CA3021488A1 - Trip light circuit breaker - Google Patents
Trip light circuit breaker Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA3021488A1 CA3021488A1 CA3021488A CA3021488A CA3021488A1 CA 3021488 A1 CA3021488 A1 CA 3021488A1 CA 3021488 A CA3021488 A CA 3021488A CA 3021488 A CA3021488 A CA 3021488A CA 3021488 A1 CA3021488 A1 CA 3021488A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- contact
- indicator
- stationary
- electrically coupled
- circuit breaker
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
- H01H71/04—Means for indicating condition of the switching device
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
- H01H71/04—Means for indicating condition of the switching device
- H01H2071/042—Means for indicating condition of the switching device with different indications for different conditions, e.g. contact position, overload, short circuit or earth leakage
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
- H02H3/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection
- H02H3/02—Details
- H02H3/04—Details with warning or supervision in addition to disconnection, e.g. for indicating that protective apparatus has functioned
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Abstract
A circuit breaker is referenced that has an indicator lamp that identifies a fault condition after power is interrupted to the circuit breaker. This solution uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) to indicate the trip condition. This solution does not require the power to be enabled to the load side of the circuit breaker in order to power the LEDs to display a trip condition. An overload may be detected when the fault current generates sufficient heat in a strip composed of a resistive element or bimetal to cause the bimetal to deflect and/or bend. The mechanical deflection triggers a trip assembly that includes a spring trip lever to a force a moveable contact attached to a moveable conductive blade away from a stationary contact, thereby breaking the circuit.
Description
2 PCT/US2016/031418 TRIP LKIITT CIRCUIT BREAKER
CROSS REFERENCE TO MATED, APPLICATIONS
104.1011 This application claims the benefit of oo-pending appli;cation Se N.
62A25,M9, filed on ittoaary 21, 2015, entitled .fRIP LrrE CIRCUIT BREAKER.
FIELD
W4021fl poment invention gel:wally relates to electrical ckcint bteeitkenõ aod more particularly, to etectrical circuit bneaketa that provide a positive and reliable indication .wlien the circuit breaker bas been tripped.
B.A.CKGROUND
1000) Electrical circuit breakers are known in the arr. Circiit. lireakers are. 0W:6k:3i switches del=rigned to protect an electrical circuit and its branches (wiring) from damage caused by overloads or short circuits. lts basic fkinction is. to detect an. overload fg electrical short condition .aild interinipt current flow Unlike a fns. Whit% OPktfateS o. id must be õreplaced.. a circuit breaker can be reset to regime normal operation one Me problem has been identified and anle,eted. eintgit Inerthers are Now an industry standard arid commonplace in most homes and conitnertial spaces worldwide.
100041 Generally a circuit breaker includes a switch coupled to a moving contact, an operating or trip .mechindsm, and a stationary contact Whet the switch is in die. OFF prnition, the moving, contact is separated from the stationary contact and the circa&
is. open wInIeby CUrrent cannot flow thrortgh the circuit When the switch is in the ON
position, the moving contact is in contact with the stationary contact and the circuit is closed whereby. omen: flows thimigh the ciamit Inhere i$ a short in the circuit or too much cumin flows through the circuit, an e/ectronstuminic short circuit waging element ot a thermal ovincurrent sensing element releases the trip .inechanism to open the contacts :and disrupt current flow throutih the circuit, fft00.51 in many eases a break:et in the ttippedifitalt state is undetectable because many times the ONSOFF or tripped ...oggie swiwil does nor fay flip to the tripped or OFF position..
When a circuit breaker in ikah :State iS Wn easily identified it resuks: in the: itonuvwner electrician systematically resetting each breaker until the actual tripped breaker is located. Ibis process often results in an undesirable disruption of power to iith.er elecnical (..O.M510.tkt.00 and may cause a power spike in the circuit damaging sensitive elearCnIkl.
CROSS REFERENCE TO MATED, APPLICATIONS
104.1011 This application claims the benefit of oo-pending appli;cation Se N.
62A25,M9, filed on ittoaary 21, 2015, entitled .fRIP LrrE CIRCUIT BREAKER.
FIELD
W4021fl poment invention gel:wally relates to electrical ckcint bteeitkenõ aod more particularly, to etectrical circuit bneaketa that provide a positive and reliable indication .wlien the circuit breaker bas been tripped.
B.A.CKGROUND
1000) Electrical circuit breakers are known in the arr. Circiit. lireakers are. 0W:6k:3i switches del=rigned to protect an electrical circuit and its branches (wiring) from damage caused by overloads or short circuits. lts basic fkinction is. to detect an. overload fg electrical short condition .aild interinipt current flow Unlike a fns. Whit% OPktfateS o. id must be õreplaced.. a circuit breaker can be reset to regime normal operation one Me problem has been identified and anle,eted. eintgit Inerthers are Now an industry standard arid commonplace in most homes and conitnertial spaces worldwide.
