Circuit breaker

A circuit breaker (1) with a terminal connector (5). The terminal connector (5) has engagement means provided by outwardly extending male spade connectors (9a-9d) arranged in two spaced-apart offset parallel rows (7, 8). The circuit breaker (1) can therefore accommodate a maximum number of connectors (9a-9d) while allowing female spade connectors to be positioned regardless of orientation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to a circuit breaker of the type having a circuit 
breaker housing with at least two supply terminals and a terminal 
connector electrically connected to at least one supply terminal, the 
terminal connector comprising a mounting means for mounting the terminal 
connector on the circuit breaker housing, and an engagement means carried 
on the mounting means for engaging at least one load device. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
It is frequently necessary to provide a quick-fit connection to either the 
line or load terminal of a circuit breaker. For example, in some 
industries such as heating and ventilating industry it is a recognised 
practice to terminate the wiring to the circuit breaker from a number of 
loads with a quick-fit or fast-on wire connector such as a spade type 
connector. 
It is known to provide a circuit breaker with a supply terminal connector 
to receive such quick-fit wire connectors. It is known, for example, to 
secure a number of male spade terminal connectors to a circuit breaker 
terminal. One disadvantage of this arrangement, however, is that the 
terminal connector is secured at a single point and is prone to damage by 
repeated disconnection of the load device. Additionally the space 
limitations in narrow gauge circuit breakers often requires that quick-fit 
wire connectors be insulated. This imposes significant limitations on the 
number of possible connections which can be made to conventional terminal 
connectors. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the invention, the engagement means is provided by at least 
two spaced apart and offset rows of terminals. Advantageously this allows 
a maximum number of terminals to be mounted in the available space at the 
circuit breaker housing. 
Preferably the terminals in each row are arranged in line. This allows rows 
of connector terminals to be formed from a single conductive strip. 
Ideally adjacent terminals in different rows are offset laterally by 
greater than half the width of a terminal. This staggered arrangement of 
the terminals ensure that the greatest number of terminals are 
accommodated in the space available. 
A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 3 wherein adjacent terminals in 
different rows are offset laterally by seventy five percent at the width 
of a terminal. 
Preferably wherein a plane passing through the centres of adjacent 
connector terminals in different rows is at an acute offset angle of 
greater than one degree to a plane passing through the centres of adjacent 
terminals in the same row and ideally the acute offset angle is between 
one degree and sixty one degrees. This provides an optimal packing 
arrangement for the female spade connectors when mounted on the male spade 
connectors as the insulated portions are circular in section. 
Preferably the acute offset angle is forty five degrees allowing an optimal 
packing arrangement to be achieved within the space available. 
Preferably each terminal comprises a generally planar conducting plate 
defining a male connector for engaging a corresponding female connector at 
the end of a wire connected to a load device. This provides a reliable 
quick-fit connection for the circuit breaker required in certain 
applications. 
Ideally the engagement means is a male spade connector. using this type of 
connector means that load devices in the field do not require connection 
of specialised equipment. 
In a preferred arrangement adjacent terminals of the same row are spaced 
apart sufficiently to allow simultaneous engagement by a female spade 
connector. 
Ideally each row of terminals is spaced-apart sufficiently from the circuit 
breaker housing to allow engagement by a female spade connector in either 
orientation of the female spade connector. This allows an operator to 
connect the load device quickly by obviating the need to check the 
orientation of the female spade connector. 
Preferably adjacent rows of terminals are electrically connected, in this 
way the terminal connector can be formed from a single piece and can have 
a single connection to a supply terminal. 
In one embodiment adjacent rows of terminals are substantially parallel 
thus facilitating production of the terminal connector. 
Normally at least one connector terminal incorporates a stop shoulder for 
limiting engagement with a load device. Preferably at least one connector 
terminal incorporates at least one limit stop for maintaining engagement 
with a load device in use. 
In a preferred embodiment the connector terminals extend outwardly from the 
mounting means. 
In one arrangement the mounting means has a support means for supporting 
the engagement means and an associated locking means for locking the 
support means in position. 
Preferably the circuit breaker housing defines a recess for receiving the 
locking means ensuring the terminal connector is securely mounted on the 
circuit breaker housing. 
Preferably the support means is a generally planar mounting plate. This 
allows the terminal connector to be accurately positioned in the circuit 
breaker housing and prevents rotational movement during connection and 
disconnection of a load device. 
Preferably the mounting plate is substantially perpendicular to the 
engagement means carried thereon and ideally the engagement means and 
mounting plate are formed from a single conductive strip. 
In one arrangement the locking means is provided by a locking lug carried 
on and extending from the support means and preferably the locking lug and 
support means are co-planar. This allows the locking lug and support means 
to be integrally formed from a single strip of conductive material. 
Preferably the locking means is provided by at least two oppositely 
directed locking lugs and preferably the locking lugs are located on 
opposite ends of the mounting plate. This ensures that the connector is 
securely mounted and is not subject to rotational movement during 
connection and disconnection. 
