Electrical switching apparatus, and arc chute assembly and barrier member therefor

摘要

A barrier member is for an arc chute assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The arc chute assembly comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite and spaced apart from said first sidewall. The barrier member comprises a body portion structured to be disposed between said first sidewall and said second sidewall, said body portion comprising a first support portion, a second support portion, and a cover portion connecting said first support portion to said second support portion; a first containment portion extending from said first support portion, said first containment portion being structured to be disposed proximate said first sidewall; and a second containment portion extending from said second support portion toward said first containment portion, said second containment portion being structured to be disposed proximate said second sidewall, wherein said second containment portion is spaced from said first containment portion.

主权项

1. A barrier member for an arc chute assembly of an electrical switching apparatus, said arc chute assembly comprising a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite and spaced apart from said first sidewall, and a plurality of arc plates disposed between said first sidewall and said second sidewall, said arc chute assembly being structured to be disposed in said electrical switching apparatus, said electrical switching apparatus comprising a housing, a pair of separable contacts enclosed by said housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts and to trip open said separable contacts in response to an electrical fault, an arc and ionized gases being generated in response to said separable contacts tripping open, said barrier member comprising:
a body portion structured to be disposed between said first sidewall and said second sidewall, said body portion comprising a first support portion, a second support portion, and a cover portion connecting said first support portion to said second support portion; a first containment portion extending from said first support portion, said first containment portion being structured to be disposed proximate said first sidewall; and a second containment portion extending from said second support portion toward said first containment portion, said second containment portion being structured to be disposed proximate said second sidewall, wherein said second containment portion is spaced from said first containment portion, wherein said barrier member is a unitary component made from a single piece of material, and wherein said barrier member overlays and spans across said plurality of arc plates.