Arc runner assembly and circuit interrupter

An arc runner assembly structured for use in a circuit interrupter having a first conductor, a second conductor, and a set of separable contacts electrically interposed between the first conductor and the second conductor, the set of separable contacts comprising a stationary contact situated on one of the first conductor and the second conductor, the arc runner assembly comprising:

• a first arc runner;
• a second arc runner;
• the first and second arc runners being spaced apart from one another;
• the first arc runner structured to be situated adjacent a first side of the stationary contact and to communicate an electrical arc away from the stationary contact in a first direction;
• the second arc runner structured to be situated adjacent a second side of the stationary contact opposite the first side and to communicate an electrical arc away from the stationary contact in a second direction different than the first direction;
• wherein the arc runner assembly further comprises a support that is structured to be electrically engaged with the one of the first conductor and the second conductor at a surface thereof opposite that on which the stationary contact is situated;
• wherein the support is electrically connected with the first and second arc runners;
• and
• wherein the first arc runner comprises a first arc surface, and wherein the second arc runner comprises a second arc surface, the first and second arc surfaces being oriented substantially coplanar, the support having a substantially planar support surface that is structured to be electrically engaged with the one of the first conductor and the second conductor and that is oriented generally parallel with but offset from the first and second arc surfaces.

An arc runner assembly structured for use in a circuit interrupter having a first conductor, a second conductor, and a set of separable contacts electrically interposed between the first conductor and the second conductor, the set of separable contacts comprising a stationary contact situated on one of the first conductor and the second conductor, the arc runner assembly comprising:

• a first arc runner;
• a second arc runner;
• the first and second arc runners being spaced apart from one another;
• the first arc runner structured to be situated adjacent a first side of the stationary contact and to communicate an electrical arc away from the stationary contact in a first direction;
• the second arc runner structured to be situated adjacent a second side of the stationary contact opposite the first side and to communicate an electrical arc away from the stationary contact in a second direction different than the first direction;
• wherein the arc runner assembly further comprises a support that is structured to be electrically engaged with the one of the first conductor and the second conductor at a surface thereof opposite that on which the stationary contact is situated;
• wherein the support is electrically connected with the first and second arc runners;
• wherein the arc runner assembly further comprises a base, the first and second arc runners and the support being situated on the base;
• and
• wherein the support comprises a support element and a strut, the support element being structured to be electrically engaged with the one of the first conductor and the second conductor, the strut extending between the support element and the base to support the support element at a location spaced from the base.

An arc runner assembly structured for use in a circuit interrupter having a first conductor, a second conductor, and a set of separable contacts electrically interposed between the first conductor and the second conductor, the set of separable contacts comprising a stationary contact situated on one of the first conductor and the second conductor, the arc runner assembly comprising:

• a first arc runner;
• a second arc runner;
• the first and second arc runners being spaced apart from one another;
• the first arc runner structured to be situated adjacent a first side of the stationary contact and to communicate an electrical arc away from the stationary contact in a first direction;
• the second arc runner structured to be situated adjacent a second side of the stationary contact opposite the first side and to communicate an electrical arc away from the stationary contact in a second direction different than the first direction;
• and
• wherein the set of separable contacts further comprises a movable contact that is structured to engageable with an engagement surface of the stationary contact, wherein the first arc runner comprises a first arc surface, and wherein the second arc runner comprises a second arc surface, the first and second arc surfaces being oriented substantially coplanar with one another and being structured to be oriented substantially coplanar with the engagement surface.

A circuit interrupter comprising:

• an arc runner assembly comprising:
• a first arc runner,
• a second arc runner, and
• the first and second arc runners being spaced apart from one another;
• a first conductor;
• a second conductor;
• a set of separable contacts electrically interposed between the first conductor and the second conductor, the set of separable contacts comprising a stationary contact situated on one of the first conductor and the second conductor and being situated generally between the first arc runner and the second arc runner;
• the first arc runner being situated adjacent a first side of the stationary contact and being structured to communicate an electrical arc away from the stationary contact in a first direction;
• the second arc runner being situated adjacent a second side of the stationary contact opposite the first side and being structured to communicate an electrical arc away from the stationary contact in a second direction different than the first direction;
• and
• wherein the set of separable contacts further comprises a movable contact that is structured to engageable with an engagement surface of the stationary contact, wherein the first arc runner comprises a first arc surface, and wherein the second arc runner comprises a second arc surface, the first and second arc surfaces and the engagement surface being oriented substantially coplanar.