ACCESSORY MODULE ACTUATORS FOR CIRCUIT CIRCUIT BREAKER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to electrical circuit breakers, and more particularly to the indication of the state of a circuit breaker and the remote control of a circuit breaker. 2. Description of Related Art Circuit breakers are commonly used for the temporary interruption of electrical power to electrically operated devices. Various circuit breaker mechanisms have been developed and refined over time, based on factors specific to the application such as current capacity, response time, and the type of reset function (manual or remote) desired of the circuit breaker. One type of circuit breaker mechanism employs a thermo-magnetic trip device to trip a latch in response to a specific range of overcurrent conditions. In another type of circuit breaker, referred to as a double-break circuit breaker, two sets of contacts are included that break the current to accommodate a higher level of overcurrent conditions than can be handled by a set of contacts. U.S. Patent No. 5,430,419 discloses a typical mechanical and electrical assembly that is used in circuit breakers in accordance with the present invention, and it is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A circuit breaker typically has three possible states: shutdown, in which the contacts are open; ignition, in which the contacts are closed to complete a circuit path; and triggered, in which contacts are opened due to an abnormal condition. It is desirable to monitor and control the state of a circuit breaker from a remote location, such as at a control center. Systems are known, such as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,794,356, which provides in the form of a modular accessory a position indicator switch directly coupled to the movement of an electrical circuit breaker contact device. The systems provide detection of conditions indicative of the contact condition of the circuit breaker and can indicate whether the contacts have been fused together. U.S. Patent No. 4,794,356 discloses a triggering mechanism and combination accessory unit for articulating the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker and forming an interface with the accessory unit for remote tripping as well as for the indication function of Shooting.
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,831,221 and 4,912,439 describe auxiliary switch accessories used within industrial-grade circuit breakers. Auxiliary switch accessories interact with the circuit breaker operation mechanism to provide remote indication of the condition of the circuit breaker contacts. U.S. Patent No. 4,864,263 discloses a crossbar unit that carries the movable contact arm and provides an accurate indication of the actual condition of the contactors. In some cases, the auxiliary switch accessory unit operates directly from the crossbar unit of the circuit breaker operating mechanism to provide an indication of the state of the circuit breaker. U.S. Patent No. 5,003,139 discloses a modified circuit breaker housing for providing an access passage that exposes a portion of the circuit breaker blade mechanism to external access and a bolted accessory module containing a rotor coupled to a movable coupling member configured to extend through the circuit breaker passage for linking a portion of the knife mechanism. A member carried with the blade mechanism mounted on a firing arm carried with the blade extends into the passage to engage with the coupling member. A sensor switch is linked by a cam surface on the rotor so that the rotor is moved responsively to trip and reset the circuit breaker blade to indicate the true position of the circuit breaker contacts. Rotor rotation will trip the circuit breaker when the circuit breaker is in the reset position. A solenoid is provided to rotate the rotor in the firing direction in a linked manner. A single coupling element detects the state of the circuit breaker and provides means for triggering it remotely. In general, the present invention relates to the monitoring and control of a circuit breaker from a remote location. Although there are devices for this general purpose, it is believed that there is a need for an accessory module for a circuit breaker capable of detecting the position of the components in the circuit breaker and capable of initiating a change in the state of a circuit breaker. . Such an accessory module is preferably reliable and durable and preferably incorporates advances in circuit card technology and switches when such advances improve the access module-rivers. The practical concerns regarding installation in the field are preferably addressed, and the parts are preferably exchanged in order to minimize the required number of parts. