Molded case circuit breaker capable of withstanding short circuit conditions
AssigneeSchneider Electric USA, Inc.
InventorsLarry D. Polston, Ivan D. Chavez
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A molded case circuit breaker includes a molded case containing a circuit breaker trip unit, and multiple line connector lugs attached to an end portion of the molded case for connecting the trip unit to power cables from a power source. Rigid support brackets attached to a rigid supporting surface extend along a pair of opposite outer side walls of the molded case adjacent the lugs to resist outward movement of the side walls in the event of a short circuit condition that exerts distorting forces on the lugs and the portions of the molded case adjacent the lugs. The rigid support brackets may be attached to a supporting pan attached to the portion of the molded case adjacent the lugs.
Claims11
A molded case circuit breaker comprising
- a molded case containing a circuit breaker trip unit,
- multiple line connector lugs attached to an end portion of the molded case for connecting the trip unit to lines from a power source, and
- a plurality of rigid support brackets attached to a rigid supporting structure and extending along a pair of opposite outer side walls of said molded case adjacent said lugs to resist outward movement of said side walls in the event of a short circuit condition that exerts distorting forces on said lugs and the portions of said molded case adjacent said lugs.
A molded case circuit breaker installation comprising
- a molded case containing a circuit breaker trip unit for interrupting an electrical power circuit in response to predetermined fault conditions including short circuit conditions,
- a rigid supporting surface for said molded case,
- multiple conductive lugs attached to an end portion of said molded case for connecting said trip unit to multiple electrical power conductors,
- a pair of rigid support brackets rigidly coupled to said rigid supporting surface and extending along a pair of opposite exterior side walls of said molded case adjacent said lugs, said brackets resisting outward movement of said opposite side walls of said molded case in the event of a short circuit condition that exerts distorting forces on said lugs and the portions of said molded case adjacent said lugs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.