100041 Generally a circuit breaker includes a switch coupled to a moving contact, an operating or trip .mechindsm, and a stationary contact Whet the switch is in die. OFF prnition, the moving, contact is separated from the stationary contact and the circa&
is. open wInIeby CUrrent cannot flow thrortgh the circuit When the switch is in the ON
position, the moving contact is in contact with the stationary contact and the circuit is closed whereby. omen: flows thimigh the ciamit Inhere i$ a short in the circuit or too much cumin flows through the circuit, an e/ectronstuminic short circuit waging element ot a thermal ovincurrent sensing element releases the trip .inechanism to open the contacts :and disrupt current flow throutih the circuit, fft00.51 in many eases a break:et in the ttippedifitalt state is undetectable because many times the ONSOFF or tripped ...oggie swiwil does nor fay flip to the tripped or OFF position..
When a circuit breaker in ikah :State iS Wn easily identified it resuks: in the: itonuvwner electrician systematically resetting each breaker until the actual tripped breaker is located. Ibis process often results in an undesirable disruption of power to iith.er elecnical (..O.M510.tkt.00 and may cause a power spike in the circuit damaging sensitive elearCnIkl.
-3-gift061 Au overloaded or short i caused When. the toad. current vtierms oxr,:essive hen RI load in a strip of a bimetal element within the circuit breaker mechanism.
The vimed elemenc is designed to cause he bimetal to deflect andior bend.. The d:efitTlinn triggers the spring loaded trip mechanism ),-vhich inchitles a rip lever to move the conductive blade -away from n stationary portion of the bimetal contact, thus breaking. the circuit.
When the circuit is cxporie4toaenn-ent above ita :rated level for a petiod of rime, the trip OgiefrittN aCtiVV.le:; and opens the circuit by tripping to the fault state.
100071 Attempts have been tnAde to kniy the tripped hinaker. Sone niecharikal smerns use hfight mange or yellow indicatois o3 an .area of the switch that is visibk only when the switch is. in the tripped OFF position. These breakers, whiie efu, are insufficient in low lighting or dark locations.. and often fail to fally reach. the tripped positionõ thus not exposing the brightly colored indicator. Additionally, these breakers may also expose the Nightly colon&I
indicant! When in the ON posihon, thus (leating the tripped'OFF inckator fluiction.
[0,0081 Other breakers have been pi posed that include an indicator lamp that ia illuminated when the breaker is in the ON position. While Imuiltively identifying, the ON
breakers, the indicator lamps are constantly burning, wasting eneray., and when they bum out, providea thlse circuit flailt indication: These breakers must be replaced. if the J.14KikatCkt lump burns out, which is ctstly. Further, if on indicator lamp is burned out., it may ciVale adangerous situation for an electrician or person .working on the circuit,. believing that the circuit breaker is off when power is still applied to the affected circuit, 100091 Still other breakers have been proposed that Melo& an indicator hurtp that :illuminates when the breaker :is in the tripped position. The indicator lamp is connected to the =
The vimed elemenc is designed to cause he bimetal to deflect andior bend.. The d:efitTlinn triggers the spring loaded trip mechanism ),-vhich inchitles a rip lever to move the conductive blade -away from n stationary portion of the bimetal contact, thus breaking. the circuit.
When the circuit is cxporie4toaenn-ent above ita :rated level for a petiod of rime, the trip OgiefrittN aCtiVV.le:; and opens the circuit by tripping to the fault state.
100071 Attempts have been tnAde to kniy the tripped hinaker. Sone niecharikal smerns use hfight mange or yellow indicatois o3 an .area of the switch that is visibk only when the switch is. in the tripped OFF position. These breakers, whiie efu, are insufficient in low lighting or dark locations.. and often fail to fally reach. the tripped positionõ thus not exposing the brightly colored indicator. Additionally, these breakers may also expose the Nightly colon&I
indicant! When in the ON posihon, thus (leating the tripped'OFF inckator fluiction.
[0,0081 Other breakers have been pi posed that include an indicator lamp that ia illuminated when the breaker is in the ON position. While Imuiltively identifying, the ON
breakers, the indicator lamps are constantly burning, wasting eneray., and when they bum out, providea thlse circuit flailt indication: These breakers must be replaced. if the J.14KikatCkt lump burns out, which is ctstly. Further, if on indicator lamp is burned out., it may ciVale adangerous situation for an electrician or person .working on the circuit,. believing that the circuit breaker is off when power is still applied to the affected circuit, 100091 Still other breakers have been proposed that Melo& an indicator hurtp that :illuminates when the breaker :is in the tripped position. The indicator lamp is connected to the =
-4-voitase and the common terminal only when in the breaker is in the hipped ion.