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a device for use with a circuit breaker having at least two positions therein that indicate different states of the circuit breaker. The device comprises an apparatus coupled to the circuit breaker for detecting the status of the circuit breaker, a status indicator having a separate state corresponding to each of the states detected by the apparatus, and an actuator associated with the apparatus and the status indicator to communicate the state detected by the device to the status indicator. In another aspect, the present invention provides an accessory module for a circuit breaker. The accessory module comprises a base, a mechanism in the base, the mechanism having at least two positions, a circuit card in the base, a position indicator mounted on the circuit board, and an actuator to communicate the position of the mechanism to the position indicator. Preferably, the accessory module further comprises a connector mounted on the card. The accessory module may include a terminal plug linked to the connector. Preferably, the actuator has a pivot, and the circuit card may have a hole to receive the pivot. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for indicating the state of a circuit breaker. The method comprises coupling a mechanism to the circuit breaker, placing the mechanism in different positions, each position corresponding to a state of the circuit breaker, detecting the position of the mechanism, and indicating the detected position. Preferably, the method further comprises sending the indicated position to a remote location. In another aspect, the invention provides a printed circuit board for an accessory module for a circuit breaker, where the circuit breaker has a state. The printed circuit board comprises a card and a status indicator mounted on the card to indicate the status of the circuit breaker. Preferably, the status indicator is a switch. In a preferred embodiment, the circuit card has a hole for receiving a pivot of an actuator cooperating with a switch on the circuit board. In another aspect, the invention provides an actuator for an accessory module for a circuit breaker, where the circuit breaker has a state. The actuator communicates the state of the circuit breaker and has a body. The body is in the form of a generally rectangular plate with at least one fold, first and second ends, and a pivot near the first end. In another aspect, the invention provides a terminal plug having a pull tab, and a pull tab for a terminal plug so that an inaccessible plug can be removed from a connector. Preferably, a pull tab comprises a flexible sheet having adhesive on one side and a paper covering the adhesive. A pull tab is preferably secured to a terminal pin during assembly and preferably extends from a housing that surrounds the terminal pin. In another aspect, the invention provides a double function base for holding and housing components of an accessory module attached to a circuit breaker and for spacing. The base has an internal surface to receive components of an accessory module and for connection to an internal surface of a cover to house the components, and an external surface for connection to the circuit breaker, where the external surface of the base is designed for also to link in the form of an external surface of the cover so that a second base can be used as a separator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a detailed understanding of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements have received similar numbers, and where: Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an accessory module of the present invention without its cover. Figure 2 shows a plan view of the accessories module of Figure 1 with its mechanism in a first position. Figure 2A shows the accessory module of Figure 1 with its internal mechanism in a second position. Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the upper side of a circuit board, switches, and actuators according to the present invention. Figure 4 shows the actuators of the present invention. Figure 5 shows a plan view of a circuit card, according to the present invention. Figure 6 shows a terminal pin linked with an accessory module, according to the present invention. Figure 7 shows the terminal pin of Figure 6 removed from the accessory module. Figure 8 shows an isometric view of a connector, according to the present invention. Figure 9 shows an end view of the connector of Figure 8. Figure 10 shows an accessory module connected to a circuit breaker, and illustrates the use of a base as a separator. