Patent Publication Number: US-9892873-B2

Title: Multi-purpose mounting for an electrical switching apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation application of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/250,408, filed Apr. 11, 2014 entitled, MULTI-PURPOSE MOUNTING FOR AN ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to electrical switching apparatus and, more particularly, to a multi-purpose mounting disposed in an electrical switching apparatus housing apparatus. 
     Background Information 
     Electrical switching apparatus include, for example, circuit switching devices, circuit interrupters, such as circuit breakers, network protectors, contactors, motor starters, motor controllers, and other load controllers. Electrical switching apparatus such as circuit interrupters and, in particular, circuit breakers of the molded case variety, are well known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,191. Circuit breakers are used to protect electrical circuitry from damage due to an over-current condition, such as an overload condition or a relatively high level short circuit or fault condition. Molded case circuit breakers typically include a pair of separable contacts per phase. The separable contacts may be operated either manually by way of a handle disposed on the outside of the case, or housing assembly, or automatically in response to an over-current condition. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, circuit breakers include an operating mechanism, which is designed to rapidly open and close the separable contacts, a trip unit assembly, which senses over-current conditions, and a trip actuator assembly. The trip actuator is actuated by the trip unit assembly in response to an overcurrent condition and moves the operating mechanism to a trip state. In the trip state the separable contacts move to their open position. 
     Trip unit assemblies have often included mechanical devices that react magnetically or thermally to over-current conditions. Presently, electric circuits are also used to detect an over-current condition. As electric circuits do not react magnetically or thermally to over-current conditions, the electric circuit must be coupled to an electronic trip mechanism. For example, an electronic trip mechanism may be, without limitation, a flux shunt trip actuator. An electronic trip mechanism, such as, but not limited to, a flux shunt trip actuator needs a reset device. It is known to provide a separate reset actuator for a flux shunt trip actuator. That is, the reset actuator is separate from other elements such as, but not limited to, the circuit breaker handle. 
     Further, users include internal accessories in the molded case such as, but not limited to, an auxiliary switch. The auxiliary switch is, in an exemplary embodiment, a microswitch disposed in a housing such as, but not limited to, an electrical peripheral circuit; e.g., a device that senses the state of the breaker contacts—on or off. 
     The molded case is, in many instances, generally divided into channel-like internal cavities with a conductor assembly for each pole extending through each cavity. The cavities further provide a space for additional components such as, but not limited to, the flux shunt trip actuator and the auxiliary switch. Such additional components are disposed in a mounting assembly that is further disposed in a molded case cavity. The space inside the molded case is, however, limited. Generally, mounting assemblies are structured to support a single type of additional component. Thus, if a user includes a flux shunt trip actuator, the user is precluded from including an auxiliary switch due to a lack of space for an auxiliary switch mounting assembly. 
     There is, therefore, room for improvement in electrical switching apparatus, such as circuit breakers, and in mounting assemblies structured to be disposed in an electrical switching apparatus housing assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     At least one embodiment of this invention provides for a multi-purpose mounting assembly structured to be disposed in an electrical switching apparatus housing assembly. The multi-purpose mounting assembly includes a body defining a first mounting assembly and a second mounting assembly. The first mounting assembly includes a first mounting construct. The second mounting assembly includes a second mounting construct. The first mounting construct is structured to support a first electrical component. The second mounting construct is structured to support a second electrical component. 
    
    
     
       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 cross-sectional side view of an electrical switching apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a detail cross-sectional side view of a trip and reset assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional top view of an electrical switching apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  is a detail cross-sectional top view of a trip and reset assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an electrical switching apparatus. 
         FIG. 6  is a detail isometric view of a multi-purpose mounting assembly in a housing assembly. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a multi-purpose mounting assembly. 
         FIG. 8  is another isometric view of a multi-purpose mounting assembly. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     It will be appreciated that the specific elements illustrated in the figures herein and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concept, which are provided as non-limiting examples solely for the purpose of illustration. Therefore, specific dimensions, orientations and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting on the scope of the disclosed concept. 
     Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, clockwise, counterclockwise, left, right, top, bottom, upwards, downwards 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 used herein, the singular form of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     As used herein, “actuator” and “actuating element” mean any known or suitable output mechanism (e.g., without limitation, trip actuator, solenoid, a flux shunt trip actuator) for an electrical switching apparatus and/or the element (e.g., without limitation, stem; plunger; lever; paddle; arm) of such mechanism which moves in order to manipulate another component of the electrical switching apparatus. 
