Electronically controlled fusible switching disconnect modules and devices

A fusible switch disconnect device comprising:

• a housing;
• line side and load side terminals configured to be electrically connected to respective first and second terminal blades of a removable overcurrent protection fuse received in the housing, the removable overcurrent protection fuse including a fusible element defining a circuit path between the first and second terminal blades;
• a pair of switchable contacts electrically connected in series to one another, the pair of switchable contacts configured between one of the line side terminal and load side terminal and a corresponding one of the first and second terminal blades of the overcurrent protection fuse;
• a disconnect switch actuator coupled to the pair of switchable contacts via an actuator link and a sliding bar, wherein the disconnect switch actuator is configured for alternately locating the pair of switchable contacts relative to the housing along a first linear axis in either an open position or a closed position to respectively disconnect or connect an electrical connection between the line side terminal and the load side terminal and through the circuit path of the fusible element while the removable overcurrent protection fuse remains in place;
• and
• a trip mechanism comprising:
• a trip actuator operable along a second linear axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the first linear axis;
• an elongated pivot arm being automatically displaced by the trip actuator in response to a predetermined electrical condition;
• and
• a first mechanical link having a first end and a second end respectively interconnecting the pivot arm and the disconnect switch actuator and establishing a non-releasable mechanical connection therebetween;
• wherein when the elongated pivot arm is displaced by the trip actuator, the disconnect switch actuator is simultaneously moved by the second end of the first mechanical link to locate the pair of switchable contacts in the open position.

A fusible switch disconnect device comprising:

• a housing adapted to receive and engage a removable overcurrent protection fuse including first and second terminal blades and a fusible circuit path electrically connected therebetween;
• line side and load side terminals in the housing and electrically connecting to the respective first and second terminal blades of the removable overcurrent protection fuse when the removable overcurrent protection fuse is received and engaged with the housing;
• a sliding bar movable along a linear axis in the housing;
• a pair of switchable contacts coupled to the sliding bar and electrically connected in series to one another, the pair of switchable contacts provided between one of the line side terminal and load side terminal and a corresponding one of the first and second terminal blades of the overcurrent protection fuse;
• a disconnect switch actuator being partly interior to the housing and partly exterior to the housing;
• an actuator link mechanically coupling the disconnect switch actuator to the sliding bar, wherein a rotation of the disconnect switch actuator simultaneously causes the first mechanical link to move the sliding bar along the linear axis and selectively position the pair of switchable contacts in either an opened position or a closed position relative to one of the line side or load side terminals, thereby respectively effecting a disconnection or connection of an electrical connection through the circuit path while the removable overcurrent protection fuse remains received and engaged with the housing;
• and
• a trip mechanism comprising:
• a trip actuator operable along an axis perpendicular to the linear axis of the sliding bar;
• a pivot arm positioned proximate the trip actuator and being automatically displaced by the trip actuator when a predetermined electrical condition occurs;
• and
• a first mechanical link having a first end and a second end respectively establishing a non-releasable mechanical interconnection between the pivot arm and the disconnect switch actuator;
• wherein the disconnect switch actuator, the actuator link, and the first mechanical link are simultaneously moved by the trip actuator when displacing the pivot arm while mechanical connection between the disconnect switch actuator and the pivot arm is maintained.