Arc shield

摘要

A circuit breaker includes a shielding component having an external portion which defines a space external to the circuit breaker housing and covers a vent in the circuit breaker housing to direct gasses and debris from the vent to an outlet. The external portion also prevents insertion of the circuit breaker into a breaker box closer than the distances defining the space. This can have the advantage of preventing arcing from the breaker contacts to the breaker box. The external portion may also prevent insertion of the circuit breaker into a breaker box such that a vent in the circuit breaker housing is blocked. In some implementations, the shielding component contains an internal portion which extends into the circuit breaker housing and is disposed to impede debris generated by contact arcing, or other debris, from entering the mechanism of the circuit breaker.

主权项

1. A circuit breaker comprising:
contacts configured to be touching when closed and be separated when opened; a mechanism configured to open and close the contacts; a housing enclosing the mechanism and the contacts; an opening in the housing adapted to permit a gas to escape the housing; and, a shield attached to the housing; wherein the shield comprises an exterior portion defining a space around the opening that is external to the housing; wherein the exterior portion comprises an outlet and is disposed to direct the gas from the opening toward the outlet; and wherein the housing includes at least one slot and the shield includes at least one leg passing through the at least one slot from an exterior of the housing through to an interior of the housing.