Arc chute debris blocker

An arc chute assembly includes a first arc side and a second arc side opposite and spaced apart from the first arc side, each arc side including a first vertical edge, a second vertical edge, and a debris blocker component at the second vertical edge, where the debris blocker component is disposed proximate to the separable contacts and structured to contain debris generated during an interruption; and a plurality of arc plates disposed between the arc sides, the separable contacts disposed within the plurality of arc plates, each arc plate including a base and two legs each extending from the base and comprising a distal element proximate to the separable contacts, where each arc plate is structured to attract and quench an arc generated upon opening of the separable contacts associated with the interruption and the distal element is structured to accelerate the opening of the separable contacts.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed concept relates generally to electrical switching apparatus. The disclosed concept also pertains to arc chute assemblies integrating a debris blocker and a slot motor as a single device for electrical switching apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Circuit interrupters, such as for example and without limitation, circuit breakers, are typically used to protect electrical circuitry from damage due to an overcurrent condition, such as an overload condition, a short circuit, or another fault condition, such as an arc fault or a ground fault.

Circuit breakers, for example, typically include a set of stationary electrical contacts and a set of movable electrical contacts in arc chamber. The stationary and movable electrical contacts are in physical and electrical contact with one another when it is desired that the circuit breaker energize a power circuit. When it is desired to interrupt the power circuit, the movable contact and stationary contact are separated. These separable contacts generate an electric arc in the space between the contacts when they are tripped open as a consequence of an electrical fault. The arc provides a means for smoothly transitioning from a closed circuit to an open circuit, but produces a number of challenges to the circuit breaker designer. Among them is the fact that the arc results in the undesirable flow of electrical current through the circuit breaker to the load when it is desired to isolate the load from such current. Additionally, the arc, which extends between the contacts, often results in vaporization or sublimation of the contact material itself. Therefore, it is desirable to extinguish any such arcs as soon as possible upon their propagation.

To facilitate this process, the circuit breakers typically include components to enclose and extinguish the arc as shown inFIGS.2A-Band5A. These components include arc chute assemblies2100, debris blocker2130, and a slot motor2140. The arc chute assemblies2100are intended to contain the electric arc generated by the electric fault by attracting and breaking the arc, and include arc plates2110and arc sides2120. As the movable contact2201is moved away from the stationary contact2203, the movable contact2201moves past the ends of the arc plates2110, with the arc being magnetically drawn toward and between the arc plates2110. The arc chute assemblies2100and, in particular, the arc plates2110of the arc chute assemblies2100are designed to encourage the arc to enter the arc plates2110. The arc transfers to the arc plates2110where it is stretched and cooled until extinguished. The arc plates2110are electrically insulated from one another such that the arc is broken-up and extinguished by the arc plates2110.

While the arc chute assemblies2100are containing and quenching the electric arc generated by the electric fault, they suffer some erosion, which generate debris in the form of metallic pellets and carbon dusts. Such debris is projected out of the arc chamber2102and into the operating mechanism area O′ and tends to wedge in the moving components causing the operating mechanism to malfunction. The debris blocker2130is structured to deflect or contain the debris formed during interruption. However, the debris blocker2130typically includes two side walls2131by the sides of the moving arm2202as shown inFIG.5A. The two side walls2131are typically merely flat surfaces, and thus the debris can bounce off the walls2131and still fall into the operating mechanism area O′ as shown by the debris path B, resulting in malfunction of the moving components therein.

The slot motor2140is typically provided to speed the separation of the movable contact2200from the stationary contact2203in the event of a fault involving a high current discharge, for example, up to 25 kA. The slot motor2140may be made of magnetically permeable materials (e.g., steel) in a ring, loop, or U-shape within which the separable contacts2200, the moving arm2202and the stationary arm2204are disposed. When an arc is drawn between the separable contacts2200during the separation, the electrical current interacts electromagnetically with the slot motor2130to induce a magnetic field in the magnetic material of the slot motor2140, which then accelerates the separation of the separable contacts2200.

