Thermally efficient compact circuit breaker support and enclosure
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsRichard W. Schumacher, Denis A. Perzan, Peter F. Cavanaugh, George J. Boucher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A molded case circuit breaker support and a circuit breaker enclosure are arranged with air transfer slots and passages to promote chimney effect cooling of the circuit breaker components. The slots in the circuit breaker support direct ambient cooling air onto the circuit breaker terminals while the passages through the enclosure direct the ambient air flow from the bottom to the top of the enclosure.
Claims12
A compact molded case circuit breaker load center comprising:
- an enclosure having top, bottom and back walls defining a front part that is covered by a front plate, said enclosure being accessible by means of a front slot through said front plate;
- a circuit breaker support assembly within said enclosure attached to said back wall, said support assembly comprising a plastic unitary piece having circuit breaker engaging hooks at one end and means receiving neutral connectors at an opposite end, said support assembly including platform means supporting circuit breaker stab connectors, said platform means being slotted under said stab connectors for passing cooling air up through said platform and;
- perforations through said top and bottom walls for allowing passage of cooling air into and out of said enclosure.
The compact molded case circuit breaker load center of claim wherein said bottom wall includes a passage for a plurality of electrical load conductors connecting with corresponding load terminals on an opposite end of said circuit breaker.
A circuit breaker support assembly comprising in combination:
- a plastic unitary piece having circuit breaker engaging hooks at one end and a neutral terminal bar at an opposite end, said support assembly including platform means supporting circuit breaker stab connectors, said platform means being slotted under said stab connectors for passing cooling air up through said platform means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.