Patent Publication Number: US-2023154704-A1

Title: Arc chute debris blocker

Description:
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 in  FIGS.  2 A-B  and  5 A. These components include arc chute assemblies  2100 , debris blocker  2130 , and a slot motor  2140 . The arc chute assemblies  2100  are intended to contain the electric arc generated by the electric fault by attracting and breaking the arc, and include arc plates  2110  and arc sides  2120 . As the movable contact  2201  is moved away from the stationary contact  2203 , the movable contact  2201  moves past the ends of the arc plates  2110 , with the arc being magnetically drawn toward and between the arc plates  2110 . The arc chute assemblies  2100  and, in particular, the arc plates  2110  of the arc chute assemblies  2100  are designed to encourage the arc to enter the arc plates  2110 . The arc transfers to the arc plates  2110  where it is stretched and cooled until extinguished. The arc plates  2110  are electrically insulated from one another such that the arc is broken-up and extinguished by the arc plates  2110 . 
     While the arc chute assemblies  2100  are 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 chamber  2102  and into the operating mechanism area O′ and tends to wedge in the moving components causing the operating mechanism to malfunction. The debris blocker  2130  is structured to deflect or contain the debris formed during interruption. However, the debris blocker  2130  typically includes two side walls  2131  by the sides of the moving arm  2202  as shown in  FIG.  5 A . The two side walls  2131  are typically merely flat surfaces, and thus the debris can bounce off the walls  2131  and 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 motor  2140  is typically provided to speed the separation of the movable contact  2200  from the stationary contact  2203  in the event of a fault involving a high current discharge, for example, up to 25 kA. The slot motor  2140  may be made of magnetically permeable materials (e.g., steel) in a ring, loop, or U-shape within which the separable contacts  2200 , the moving arm  2202  and the stationary arm  2204  are disposed. When an arc is drawn between the separable contacts  2200  during the separation, the electrical current interacts electromagnetically with the slot motor  2130  to induce a magnetic field in the magnetic material of the slot motor  2140 , which then accelerates the separation of the separable contacts  2200 . 
     However, due to the limited space within the arc chamber  2102 , inserting the arc chute assemblies  2100 , debris blocker  2130  and slot motor  2140  in the arc chamber  2102  as separate components faces additional challenges. Further, the arc chute assembly  2100 , the slot motor  2140 , and the debris blocker  2130  are 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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic diagram of a circuit interrupter in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIGS.  2 A-B  illustrate a conventional three-phase circuit breaker  1 ; 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded view of devices disposed in a circuit breaker according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIGS.  4 A-C  illustrate an arc chute assembly according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIGS.  5 A-B  illustrate plan views of debris paths in a circuit breaker according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; and 
         FIGS.  6 A-B  illustrate a circuit interrupter according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, left, right, front, back, top, bottom and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein. 
     As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are “coupled” together shall mean that the parts are joined together either directly or joined through one or more intermediate parts. 
     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.  1    is a schematic diagram of a circuit interrupter  1000  (e.g., without limitation, a circuit breaker) in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. The circuit interrupter  1000  is structured to be electrically connected between a power source (now shown) via HOT conductors  12  and a load(s)  18  via LOAD conductors  14 . The circuit interrupter  1000  is structured to trip open or switch open to interrupt current flowing to the load  18 , for example, in the case of a fault condition (e.g., without limitation, an overcurrent condition) to protect the load  18 , circuitry associated with the load  18 , as well as the components within the circuit interrupter  1000 . While a 3-phase circuit breaker  1000  is shown in  FIG.  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 interrupter  1000  includes arc chute assemblies  1100 , separable contacts  1200 , an operating mechanism  1300 , an electronic trip unit  1400 , and a current sensor  1500 . The operating mechanism  1300  is structured to physically open and close the separable contacts  1200 . The electronic trip unit  1400  is structured to control the operating mechanism  1300  to open the separable contacts  1200  based on a signal including voltage measured at an output of the current sensor  1500 . The electronic trip unit  1400  includes a controller  1405  structured to monitor for faults based on power flowing through the circuit breaker  1000  and output a trip signal to the operating mechanism  1300 . 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 contacts  1200  are closed with manual intervention by a user through, for example, a reset switch. In some example embodiments, the operating mechanism  1300  is structured to close the separable contacts  1200  in response to a close signal from the electronic trip unit  1400 . 