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Forms An accessory module is attached to the side of a circuit breaker, and will be discussed in more detail below, the accessory module has a mechanism for interfacing with a circuit breaker. The mechanism can both detect the state of a circuit breaker and change that state, based on the input from an external source, i.e. a signal. In general, the accessory module completes certain circuits based on the state of the circuit breaker and thus serves as an indicator. Such indications can be sent to a remote site by electrical signals. On the other hand, the accessory module can receive electronic signals from a remote location and change the state of a circuit breaker based on those signals. The mechanism cooperates with a printed circuit board having switches to perform various functions. The actuators transmit the mechanical movement of the mechanism to the switches. A coil and associated circuits transform an electronic signal into mechanical movement of the mechanism in the accessory module, which in turn is transmitted to the circuit breaker. In general, the mechanism used in the accessory module is a duplicate part by part of the mechanism used in a circuit breaker. The mechanism design reflects a method of surveying the position of specific parts to a set of switch actuators that initiate the opening or closing of contacts based on the relationship between part position and the condition of the circuit breaker. The accessory mechanism is controlled by handle keys and crossbars in a similar way when control and / or manipulation between poles of the circuit breaker is carried out. Using the same combination of crossbars, handle keys and mechanisms between the circuit breaker and the accessory module as used between poles in a circuit breaker, an accessory module is created, which performs with the expected excellence of a circuit breaker. Bypass trips energize a coil that is linked to an accessory armature, which unlocks a trip lever that transfers that information to an enclosed circuit breaker via the action of a crossbar. A bell alarm or alarm switch is activated when the trigger lever in the accessory module is unlocked by bypass trips or by the rotation of the crossbar. A release switch provides energy drain for bypass. The release switch contacts are normally closed and open after the coil is energized. When the coil is energized, the trip lever is unlocked, which changes the state of the release switch. A release switch for the accessory module itself is switched by the position of a blade, which is controlled by the position of the switch handle of the associated circuit breaker. A bypass trip circuit is activated when the switch handle of the circuit breaker is in the "active" position and deactivated when the handle is in the "inactive" position. The mechanism in the accessory module has its own stored energy to initiate the required mechanical movement. The energy is stored in a spring during the assembly of the mechanism. Turning now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an accessory module 10 without its cover. Figure 2 shows a plan view of the accessory module 10 of Figure 1. Figure 2A shows the accessory module 10 with its internal mechanism in a second position. The accessory module 10 having its cover (not shown) is attached to the side of a circuit breaker (not shown) by screws, rivets or similar means through the holes 12. An arrow or crossbar (not shown) is extends from the switch handle of the circuit breaker to a hole 14 in a fake handle 16 of the accessory module 10. By this arrow, the position of the switch handle in the circuit breaker is mimicked by the fake handle 16 in the accessory module 10. The hole 14 is illustrated in a square shape, although other shapes may be used. However, the arrow should not pivot in the hole 14, but rather should rotate in the fake handle around a pair of pivots 18. (The second pivot is not shown, but it is located on the opposite side of the fake handle 16 .) The fake handle 16 has a fork projection 20, which has a bearing surface 22. The bearing surface 22 is a cam with respect to the fake handle 16. A driver blade 24 pivots on the bearing surface 22. The actuator blade 24 has a pivot end 26 which pivots on the bearing surface 22 and a free end 28. A trigger lever 30 rotates in a pivot 32 that is molded in a base 34. A mechanism spring 36 is attached in one end to a hook 38 in the driving blade 24 and at its other end to a hook 40 in the firing lever 30. The hook 40 is shown as a hidden line below the fork projection 20 in Figure 2. The rotation of the fake handle 16 makes the extreme lib re 28 of the actuating blade 24 moves from a first position illustrated in FIG. 2 laterally to a second position illustrated in FIG. 2A. The first position of the free end 28 of the driving blade 24, which is illustrated in Figure 2, occurs when the circuit breaker handle of the adjacent circuit breaker is in its "active" position, which means that a circuit path is established between a source and a load through the circuit breaker. The second position of the free end 28 of the actuator blade 24, which is illustrated in FIG. 2A, occurs when the circuit breaker switch handle is in the "inactive" or "trip" position., which means that a circuit path between the source and the load through the circuit breaker is open. Tension may be placed on the spring 36 of the mechanism for storing energy in the spring 36. This stored energy will be discussed more fully below, but is used to drive the mechanical action that occurs when the switch handle of the circuit breaker