However, due to the limited space within the arc chamber2102, inserting the arc chute assemblies2100, debris blocker2130and slot motor2140in the arc chamber2102as separate components faces additional challenges. Further, the arc chute assembly2100, the slot motor2140, and the debris blocker2130are typically press-fit and held together with each other. As such, they require specific alignment, placement and dimensional stability to provide arc suppression and debris containment. Any variation from the specified alignment, placement, and dimensional stability reduce their functionalities and efficiencies, leading to, at time, hazardous situations. For example, in the event of interruption or arc, they may be shaken or moved, resulting in disconnections from one another or other components attached thereto. Such disconnections allow, for example, debris to find additional paths to enter into the operating mechanism area O′.

There is room for improvement in arc chute mechanism in circuit interrupters.

There is room for improvement in debris containment in circuit interrupters.

There is room for improvement in magnetic enhancement in circuit interrupters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These needs, and others, are met by a circuit interrupter structured to electrically connect between a power source coupled to a hot conductor and a load. The circuit interrupter includes separable contacts; an operating mechanism coupled to the separable contacts and structured to open and close the separable contacts; an electronic trip unit coupled to the operating mechanism and a current sensor, the electronic trip unit structured to cause the operating mechanism to open the separable contacts and interrupt current flowing through the circuit interrupter based at least in part on a signal indicative of a detected fault received from the current sensor; and an arc chute assembly disposed between a hot conductor terminal and an operating mechanism area, including a first arc side and a second arc side opposite and spaced apart from the first arc side, each arc side comprising a first vertical edge, a second vertical edge, and a debris blocker component at the second vertical edge, where the debris blocker component is disposed proximate to the separable contacts and structured to collect debris generated during an interruption of the circuit interrupter and intercept the debris from entering into the operating mechanism area; and a plurality of arc plates disposed between the first arc side and the second arc side, the separable contacts disposed within the plurality of arc plates, each arc plate including a base proximate to the first vertical edge and two legs each extending from the base and comprising a distal element disposed away from the base and proximate to the separable contacts, where each arc plate is structured to attract and quench an arc generated upon opening of the separable contacts associated with the interruption and the distal element is structured to accelerate the opening of the separable contacts.

Another example embodiment includes an arc chute assembly for use in a circuit interrupter. The arc chute assembly a first arc side and a second arc side opposite and spaced apart from the first arc side, each arc side comprising a first vertical edge, a second vertical edge, and a debris blocker component at the second vertical edge, where the debris blocker component is disposed proximate to the separable contacts and structured to collect debris generated during an interruption of the circuit interrupter and intercept the debris from entering into the operating mechanism area; and a plurality of arc plates disposed between the first arc side and the second arc side, the separable contacts disposed within the plurality of arc plates, each arc plate including a base proximate to the first vertical edge and two legs each extending from the base and comprising a distal element disposed away from the base and proximate to the separable contacts, where each arc plate is structured to attract and quench an arc generated upon opening of the separable contacts associated with the interruption and the distal element is structured to accelerate the opening of the separable contacts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Conventional circuit breakers include an arc chute assembly, a slot motor, and a debris blocker as separate components. However, the arc chute assemblies, debris blocker and slot motor are typically press-fit within the circuit breakers, requiring specific alignment, placement, and dimensional stability. For example, the slot motors are disposed in the bottom half portion of the circuit breakers while the arc plates of the arc chute assemblies are disposed in the top half portion of the circuit breakers with the slot motor being open on the top so as to allow the moving contact to pass the ends of the arc plates as it separates from the stationary contact during interruption. The arc sides, however, extend the full height of the circuit breakers to keep the arc plates in the desired position, but the bottom portion of the arc sides includes merely a void, wasting valuable spaces within the circuit breakers. Further, due to limited space available in the circuit breakers, only one conventional debris blocker may be included, typically in the pole nearest the operating mechanism area, thereby limiting the areas of debris blocking coverage. In addition, because these components are press-fit, an interruption may dislocate or disconnect one or more components out of their alignment or placement. Such dislocation or disconnection out of the alignment lead to generating undesired spaces between the components through which the debris may travel and enter the operating mechanism area. At individual level, each component may also suffer from less than optimal performance. For example, the conventional debris blocker typically includes two sidewalls that are merely flat surfaces. Thus, when an arc is generated, debris from erosion of arc chute components may bounce off these walls and be projected into the operating mechanism area of the circuit breaker, resulting in malfunctioning of the moving parts of the operating mechanism. Finally, having to add three separate devices each requiring their own parts and components can be costly.