     The arc chute assembly  1100  is disposed proximate to the separable contacts  1200  in order to attract an arc that is generated by the opening of the separable contacts  1200 , e.g., without limitation, in response to an overload condition or short circuit condition of the circuit interrupter  1000 . The arc chute assembly  1100  includes a first arc side (e.g., without limitation, a first arc side  3120  of  FIG.  3   ), a second arc side (e.g., without limitation, a second arc side  3122  of  FIG.  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 breaker  1000 . Each arc side includes a debris blocker component (e.g., without limitation, a debris blocker component  3130  of  FIGS.  3 ,  4 A -B and  5 B) at a vertical edge. The debris blocker component is disposed proximate to the separable contacts  1200  and structured to collect debris generated during an interruption of the circuit interrupter  1000  and intercept the debris from entering into the operating mechanism area O (e.g., without limitation, operating mechanism area O of  FIG.  6 B ). The arc chute assembly  1100  may be pressure-dropped within the circuit breaker  1000 . 
     In some example embodiments, the plurality of arc plates are disposed between the first arc side and the second arc side, and the separable contacts  1200  are 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 element  3113  as shown in  FIGS.  4 B and  6 B ) disposed proximate to the separable contacts  1200 . Each arc plate is structured to attract and quench an arc generated upon opening of the separable contacts  1200  associated with the interruption and the distal element is structured to accelerate the opening of the separable contacts  1200 . 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 wall  3132  of  FIG.  5 B ) 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 contacts  1200 . The debris blocker component and the ends of the respective legs form a debris pocket (e.g., without limitation, a debris pocket  3133  of  FIG.  5 B ) 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 contacts  1200  such 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 motor  2140 , and reduces dielectric breakdown of the slot motor  2140 . 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.  2 A-B  illustrate a conventional three-phase circuit breaker  2000 . The conventional circuit breaker  2000  includes an arc chute assemblies  2100 , a debris blocker  2130 , and a slot motor  2140  as separate components that are press-fit inside the circuit breaker  2000 . 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 motors  2140  are disposed in the bottom half portion of the circuit breaker  2000  while the arc plates  2110  of the arc chute assemblies  2100  are disposed in the top half portion of the circuit breaker  2000  with the slot motor  2140  being open on the top so as to allow the moving contact  2201  to pass the ends of the arc plates  2110  as it separates from the stationary contact  2202  during interruption. The arc sides  2120 , however, extend the full height of the circuit breakers  2000  to keep the arc plates  2110  in the desired position, but the bottom portion of the arc sides  2100  merely includes a void, wasting valuable spaces within the circuit breakers  2000 . Further, due to limited space available in the circuit breakers  2000 , only one conventional debris blocker  2130  may 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 blocker  2130  may include a top  2131  and two side walls  2132  extending vertically from the ends of the top  2131 . The two side walls  2132  include 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.  3    is an exploded view of devices disposed in a three-phase circuit breaker  3000  according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. The circuit breaker  3000  includes an arc chute assembly  3100  including a first arc side  3120 , a second arc side  3122 , and a plurality of arc plates  3110 . The circuit breaker  3000  also includes a reverse loop  3240  including the stationary contact  3203  and stationary arm  3204 , an operating mechanism  3300 , and other components (e.g., a cross bar  3310 ). The first arc side  3120  and the second arc side  3122  each includes a debris blocker component  3130  at a vertical edge. The arc chute assembly  3100  is disposed proximate to the separable contacts  3200  in order to attract an arc that is generated by the opening of the separable contacts  3200 , e.g., without limitation, in response to an overload condition or short circuit condition of the circuit interrupter  3000 . Exemplary alignments for the arc sides  3120 , 3122 , arc plates  3210 , and the debris blocker  3130  are described further in detail with reference to  FIGS.  4 A-B ,  5 B, and  6 A-B. 
       FIGS.  4 A-C  illustrate an arc chute assembly  3100  according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept.  FIG.  4 A  is a perspective view of a fully assembled arc chute assembly  3100 ,  FIG.  4 B  is a perspective inner view of the fully assembled arc chute assembly  3100 , and  FIG.  4 C  is a perspective view of an example arc plates disposition. The arch chute assembly  3100  includes a first arc side  3120 , a second arc side  3122  opposite and spaced apart from the first arc side  3120 , and a plurality of arc plates  3110  between the first and second arc sides  3120 ,  3122 . Each arc side  3120 ,  3122  has a first vertical edge  3140 , second vertical edges  3142 ,  3143  proximate to the bases  3111  of the arc plates  3110 , top longitudinal edges  3144 ,  3145 ,  3148  and a bottom longitudinal edge  3141 . The first vertical edge  3140  runs parallel to the vertical axis V and the bottom longitudinal edge  3141  runs parallel to the horizontal axis H. The second vertical edges  3142 ,  3143  run parallel to axes  3172 ,  3173  approximately at angles 11° and 0° from the vertical axis V, respectively. The top longitudinal edges  3144 ,  3145 ,  3148  run parallel to the axes  3174 ,  3175 ,  3178 . 