     As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are “coupled” shall mean that the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly, i.e., through one or more intermediate parts or components, so long as a link occurs. As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other. As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. Accordingly, when two elements are coupled, all portions of those elements are coupled. A description, however, of a specific portion of a first element being coupled to a second element, e.g., an axle first end being coupled to a first wheel, means that the specific portion of the first element is disposed closer to the second element than the other portions thereof. 
     As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components “engage” one another shall mean that the elements exert a force or bias against one another either directly or through one or more intermediate elements or components. Further, as used herein with regard to moving parts, a moving part may “engage” another element during the motion from one position to another and/or may “engage” another element once in the described position. Thus, it is understood that the statements, “when element A moves to element A first position, element A engages element B,” and “when element A is in element A first position, element A engages element B” are equivalent statements and mean that element A either engages element B while moving to element A first position and/or element A engages element B while in element A first position. 
     As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body. 
     As used herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one a plurality). 
     As used herein, a “coupling assembly” includes two or more couplings or coupling components. The components of a coupling or coupling assembly are generally not part of the same element or other component. As such, the components of a “coupling assembly” may not be described at the same time in the following description. 
     As used herein, a “coupling” or “coupling component(s)” is one or more component(s) of a coupling assembly. That is, a coupling assembly includes at least two components that are structured to be coupled together. It is understood that the components of a coupling assembly are compatible with each other. For example, in a coupling assembly, if one coupling component is a snap socket, the other coupling component is a snap plug, or, if one coupling component is a bolt, then the other coupling component is a nut. 
     As used herein, a magnet “operatively spaced” from another element capable of magnetic attraction means that the two elements are so close as to allow the magnet to be attracted to the other element with a sufficient force so that, if the magnet or other element is not restrained, the magnet or other element would move into contact with each other. 
     As used herein, a “cam surface” is a surface that engages, or is engaged by, another member and wherein a member moves in response to the engagement. A surface that is merely capable of engaging, or being engaged by, another element but does not actually engage the other element in a manner that causes an intended movement is not a “cam surface.” 
     As used herein, “associated” means that the elements are part of the same assembly and/or, operate together, or, act upon/with each other in some manner. For example, an automobile has four tires and four hub caps. While all the elements are coupled as part of the automobile, it is understood that each hubcap is “associated” with a specific tire. 
     As used herein, “correspond” indicates that two structural components are sized and shaped to be similar to each other and may be coupled with a minimum amount of friction. Thus, an opening which “corresponds” to a member is sized slightly larger than the member so that the member may pass through the opening with a minimum amount of friction. This definition is modified if the two components are said to fit “snugly” together or “snuggly correspond.” In that situation, the difference between the size of the components is even smaller whereby the amount of friction increases. If the element defining the opening and/or the component inserted into the opening is made from a deformable or compressible material, the opening may even be slightly smaller than the component being inserted into the opening. This definition is further modified if the two components are said to “substantially correspond.” “Substantially correspond” means that the size of the opening is very close to the size of the element inserted therein; that is, not so close as to cause substantial friction, as with a snug fit, but with more contact and friction than a “corresponding fit,” i.e., a “slightly larger” fit. 
     As used herein, a “first position” or “first configuration” is associated with an electrical switching apparatus in an open configuration, i.e., wherein electricity cannot pass through the electrical switching apparatus. Conversely, a “second position” or “second configuration” is associated with an electrical switching apparatus in a closed configuration, i.e., wherein electricity passes through the electrical switching apparatus. Thus, the “second position” or “second configuration” is associated with the operational state of the switching apparatus. Accordingly, it is understood that when describing the operation of the switching apparatus, e.g., tripping in response to an over-current condition, the switching apparatus, or elements and assemblies thereof, may start in the “second position” and move to the “first position.” 
     As used herein, “structured to [verb]” means that the identified element or assembly has a structure that is shaped, sized, disposed, coupled and/or configured to perform the identified verb. For example, a member that is “structured to move” is movably coupled to another element and includes elements that cause the member to move or the member is otherwise configured to move in response to other elements or assemblies. 
