Patent ID: 6674619
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A method for dissipating energy in a circuit interrupter, the method comprising the steps of:(a) directing electrical current through a first current carrying path electrically in series between incoming and outgoing conductors of the interrupter, and no current through a static, open second current carrying path electrically in series between the incoming and outgoing conductors, and electrically in parallel with the first current carrying path, the second current carrying path including an open circuit section and a controllable resistive element electrically in series with and upstream of the open circuit section, the open circuit section including a plurality of spaced-apart conductors; (b) interrupting the first current carrying path to form an expanding arc therein; (c) expanding the arc from the first current carrying path into contact with a conductor of the open circuit section electrically around the resistive element to transfer current flow from the first current carrying path to the second current carrying path through the controllable resistive element; and (d) transitioning a resistive state of the controllable resistive element in the second current carrying path from a first resistance to a second resistance higher than the first resistance to interrupt current through the first and second current carrying paths of the interrupter.