Patent ID: 6624991
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A circuit breaker comprising:a casing, at least first and second movable contacts inside the casing for electrical connection to a load and to a power source, respectively, and moving along respective first and second paths of movement, a movable contact holder holding the first movable contact, an actuator for moving the second movable contact along the second path of movement and into the first path of movement for contacting the first movable contact, first resilient means biasing the movable contact holder away from the second movable contact, a locking member for locking the movable contact holder and, in turn, the first movable contact, at a first position in the second path of movement of the second movable contact, against the biassing applied by the first resilient means, for contact by the second movable contact, the locking member moving between a first locking member position locking the movable contact holder in the first position, and a second locking member position releasing the movable contact holder from the first position, second resilient means biassing the locking member towards the first locking member position, an electromagnetic device for holding the locking member in the first locking member position against the biassing of the first resilient means, during operation of the electromagnetic device, and an electronic control circuit for detecting a circuit fault and, in response to a fault, disabling operation of the electromagnetic device, releasing the locking member to move to the second locking member position.