Tool and Calibration Machine for Calibrating a Thermal Trip Apparatus of a Circuit Interrupter, and Improved Method

A calibration machine structured to calibrate a thermal trip apparatus of a circuit interrupter, the thermal trip apparatus comprising a thermal trip element and a support upon which the thermal trip element is disposed, the calibration machine comprising:

• a processor apparatus comprising a processor and a memory;
• an input apparatus connected with the processor apparatus and comprising at least a first sensor structured to detect a thermal calibration setting of the thermal trip apparatus;
• an output apparatus connected with the processor apparatus and comprising an actuator and a tool, the actuator being connected with the processor apparatus and with the tool, the tool having an elongated shank and having at least a first engagement element extending from the shank in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the shank;
• the memory having stored therein a number of routines which, when executed on the processor, cause the calibration machine to perform operations comprising:
• detecting a thermal calibration setting of the thermal trip apparatus;
• engaging the thermal trip apparatus with the tool;
• deforming the support by applying one of a compressive force and a tensile force to the shank when the thermal calibration setting is higher than a target thermal calibration setting;
• and
• deforming the support by applying the other of a compressive force and a tensile force to the shank when the thermal calibration setting is lower than the target thermal calibration setting.