is moved to the "shot" position. A force is transmitted from the switch handle of the circuit breaker through an arrow or cross bar (not shown), which is normally placed in the hole 14 of the fake handle 16. The circuit breaker switch handle is similar to fake handle 16, but has a lever that extends outwardly from the body of the handle for manual operation. The cross bar has one end in the hole 14 and one opposite end in a similar hole in the switch handle. The rotation of the switch handle on the circuit breaker causes the fake handle 16 to rotate, as the two are linked by the cross bar. The bearing surface 22 on the fork projections 20 moves in a cam-like movement, which is both lateral and reciprocating. The pivot end 26 of the actuating blade 24 is pressed towards the bearing surface 22 by the tension in the spring 36 of the mechanism. With the fake handle 16 in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tension on the spring 36 tends to pull the free end 28 of the actuator bar 24 towards the left side 42 of the base 34. A stop 44 is molded in the base 34, which stops the free end 28 of the actuator bar 24 from further movement to the left 42. The rotation of the handle 16 moves the bearing surface 22 and the pivot end 26 of the actuator blade 24. The rotation causes a re-alignment of the spring 36, which causes the end 28 of the actuating blade 24 to oscillate to the second position illustrated in Figure 2A. This re-alignment of the spring 36 is called over-levering. The firing lever 30 is in a locked position with the spring 36 in tension, while in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. An armature blade 48 has a slit 50 which receives the tip of a free end 46 of the trigger lever 30. A pin 51 on trigger lever 30 links projection 20 to lock trigger lever 30 when handle 16 is rotated. A support bracket 52 is secured in the base 34 and has support notches 54. One end of the armature blade 48 is hinged to engage with and pivot in the support grooves 54. An armature spring 56 is usually under a force of compression pushing a pivot end 58 of the armature blade 48 towards a right side 60 of the base 34. Pushing the pivot end 58 to the right 60 causes a free end 62 of the armature blade 48 to move towards the left side 42. In this way, the compression force of the armature spring 56 presses the free end 62 to the left 42. This force keeps the free end 46 of the trigger lever 30 engaged in the slit 50 in the blade armature 48. The trigger lever 30 is held in this stable position, until the free end 62 of the armature blade 48 is forced to the right 60. The armature blade 48 may be forced to the right 60 by a n solenoid, a bypass trip coil 64. The bypass trip coil 64 has a plunger 66 which is connected to the free end 62 of the armature blade 48 by a trip link 68. The plunger 66 has a slot around it. its circumference and firing link 68 has a cooperating groove that links the groove, connecting plunger 66 with firing link 68 for lateral movement between left 42 and right 60. Firing link 68 has a shape of " U "inverted which fits cooperatively on its free end 62 of the armature blade 48. The various cooperating mechanical parts, including the fake handle 16, the actuating blade 24, the firing lever 30, the mechanism spring 36, the armature blade 48, and the armature spring 56, are referred to hereinafter as mechanism 69. When the coil of bypass 64 is energized, the plunger 66 is pulled towards the coil 64. The movement of the plunger 66 to the right pulls the free end 62 of the armature blade 48 to the right 60. The movement of the armature blade 48 a the right 60 causes the free end 46 of the firing lever 30 to slide out of the slot 50 in the armature blade 48. The tension energy stored in the mechanism spring 36 pulls the free end 46 of the firing lever 30. towards a lower side 70 of the base 34. The firing lever 30 rotates on its pivot 32. The firing lever 30 is configured such that the spring hook 40 moves to the right 60 when the free end 46 is disengaged from the Slit 50. The lateral movement of the spring hook 40 to the right 60 changes the alignment of the spring 36, causing the free end 28 of the actuating blade 24 to move laterally to the right 60. In this way, the end
28 of the actuator blade moves to its second position after the bypass trip coil 64 is energized. The second position of the actuator blade 24 is illustrated in FIG. 2A, and the unlocked position of the trip lever 30 is illustrated The mechanism spring 36 has been omitted for clarity. The difference is that in the unlocked position, at the end 46 of the firing lever 30 is moved towards the lower side 70 and the end 46 is not linked in the groove 50. Near its pivot 32, the firing lever 30 has a lateral movement to the right 60 when the end 46 is suddenly unlocked. As discussed below, the movement is monitored and detected. The bypass trip coil 64 can be energized by a remote electrical signal. This causes the response described above and triggers the