Example embodiments of the disclosed concept address these issues. In some example embodiments, the arc chute assembly integrates the arc chute components, the slot motor and the debris blocker into a single device. For example, the arc chute assembly adds to its own components as either an extension of or attachment to these components to perform the same, in fact more enhanced, functionalities of the debris blocker and/or the slot motor. For example, the arc chute assembly integrates into its arc plates distal elements structured to induce a magnetic field to accelerate opening of the separable contacts in the event of a fault. The integration of the distal elements, thus, eliminates a need for a separate slot motor to be inserted within the circuit breaker, and thus, frees up the spaces within the circuit breakers that would have been occupied by the slot motor for enhanced debris blocking and accelerating the opening of the separable contacts. For instance, the arc plates, particularly the distal elements, extend into these freed spaces. Thus, the arc plates are now disposed over an area covering the full height of the circuit interrupter and twice the width as compared to that when a slot motor is inserted in the circuit breaker, thereby increasing the areas covered for arc quenching and inducing additional magnetic field for accelerating the contacts opening.

Further, the arc sides of the arc chute assembly integrate a debris blocking component proximate to the separable contacts and ends of the arc plates including the distal elements. The debris blocking component forms a debris pocket between its wall and the ends of the arc plates so as to collect debris generated as a result of the arc and prevent the debris from ever entering into the operating mechanism by trapping the debris within the debris pocket. In addition, the arc sides include a region for holding components (e.g., recess) structured to receive fixing components (e.g., protrusions, prongs) of the arc chutes so as to not only fasten and hold the arc plates in desired positions, but also to reduce any spaces between the arc sides and the arc plates. As such, unlike the conventional debris blockers, the debris cannot bounce off the arc sides and escape into the operating mechanism area. Additionally, the debris blocker component is integrated in each arc chute assembly for each pole of the circuit breaker, thereby providing more coverage areas for the debris blocking and further enhancing debris blocking capability. As previously mentioned, the debris blocking component and the distal elements may be an extension of or an attachment staked onto the arc sides and the arc plates, respectively. As such, impact of the arc cannot dislocate or disconnect the debris blocker element and/or distal elements from the arc chute assembly, thereby providing increased structural integrity and preventing any creation of additional escape paths to the operating mechanism area by the debris as a result of the impact. Further, such extension of or attaching a simple wall or distal elements to already existing components of the arc chute assembly reduces manufacturing and design costs as compared to installing separate debris blocker and slot motor requiring separate parts and components in the circuit breaker.

Therefore, the arc chute assembly of the disclosed concept eliminates unnecessary costs and spaces required by press-fitting the conventional arc chute assembly, slot motor, and debris blocker as separate components, replaces and performs all functions of these components effectively as a single device, and significantly enhances debris blocking and magnetic field generating capabilities over these components.

FIG.1is a schematic diagram of a circuit interrupter1000(e.g., without limitation, a circuit breaker) in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. The circuit interrupter1000is structured to be electrically connected between a power source (now shown) via HOT conductors12and a load(s)18via LOAD conductors14. The circuit interrupter1000is structured to trip open or switch open to interrupt current flowing to the load18, for example, in the case of a fault condition (e.g., without limitation, an overcurrent condition) to protect the load18, circuitry associated with the load18, as well as the components within the circuit interrupter1000. While a 3-phase circuit breaker1000is shown inFIG.1, it will be appreciated that a single-phase circuit breaker or any other number of phases may be employed without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.

