Patent ID: 6030114
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A method for calibrating bimetal trip mechanisms in at least one circuit breaker, comprising:providing a first circuit breaker pole with a first trip structure including a first bimetal element and a first terminal element connected to one another, said first circuit breaker pole having a first trip bar leg spaced a first trip distance from said first bimetal element;also proving a second circuit breaker pole structurally identical to said first circuit breaker pole, said second circuit breaker pole having a second trip structure including a second bimetal element and a second terminal element connected to one another, said second circuit breaker pole including a second trip bar leg spaced a second trip distance from said second bimetal element each of said first trip structure and said second trip structure having a first surface and a second surface mutually spaced from one another on a common side of the respective circuit breaker pole;applying laser energy to said first trip structure at the respective first surface to thermally induce displacing of said first trip structure in a first direction to decrease said first trip distance, said laser energy being applied to said first trip structure at a predetermined energy level for a predetermined duration so that said first trip distance is decreased to equal a predetermined first trip distance; andapplying laser energy to said second trip structure at the respective second surface to thermally induce displacing of said second trip structure in a second direction to increase said second trip distance, said laser energy being applied to said second trip structure at a predetermined energy level for a predetermined duration so that said second trip distance is increased to equal a predetermined second trip distance, said first direction and said second direction being substantially opposed.