Abstract:
A circuit breaker arraignment including at least two trip mechanisms the first trip mechanism acting to immediately trip to open contacts of the circuit breaker upon reaching a first threshold current level, and the second trip mechanism acting to trip to open the contacts once both a second current threshold is reached and a time delay has elapsed, the contacts moved by a linkage assembly that is held under mechanical advantage such that when acted on by one of the two trip mechanisms, the mechanical advantage is released to rapidly open the contacts.
Abstract:
Circuit interrupter having an arc extinguisher which functions to arrest an arc between its contacts regardless of the polarity of the contacts. The circuit interrupter includes one or more permanent magnets configured to drive an arc into the arc extinguisher. The arc extinguisher may include two arc paths, each including arc splitter plates. The two arc paths may be adjacent, each extending in a parallel direction. The arc paths may alternatively be non-adjacent, each extending in a perpendicular direction.
Abstract:
A circuit breaker having a movable contact arm for opening and closing the circuit which is controlled separately by a circuit breaker mechanism for circuit protection and by a switch lever mechanism which does not require actuation of the circuit breaker mechanism to function. The switch lever may be activated by a solenoid or other suitable means, and various interlocking mechanical states exist among the elements that provide added safety features.
Abstract:
A circuit interrupter has a first contact, a second contact, and a trip arm which moves the second contact between a closed position where the second contact is touching the first contact and an open position in which the second contact is spaced apart from the first contact. A first trip mechanism has a first solenoid, a first overcurrent sensor, and a first arm. A second trip mechanism has a second solenoid, a second overcurrent sensor, and a second arm. The first trip mechanism activates the first arm after a first threshold amount of time which actuates the trip arm when the first overcurrent sensor detects a first threshold level. The second trip mechanism activates the second arm after a second threshold amount of time which actuates the trip arm when the second overcurrent sensor detects a second threshold level, the second threshold level being different than the first.
Abstract:
A connector module permits termination of cross-connect wires on one surface (front) and cable wires on an opposite surface (rear). The module exhibits a configuration, which permits test access and protector (i.e., protection module) mounting from the front surface. The jumper wires are inserted from a side surface through wire guides or channels that bring the wires from the side surface to the front surface where the wires can be terminated without impeding insertion and removal of protection modules from the front of the connector module. There is an intermediate surface below the front surface that is accessible from the front and recessed to allow protection modules to be installed completely below the terminated wires, allowing termination and maintenance of jumper wires after the protection module is installed from the front.
Abstract:
An electrical connection strip used for high density wiring in telecommunication systems includes an elongated block, a first and second row of connector elements and a conductor guide pivotally mounted to a bottom surface of the block. The connector elements are mounted within the block so that end portions of the first row of connector elements protrude through a top surface of the block and end portions of the second row of connector elements protrude through a bottom surface of the block. The conductor guide pivots to bend conductor wires connected to the second row of connector elements at the bottom surface of the block from a first position, in which the conductor wires are substantially parallel to the bottom surface, to a second position, in which the conductor wires are substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface.
Abstract:
An insulation displacement contact for a two wire termination connection strip includes first and second generally planar leaf elements, each having longitudinal centerlines lying in a common longitudinal plane. The longitudinal plane is perpendicular to both of the leaf elements. The first leaf element is formed with a first leaf longitudinal slot defined by a first leaf relieved edge located on a first side of the longitudinal plane, and a first leaf opposed cutting edge which is spaced from the first leaf relieved edge in a direction towards the first leaf longitudinal centerline. The second leaf element is formed with a second leaf longitudinal slot defined by a second leaf relieved edge and a second leaf opposed cutting edge, with the second leaf relieved edge located on the second side of the longitudinal plane and the second leaf opposed cutting edge being spaced from the second leaf relieved edge in a direction towards the first leaf longitudinal centerline. The first and second leaf longitudinal slots define a tortuous path for receiving two insulated wires, with the cutting edges cutting through the insulation of the two insulated wires to make electrical contact and the relieved edges defining open regions which receive portions of the insulation of the insulated wires which are displaced from the wires, such that insulation displaced from the first wire does not interfere with placement of the second wire. The insulation displacement contacts are preferably employed with a connector block having an insulation-displacement-contact-receiving cavity defined by first and second pairs of generally parallel walls having a generally parallelogram cross section. The first pair of parallel walls are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal plane, while the second pair of parallel walls are generally sized and shaped to create back-up portions which back up the first and second leaf cutting edges when the contact is inserted into the cavity, such that the first and second cutting edges are moved towards the relieved edges and are substantially fixed against in-plane motion. The special shape for the insulation-displacement-contact-receiving cavity assists in preventing springing of the contact when the second wire is inserted.
Abstract:
A bracket assembly has rearwardly projecting metal wings mounted in a plastic cover plate. The circuit breaker is normally rear mounted in a panel. The cover plate is secured to the breaker with fasteners that secure the metal wings to the breaker housing. The metal wings have legs slidably received in the plastic cover plate providing a convenient subassembly for mounting the breaker from the front of a panel.
Abstract:
An improved fiber optic connector of the type in which a fiber supporting ferrule is slidably and resiliently biased independently of the surrounding load-bearing parts of the connectors so that forces applied to the fiber optic cable jacket are not transmitted to the ferrule and supported fiber to interrupt communications then in progress. The connector is substantially fully assembled prior to interconnection with the cable, and requires the introduction of an epoxy or other suitable adhesive to secure the fiber within the ferrule which is provided by a syringe. The needle of the syringe is inserted into a positioning tube which confines the adhesive to the needed area, and prevents wicking of the adhesive to surrounding areas where it might interfere with the sliding action of the ferrule. It also wipes the needle of adhesive as it is withdrawn. A rear body element of the connector is provided with internal threads which surround the cable jacket, which, during a crimping operation, causes the jacket to deform into the threads for superior cable retention. A buffer protection tube is provided which is inserted onto the end of the cable between the buffer and the load-bearing strands to serve the dual purposes of spreading the load-bearing fibers evenly, and protecting the buffer against radial compression so that it remains free to move axially within the jacket.
Abstract:
A telephone connector block with slotted openings and having shaped wire guide elements located in said slotted openings particularly suited for bracket or cradle type installation with or without a wall-mounted backboard. This block offers total front administration with the possiblility of rear connection for cutover and test access by temporarily disconnecting the block from the cradle. Improved strain relief is obtained by threading the individual conductors into angularly configured passageways leading to front mounted quick clip connectors.