When in die ON or OFF pagtion. the indicator lump is: not. illuminated A problem with thew hreakera .is when the breaker is tripped, the circuit through the indicator lamp i til1clowl. Tbus cortent -is mill prestnt in die circuit creating a danoemtis Sitt136011 for 3.t1 eletiriiri or pemon vawking the circuit, believing that the cifcan breaker t$ off when power i n Applied to the affected drenir.
When in die ON or OFF pagtion. the indicator lump is: not. illuminated A problem with thew hreakera .is when the breaker is tripped, the circuit through the indicator lamp i til1clowl. Tbus cortent -is mill prestnt in die circuit creating a danoemtis Sitt136011 for 3.t1 eletiriiri or pemon vawking the circuit, believing that the cifcan breaker t$ off when power i n Applied to the affected drenir.
-5-SUMMARY
100141 The peanut imeinion relatea to a circuit breaker intheawr device and particularly to a circuit breaker with an LED fault indicator WW1 nneSnattid within the circuit breaker. The imprmed deaign inarandy identifies a tripped breaker by itrierOzingiiian:honor lamp when the breaker hit$ nipped, and do-ettergizing the affected circuit 1.00111 The pre5ent invention, a iiicair tweak:el, compriRd of a plainkµ
housing containing the circuit breaker coutpinlerns including. nn indizator larnp.. The itnikatOT
lamp only activates when the citcuin bas become overloaded and has tripped.. The briakerhiLW
11.44:ged pOSithAt readily identified and aids in the identification of tie electrical circuit to determine what cauv.t1 the Cifttlit 1110t.
100141 The peanut imeinion relatea to a circuit breaker intheawr device and particularly to a circuit breaker with an LED fault indicator WW1 nneSnattid within the circuit breaker. The imprmed deaign inarandy identifies a tripped breaker by itrierOzingiiian:honor lamp when the breaker hit$ nipped, and do-ettergizing the affected circuit 1.00111 The pre5ent invention, a iiicair tweak:el, compriRd of a plainkµ
housing containing the circuit breaker coutpinlerns including. nn indizator larnp.. The itnikatOT
lamp only activates when the citcuin bas become overloaded and has tripped.. The briakerhiLW
11.44:ged pOSithAt readily identified and aids in the identification of tie electrical circuit to determine what cauv.t1 the Cifttlit 1110t.
-6-BRIEF DESCRIPTION Of' THE DR.AW MOS
itior2j Fig. I is an illosicarion Of an electical circuit breaker of the prmiii invention in die ON :minion_ [00131 fis. 2 is an illustration of the electrical circuit breaker o(F*. I
in the tripped position.
14)0141 Fig.. .3 is a simplified illustration c=ts the electrical circuit breaker of die prmnt -invention in the ON mition.
Itla151 Fig. 4 is a simplified illutthation of rik electrical eitcnit broker or Fig.. 3 in die It-44NA poiitiori.
100161 As required, .derailed .enibudinients of the present invention are discios,ed herein.
However. it is -to be undemood that the disclosed. embodiments are merely exemplary of tbe invention that rimy be embodied in various and alternative Mutts, Ttie, figures ate not mgessarily to scale; Wine features may tx.., exaggerated or minimized to show de-tai1s.
panic:der components, -Therefore, xiCstnientrid ndfunCt Maid detuils disclosed herein are not w interpretod .hut merely as:a representative basis tbr the etaillIS aiiiref 3S a representative twos for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
[00171 Moreover,. except where mherwise expressly incheated, tHn.urnerieal q n.e r:te this description .and in the claims are to be understood s modified hy the word "about" in des.aitain the brmler scope of this invention.. Practice within the numerical limits suited is- generally prekrred.
Also, wins:s. oxpit,,'Ay gated to the contrary, the 4mription of a tm>irp or cIase of materials as seitabic or preferred for a given purpose in come:vim with the invention implies that mixtures or combinations of any two or nion.-) members of the group or class may he equally 5,11:ital*., or referred.
100181 'Ref-sewing initially to Fig.. 1, an illustration of an electrieai circuit lareak.ex ctho pre.sein invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Electrical eirettit breaker 10 may also be mimed to as circuit brealier10 or breater 10. One of ordinary Ailt in the. art win faddy ItC01011Ze and trIldeffitatld the Ilse of any of the descriptions, which are not intended to limit the claimed invemkott be OmipOnentS described herein are mourned within a housing, whm) is not shown no as to view the breaker 10.mi-4R:wenn.
