CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH BYPASS FOR REDIRECTING HIGH TRANSIENT CURRENT AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

摘要

A bypass conductor (101) is provided for use in a miniature type circuit breaker (1). In one embodiment, the bypass conductor (101) can include an elongated flat strap positioned in a circuit breaker housing (3). A first en d (106) of the bypass conductor (101) is positioned to be adjacent to a contac t arm (35) in an open circuit position of the circuit breaker (1) to receive current flow, especially high transient current flow. A second end (118) of the bypass conductor (101) is electrically coupled and/or mechanically connected to a load terminal (71) of the circuit breaker to provide a path f or current between the first and second ends (106, 108). In this manner, the bypass conductor (101) provides an alternate path for electrical current through the circuit breaker (1). The bi-metallic components (65) and other sensitive elements within the circuit breaker (1) can therefore resist the loss of useful life and other adverse operational effects caused by a high transient current event.