CT quick change assembly and force transmitting spacer

A circuit breaker comprising;

• one or more pairs of separable contacts each pair defining a stationary contact and a movable contact forming a pole;
• one or more first conductors, each in electrical contact with a stationary contact;
• one or more second conductors;
• a V-shaped flexible shunt for connecting said second conductors to said movable contacts including means for separating said movable contact from said stationary contact in a predetermined time period at a predetermined magnitude of current;
• said flexible shunt defines a bight portion, a first depending leg connected to said movable contact and a second depending leg connected to said second conductor defining a first parallel current path between said first depending leg and said second depending leg and a second parallel current path between said second depending leg and said second conductor;
• and
• time reducing means cooperable with said depending legs for reducing said predetermined time period at said predetermined magnitude of current.

A circuit breaker comprising:

• one or more pairs of separable contacts each pair defining a stationary contact and a movable contact forming a pole;
• one or more first conductors, each in electrical contact with a stationary contact;
• one or more second conductors;
• a V-shaped flexible shunt for connecting said second conductors to said movable contacts including means for separating said movable contact from said stationary contact in a predetermined time period at a predetermined magnitude of current;
• said flexible shunt defines a bight portion, a first depending leg connected to said movable contact and a second depending leg connected to said second conductor defining a first parallel current path between said first depending leg and said second depending leg and a second parallel current path between said second depending leg and said second conductor;
• and
• time reducing means cooperable with said depending legs for reducing said predetermined time period at said predetermined magnitude of current, wherein said time reducing means includes a rigid member for transmitting forces from said second parallel current path to said first depending leg.

A circuit breaker comprising:

• one or more pairs of separable contacts each defining a stationary contact and a movable contact, each pair of separable contacts defining a pole;
• one or more line side conductors, each line side conductor electrically connected to said stationary contact;
• one or more load-side connectors;
• one or more flexible shunts electrically connected between each of said movable contacts and said load-side conductors;
• each of said shunts formed as V-shaped members defining a bight portion, a first depending leg, connected to said movable contact and a second depending leg connected to said load-side conductor, defining a first parallel current path between said first depending leg and said second depending leg and a second parallel current path between said second depending leg and said load-side conductor, said second parallel current path causing compression of said first depending leg with respect to said second depending leg at a predetermined magnitude of current;
• and
• reducing means for reducing compression of said shunts during overcurrent conditions, wherein said reducing means includes a rigid member disposed adjacent said bight portion of said shunts.

A circuit breaker comprising:

• one or more pairs of separable contacts each defining a stationary contact and a movable contact, each pair of separable contacts defining a pole;
• one or more line side conductors, each line side conductor electrically connected to said stationary contact;
• one or more load-side connectors;
• one or more flexible shunts electrically connected between each of said movable contacts and said load-side conductors;
• each of said shunts formed as V-shaped members defining a bight portion, a first depending leg, connected to said movable contact and a second depending leg connected to said load-side conductor, defining a first parallel current path between said first depending leg and said second depending leg and a second parallel current path between said second depending leg and said load-side conductor, said second parallel current path causing compression of said first depending leg with respect to said second depending leg at a predetermined magnitude of current;
• and
• reducing means for reducing compression of said shunts during overcurrent conditions, wherein said reducing means is normally in contact with said first depending leg and said second depending leg.

A circuit breaker comprising:

• one or more pairs of separable contacts each defining a stationary contact and a movable contact, each pair of separable contacts defining a pole;
• one or more line side conductors, each line side conductor electrically connected to said stationary contact;
• one or more load-side connectors;
• one or more flexible shunts electrically connected between each of said movable contacts and said load-side conductors;
• each of said shunts formed as V-shaped members defining a bight portion, a first depending leg, connected to said movable contact and a second depending leg connected to said load-side conductor, defining a first parallel current path between said first depending leg and said second depending leg and a second parallel current path between said second depending leg and said load-side conductor, said second parallel current path causing compression of said first depending leg with respect to said second depending leg at a predetermined magnitude of current;
• and
• reducing means cooperable with said depending legs for reducing compression of said shunts during overcurrent conditions, wherein said reducing means includes a circular member having a diameter equivalent to the distance between depending legs at a predetermined point.

A circuit breaker comprising:

• one or more pairs of separable contacts each defining a stationary contact and a movable contact, each pair of separable contacts defining a pole;
• one or more line side conductors, each line side conductor electrically connected to said stationary contact;
• one or more load-side connectors;
• one or more flexible shunts electrically connected between said of each movable contacts and said load-side conductors;
• each of said shunts formed as V-shaped members defining a bight portion, a first depending leg, connected to said movable contact and a second depending leg connected to said load-side conductor, defining a first parallel current path between said first depending leg and said second depending leg and a second parallel current path between said second depending leg and said load-side conductor, said second parallel current path causing compression of said first depending leg with respect to said second depending leg at a predetermined magnitude of current;
• and
• reducing means cooperable with said depending legs for reducing compression of said shunts during overcurrent conditions, wherein said reducing means is formed from a dielectric material.