Arc chute energy bypass in circuit breakers

A circuit breaker structured to be coupled to a power source via a line-in conductor and a load via a load conductor, the circuit breaker comprising:

• primary contacts having a primary moving contact coupled to a primary moving arm and a primary stationary contact coupled to a primary stationary arm at one end and structured to be coupled to the line-in conductor at another end;
• an operating mechanism structured to cause the primary contacts to open and interrupt current from flowing to the load during a high current event;
• secondary contacts having a secondary moving contact coupled to a secondary moving arm and a secondary stationary contact coupled to a secondary stationary arm structured to be coupled to the load conductor;
• and
• an arc bypass assembly disposed on a housing of the circuit breaker, the arc bypass assembly comprising:
• an arc chute including a base, two arc sides extending from the base, and a plurality of arc plates arranged within the two arc sides, the arc chute structured to dissipate an arc upon opening of the primary contacts;
• an arc horn extending outwardly from a first edge of the base of the arc chute toward the primary stationary contact, the arc horn structured to attract the arc;
• and
• an arc bypass wire coupled to the base of the arc chute at one end and to the secondary stationary arm at the other end,
• wherein the arc bypass assembly is structured to redirect a portion of current generated as a result of occurring of the high current event to the load.