The circuit interrupter1000includes arc chute assemblies1100, separable contacts1200, an operating mechanism1300, an electronic trip unit1400, and a current sensor1500. The operating mechanism1300is structured to physically open and close the separable contacts1200. The electronic trip unit1400is structured to control the operating mechanism1300to open the separable contacts1200based on a signal including voltage measured at an output of the current sensor1500. The electronic trip unit1400includes a controller1405structured to monitor for faults based on power flowing through the circuit breaker1000and output a trip signal to the operating mechanism1300. For example, in a mechanical circuit interrupter, the separable contacts are designed to interrupt current flowing through the circuit interrupter and have associated components such as an arc chute to manage arcing as a result of circuit interruption. In some example embodiments, the separable contacts1200are closed with manual intervention by a user through, for example, a reset switch. In some example embodiments, the operating mechanism1300is structured to close the separable contacts1200in response to a close signal from the electronic trip unit1400.

The arc chute assembly1100is disposed proximate to the separable contacts1200in order to attract an arc that is generated by the opening of the separable contacts1200, e.g., without limitation, in response to an overload condition or short circuit condition of the circuit interrupter1000. The arc chute assembly1100includes a first arc side (e.g., without limitation, a first arc side3120ofFIG.3), a second arc side (e.g., without limitation, a second arc side3122ofFIG.3) opposite and spaced apart from the first arc side, and a plurality of arc plates between the first and second arc sides. The first arc side and the second arc side are made of rigid materials (e.g., without limitation, plastic such as thermoset polyester) to hold the plurality of arc plates in desired place and withstand impact of interruption of the circuit breaker1000. Each arc side includes a debris blocker component (e.g., without limitation, a debris blocker component3130ofFIGS.3,4A-B and5B) at a vertical edge. The debris blocker component is disposed proximate to the separable contacts1200and structured to collect debris generated during an interruption of the circuit interrupter1000and intercept the debris from entering into the operating mechanism area O (e.g., without limitation, operating mechanism area O ofFIG.6B). The arc chute assembly1100may be pressure-dropped within the circuit breaker1000.

In some example embodiments, the plurality of arc plates are disposed between the first arc side and the second arc side, and the separable contacts1200are disposed within the plurality of arc plates. Each arc plate includes a base and two legs each extending substantially parallel to each other and away from the base. Each leg includes a distal element (e.g., without limitation, a distal element3113as shown inFIGS.4B and6B) disposed proximate to the separable contacts1200. Each arc plate is structured to attract and quench an arc generated upon opening of the separable contacts1200associated with the interruption and the distal element is structured to accelerate the opening of the separable contacts1200. Each arc plate may include a U-shape, a V-shape or any other appropriate shape for quenching the arc. The U-shape geometry, for example, results in the formation of an arc-induced magnetic field, which draws the arc into the arc chute assembly where it may be effectively split among the arc plates into a series of smaller arcs and dissipated until the electrical current of the arc is extinguished.

In some example embodiments, the debris blocker component includes a vertical wall (e.g., without limitation, a vertical wall3132ofFIG.5B) extending from the vertical edge of the respective arc side and around ends of respective legs of the plurality of arc plates towards the separable contacts1200. The debris blocker component and the ends of the respective legs form a debris pocket (e.g., without limitation, a debris pocket3133ofFIG.5B) structured to contain the debris. Each arc plate includes a plurality of fixing elements (e.g., protrusions or prongs) and each arc side includes a region structured to receive and hold the fixing elements. In some examples, the prongs of the arc plates are covered with the debris blocker component. The vertical wall of the debris blocker component is disposed proximate to the ends of the respective legs and the separable contacts1200such that the arc travels through an arc plate into the debris pocket without being bounced off at least one of the respective arc side or the vertical wall of the debris blocker component. The debris blocker component may be an extension of the respective arc side or an attachment fixed onto the vertical edge of the respective arc side. The attachment may be fixed by, e.g., without limitation, being staked on the vertical edge of the respective arc side to ensure structural integrity that is capable of withstanding impacts of the arc or the interruption. Staking is a manufacturing process of forming one part into another by pressing it and forming an interference mating. It is a process comparable to riveting. No disconnection of the debris blocker component from the respective arc side occurs as a result of the interruption. For accelerating the opening the separable contacts, the distal element is structured to induce an additional magnetic field to help repel the separable contacts from each other based on the detected fault including a high current discharge of up to 25,000 Amps. The distal element eliminates a need for a separate slot motor2140, and reduces dielectric breakdown of the slot motor2140. The vertical wall of the debris blocker component provides insulation to prevent the attraction of the arc into the distal elements, providing a more efficient quenching.