enclosed circuit breaker. The trigger lever 30 has an ear 72 which contacts and rotates a firing cam 74 when the end 46 of the firing lever disengages from the slit 50. The firing cam 74 has a hole 76, similar to the hole 14 in the fake handle 16. A crossbar or firing arrow (not shown) extends from the hole 76 to a similar hole in a similar firing cam in the adjacent circuit breaker (not shown). To effect rotation of the trip cam in the circuit breaker, the trip cam 74 and its crossbar are preferably crossed because this form transmits the torque to the adjacent trip cam, rather than pivoting. A remote signal can be used to energize the bypass trip coil and, consequently, trip the circuit breaker. After such a trip, the mechanism will remain in this state until the annex circuit breaker is reset to its "active" position. The trigger cam 74 also works to fire the accessory module 10 when the enclosed circuit breaker is tripped. If the circuit breaker experiences an abnormal condition that causes it to trip, then the crossbar of firing rotates the firing cam 74, which moves the armature blade to the right 60. This unlocks the end 46 of the crevice 50 in the armature blade 48. The end 28 of the actuator blade 24 is moved to the right 60 whenever the circuit breaker contacts are opened. If the handle 16 is turned to the "inactive" position, the spring 36 is over-leveraged, and the end 28 is moved to the right 60. If the handle of the circuit breaker is in the "active" position, but it is then moved to the "disengaged" position, the trigger lever 30 is unlocked and movement of the hook 40 on the trigger lever 30 over-leverages the spring 36, causing the end 28 to be moved to the right 60. The end 28 is to the right whenever the contacts of the circuit breaker are open. With the operation of the mechanism 69 explained in this way, it will now be considered how the physical position of the mechanism 69 is detected and the signal is transmitted. As best seen in Figure 2, the trigger lever 30 contacts a first actuator 80 when the mechanism 69 is in the locked position illustrated in Figure 2. With reference to Figure 3, the first actuator 80 has a pivot 82 that moves elastically towards a hole 83 in a printed circuit board 84. As best seen in Figure 4, the pivot 82 is a pin with a longitudinal slot 86 and barbs 88. The actuator 80 rotates about the pivot 8 2 As best seen in Figure 2A, the actuator 80 contacts a button 90 in an alarm switch 92, sometimes referred to as a bell alarm switch. When the mechanism 69 is in the locked position illustrated in Figure 2, the firing lever 30 presses on the actuator 80, which rotates about its pivot 82 and presses the button 90. When the end 46 of the firing lever is unlinked from the slit 50, the trigger lever 30 moves to the right 60, which allows the button 90 to project over its entire extension. In this way, the alarm switch 92 detects the position of the trigger lever 30, which indicates the status of the adjacent circuit breaker, ie if the circuit breaker has tripped. In this manner, the tripping state of the adjacent circuit breaker can be inferred from the state of the alarm switch 92. The status of the alarm switch 92 can be indicated in a remote control center. A second actuator 94 is essentially identical to the first actuator 80. The first and second actuators 80, 94 are designed to be interchangeable, thereby reducing the number of parts required for the accessory module 10. The second actuator 94 rotates about of a pivot 96 that elastically moves toward a hole 97. The actuator 94 contacts a button 98 on a bypass release switch 100. When the mechanism 69 is in the locked and "active" position illustrated in Figure 2, the free end 28 of the actuating blade 24 presses or forces the actuator 94 to the left 42. A third actuator 102 is strategically located so that the movement of the second actuator 94 is also transmitted to the third actuator 102. The third actuator 102 rotates about of a pivot 104 and links a third button 106 to an auxiliary switch 108. The buttons 98, 106 may be either depressed or extended while the button 90 is pressed. If the button 90 is extended outwardly, then the trigger lever 30 is in its fired or unlocked position, which moves the end 28 to the right 60, releasing the buttons 98, 106. If the button 90 is outside, so necessarily the other two buttons are outside. The buttons 98, 106 may be inside or outside while the button 90 is outside. As described above, when the firing lever 30 is disengaged from the armature blade 48, the free end 28 of the actuating blade 24 moves laterally to the right 60. This removes the force that was applied to the second actuator 94, which in turn removes the force that the second actuator 94 applied to the third actuator 102. The three buttons 90, 98, 106 are loaded by means of a spring so that when the force holding the actuators 80, 94, 102 is removed , buttons 90, 98, 106 extend to their full outward position. The release switch 100 normally completes