     The debris blocker component  3130  is integrated with each arc side  3120 ,  3122  at the first vertical edge  3140 . The debris blocker component  3130  may be an extension of the arc sides  3120 ,  3122  or an attachment molded onto the first vertical edge  3140  of the arc sides  3120 ,  3122 . For example, the extension of the arc sides  3120 ,  3122  may include a simple extension of the side arc from the first vertical edge  3140  in the shape of the debris blocker component  3130  in one piece. The attachment includes the debris blocker component  3130  simply, e.g., without limitation, molded onto the first vertical edge  3140 . The debris blocker component  3130  has one or more vertical walls  3132 ,  3133 ,  3134  running parallel to one another. One  3133  of the vertical walls extends from or attached to the vertical edge  3140  of the arc side  3120 ,  3122 . Another wall  3132  extends towards the separable contacts  3200 . There may be another vertical wall  3134  added to taper in debris pockets  3136  the ends of the debris blocker components  3130 . The vertical walls have the vertical edges  3140 ,  3150 ,  3152 ,  3153 ,  3154 ,  3155 ,  3156 ,  3147 , top longitudinal edges  3148 ,  3149 ,  3151 ,  3158 ,  3159  and bottom longitudinal edges  3163 ,  3164 ,  3165 . The vertical edges  3140 ,  3150 ,  3152 ,  3153 ,  3154 ,  3155 ,  3156 ,  3147  run parallel to the vertical axis V. The top longitudinal edges  3148  and  3149  run parallel to axes  3178  and  3179 , respectively. The top longitudinal edges  3151 ,  3158 ,  3159  and bottom longitudinal edges  3163 ,  3164 ,  3165  run parallel to the horizontal axis H. These edges are connected to transverse edges  3146 ,  3151 ,  3160 ,  3162  so as to form transverse surfaces. The transverse surfaces and the vertical walls  3132 ,  3133 ,  3134  together form U-shaped debris blocker component  3130  as shown in  FIGS.  4 A-B  and  5 B. The vertical wall  3134  may be connected to the vertical walls  3132 ,  3133  and transverse edges  3151 ,  3161  to make the ends of the debris pockets  3136  narrower so as to ensure trapping of the debris within the debris pocket  3136 . 
     The debris blocker component  3130  is structured to collect debris generated during the interruption of the circuit breaker  3000  and intercept the debris from entering into the operating mechanism area O (as shown in  FIG.  6 B ) by trapping the debris within the debris pocket  3136 . It is noted that while  FIGS.  3 - 4 B,  5 B and  6 A -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 breaker  3000  may include a single vertical wall that is either extended from or attached to the vertical edge  3140  of respective arc side  3120 ,  3122 . The single wall may then extend or pass around the ends of respective legs  3112  of the arc plates  3110 . 
     Further, the first and second arc sides  3120 ,  3122  include a holding region  3124 . The holding region  3124  includes a plurality of molded recesses  3126  structured to receive fixing portions  3114  of corresponding legs  3112  adjacent to the respective arc side  3120 ,  3122  in order to hold the arc plates  3110  in the desired orientation during the normal operation and interruption of the circuit breaker  3000 . 