ftn1191 Breaker It) includes a switch 12 crawled to a. lateh assembly 14 ts.otip1ed to .an operating mechanism t and amoving eorrtatt 18: The latch assembly Melt:Wes A
Latch spring 20 coupled to the switch 1.2, 13ttako 10 includi:k% on. -oppet trip arm 22, u lowtr tripumi 2.3 Witil acatch 24, which -ti designed to engage a notth 25 in tine end of the upper trip arm 22. The catch 24 selectively couples the iippa trip on :2:2 to the lower trip arm 21, which in turn selectively couples the iiptier trip arm 22 to the operating metlitalisin 6 to hold. the moving contact 18 in the cloW or ON position. The lower trip arm 23 is releasably coupled to it nipper bar 26, which is coupled to a hi-metal controlleestrip or thermal overcurrent sensing element 28 n.iNi an electrorintgnetic short circuit seriaing element 30. The breaker 10 also includes a stationary contact 52 electrically coupled to the hot input 33 him the AC power $ourtv 344 and a load tenninal 16. Within the brnakeir panel tritit -shown) is akikP a neural 'bras Inv 37, wla:ld . is. coupled to the neural ne 39- from the AC power source 34. A uon-snetallicinon-conductive indicattir am 38 includes a inowahle indicator contact 40 elmnically coupled to an indicator light 42, which is electrically coupled to ground 44. A stationary indicator contact 4'6 is electrically coupled to the power Kiurce 34. A load 48 coupled to the load termirial 36 'arid the neutral tar, bar 37 coimietes the circuit 50, ,(00.201 A$ illustrated in Fig, .1, when the switch 12 is in the ON
position, moving i.',nntact 18 is in contim with stationary contact 32. The latch assembly 14 is held place by the eatch 24, which bolds the upper trip arm 22 in an engaged position against the opetating. mechanism 16õ. which had against a hp 52 at one end of the tippet- trip arm 2.2. by the latch spring 20 coupled to the switch 12.. In the ON position, current from power sm.= 34 flows throtigh ststiototy comic: 32, moving, contact Itt., line 54, hi-ntetal strip 28, dectromagnetic slum ciretnt sensing. element 30, and load ternitual 36 to sapply power to load 48. AS hung as switch 12 is. in the ON potsition, movable indicator comet .40 is ivited from stationary indicator contact 46 and akticatot. liOtt 42 is off.
100211 Reaming to Pig. 2õ den-chit 50 experiences a eminent overload situation, or a short, then bi-nietul controller 28 or electromagnetic shod circuit sensing element 30 engages tripper bar 26, which engaws lower nip artn 23 andolows lower trip arm 23 to pivot As the lower trip atm :3 pivots, the catch 24 moves out of an enriged position with the notch 25 in the end of upper trip arm :2:3., causing the upper trip arfil 23 to pivot, When the upper trip atm 2.3 pcts. the gyrating .9-mechanism 16 is pivoted away fmn the .upper trip. an 23 by la01 spring 20, which causes moving contact 18 pivot and disengage stationary contact til.t opening the circuit 50 arta doing power to he load 48. A. the moving contact 18 pivotsõ a.tail end 34 of moving contact I8 engages the indicator etto 38 ontssktig -the .indicator a.mt 3.8 ta pivot movalite intheatot CCinMet 40 into contact with stationary indicator contact 46. 'When the movable indicatur contact 40 is in physical contact with the staillynary indicator writact 46, power T,Lpplied to= indicuii-sit tamp 42 ad the tamp 42 is _alumina tad. As illustrated in H. 2, the circuit 50 is open and current from AC source 34 is not delivitned to the load 4&
100221 Rseibiling to Fig. 3, 4 ihLid illustration of elmetiicai circuit btke nftlw pivuzin invention is generally indieunA by refeienee numeral 100. 'The neutral side of AC power source 102 is coimected. to a neutral bus hr 104 mounted in a_ circuit breaker ixantii. OM shown), and the hot side of AC power source is connected to a itationaly conaet loti of breaker 100. la the ON
irnisi non htsn-ated in h...3. a movable allataket LOS 'PI it& COMMA with the stationary contact 106. thus supplying power to a load 1.10: When the breaker 100 is tripped, as inuswated in rig. 4, the movable contact 1 08 phViiii away from the stationary contact It*. opening the ciRseit,. and COntit'atl a t.mveabk indicator Wok 112., whioh .rtivots a movable indicaw mitt:ad 11.4 into ramtact with a fixed indicator contact I I 6. The fixed indicator contact 116 iS electrically cadre the hot .aide of the AC power source 1(12. When the movable indicator contact 114 is in zontaitt with the fixixI indicator contact 114, power is delivefed to an .inkteatot ktinn .118, which is connected to groand 120 to complete the circuit and illuminate the lamp 118. h this manlier, the lighted Limp. 118 readily identifies the cireuit breaker 100 that has tripped iNithout continuing to supply current w the Wad 110.
100231 Ibis i ait improved design of a tspical :residentialt commercial cneuit breaker foitad in ram homes awl cotranercial spaces.. In many ca.se:,; an overloade$
Wiped) breaer undetectable., because often times the switch does not fully flip to the tripped r off position.