a circuit path when the adjacent circuit breaker is not tripped and its contacts are closed, completing its circuit path. The release switch 100 is in a circuit path with the bypass trip coil 64. If the bypass trip coil 64 is energized, the mechanism 69 and the adjacent circuit breaker are both tripped. This opens the release switch 100 and de-energizes the bypass trip coil 64, since that circuit path is interrupted when the button 98 is released. The release switch allows the coil 64 to be restored to its normal, deactivated state. The auxiliary switch 108 can be used to infer whether the enclosed circuit breaker is in its "active" or "inactive" or "triggered" position. The position of the end 28 mimics the position of a movable contact in the enclosed circuit breaker. When the movable contact in the enclosed circuit breaker is to the left 42, it contacts a stationary contact and establishes a circuit path. When the movable contact in the circuit breaker is to the right 60, it does not make contact with the stationary contact, which interrupts its circuit path. In this way, from the position of the end 28, the position of the movable contact in the enclosed circuit breaker can be inferred. The position of the end 28 is detected by the auxiliary switch 108 through the actuators 94 and 102. The state of the auxiliary switch 108 is therefore correlated with the state of the circuit breaker enclosed. The state of the auxiliary switch 108 can be monitored from a remote control center, and the state of the enclosed circuit breaker can be inferred from that. In addition, the state of the alarm switch 92 and the state of the auxiliary switch 108 can be interpreted together to infer the state of the circuit breaker enclosed. Now consider the actuators 80, 94, 102, which are made of a flexible and resilient material, typically a thermo-plastic. The design of the actuators offers many advantages. The material is sufficiently rigid to ensure activation, but sufficiently flexible to prevent over-actuation from damaging the switches 92, 100, 108. The over-drive may otherwise result because the mating parts are made of high material. resistance. The design of the pivots 82, 96, 104 with the slit 88 provides compression capability, allowing them to directly link the circuit board 84. In this way, a separate mechanical fastener is not necessary to hold the actuators 80, 94, 102 to the circuit board 84. The ends of the pivots 82, 96, 104 are compressed during the insertion of a pivot towards the alignment hole in the circuit board. The beard or hook at the end of a pivot slides through the opening in the circuit board because the slit 86 allows it to be compressed. The resilience of the material causes the pivot pin to expand back to its normal size. The beams or hooks link the circuit board and prevent the pivots from swinging backwards. The shape of the actuators 80, 94, 102 resembles in some way an "L". The shape, the location of the pivots 82, 96, 104 and the point of contact with the mechanism 69 were all designed to transform or scale down the great movement of the mechanical parts, the trigger lever 30 and the blade actuator 24 , at a small movement required for the buttons 90, 98, 106 of the switch. Circuit board 84 was particularly designed to fit in base 34 and provide a surface for mounting switches 92, 100, 108 and actuator pivots 82, 96, 104. Use two identical actuators 80, 94 in different places in one space confined was achieved in the design by strategically placing the switches 92, 100, 108 on the circuit board 84. The thermoplastic actuators 80, 94, 102 act as a link between the mechanism 69 and the switches 92, 100, 108. The flexibility of The actuators eliminates the need to maintain strict position tolerances on the switches or actuators. The snap-fit feature of the pivots 82, 96, 104 eliminates the need for rivets or screws. When the mechanism 69 is locked, as shown in Figure 2, a set of signals or information is transmitted to the switches 92, 100, 108 through the actuators 80, 94, 102. When the mechanism 69 is triggered, a different set of signals or information is transmitted to the switches 92, 100, 108 through the actuators 80, 94, 102. Turning now to the accessory circuit board 84, an isometric view of its upper part 110 is provided in the figure 3 and a plan view of its lower part 112 is provided in Figure 5. The circuit board 84 serves as a locator for moving parts that pivot on the card and actuate the switches. Electrically conductive sheet traces 114 are provided in the upper part 110 and the lower part 112. All aspects of current carrying of the accessory module 10 are incorporated in the circuit board 84, its traces 114, the switches 92, 100, 108, the coil 64, and a seven-pronged connector 116 mounted. The connector 116 provides a receptacle for a terminal pin 126 (discussed below) for signal communication with a remote site. The traces 114 eliminate the need for wires that connect the switches 92, 100, 108. The wires are