     As used herein, “operatively coupled” means that a number of elements or assemblies, each of which is movable between a first position and a second position, or a first configuration and a second configuration, are coupled so that as the first element moves from one position/configuration to the other, the second element moves between positions/configurations as well. It is noted that a first element may be “operatively coupled” to another without the opposite being true. For example, a trip bar may be “operatively coupled” to a circuit breaker operating mechanism, meaning that when the trip bar moves, so does the operating mechanism, but, the operating mechanism may not be “operatively coupled” to the trip bar, meaning that the operating mechanism may be manually operated, e.g., by a handle, without necessarily moving the trip bar. 
     As used herein, “generally curvilinear” includes elements having multiple curved portions, combinations of curved portions and planar portions, and a plurality of planar portions or segments disposed at angles relative to each other thereby forming a curve. 
     As used herein, a “multi-purpose mounting assembly” is a mounting assembly that is structured to support more than one electrical component. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an electrical switching apparatus  8 , such as, but not limited to a circuit breaker  10 , includes an electrical switching apparatus housing assembly  12 , a conductor assembly  14 , an operating mechanism  16 , a trip unit assembly  40 , (elements shown schematically) as well as other components. The electrical switching apparatus housing assembly  12  is made from a non-conductive material and defines an enclosed space  18  wherein the other components may be disposed. The electrical switching apparatus housing assembly enclosed space  18  is, in an exemplary embodiment, divided into a number of cavities  19  including a cavity  19  for a trip unit assembly actuator  44 , described below. Three elongated cavities  19 A,  19 B,  19 C generally extend the length of the housing assembly  12  and are each structured to substantially enclose the elements of one pole of the conductor assembly  14 . Each of the elongated cavities  19 A,  19 B,  19 C have a width. 
     The conductor assembly  14  includes a number of conductive elements  20  that extend through the electrical switching apparatus housing assembly  12 . That is, a number of conductive elements  20  include, but are not limited to, a line bus  22 , a pair of contacts  23  including a movable contact  24  and a fixed contact  6 , and aloud bus  28 . As is known, there may be a number of sets of these elements, however, only one set will be described below. The line bus  22  and movable contact  24  are in electrical communication. The fixed contact  26  and the load bus  28  are in electrical communication. Each movable contact  24  is structured to move between an open, first position, wherein the movable contact  24  is spaced from the fixed contact  26 , and, a closed, second position, wherein the movable contact  24  is directly coupled to, and in electrical communication with, the fixed contact  26 . That is, each line bus  22  includes a movable arm  21  that is pivotally coupled to the housing assembly  12 . The movable contact  24  is coupled, directly coupled or fixed to an associated movable arm  21 . 
     The number of movable arms  21  are, in an exemplary embodiment, coupled, directly coupled or fixed to a crossbar  25 . The crossbar  25  includes an elongated body  27  with a number of cam surfaces  29 . A crossbar cam surfaces  29  is structured to engage the second actuator body second end  144 , described below. The crossbar  25  is rotatably coupled to the housing assembly  12 . The crossbar  25 , in an exemplary embodiment, is fixed to each movable arm  21 . In this configuration, the crossbar  25  substantially ensures that the movable arm  21 , and therefore the movable contacts  24 , move at the same time. 
     The crossbar  25  is part of the operating mechanism  16 . Thus, the operating mechanism  16  is operatively coupled to each movable contact  24  and is structured to move each movable contact  24 . The operating mechanism  16  moves between a number of configurations including an open, first configuration, wherein each movable contact  24  is spaced from an associated fixed contact  26 , and, a closed, second configuration, wherein each movable contact  24  is directly coupled to, and in electrical communication with, the associated fixed contact  26 . The operating mechanism  16  includes biasing elements (not shown) such as, but not limited to springs (not shown), that bias the operating mechanism  16  to the first configuration. Thus, the contacts  24 ,  26  are biased to the open, first position. The operating mechanism  16  includes a handle  30  and a reset member  32  ( FIG. 4 ). The handle  30  may be used to move the contacts  24 ,  26  between the first and second positions. The handle  30  may also be moved to a reset position, thereby moving the operating mechanism  16  into a reset configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the reset member  32  moves with the handle  30  and engages the trip and reset assembly  111  as described below. 