In a particularly preferred arrangement the connector is generally S-shaped 
and mountable on the terminal in either orientation. This facilitates 
assembly of the circuit breaker units in that there is no need to check 
for alignment between the terminal connector and circuit breaker housing 
recesses. 
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a terminal 
connector for a circuit breaker of the type having a circuit breaker 
housing, at least one supply terminal, the terminal connector comprising: 
a mounting means for mounting the terminal connector on the circuit breaker 
housing; 
an engagement means carried on the mounting means for engaging at least one 
load device; and 
electrical connection means for connecting the engagement means to the 
supply terminal 
where preferably the engagement means is provided by at least two 
spaced-apart and offset rows of connector terminals. 
Preferably the connector terminals in each row are arranged in line. 
Preferably adjacent connector terminals in different rows are offset by 
greater than half the width of a terminal. 
Preferably a plane passing through the centres of adjacent connector 
terminals in different rows is at an acute offset angle of greater than 10 
degrees to a plane passing through the centres of adjacent terminals in 
the same row. 
Preferably centres of adjacent connector terminals in different rows is at 
an acute offset angle of greater than one degrees to a plane passing 
through the centres of adjacent terminals in the same row. 
Preferably the acute offset angle is between one degree and sixty one 
degrees. 
Preferably the acute offset angle is forty five degrees. 
Preferably the engagement means is a male spade connector. 
Preferably the male spade connectors are substantially parallel. 
Preferably at least one male spade connector incorporates a stop shoulder 
for limiting engagement with a female spade connector. 
Preferably at least one male spade connector incorporates at least one 
limit stop for maintaining engagement with a load device in use provided 
by an indentation. 
Preferably the male spade connectors extend outwardly from the mounting 
means. 
Preferably the mounting means has a support means for supporting the 
engagement means and an associated locking means for locking the support 
means in position. 
Preferably the support means is a generally planar, mounting plate. 
Preferably the mounting plate is substantially perpendicular to the 
engagement means carried thereon. 
Preferably the engagement means and mounting plate are formed from a single 
conductive strip. 
Preferably the locking means is provided by a locking lug carried on and 
extending from the support means. 
Preferably the locking lug and support means are co-planar. 
Preferably the locking means is provided by at least two oppositely 
directed locking lugs. 
Preferably the locking lugs are carried on opposite ends of the support 
means. 
Preferably the connector is generally S-shaped and mountable on the circuit 
breaker housing in either orientation. 
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a terminal 
connector for a circuit breaker of the type having a circuit breaker 
housing, at least one supply terminal, the terminal connector comprising: 
a mounting means for mounting the terminal connector on the circuit breaker 
housing; 
an engagement means carried on the mounting means for engaging at least one 
load device; and 
electrical connection means for connecting the engagement means to the 
supply terminal 
wherein 
the mounting means has a support means for supporting the engagement means 
and an associated locking means carried on the support means for locking 
the support means in position provided by a locking lug formed for 
engaging a corresponding formation on the circuit breaker housing. 
Preferably the support means is a generally planar mounting plate. 
Preferably the mounting plate is substantially perpendicular to the 
engagement means carried thereon. 
Preferably the engagement means and mounting plate are formed from a single 
conductive strip. 
Preferably the locking means extends from the support means. 
Preferably the locking lug and support means are co-planar. 
Preferably the locking means is provided by at least two oppositely 
directed locking lugs. 
Preferably the locking lugs are carried on opposite ends of the support 
means. 
Preferably the connector is generally S-shaped and mountable on the circuit 
breaker housing in either orientation. 
Preferably the engagement means is provided by at least two spaced apart 
and offset rows of terminals. 
Preferably the terminals in each row are laterally arranged in line. 
Preferably adjacent terminals in different rows are offset laterally by 
greater than half the width of a terminal. 
Preferably centres of adjacent connector terminals in different rows is at 
an acute offset angle of greater than one degree to a plane passing 
through the centres of adjacent terminals in the same row. 
Preferably the acute offset angle is between one degree and sixty one 
degrees. 
Preferably the acute offset angle is forty five degrees. 
Preferably each terminal is a male spade connector. 
Preferably the male spade connectors are substantially parallel. 
Preferably at least one male spade connector incorporates a stop shoulder 
for limiting engagement with a load device. 
Preferably at least one male spade connector incorporates a limit stop for 
maintaining engagement with a load device in use. 
Preferably the conducting plates extend outwardly from the mounting means. 
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a circuit 
breaker terminal connector formed from a strip of conducting material 
having at least two upstanding, spaced apart rows of laterally arranged 
male spade connectors interconnected by a mounting plate, adjacent male 
spade connectors in different rows being offset laterally the mounting 
plate incorporating at least two oppositely directed, locking lugs, for 
engaging a corresponding formation on a circuit breaker housing. 
In this specification the term "supply terminal" is taken to include both 
the load and line terminals of a circuit breaker. The term "circuit 
breaker" refers to both single pole and multipole devices. Additionally, 
the term "load device" is taken to mean any device which would load the 
electrical circuit to which the circuit breaker is attached, whether 
connected to the line terminal or the load terminal. The term "row" is 
taken to include a single terminal as well as a number of terminals in a 
row. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed towards providing a circuit breaker which 
can accommodate a maximum number of terminals in the available space of a 
circuit breaker housing. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a quick fit circuit breaker 
terminal connector. 