FIGS.2A-Billustrate a conventional three-phase circuit breaker2000. The conventional circuit breaker2000includes an arc chute assemblies2100, a debris blocker2130, and a slot motor2140as separate components that are press-fit inside the circuit breaker2000. Since these components are held together with one another, they require alignment, placement and dimensional stability to provide arc suppression and debris containment as desired. For example, the slot motors2140are disposed in the bottom half portion of the circuit breaker2000while the arc plates2110of the arc chute assemblies2100are disposed in the top half portion of the circuit breaker2000with the slot motor2140being open on the top so as to allow the moving contact2201to pass the ends of the arc plates2110as it separates from the stationary contact2202during interruption. The arc sides2120, however, extend the full height of the circuit breakers2000to keep the arc plates2110in the desired position, but the bottom portion of the arc sides2100merely includes a void, wasting valuable spaces within the circuit breakers2000. Further, due to limited space available in the circuit breakers2000, only one conventional debris blocker2130may be included, typically in the pole nearest the operating mechanism area O′, thereby limiting the areas of debris blocking coverage. In some examples, the debris blocker2130may include a top2131and two side walls2132extending vertically from the ends of the top2131. The two side walls2132include flat surfaces off which debris generated during interruption may bounce off and enter into the operating mechanism area O′. A detailed description of these components is provided in the background section, as such for economy of disclosure any further overlapping description of these components is omitted.

FIG.3is an exploded view of devices disposed in a three-phase circuit breaker3000according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. The circuit breaker3000includes an arc chute assembly3100including a first arc side3120, a second arc side3122, and a plurality of arc plates3110. The circuit breaker3000also includes a reverse loop3240including the stationary contact3203and stationary arm3204, an operating mechanism3300, and other components (e.g., a cross bar3310). The first arc side3120and the second arc side3122each includes a debris blocker component3130at a vertical edge. The arc chute assembly3100is disposed proximate to the separable contacts3200in order to attract an arc that is generated by the opening of the separable contacts3200, e.g., without limitation, in response to an overload condition or short circuit condition of the circuit interrupter3000. Exemplary alignments for the arc sides3120,3122, arc plates3210, and the debris blocker3130are described further in detail with reference toFIGS.4A-B,5B, and6A-B.

FIGS.4A-Cillustrate an arc chute assembly3100according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept.FIG.4Ais a perspective view of a fully assembled arc chute assembly3100,FIG.4Bis a perspective inner view of the fully assembled arc chute assembly3100, andFIG.4Cis a perspective view of an example arc plates disposition. The arch chute assembly3100includes a first arc side3120, a second arc side3122opposite and spaced apart from the first arc side3120, and a plurality of arc plates3110between the first and second arc sides3120,3122. Each arc side3120,3122has a first vertical edge3140, second vertical edges3142,3143proximate to the bases3111of the arc plates3110, top longitudinal edges3144,3145,3148and a bottom longitudinal edge3141. The first vertical edge3140runs parallel to the vertical axis V and the bottom longitudinal edge3141runs parallel to the horizontal axis H. The second vertical edges3142,3143run parallel to axes3172,3173approximately at angles 11° and 0° from the vertical axis V, respectively. The top longitudinal edges3144,3145,3148run parallel to the axes3174,3175,3178.

