Patent ID: 6232857
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
An arc fault circuit breaker conducting an electrical current to a protected load, said circuit breaker comprising:a pair of separable contacts for interrupting said current to said protected load;a first housing having a first compartment enclosing said pair of separable contacts;a second housing having a second compartment and having at least one opening, communicating between said first compartment and said second compartment, said second housing assembled to said first housing to enclose said first compartment;a bimetallic element having a resistance thereby generating a voltage signal indicative of the current, said bimetallic element disposed within said first compartment and conducting said current therethrough;a stud extending from said bimetallic element into said second compartment through said at least one opening;a conductor electrically connected to said bimetallic element and routed into said second compartment through said at least one opening, said conductor and said stud conducting said voltage signal indicative of said current; anda circuit board having a circuit thereon disposed within said second compartment, said circuit board electrically connected to said conductor and said stud, wherein said circuit board processes said voltage signal to determine if a fault or over current condition exists.