Patent ID: 6538862
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: H01H,H02H

Abstract:
A test mechanism for a circuit breaker comprising:an arc fault detection circuit; a ground fault detection circuit, a test button assembly including a test button and signaling components in operable communication with said arc fault detection circuitry, said test button having a first position and a second position, wherein positioning said test button in said first position produces a first signal indicative of an arc fault in a first pole of the circuit breaker and positioning said test button in said second position produces a second signal indicative of an arc fault in a second pole of the circuit breaker; and a trip mechanism including a pair of separable contacts, said trip mechanism in operable communication with said ground fault detection circuitry so that in response to receiving one of said first and second signals, said arc fault detection circuitry causes said ground fault detection circuitry to generate a trip signal causing said trip mechanism to separate said pair of separable contacts.