The debris blocker component3130is integrated with each arc side3120,3122at the first vertical edge3140. The debris blocker component3130may be an extension of the arc sides3120,3122or an attachment molded onto the first vertical edge3140of the arc sides3120,3122. For example, the extension of the arc sides3120,3122may include a simple extension of the side arc from the first vertical edge3140in the shape of the debris blocker component3130in one piece. The attachment includes the debris blocker component3130simply, e.g., without limitation, molded onto the first vertical edge3140. The debris blocker component3130has one or more vertical walls3132,3133,3134running parallel to one another. One3133of the vertical walls extends from or attached to the vertical edge3140of the arc side3120,3122. Another wall3132extends towards the separable contacts3200. There may be another vertical wall3134added to taper in debris pockets3136the ends of the debris blocker components3130. The vertical walls have the vertical edges3140,3150,3152,3153,3154,3155,3156,3147, top longitudinal edges3148,3149,3151,3158,3159and bottom longitudinal edges3163,3164,3165. The vertical edges3140,3150,3152,3153,3154,3155,3156,3147run parallel to the vertical axis V. The top longitudinal edges3148and3149run parallel to axes3178and3179, respectively. The top longitudinal edges3151,3158,3159and bottom longitudinal edges3163,3164,3165run parallel to the horizontal axis H. These edges are connected to transverse edges3146,3151,3160,3162so as to form transverse surfaces. The transverse surfaces and the vertical walls3132,3133,3134together form U-shaped debris blocker component3130as shown inFIGS.4A-Band5B. The vertical wall3134may be connected to the vertical walls3132,3133and transverse edges3151,3161to make the ends of the debris pockets3136narrower so as to ensure trapping of the debris within the debris pocket3136.

The debris blocker component3130is structured to collect debris generated during the interruption of the circuit breaker3000and intercept the debris from entering into the operating mechanism area O (as shown inFIG.6B) by trapping the debris within the debris pocket3136. It is noted that whileFIGS.3-4B,5B and6A-B have specific alignments, edges, surfaces, walls, angles, etc., this is for illustrative purposes only and may include different alignments or components. For example, the circuit breaker3000may include a single vertical wall that is either extended from or attached to the vertical edge3140of respective arc side3120,3122. The single wall may then extend or pass around the ends of respective legs3112of the arc plates3110.

Further, the first and second arc sides3120,3122include a holding region3124. The holding region3124includes a plurality of molded recesses3126structured to receive fixing portions3114of corresponding legs3112adjacent to the respective arc side3120,3122in order to hold the arc plates3110in the desired orientation during the normal operation and interruption of the circuit breaker3000.

The plurality of arc plates3110are disposed between the first arc side3120and the second arc side3122, and the separable contacts3200are disposed within the plurality of arc plates3110. Each arc plate3110includes a base3111and two legs3112each extending substantially parallel to each other and away from the base3111. Each leg3112includes a distal element3113disposed proximate to the separable contacts3200. As shown inFIG.4C, the arc plates3110are equally spaced from one another and disposed in planes running parallel to axes3700,3701,3702,3703,3704,3705,3706, and3707at 12 degrees, 11 degrees, 10 degrees, 9 degrees, 8 degrees, 7 degrees, 6 degrees, and 5 degrees, respectively, from the horizontal axis H. The angular dispositions of the arc plates shown inFIG.4Care for illustrative purposes only, and any suitable angular dispositions may be utilized without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. The plurality of arc plates3110extend vertically over the entire height HT of the arc chute assembly3100. The arc plates3110are structured to attract and quench one or more arcs generated upon opening of the separable contacts3200associated with the interruption. Further, in order to enhance magnetic sensitivity, the arc plates3110integrate a distal element3113in each leg3112and disposed proximate to the separable contacts3200. The distal element3113is structured to accelerate the opening of the separable contacts3200by inducing additional magnetic fields, which in turn assist with repelling the separation of the separable contacts3200from each other. The distal element3113extends into the area in which a slot motor2140would typically be disposed. As such, the distal elements3113generate even more magnetic fields covering at least twice the vertical area (as the arc plates3110cover the entire height HT of the arc chute assembly3100) and the longitudinal area (as the distal element3113extends into the typical slot motor area) as does the conventional slot motor2140. As a result, the distal elements3113accelerate the separation of the separable contacts3200much faster (e.g., at least twice as fast) than the conventional slot motor2140does. Such faster acceleration results in faster, and thus, more efficient protection of the load18and the circuit breaker3000. This is particularly important in an event of fault involving a high current discharge, e.g., without limitation, up to 2,500 kA. The timely interruption of the power supply at the detection of such high current surge is crucial in protecting the power supply system and critical loads (e.g., without limitation, the IT servers). The example arc plates3110inFIG.4Bare U-shaped, however, it will be understood that the arc plates3110may have any other shape suitable (e.g., a V-shape, a ring-shape, etc.) for quenching arcs. WhileFIG.4Bshows eight U-shaped arc plates3110, it will be appreciated that any known or suitable alternative number and/or configuration of arc plates could be employed, without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. For example and without limitation, a plurality of V-shaped arc plates could be employed side-by-side. A plurality of conventional arc plates (not shown) could also be employed in combination with the disclosed arc plates3110.