Because the switch has not Idly flipped and time are often 1.0 to 20 k?.r MOM
breakers in an electrical ime, the Weaker that has tripped not mity- idetnified, requiring the homeowner or elwtrician tc s".i..sterturrieally reset each hreak.er ohe 31.= until the actual nipped breaker is located. Pits process often results in an unwannd disruption or per spike in other electrical 1.....0mpotwit6 downstream (within the structure) from the electrical panel box.
KW241 In the preremed embodiment, the indicator lamp ia an LED lamp, which only activates upon an OVedf.ltadslfiPPed breaker thAn iffinlediately identifying the breaker that Wet failed. in certain entbodiments, the LED may he prott.v.ted by TV.SiMr ELTKUOI
coupled to an integsated circuit.
[WIZ'S/ An additional couthet point hiu 'ten added to the Inte terminal of the bre.itlto and a. secondary contact point has been added to the housing of the; breaker and artachM to the positive lead of the LED l.astip. The negative lend from the LED lamp attaches to the wounding bat of the panel boa. .A rion-tnetallie wedge has been added to the pivot contact allowing power ..t.ront the :1:I NE SIDE to connect with the contact ithavhed to the breaker hints* thus 5upplying power in the positive leItel of the LED lamp in the faith/ tripped condition, As with any common circuit bleaker, power will .not flow to the load side in a fault tripprxl slate.
1111)26] 'rite new design with the integrated LED lamp thus alktws a person of ordinary skill to re00Øfigure the electrical load (devices Mugged in) on the circuit that is at thalt. .As C83.1 tven, there is a need fOr an integrated device dun provides an instant- 65:441 notification for overkmided or nipped circuit breaker. The LED indicator lamp in the improved design has been iMesigamd within the circuit breaker bowing:
f:0027f :It is to 'be understood that while certain now prefernd tbrims or this Invention have been illustrated and deactibed,, it is not limited thereto eutrit insofar as snob limitations Miludetl n he following atiiins: However it s to be uattentood tbat the principles disenssed herein may be applied to other types at circuit breakers:
itior2j Fig. I is an illosicarion Of an electical circuit breaker of the prmiii invention in die ON :minion_ [00131 fis. 2 is an illustration of the electrical circuit breaker o(F*. I
in the tripped position.
14)0141 Fig.. .3 is a simplified illustration c=ts the electrical circuit breaker of die prmnt -invention in the ON mition.
Itla151 Fig. 4 is a simplified illutthation of rik electrical eitcnit broker or Fig.. 3 in die It-44NA poiitiori.
100161 As required, .derailed .enibudinients of the present invention are discios,ed herein.
However. it is -to be undemood that the disclosed. embodiments are merely exemplary of tbe invention that rimy be embodied in various and alternative Mutts, Ttie, figures ate not mgessarily to scale; Wine features may tx.., exaggerated or minimized to show de-tai1s.
panic:der components, -Therefore, xiCstnientrid ndfunCt Maid detuils disclosed herein are not w interpretod .hut merely as:a representative basis tbr the etaillIS aiiiref 3S a representative twos for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
[00171 Moreover,. except where mherwise expressly incheated, tHn.urnerieal q n.e r:te this description .and in the claims are to be understood s modified hy the word "about" in des.aitain the brmler scope of this invention.. Practice within the numerical limits suited is- generally prekrred.
Also, wins:s. oxpit,,'Ay gated to the contrary, the 4mription of a tm>irp or cIase of materials as seitabic or preferred for a given purpose in come:vim with the invention implies that mixtures or combinations of any two or nion.-) members of the group or class may he equally 5,11:ital*., or referred.
100181 'Ref-sewing initially to Fig.. 1, an illustration of an electrieai circuit lareak.ex ctho pre.sein invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Electrical eirettit breaker 10 may also be mimed to as circuit brealier10 or breater 10. One of ordinary Ailt in the. art win faddy ItC01011Ze and trIldeffitatld the Ilse of any of the descriptions, which are not intended to limit the claimed invemkott be OmipOnentS described herein are mourned within a housing, whm) is not shown no as to view the breaker 10.mi-4R:wenn.
