Molded case circuit breaker with current sensing unit

A molded case circuit breaker comprising:

• a circuit breaker housing defining an interior portion, the circuit breaker housing comprising:
• a separable cover;
• and,
• a molded base, the molded base having an interior surface, and an exterior surface of the molded base operatively disposed outside of the interior portion of the circuit breaker housing, the exterior surface of the molded base defining at least one current sensing unit receiving cavity configured to receive a current sensing unit therein;
• the molded base and separable cover cooperatively disposed to surround the interior portion of the circuit breaker housing;
• a set of fixed contacts, a set of movable contacts, and an operating mechanism arranged to operate the set of movable contacts relative to the set of fixed contacts, the operating mechanism, fixed contacts, and movable contacts disposed within the interior portion of the circuit breaker housing;
• and,
• at least one current sensing unit disposed within the at least one current sensing unit receiving cavity;
• wherein the at least one current sensing unit is accessible from an exterior of the circuit breaker housing without removal of the separable cover.

A method of assembling a molded case circuit breaker, the method comprising:

• inserting a load strap corresponding to a respective pole of the circuit breaker through a respective aperture defined by a molded base of a circuit breaker housing, and arranging an operating mechanism, set of movable contacts, and set of fixed contacts in an interior portion of the circuit breaker housing;
• securing a separable cover to the molded base to surround the interior portion of the circuit breaker housing;
• and,
• installing at least one current sensing unit in at least one current sensing unit receiving cavity defined by an exterior surface of the molded base, the exterior surface of the molded base operatively disposed outside of the interior portion of the circuit breaker housing, wherein a current sensing element of the at least one current sensing unit surrounds the load strap.