These and other features, advantages and objectives of the invention will 
be more clearly understood from the following description thereof, given 
by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a circuit breaker according 
to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The 
circuit breaker 1 has a housing 2, at least two supply terminals, in this 
case a line terminal 3, a load terminal 4 and a terminal connector 5 which 
in this case is electrically connected to the load terminal 4. 
The terminal connector 5 has a mounting means provided by a mounting plate 
13 for mounting the terminal connector 5 on the circuit breaker housing 2 
and an engagement means 6 carried on the mounting plate 13 for electrical 
connection to at least one load device (not shown). 
In more detail and referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 the engagement 
means 6 is provided by four male spade connector terminals 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d 
which are arranged in this case in two spaced-apart and offset parallel 
rows 7 and 8, each row 7 and 8 having two of the male spade connector 
terminals. Each of the male spade connector terminals 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d 
extends outwardly from the mounting plate 13 for engaging with a 
corresponding female spade wire connector 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d at the end 
of wires from a load device (not shown). Each female spade wire connector 
10a to 10d has a flattened plate 20, a grip 21 and an insulated upper end 
22 (see FIG. 8). It will be noted that adjacent male spade connector 
terminals 9a, 9c and 9b, 9d are not aligned but are offset longitudinally 
by a distance greater than half the width and in this case approximately 
seventy five per cent of the width of each of the connector terminals 9a 
to 9d. This offset facilitates a maximum number of connector terminals 9a 
to 9d to be accommodated by the circuit breaker housing while allowing 
quick-fit connection to the female spade wire connectors, regardless of 
their orientation. Referring now in particular to FIG. 10 there is shown a 
plane passing through the centres of adjacent male spade connectors 9a in 
row 7 and 9c in row 8 indicated by the interrupted line 25. The plane 25 
is at an acute offset angle in the range between one degree and sixty one 
degrees (approximately forty five degrees) to a plane 26 passing through 
the centres of the male spade connectors 9a and 9b of row 7. 
The spacing between adjacent male spade terminals 9a and 9b is sufficient 
to allow simultaneous engagement by the female spade wire connectors 10a 
and 10b. Each of the rows 7, 8 is spread-apart sufficiently from the 
circuit breaker housing 2 to allow engagement by the female spade 
connector 10 in either orientation. A recess 23 in the housing 2 allows 
additional clearance for the insulated upper end 22 of the female spade 
connectors 10 to 10d to be connected in either orientation with the 
flattened portion 20 or the grip 21 beside the circuit breaker housing 2. 
Each of the spade connector terminals 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d incorporates a 
stop shoulder 11 for limiting engagement with the female spade wire 
connector 10. A limit stop is also provided on both sides of each spade 
connector terminal 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, by an indentation 12 for maintaining 
engagement with the wire connectors in use. In this way positive contact 
between the terminals 9a-9d and the load device is assured regardless of 
the orientation of the female spade connector 10a to 10d. 
The mounting plate has an associated locking means for locking the mounting 
plate 13 in position provided by two oppositely directed locking lugs 14, 
15. 
The lugs 14, 15 are co-planar with and located at opposite ends of the 
conducting plate 13 to form an S shaped plate. Each lug 14, 15 engages a 
corresponding recess 16, 17 in the circuit breaker housing 2 (See FIGS. 4 
to 7). 
In use, the terminal connector 5 is mounted on the circuit breaker housing 
2 with the lugs 14, 15 engaging the corresponding recesses 16, 17. The 
mounting plate 13 is electrically connected to the load terminal 4 of the 
circuit breaker 1 by welding or any other suitable method (see FIG. 3). 
When the terminal connector 5 is in position the female spade connectors 
10a, 10b, 10c, 10d of the load device may be slidably engaged with the 
corresponding male terminal connectors 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d. Engagement between 
the female wire spade connector 10a and the male terminal connector 9a 
continues until the female spade connector 10a engages the stop shoulder 
11 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The indentation 12 of the terminal connector 
9a engages the female spade connector 10a in this position to ensure 
positive electrical contact and secure the female spade connector 10a in 
position. 
It will be appreciated that the connector described is generally S-shaped 
and may be easily mounted on the circuit breaker housing in either 
orientation. 
It will be further appreciated that the support lugs may be positioned at 
any suitable locations on the conducting plate. There may be any suitable 
number of such mounting lugs. 
While the embodiment described illustrates the use of four terminals it 
will be appreciated that there may be any number of connector terminals. 
Further, the connector terminals may be located at either end of the 
mounting plate. 
It will also be noted that a connector block housing any required number 
and arrangement of female wire spade connectors to complement the male 
spade connectors on the current breaker may be provided to simultaneously 
connect or disconnect a number of load devices. 
It will further be noted that while the connector terminals of the 
embodiment described are male spade connectors they could be equally 
provided by female spade connectors or any other suitable connection type 
without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
Various changes, modifications and variations may be made to the 
arrangements described without departing from the scope of the invention.