ftn1191 Breaker It) includes a switch 12 crawled to a. lateh assembly 14 ts.otip1ed to .an operating mechanism t and amoving eorrtatt 18: The latch assembly Melt:Wes A
Latch spring 20 coupled to the switch 1.2, 13ttako 10 includi:k% on. -oppet trip arm 22, u lowtr tripumi 2.3 Witil acatch 24, which -ti designed to engage a notth 25 in tine end of the upper trip arm 22. The catch 24 selectively couples the iippa trip on :2:2 to the lower trip arm 21, which in turn selectively couples the iiptier trip arm 22 to the operating metlitalisin 6 to hold. the moving contact 18 in the cloW or ON position. The lower trip arm 23 is releasably coupled to it nipper bar 26, which is coupled to a hi-metal controlleestrip or thermal overcurrent sensing element 28 n.iNi an electrorintgnetic short circuit seriaing element 30. The breaker 10 also includes a stationary contact 52 electrically coupled to the hot input 33 him the AC power $ourtv 344 and a load tenninal 16. Within the brnakeir panel tritit -shown) is akikP a neural 'bras Inv 37, wla:ld . is. coupled to the neural ne 39- from the AC power source 34. A uon-snetallicinon-conductive indicattir am 38 includes a inowahle indicator contact 40 elmnically coupled to an indicator light 42, which is electrically coupled to ground 44. A stationary indicator contact 4'6 is electrically coupled to the power Kiurce 34. A load 48 coupled to the load termirial 36 'arid the neutral tar, bar 37 coimietes the circuit 50, ,(00.201 A$ illustrated in Fig, .1, when the switch 12 is in the ON
position, moving i.',nntact 18 is in contim with stationary contact 32. The latch assembly 14 is held place by the eatch 24, which bolds the upper trip arm 22 in an engaged position against the opetating. mechanism 16õ. which had against a hp 52 at one end of the tippet- trip arm 2.2. by the latch spring 20 coupled to the switch 12.. In the ON position, current from power sm.= 34 flows throtigh ststiototy comic: 32, moving, contact Itt., line 54, hi-ntetal strip 28, dectromagnetic slum ciretnt sensing. element 30, and load ternitual 36 to sapply power to load 48. AS hung as switch 12 is. in the ON potsition, movable indicator comet .40 is ivited from stationary indicator contact 46 and akticatot. liOtt 42 is off.
100211 Reaming to Pig. 2õ den-chit 50 experiences a eminent overload situation, or a short, then bi-nietul controller 28 or electromagnetic shod circuit sensing element 30 engages tripper bar 26, which engaws lower nip artn 23 andolows lower trip arm 23 to pivot As the lower trip atm :3 pivots, the catch 24 moves out of an enriged position with the notch 25 in the end of upper trip arm :2:3., causing the upper trip arfil 23 to pivot, When the upper trip atm 2.3 pcts. the gyrating .9-mechanism 16 is pivoted away fmn the .upper trip. an 23 by la01 spring 20, which causes moving contact 18 pivot and disengage stationary contact til.t opening the circuit 50 arta doing power to he load 48. A. the moving contact 18 pivotsõ a.tail end 34 of moving contact I8 engages the indicator etto 38 ontssktig -the .indicator a.mt 3.8 ta pivot movalite intheatot CCinMet 40 into contact with stationary indicator contact 46. 'When the movable indicatur contact 40 is in physical contact with the staillynary indicator writact 46, power T,Lpplied to= indicuii-sit tamp 42 ad the tamp 42 is _alumina tad. As illustrated in H. 2, the circuit 50 is open and current from AC source 34 is not delivitned to the load 4&
100221 Rseibiling to Fig. 3, 4 ihLid illustration of elmetiicai circuit btke nftlw pivuzin invention is generally indieunA by refeienee numeral 100. 'The neutral side of AC power source 102 is coimected. to a neutral bus hr 104 mounted in a_ circuit breaker ixantii. OM shown), and the hot side of AC power source is connected to a itationaly conaet loti of breaker 100. la the ON
irnisi non htsn-ated in h...3. a movable allataket LOS 'PI it& COMMA with the stationary contact 106. thus supplying power to a load 1.10: When the breaker 100 is tripped, as inuswated in rig. 4, the movable contact 1 08 phViiii away from the stationary contact It*. opening the ciRseit,. and COntit'atl a t.mveabk indicator Wok 112., whioh .rtivots a movable indicaw mitt:ad 11.4 into ramtact with a fixed indicator contact I I 6. The fixed indicator contact 116 iS electrically cadre the hot .aide of the AC power source 1(12. When the movable indicator contact 114 is in zontaitt with the fixixI indicator contact 114, power is delivefed to an .inkteatot ktinn .118, which is connected to groand 120 to complete the circuit and illuminate the lamp 118. h this manlier, the lighted Limp. 118 readily identifies the cireuit breaker 100 that has tripped iNithout continuing to supply current w the Wad 110.
100231 Ibis i ait improved design of a tspical :residentialt commercial cneuit breaker foitad in ram homes awl cotranercial spaces.. In many ca.se:,; an overloade$
Wiped) breaer undetectable., because often times the switch does not fully flip to the tripped r off position.
Because the switch has not Idly flipped and time are often 1.0 to 20 k?.r MOM
breakers in an electrical ime, the Weaker that has tripped not mity- idetnified, requiring the homeowner or elwtrician tc s".i..sterturrieally reset each hreak.er ohe 31.= until the actual nipped breaker is located. Pits process often results in an unwannd disruption or per spike in other electrical 1.....0mpotwit6 downstream (within the structure) from the electrical panel box.
