CIRCUIT BREAKER ARC EXHAUST BAFFLE WITH VARIABLE APERTURE

摘要

An improved exhaust baffle (50) for a circuit protective device such as a circuit breaker (10) utilizes material having elastomeric characteristics to provide for variable apertures (51) where the cross-sectional opening of the apertures is dependent on the pressure gradient across the exhaust baffle, thereby effectively controlling arc pressure and arc effluent during short circuit interruption. Fabrication of the exhaust baffle (50) with geometric symmetry about one or more axes or planes also facilitates assembly during product construction.