     The operating mechanism  16  further includes a catch (not shown), or similar device, that selectively prevents the operating mechanism  16  from moving to the first configuration. Thus, when the operating mechanism  16  is in the second configuration, wherein the pair of contacts  23  are in the closed position, the catch maintains the contacts  23  in the closed, second position. The catch, or more generally the operating mechanism  16  is mechanically coupled to the trip unit assembly  40 , described below, by a trip latch (not shown). That is, the catch engages the trip latch. When the trip unit assembly  40  detects an over-current condition, a mechanical linkage causes the catch to be released from the trip latch thereby allowing the bias of the operating mechanism  16  to move the contacts  24 ,  26  to the open, first position. As is known, when the operating mechanism  16  is moved into the reset configuration, the catch reengages the trip latch before the operating mechanism  16  moves into the second position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the trip unit assembly  40  includes a number of components such as, but not limited to, a number of electrical buses  42  (shown schematically), a trip unit actuator assembly  44 , a trip circuit  46 , a trip bar  48 , a multi-purpose mounting assembly  70 , and a trip and reset assembly  111 . As is known, the trip circuit  46  is structured to detect an over-current condition in any of the trip unit electrical buses  42 . The trip circuit  46  produces an electronic signal upon detecting an over-current condition in the conductor assembly  14 . The trip unit actuator assembly  44  is an electro-mechanical device that is in electronic communication with the trip circuit  46  and which is structured to produce a mechanical motion in response to receiving a signal indication and over-current condition in the conductor assembly  14 , as described below. 
     The trip bar  48  includes an elongated body  47 . The longitudinal axis of the trip bar body  47  is also an axis of rotation. The trip bar  48  is movably coupled and, in an exemplary embodiment, rotatably coupled to the electrical switching apparatus housing assembly  12 . The trip bar body  47  includes a number of engagement surfaces  45  including, but not limited to, radial extensions  49 . As noted above, the trip bar  48  is operatively coupled to the operating mechanism  16  so that rotation of the trip bar  48  causes the operating mechanism  16  to move from the operating mechanism  16  second configuration to the operating mechanism  16  first configuration. That is, the trip bar  48  moves between a number of positions including a trip bar first position, wherein the catch does not engage the trip latch allowing the operating mechanism  16  to move to the operating mechanism  16  first configuration, and a trip bar second position, wherein the catch engages the trip latch thereby maintaining the operating mechanism  16  in the operating mechanism  16  second configuration. 
     The trip circuit  46  (shown schematically) is disposed in the electrical switching apparatus housing assembly  12  and coupled to the conductive elements  20  so as to detect an over-current condition, as is known. The trip circuit  46  is coupled to, and in electronic communication with the trip unit actuator assembly  44  via the number of trip unit electrical buses  42 . Thus, the entire trip unit assembly  40  is disposed within the electrical switching apparatus housing assembly  12 . 
     The trip unit actuator assembly  44  is structured to be actuated in response to receiving an electronic signal from the trip circuit  46 . That is, the trip unit actuator assembly  44  is structured to receive an electronic signal from the trip circuit  46  and, in response thereto, to actuate a plunger  54  as described below. In an exemplary embodiment, the trip unit actuator assembly  44  is a flux shunt trip actuator that includes a housing  50 , a permanent magnet  52 , an elongated actuator member or plunger  54 , a coil  56  and an energizing circuit  58  (shown schematically). The trip unit actuator assembly housing  50  includes a first end  60  and a second end  62 . The trip unit actuator assembly housing second end  62  includes an opening  64  corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the plunger  54 . The permanent magnet  52  is disposed in the trip unit actuator assembly housing  50  at the trip unit actuator assembly housing first end  60 . The plunger  54  is movably disposed in the trip unit actuator assembly housing  50  and moves axially between a plunger first, extended position, wherein the plunger  54  engages the trip bar  48  and moves the trip bar  48  into the trip bar first position, and a plunger second, retracted position, wherein the plunger  54  is spaced from the trip bar  48 . A portion, or end, of the plunger  54  extends through the trip unit actuator assembly housing second end opening  64 . The plunger  54  is made from a magnetically sensitive material, e.g., a ferrous material or a magnetic material. Thus, when the plunger  54  is in the plunger first position it is operatively spaced from the permanent magnet  52 . That is, when the plunger  54  is in the first position, the permanent magnet  52  does not have sufficient force to attract, i.e., cause movement the plunger  54 . When the plunger  54  is in the plunger second position, the plunger  54  is not operatively spaced from the permanent magnet  52 . That is, when the plunger  54  is in the second position, the permanent magnet  52  has sufficient force to attract the plunger  54 ; thus, the plunger  54  is maintained in the plunger second position. 
