Circuit interrupter with overtemperature trip device
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsJoseph J. Matsko, John A. Wafer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A circuit interrupter includes a circuit breaker mechanism having a trip coil energized by a current transformer to separate the contacts upon command of a microcomputer-based trip unit during overcurrent conditions. A bimetallic normally-open thermal switch is mounted on the internal conductors of the breaker and is connected in parallel with the trip unit to energize the trip coil when the conductors overheat. The thermal switch is also connected to the interrupt terminal of the microcomputer to cause appropriate display and alarm information upon activation of the thermal switch.
Claims13
A circuit interrupter, comprising:
- separable contacts;
- conductor means for connecting said contacts to an associated circuit;
- a mechanism operable when actuated to automatically separate the contacts;
- means operable when energized to actuate said mechanism;
- means for energizing said actuating means;
- a housing enclosing said interrupter;
- and
- thermally responsive means within said housing physically connected to said conductor means and electrically connected to said actuating means and said energizing means for causing said energizing means to energize said actuating means whenever the temperature of said conductor means rises above a predetermined level, whereby said contacts are automatically separated.
A circuit interrupter, comprising:
- separable contacts;
- conductor means for connecting said contacts to the circuit being protected;
- a mechanism operable when actuated to automatically separate said contacts;
- means operable when energized to actuate said mechanism;
- means for energizing said actuating means;
- a housing enclosing said circuit interrupter;
- and
- energy responsive means within said housing for directly connecting said energizing means to said actuating means upon detection of abnormal energy generated within said housing.
A circuit interrupter, comprising:
- separable contacts;
- conductor means for connecting said contacts to the circuit being protected;
- a mechanism operable when actuated to automatically separate said contacts;
- means operable when energized to actuate said mechanism;
- means for energizing said actuating means;
- a housing enclosing said circuit interrupter;
- and
- detector means responsive to electromagnetic radiation for connecting said energizing means to said actuating means upon detection of electromagnetic radiation generated within said housing by improper operation of said contacts or said conductor means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.