KW241 In the preremed embodiment, the indicator lamp ia an LED lamp, which only activates upon an OVedf.ltadslfiPPed breaker thAn iffinlediately identifying the breaker that Wet failed. in certain entbodiments, the LED may he prott.v.ted by TV.SiMr ELTKUOI
coupled to an integsated circuit.
[WIZ'S/ An additional couthet point hiu 'ten added to the Inte terminal of the bre.itlto and a. secondary contact point has been added to the housing of the; breaker and artachM to the positive lead of the LED l.astip. The negative lend from the LED lamp attaches to the wounding bat of the panel boa. .A rion-tnetallie wedge has been added to the pivot contact allowing power ..t.ront the :1:I NE SIDE to connect with the contact ithavhed to the breaker hints* thus 5upplying power in the positive leItel of the LED lamp in the faith/ tripped condition, As with any common circuit bleaker, power will .not flow to the load side in a fault tripprxl slate.
1111)26] 'rite new design with the integrated LED lamp thus alktws a person of ordinary skill to re00Øfigure the electrical load (devices Mugged in) on the circuit that is at thalt. .As C83.1 tven, there is a need fOr an integrated device dun provides an instant- 65:441 notification for overkmided or nipped circuit breaker. The LED indicator lamp in the improved design has been iMesigamd within the circuit breaker bowing:
f:0027f :It is to 'be understood that while certain now prefernd tbrims or this Invention have been illustrated and deactibed,, it is not limited thereto eutrit insofar as snob limitations Miludetl n he following atiiins: However it s to be uattentood tbat the principles disenssed herein may be applied to other types at circuit breakers:
Claims
4. The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said moving contact is further pivotable to an off position spaced from said stationary contact.
.5, The circuit breaker of claim 4 wherein said indicator arm remains said off position when said moving contact pivots to said off position.
6. The method of claim 2 wherein said constructing a profile step includes constructing a profile from said reflected laser signal.
7. The method of claim 2 wherein said transmiting step includes first and second transceivers wherein said first laser transceiver is directed toward a field side of the rail and said second laser transceiver is directed toward a gauge side of the rail.
8. A circuit breaker comprising:
a stationary contact electrically coupled to a hot side of a power source;
a neutral contact electrically coupled to a neutral side of said power source;
a moving contact pivotable between an on position electrically coupled to said stationary contact and a tripped position spaced from said stationary contact;
a load electrically coupled between said neutral contact and said moving contact;
a stationary indicator contact electrically coupled to said power source;
an indicator arm having a moveable indicator contact pivotable between an off position wherein said moveable indicator contact is spaced from said stationary indicator contact, and an on position wherein said moveable indicator contact is electrically coupled to said stationary indicator contact; and an indicator lamp electrically coupled to said moveable indicator contact and an electrical ground:
whereas said indicator lamp is off when said moving contact in said on position;
whereas said indicator lamp is illuminated when said moving contact is in said tripped position and said moveable indicator contact is electrically coupled to said stationary indicator contact;
whereas power is disconnected from said Ioad when said moving contact is in said tripped position.
9. The circuit breaker of claim 8 wherein said moving contact engages said indicator arm when in said tripped position pivoting said indicator arm from said off position to said position.
The circuit breaker of claim wherein said indicator lamp is a light-emitting diode.
11. The circuit breaker or claim 8 wherein said moving contact is further pivotable to an off position spaced from said stationary contact.
12. The circuit breaker of claim 11 wherein said indicator arm remains in said off position when said moving contact pivots to said off position.
13. A circuit breaker comprising;
a stationary contact electrically coupled to a hot side of a power source;
a neutral contact electrically coupled to a neutral side of said power source:
a moving contact pivotable between an on position electrically coupled to said stationary contact and a tripped position spaced from said stationary contact;
a load electrically coupled between said neutral contact and said moving contact, a stationary indicator contact electrically coupled to said power source:
an indicator arm having a moveable indicator contact pivotable between an off position wherein said moveable indicator contact is spaced from said stationary indicator contact, and an on position wherein said moveable indicator contact is electrically coupled to said stationary indicator contact; and a light emitting diode electrically coupled to said moveable indicator contact and an electrical ground;
whereas said light emitting diode is off when said moving contact is in said on position;
whereas said moving contact engages said indicator arm when in said tripped position pivoting said indicator arm from said off position to said on position;
whereas said light emitting diode is illuminated when said moving contact is in said tripped position and said moveable indicator contact is electrically coupled to said stationary indicator contact;
whereas power is disconnected from said load when said moving contact in said tripped position.
14. The circuit breaker of claim 13 wherein said moving contact is further pivotable to an off position spaced from said stationary contact.
15.. The circuit breaker of claim 13 wherein said indicator arm remains in said off position when said moving contact pivots to said off position.
.5, The circuit breaker of claim 4 wherein said indicator arm remains said off position when said moving contact pivots to said off position.
6. The method of claim 2 wherein said constructing a profile step includes constructing a profile from said reflected laser signal.
