CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER WITH INTEGRAL STOP MEANS FOR CONTACT ARM

摘要

The gap distance separating the contacts of a low-voltage circuit breaker in the tripped position is increased by utilizing resilient stop means which is located at the bottom wall of the breaker housing rather than at the top wall (or on the handle of the breaker) in accordance with prior art practice. The movable contact arm is pivotally mounted and structured to strike the stop means as the contacts are separated and being blown open during short circuit conditions and, after the circuit breaker is tripped, the collapsed toggle assembly of the operating mechanism shifts the movable contact arm away from the stop means and allows the arm to move an additional distance away from the fixed contact and thus increase the gap distance between the opened contacts.