typically welded by hand in their connections, while the traces 114 are made by a machine and tend to be of higher quality. The traces made with machine 114 can be produced at a lower cost than wiring by hand welding. Some of the leaf traces 114 have been dimensioned and positioned to achieve an unusually high nominal current capacity for a printed circuit board, and the auxiliary switch 108 is also designed for an unusually high nominal current capacity. The traces 114 for the auxiliary switch 108 have a maximum nominal capacity of 13 amps. The traces 114 are located both on the upper part 110 and the lower part 112 of the circuit board 84. The circuit board 84 is mounted on the base 34 and on the mating cover (not shown) with a clearance between traces 114 and the interior surfaces of the base 34 and the cover. The thickness of the card is dimensioned for proper insulation between the traces 114 of the upper part 110 and the lower part 112 and for the proper positioning of the cooperating parts between the mechanism 69 and the actuators 80, 94, 102. The card circuit 84 is placed on the base 34 by mating a hole 118 in the printed circuit board 84 around a post 120 on the base 34, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The edges 122 of the circuit board 84 are designed to act as limiters orienting the card 84 within walls 124 of the base 34. In this way, the circuit board 84 is firmly placed in the base 34 and secured sufficiently to detect the movement of the mechanism 69. The switches 92, 100, 108 are mounted on the card 84 at a right angle with the card 84. As best seen in Figure 5, each switch 92, 100, 108 has three tip connectors, but the switches are not necessarily used. is. The alarm switch 92 is activated when the firing lever 30 is unlocked from the armor blade 48 by drift firing or the rotation of the firing crossbar. Alarm interrupt 92 monitors whether mechanism 69 is in a triggered position. In this way, it detects an abnormal condition, which may be due to current overload. This state is communicated to a remote site by current through the traces 114 to the connector 116 that connects to a terminal pin. The alarm switch 92 can activate an alarm in a remote control center when the enclosed circuit breaker trips. The release switch 100 deactivates the bypass trip coil 64 after it has been activated. A trace 114 connects a tip of the second switch 100 to a tip of the bypass trip coil 64. Under normal conditions, the connected circuit breaker would have its contacts closed, making a circuit. In this normal condition, the mechanism 69 would be in the position illustrated in Figure 2, and the button 98 would be depressed on the switch 100. With the button 98 depressed, a circuit is made with the bypass trip coil 64, but in In this normal condition, the circuit is deactivated. A remote signal can energize the coil 64 through this circuit, which causes the release lever 30 to unlock, allowing the button 98 to open outwards. When the button 98 is projected outwardly, the circuit with the coil 64 is opened, deactivating the coil 64. The auxiliary switch 108 monitors whether the contacts of the circuit breaker are open or closed. Auxiliary switch 108 detects whether the associated circuit breaker is in its "active" or "inactive" position. This switch 108 is a mere lever switch having two positions, and the three points thereof are used. The active / inactive state of the auxiliary switch 108 is based on the position of the blade end 28 which is controlled by the handle position of the circuit breaker. A bypass trip circuit is deactivated by the release switch 100 based on the position of the blade end 28, where "active" indicates activation and "inactive" indicates deactivation. The traces 114 provide circuit paths between the switches 92, 100, 108, the coil 64 and the connector 116. With reference to Figures 6 and 7, a terminal pin 126 links to the connector 116. The terminal pin 126 has seven slits 128 to receive wires from a remote site. The terminal pin 126 has a pull tab 130 adhered thereto. An installer can hold the pull tab 130 and pull the terminal plug 126 out of the accessory module 10. This disconnects the terminal pin 126 of the connector 116. The installer can insert wire ends into the slots 128 and tighten nipples 131 in the holes 132. A cover 134 covers the base 34, which makes the terminal pin inaccessible. Without pull tab 130, field installation of wires on pin 126 would be impractical because the cover 134 would have to be removed from the base 34 in order to access the pin 126. The pull tab 130 is a sheet of metal. plastic, flexible, resistant material that has an adhesive coating on one side and a sheet of removable paper that covers the adhesive. The paper is perforated near one end for removal of a minor portion of the paper when the pull tab 130 is assembled on the terminal pin 126. A larger portion of the paper is left adhered to the plastic sheet. As best seen in Figure 7, the plug 126 has female connectors 