7. The method of claim 2 wherein said transmiting step includes first and second transceivers wherein said first laser transceiver is directed toward a field side of the rail and said second laser transceiver is directed toward a gauge side of the rail.
8. A circuit breaker comprising:
a stationary contact electrically coupled to a hot side of a power source;
a neutral contact electrically coupled to a neutral side of said power source;
a moving contact pivotable between an on position electrically coupled to said stationary contact and a tripped position spaced from said stationary contact;
a load electrically coupled between said neutral contact and said moving contact;
a stationary indicator contact electrically coupled to said power source;
an indicator arm having a moveable indicator contact pivotable between an off position wherein said moveable indicator contact is spaced from said stationary indicator contact, and an on position wherein said moveable indicator contact is electrically coupled to said stationary indicator contact; and an indicator lamp electrically coupled to said moveable indicator contact and an electrical ground:
whereas said indicator lamp is off when said moving contact in said on position;
whereas said indicator lamp is illuminated when said moving contact is in said tripped position and said moveable indicator contact is electrically coupled to said stationary indicator contact;
whereas power is disconnected from said Ioad when said moving contact is in said tripped position.
9. The circuit breaker of claim 8 wherein said moving contact engages said indicator arm when in said tripped position pivoting said indicator arm from said off position to said position.
The circuit breaker of claim wherein said indicator lamp is a light-emitting diode.
11. The circuit breaker or claim 8 wherein said moving contact is further pivotable to an off position spaced from said stationary contact.
12. The circuit breaker of claim 11 wherein said indicator arm remains in said off position when said moving contact pivots to said off position.
13. A circuit breaker comprising;
a stationary contact electrically coupled to a hot side of a power source;
a neutral contact electrically coupled to a neutral side of said power source:
a moving contact pivotable between an on position electrically coupled to said stationary contact and a tripped position spaced from said stationary contact;
a load electrically coupled between said neutral contact and said moving contact, a stationary indicator contact electrically coupled to said power source:
an indicator arm having a moveable indicator contact pivotable between an off position wherein said moveable indicator contact is spaced from said stationary indicator contact, and an on position wherein said moveable indicator contact is electrically coupled to said stationary indicator contact; and a light emitting diode electrically coupled to said moveable indicator contact and an electrical ground;
whereas said light emitting diode is off when said moving contact is in said on position;
whereas said moving contact engages said indicator arm when in said tripped position pivoting said indicator arm from said off position to said on position;
whereas said light emitting diode is illuminated when said moving contact is in said tripped position and said moveable indicator contact is electrically coupled to said stationary indicator contact;
whereas power is disconnected from said load when said moving contact in said tripped position.
14. The circuit breaker of claim 13 wherein said moving contact is further pivotable to an off position spaced from said stationary contact.
15.. The circuit breaker of claim 13 wherein said indicator arm remains in said off position when said moving contact pivots to said off position.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2016/031418 WO2017196292A1 (en) | 2016-05-09 | 2016-05-09 | Trip light circuit breaker |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA3021488A1 true CA3021488A1 (en) | 2017-11-16 |
| CA3021488C CA3021488C (en) | 2022-03-08 |
Family
ID=60267374
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3021488A Active CA3021488C (en) | 2016-05-09 | 2016-05-09 | Trip light circuit breaker |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA3021488C (en) |
| MX (1) | MX2018012308A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2017196292A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN113205978A (en) * | 2021-04-01 | 2021-08-03 | 浙江天正电气股份有限公司 | Circuit breaker with built-in auxiliary function and alarm system thereof |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4301342A (en) * | 1980-06-23 | 1981-11-17 | General Electric Company | Circuit breaker condition indicator apparatus |
| US4554524A (en) * | 1984-08-23 | 1985-11-19 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Secondary circuit breaker for distribution transformer with indicator light switch mechanism |
| US5012495A (en) * | 1990-03-19 | 1991-04-30 | Eagle Electric Mfg. Co. Inc. | Switch and circuit breaker combination device |
| EP1098337A3 (en) * | 1999-11-05 | 2002-08-07 | Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. | Signal accessory for a molded case circuit breaker |
| US6864447B1 (en) * | 2003-08-28 | 2005-03-08 | Eaton Corporation | Circuit breaker empolying illuminating indicators for open and closed positions |
| US7336457B2 (en) * | 2005-08-08 | 2008-02-26 | Hubbell Incorporated | Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) end-of-life (EOL) status indicator |
-
2016
- 2016-05-09 MX MX2018012308A patent/MX2018012308A/en unknown
- 2016-05-09 CA CA3021488A patent/CA3021488C/en active Active
- 2016-05-09 WO PCT/US2016/031418 patent/WO2017196292A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2017196292A1 (en) | 2017-11-16 |
| CA3021488C (en) | 2022-03-08 |
| MX2018012308A (en) | 2019-01-14 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20181018 |