FIGS.5A-Billustrate plan views of circuit breakers2000,3000according to example embodiments of the disclosed concept, respectively. Description of the components of the circuit breakers2000,3000inFIGS.5A-Bhas been provided with reference toFIGS.1-4B, and thus, for the economy of disclosure overlapping disclosure is omitted.FIG.5Ashows a conventional circuit breaker2000including a conventional arc chute assembly2100and debris blocker2130and a moving arm2202including a movable contact2200. Debris path B shown inFIG.5Aindicates that debris that occurs from erosion of the arc chute assemblies2100bounces off the side walls2132of the debris blocker2130and eventually makes its way into the operation mechanism area O′ via the spaces between the moving arm2202and the debris blocker2130. As such, the conventional debris blockers2130do not have an efficient contain-and-hold mechanism, e.g., without limitation, the debris pockets3136ofFIG.5B.FIG.5Bshows a circuit breaker3000including an arc chute assembly3100and a moving arm3202including a movable contact3201. The debris blocker component3130has inner walls (e.g., without limitation, the vertical wall3132as shown inFIG.5B) running parallel to the first and second arc sides3120,3122and connected to the arc sides3120,3122via the transverse surfaces. The arc sides3120,3122, the transverse surfaces and the vertical walls3132,3133,3134form debris pockets3136. Debris path A shown inFIG.5Bindicates that the debris formed during interruption is indeed contained within the debris pockets3136. In fact, there is simply no spaces or walls within the debris blocker component3130that the debris can go around or bounce off into the operating mechanism area O. Thus, the debris are effectively prevented from escaping into the operating mechanism area O.

FIGS.6A-Billustrate inside views of a circuit breaker3000according to example embodiments of the disclosed concept.FIG.6Ais an isometric view of the circuit breaker3000andFIG.6Bis a side section view of the circuit breaker3000. The circuit breaker3000includes an arc chute assembly3100with arc plates3110and arc sides3120,3122, a reverse loop3240, an operating mechanism3300in the operating mechanism area O, a cross bar3310, etc. These components are the same as the components shown and/or described with reference toFIGS.3A-4B and5B, and thus, any overlapping description is omitted for the economy of disclosure.FIGS.6A-Bshow the arc chute assembly3100fully assembled within the circuit breaker3000, and show the arc chute assembly3100incorporating the capabilities of arc quenching, magnetic enhancement, and debris blocking all in one single device. This arc chute assembly3100removes the need to install separate slot motors2140or debris blockers2130within the limited space within the circuit breaker3000. Further, the arc chute assembly3100is more compact and includes components that are more securely aligned together (e.g., without limitation, by being melt together) than the conventional three-separate-components (the arc chute, slot motor and debris blocker) are. Such compact design and improved structural integrity allows the arc chute assembly3100to be incorporated by a simple pressure drop within the circuit interrupters. As such, the arc chute assembly3100may be used with any commercially available circuit interrupters.