     The plurality of arc plates  3110  are disposed between the first arc side  3120  and the second arc side  3122 , and the separable contacts  3200  are disposed within the plurality of arc plates  3110 . Each arc plate  3110  includes a base  3111  and two legs  3112  each extending substantially parallel to each other and away from the base  3111 . Each leg  3112  includes a distal element  3113  disposed proximate to the separable contacts  3200 . As shown in  FIG.  4 C , the arc plates  3110  are equally spaced from one another and disposed in planes running parallel to axes  3700 ,  3701 ,  3702 ,  3703 ,  3704 ,  3705 ,  3706 , and  3707  at 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 in  FIG.  4 C  are 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 plates  3110  extend vertically over the entire height HT of the arc chute assembly  3100 . The arc plates  3110  are structured to attract and quench one or more arcs generated upon opening of the separable contacts  3200  associated with the interruption. Further, in order to enhance magnetic sensitivity, the arc plates  3110  integrate a distal element  3113  in each leg  3112  and disposed proximate to the separable contacts  3200 . The distal element  3113  is structured to accelerate the opening of the separable contacts  3200  by inducing additional magnetic fields, which in turn assist with repelling the separation of the separable contacts  3200  from each other. The distal element  3113  extends into the area in which a slot motor  2140  would typically be disposed. As such, the distal elements  3113  generate even more magnetic fields covering at least twice the vertical area (as the arc plates  3110  cover the entire height HT of the arc chute assembly  3100 ) and the longitudinal area (as the distal element  3113  extends into the typical slot motor area) as does the conventional slot motor  2140 . As a result, the distal elements  3113  accelerate the separation of the separable contacts  3200  much faster (e.g., at least twice as fast) than the conventional slot motor  2140  does. Such faster acceleration results in faster, and thus, more efficient protection of the load  18  and the circuit breaker  3000 . 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 plates  3110  in  FIG.  4 B  are U-shaped, however, it will be understood that the arc plates  3110  may have any other shape suitable (e.g., a V-shape, a ring-shape, etc.) for quenching arcs. While  FIG.  4 B  shows eight U-shaped arc plates  3110 , 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 plates  3110 . 
       FIGS.  5 A-B  illustrate plan views of circuit breakers  2000 ,  3000  according to example embodiments of the disclosed concept, respectively. Description of the components of the circuit breakers  2000 ,  3000  in  FIGS.  5 A-B  has been provided with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 4 B , and thus, for the economy of disclosure overlapping disclosure is omitted.  FIG.  5 A  shows a conventional circuit breaker  2000  including a conventional arc chute assembly  2100  and debris blocker  2130  and a moving arm  2202  including a movable contact  2200 . Debris path B shown in  FIG.  5 A  indicates that debris that occurs from erosion of the arc chute assemblies  2100  bounces off the side walls  2132  of the debris blocker  2130  and eventually makes its way into the operation mechanism area O′ via the spaces between the moving arm  2202  and the debris blocker  2130 . As such, the conventional debris blockers  2130  do not have an efficient contain-and-hold mechanism, e.g., without limitation, the debris pockets  3136  of  FIG.  5 B .  FIG.  5 B  shows a circuit breaker  3000  including an arc chute assembly  3100  and a moving arm  3202  including a movable contact  3201 . The debris blocker component  3130  has inner walls (e.g., without limitation, the vertical wall  3132  as shown in  FIG.  5 B ) running parallel to the first and second arc sides  3120 ,  3122  and connected to the arc sides  3120 ,  3122  via the transverse surfaces. The arc sides  3120 ,  3122 , the transverse surfaces and the vertical walls  3132 ,  3133 ,  3134  form debris pockets  3136 . Debris path A shown in  FIG.  5 B  indicates that the debris formed during interruption is indeed contained within the debris pockets  3136 . In fact, there is simply no spaces or walls within the debris blocker component  3130  that 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.  6 A-B  illustrate inside views of a circuit breaker  3000  according to example embodiments of the disclosed concept.  FIG.  6 A  is an isometric view of the circuit breaker  3000  and  FIG.  6 B  is a side section view of the circuit breaker  3000 . The circuit breaker  3000  includes an arc chute assembly  3100  with arc plates  3110  and arc sides  3120 ,  3122 , a reverse loop  3240 , an operating mechanism  3300  in the operating mechanism area O, a cross bar  3310 , etc. These components are the same as the components shown and/or described with reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 4 B and  5 B , and thus, any overlapping description is omitted for the economy of disclosure.  FIGS.  6 A-B  show the arc chute assembly  3100  fully assembled within the circuit breaker  3000 , and show the arc chute assembly  3100  incorporating the capabilities of arc quenching, magnetic enhancement, and debris blocking all in one single device. This arc chute assembly  3100  removes the need to install separate slot motors  2140  or debris blockers  2130  within the limited space within the circuit breaker  3000 . Further, the arc chute assembly  3100  is 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 assembly  3100  to be incorporated by a simple pressure drop within the circuit interrupters. As such, the arc chute assembly  3100  may be used with any commercially available circuit interrupters. 
     While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of disclosed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.