     The coil  56  is disposed in the trip unit actuator assembly housing  50  and disposed about the plunger  54 . The coil  56  is, in an exemplary embodiment, energized by the energizing circuit  58  and thereby creates a magnetic field. That is, the energizing circuit  58  is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, the coil  56 . The magnetic field created by the coil  56  is sufficiently strong to overcome the magnetic attraction between the permanent magnet  52  and the plunger  54 . Thus, when the coil  56  is energized, the plunger  54  moves to the first position. It is noted that in the first position, the plunger  54  is beyond the range of the permanent magnet  52 . That is, the plunger  54  is more than operatively spaced from the permanent magnet  52 . Thus, when the plunger  54  moves to the first position, it remains there until acted upon by an external force. Further, it is noted that because of the configuration of the trip and reset assembly  111 , described below, the energy required to energize the coil  56  is reduced relative to other trip and reset configurations. Further, it is noted that because of the configuration of the trip and reset assembly  111 , described below, the energy required to energize the coil  56  is reduced relative to other trip and reset configurations. 
     That is, the energizing circuit  58  charges a capacitor to a regulated voltage determined by circuit components (none shown). The value of the regulated voltage stored by the capacitor is determined by the voltage needed by the trip unit actuator assembly  44  in order to trip the circuit breaker  10 . Harvesting technology has a limited ability to charge the capacitor to the proper voltage that is required by known trip unit actuator assemblies. Therefore, the trip unit actuator assembly  44  is structured to trip at a much lower voltage than previous trip unit actuator assemblies. For example, known trip unit actuators required the capacitor to be charged to about 41 volts. In an exemplary embodiment, the trip unit actuator assembly  44  is structured to trip at a capacitor charge of between about 22 volts and 28 volts, or about 25 volts. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , the multi-purpose mounting assembly  70  includes a body  71  having a first end  72 , an opposing second end  74  a first lateral side  76  and a second lateral side  78 . As shown, the multi-purpose mounting assembly  70  is separate from the electrical switching apparatus housing assembly  12 . Further, as shown, the multi-purpose mounting assembly body  71  includes a number of components  73  that are coupled to form the multi-purpose mounting assembly  70 . In an alternate embodiment, not shown, the trip unit assembly multi-purpose mounting assembly  70 , or a portion thereof, is unitary with the electrical switching apparatus housing assembly  12 . 
     The multi-purpose mounting assembly body  71  defines a first mounting assembly  80  and a second mounting assembly  82 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the first mounting assembly  80  includes a first mounting construct  84  and a first actuator  86 . The second mounting assembly  82  includes a second mounting construct  88  and a second actuator  90 . The first mounting construct  84  is structured to support a first electrical component  92 . The second mounting construct  88  is structured to support a second electrical component  94 . The multi-purpose mounting assembly body  71  has a width sized to be disposed in a single housing assembly cavity  19 A (as shown). 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second electrical components  92 ,  94  are different from each other. That is, in an exemplary embodiment, the first electrical component  92  is the trip unit actuator assembly  44 , described above. Further, the second electrical component  94  is an auxiliary switch  100 . The auxiliary switch  100 , in an exemplary embodiment, includes a generally parallelepiped body  102  and an actuator button  104 . The auxiliary switch button  104  moves between an extended, first position and a retracted, second position. The auxiliary switch  100  is, in an exemplary embodiment, closed when the auxiliary switch button  104  moves into the second position. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the first mounting construct  84  includes a cavity  110  that generally corresponds with the size and shape of the trip unit actuator assembly  44 . The first mounting construct  84  defines an opening  113  into the cavity that is sized to allow the plunger  54  to pass therethrough. Further, the first mounting construct  84  is structured to movably support the first actuator  86 . That is, in an exemplary embodiment, the first actuator  86  is a trip and reset assembly actuator  112 . The trip and reset assembly  111  includes the actuator  112  and an actuator mounting  114  ( FIG. 3 ). The first actuator  86  includes an elongated body  87  that is structured to actuate, and in this embodiment reset, the first electrical component  92 . That is, as used herein, “actuate” includes resetting an electrical component. In an exemplary embodiment, the first actuator  86  is movably, or pivotally, coupled to the mounting assembly body  71  at the actuator mounting  114 . During a reset operation, the first actuator  86  is structured to move the plunger  54  from the second position to the first position. That is, the actuator mounting  114  is a pivotal coupling and the first actuator  86  is structured to move between a first position, wherein the first actuator  86  does not engage the plunger  54  and a second position wherein the first actuator  86  engages the plunger  54 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the second mounting construct  88  includes a platform  120  structured to support the auxiliary switch  100 . Further, the second mounting construct  88  is structured to movably support the second actuator  90 . In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting assembly body  71  defines a passage  130  with a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. The passage  130  is disposed adjacent the platform  120 . The second actuator  90  includes a generally planar body  140  with a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape corresponding to the passage  130 . The second actuator body  140  further includes a first end  142  and a second end  144 . In an exemplary embodiment, the second actuator body first end  142  is tapered and includes an angled face  146 . The second actuator body second end  144  is structured to be engaged by the contact arm crossbar  25 , or a crossbar cam surface  29 . 
