pivotally mounted actuator arm to produce a mechanical force on the pivotally mounted actuator arm causing the pivotally mounted actuator arm to displace;
• wherein displacement of the pivotally mounted actuator arm causes displacement of the first mechanical link;
• and
• wherein displacement of the first mechanical link causes the switch actuator to rotatably displace and move the pair of switchable contacts from the closed position to the open position.