Patent ID: 6809282
Filing Date: 2004-10-26
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A circuit breaker comprising:a housing defining an internal chamber; a circuit breaker mechanism provided in said chamber and including a movable contact arm pivotably mounted in said housing for movement from a closed to an open position in response to an overcurrent condition that is detected by said circuit breaker mechanism; a movable contact provided on said movable contact arm, a fixed contact provided for engagement by said movable contact when said movable contact arm is in the closed position, said movable and fixed contacts generating an arc current upon opening of said movable contact arm, said arc current providing a first magnetic field set up by said arc current, said first magnetic field being circular about an axis generally oriented between said fixed and movable contacts, a non-magnetic cradle supported in slots provided in said housing, a pair of permanent magnets disposed in said non-magnetic cradle, the pair of permanent magnets supported on opposing sides of said arc current and said first magnetic field axis, said pair of permanent magnets generating a second magnetic field oriented transverse to said first magnetic field axis and being otherwise not coupled magnetically, said first and second magnetic fields combining to create a resultant magnetic field to deflect the arc current away from said movable contact arm and from said movable and fixed contacts for lengthening the path of said arc current; and whereby said arc current is extinguished without the need for splitter plates disposed in said housing.