     The second actuator  90  is movably, i.e., slidably, disposed in the passage  130  with the second actuator body first end angled face  146  oriented and positioned to engage the auxiliary switch button  104 . The second actuator  90  is structured to move longitudinally in the passage  130 . That is, the second actuator  90  is structured to move between a first position, wherein the second actuator  90  engages the auxiliary switch button  104  and a second position, wherein the second actuator  90  does not engage the auxiliary switch button  104 . The second actuator body  140  cannot rotate in the passage  130  and, as such, the second actuator body first end angled face  146  remains oriented and positioned to engage the auxiliary switch button  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, the second mounting construct  88  also includes a biasing device  150  ( FIG. 7 ) such as, but not limited to, a compression spring  152 . The biasing device  150  is coupled to the second actuator  90  and biases the second actuator  90  toward the second position. 
     The multi-purpose mounting assembly  70  is assembled as follows. The first electrical component  92  (trip unit actuator assembly  44 ) is generally disposed within the first mounting construct  84 , i.e., within the cavity  110 , with the plunger  54  aligned with the opening  113 . The first actuator  86  is movably, and in an exemplary embodiment, pivotally coupled to the mounting assembly body  71 . The first actuator  86  is further structured to engage the trip bar  48  when the multi-purpose mounting assembly  70  is disposed in a cavity  19 A (as shown). The second electrical component  94  (auxiliary switch  100 ) is disposed on the second mounting construct  88 , i.e., platform  120 , with the auxiliary switch button  104  disposed adjacent the second actuator  90 . 
     The multi-purpose mounting assembly  70  is then disposed in the housing assembly and, as shown, in a single cavity  19 A. Initially, the first and second actuators  86 ,  90  are in their second positions. In this configuration, the first actuator  86  engages, or is structured to engage, the trip bar  48 . That is, when the trip unit actuator assembly  44  receives an electronic signal from the trip circuit  46  and actuates plunger  54 , plunger  54  engages the first actuator  86 . As the first actuator  86  moves into the first position, the first actuator  86  engages the trip bar  48  causing the operating mechanism  16  to move into the first position and separate the contacts  23 . As the contacts  23  separate, the crossbar  25  rotates causing crossbar cam surface  29  to engage the second actuator body second end  144  causing the second actuator  90  to move from the second position to the first. As the second actuator  90  moves from the second position to the first, the second actuator body first end  142 , and angled face  146 , engage the auxiliary switch button  104 . Further, during a reset operation, as detailed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/103,871, the first actuator  86  engages the plunger  54  and moves the plunger  54  to its first position. 
     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 invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof. 
     Further, as used herein, any element initially identified in a claim&#39;s preamble is not a claim element even if such element is later recited in the claim. That is, the claims may recite a number of unclaimed elements in the preamble and later recite a relationship or an interaction between the unclaimed elements set forth in the preamble and the claimed elements. It is understood that even though the elements initially recited in the preamble are later recited in the body of the claim, those elements, i.e., the unclaimed elements identified in the preamble, are not claimed elements. For example, a claim for the trip and reset assembly  111  only claims the elements of the trip and reset assembly  111 ; the claim preamble, however, identifies a number of elements, such as but not limited to the operating mechanism  16 . It is understood that a claim recitation describing the interaction of the trip and reset assembly  111  with the operating mechanism  16 , i.e., the unclaimed elements identified in the preamble, does not claim the unclaimed elements identified in the preamble which, in this example, are the elements of the operating mechanism  16 .