Patent ID: 6259340
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A test mechanism for a circuit breaker comprising:a circuit board;a test button assembly including a test button, the test button including a top portion having first and second cantilevered surfaces, and a bottom portion having a clamp member, the clamp member having a pair of biasing arms pinching a first end of a pivotable conductor to the test button, the pivotable conductor comprising a leaf spring and further comprising a second end, the test button assembly further including signaling components comprising first and second flat conductors which are electrically connected to the circuit board, wherein depressing the first cantilevered surface places the test button in a first position and moves the second end of the pivotable conductor into contact with the second flat conductor to direct a first test signal to the circuit board, and depressing the second cantilevered surface places the test button in a second position and moves the second end of the pivotable conductor into contact with the first flat conductor to direct a second test signal to the circuit board; anda trip mechanism including a pair of separable contacts, the trip mechanism being electrically connected to the circuit board so that in response to receiving one of the first and second test signals, the circuit board generates a trip signal causing the trip mechanism to separate the pair of separable contacts.