Circuit breaker

Abstract

A circuit breaker comprises high-duty arc-quenching means 23 and a latching mechanism 19, which is adapted to be electromagnetically and thermoelectrically unlatched by means of a snap-action bimetal disk 52 to open contacting means 21 in response to an overload. The snap-action bimetal disk 52 is held in a carrying body 32, which has a high thermal conductivity and which carries an electromagnetic exciter coil 33 and contains an associated plunger 42. For tripping in response to an overload, the plunger 42 is adapted to be actuated either electromagnetically and/or by the snap-action bimetal disk 52. The movable contact 21 will remain open when the latching mechanism 19 has been unlatched. In response to a movement of the plunger 42 out of its make position, the latching mechanism 19 is unlatched by a first arm of a two-armed lever 37, which is made of lucite and is pivoted to the carrying body 42. The contacting means 21 are adapted to be struck open by the second arm 41 of the lever 37. The second arm is integrally formed with a baffle wall 43, by which a plasma or electric arc column that is generated as the contacting means 21 are struck open is urged toward the arc-quenching means 23.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.