136 that mate with male connector tips on the connector 116. With the wires installed, the plug 126 can be inserted into the connector 116. The plug 126 can not be inserted incorrectly , because there is only one position where the connector 116 will link with the pin 126. This functionality is provided by raised surfaces 138 and a rounded or sculpted portion 140 of the pin 126. Figure 8 shows an isometric view of the connector 116, and Figure 9 shows an end view of the connector 116. The connector 116 has receiving slits 142 for mating with surfaces 138 on the pin 126. The connector 116 also has a rounded or sculpted lower part 144 for mating with the rounded or sculpted bottom part 140 of the plug 126. As shown in Figure 8, the connector 116 has a shoulder 146, and the plug 126 has extending pins 148. When the plug ja 126 is inserted into the connector 116, the pins 148 link the shoulder 146, keeping the pin 126 and the connector 116 together in a locked position. The connector tips 149 are also illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this manner, the accessory terminal plug 126 provides means for connecting the internal accessory components with an external circuit, defined by the user, and allows easy installation of terminals. of wire by removing plug 126 from accessory module 10. Pin 126 and pull tab 130 eliminate the need for pigtails or wire terminals that are shipped with accessory module 10 and the problems of cost and quality associated with welded terminal wires for later connection in the field. The combination of the connector 116, the terminal plug 126 and the pull tab 130 is adaptable to other devices or housings where the flexibility and convenience of removing the plug for wire installation is advantageous. Turning now to another aspect of the present invention, Figure 10 illustrates the multifunctionality of the base 34. For some installations of an accessory module 10 (on a panel board of line I, for example), a separator is required for adapt the width of the circuit breaker and accessory module 10 to the requirements of the panel. The base 34 has been designed to function as both a housing for the mechanism 69, the circuit board 84, etc., as a separator. The use of the base 34 as a housing has been illustrated throughout the previous discussion. Nevertheless, the base 34 can be flipped over and used as a separator. As a separator, the base 34 adapts the assembly to the requirements of the panel. With reference to Figure 10, a base 34 'can be mounted to the cover 134 of an accessory module 10. The accessory module 10 comprises a base 34, which holds and positions the mechanism 69, the circuit card 84 and others. internal fittings, and a cover 134. The mounting holes in the base 34 are positioned to allow a screw to clamp the cover 134 and the base 34 to a circuit breaker 150 via transverse holes in the base 34, 34 '. The lower side 70 of the base has a counter-recessed transverse hole 152 for using a screw to join the turned base 34 'to the cover 134. An additional counter-recessed transversal hole 154 is required in the base 34, 34' to complete the installation of the separator. A total of three holes exists at base 34, 34 '. Two of the holes 152, 154 are counter-sunk on the flat bottom side to allow double operation of the base 34, 34 '. The use of the base 34 as spacer 34 'reduces the total number of parts required to supply the circuit breaker 150 with an accessory module 10. In summary, the invention provides an accessory module 10 having a set 69 of various parts Mechanics that cooperate to mimic the operation of similar parts in a circuit breaker. As a circuit breaker, the accessory module 10 has a handle 16, a trigger lever 30, a movable contact point 28 on the actuator blade 24, a mechanism spring 36, and an armature 48. The actuators 80, 94 , 102 detect, monitor and sense the position of the firing lever 30 and the blade contact end 28. The actuators transfer the movements of the mechanical assembly 69, particularly the firing lever 30 and the blade contact end 28, to the switches 92, 100, 108, which transform the movement into electrical signals either by making or breaking the circuit. A circuit board 84 is specially designed to hold and position the switches and provide traces that can withstand high currents. A terminal pin 126 provides convenient and useful means for field installation of wires for connection of the accessory module 10. In some applications, a spacer is required for the accessory module 10, and the base 34 has been designed to operate in a double capacity as a base 34 and as a separator 34 '. The above description is directed to particular embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration and explanation. However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications to the previously established embodiments are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The following claims are intended to be interpreted to encompass all such changes and modifications,