Circuit interrupters with ground fault modules and related methods
AssigneeEaton Intelligent Power Limited
InventorJeffrey Scott Gibson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Circuit interrupter devices have a first housing with a circuit interrupter, a second housing coupled to the first housing, a ground fault circuit and current transformer in the second housing. The current transformer has an open channel. The circuit interrupter devices also include at least one power conductor having a rigid or semi-rigid body with opposing first and second end portions extending between the first and second housings. The second end portion of the at least one power conductor extends through the open channel in the current transformer and terminates in a breaker load collar(s).
Claims20
A circuit interrupter device, comprising:
- a first housing comprising a circuit interrupter;
- a second housing coupled to the first housing;
- at least one load collar in the second housing;
- a current transformer in the second housing, wherein the current transformer has an open channel;
- and
- at least one power conductor having a rigid or semi-rigid body with opposing first and second end portions extending between the first and second housings, wherein the second end portion extends through the open channel in the current transformer into the at least one load collar.
A ground fault assembly, comprising:
- a housing comprising a plurality of load collars;
- a printed circuit board coupled to a trip solenoid in the housing;
- and
- a current transformer in the housing comprising a body defining a center through channel residing adjacent the printed circuit board, wherein the body of the current transformer is parallel to and adjacent a primary surface of the printed circuit board with the through channel at least partially occluded by the printed circuit board, and
- optionally wherein the ground fault assembly further comprises a neutral conductor coupled to a neutral collar in the housing, optionally wherein the printed circuit board comprises at least one through-channel, and optionally wherein the neutral conductor extends from the neutral collar through the open channel of the current transformer toward the trip solenoid.
A circuit breaker device comprising:
- a housing;
- a circuit breaker in the housing comprising a movable contact arm coupled to a trip lever;
- and
- at least one power conductor having a rigid or semi-rigid body coupled to the housing with a free end portion extending external of the housing.
A method for assembling a current interrupter comprising:
- providing a first housing comprising a molded case circuit interrupter with at least one power conductor with a free end portion that extends out of the first housing;
- providing a second housing comprising a ground fault module comprising a printed circuit board coupled to a trip solenoid, wherein the second housing further comprises a current transformer comprising a body defining a center through-channel, wherein the body of the current transformer is parallel to and adjacent a primary surface of the printed circuit board;
- slidably passing the free end portion of the at least one power conductor through the center through channel of the current transformer;
- and
- attaching the first housing to the second housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.