Patent ID: 6204465
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A circuit breaker comprising:separable contacts including a fixed contact and a moveable contact;a moveable contact assembly carrying said moveable contact;a latchable operating mechanism coupled to said moveable contact assembly for opening said separable contacts when unlatched; anda trip unit including a rotatable trip bar which rotates to unlatch said latchable operating mechanism and open said separable contacts in response to an overcurrent through said circuit breaker, said moveable contact assembly incorporating a blow open coupling which allows said separable contacts to blow open in response to a short circuit current before said latchable operating mechanism unlatches, and said trip bar having at least one paddle positioned to be engaged by arc gases generated when said separable contacts blow open to rotate the trip bar and speed up unlatching of said latchable operating mechanism.