Trip actuator for molded case circuit breakers

摘要

An electronically driven trip actuator for multipole industrial rated molded case circuit breakers is installed within a common housing with the circuit breaker operating mechanism. The trip actuator consists of a mechanical actuator cooperatively connected with a magnetic latch. The magentic latch arrangement holds the trip actuator against an actuating spring bias. Upon receiving an appropriate signal response, the magnetic latch releases, allowing the mechanical actuator to move into contact with the circuit breaker latch under the influence of the actuator spring. The arrangement of the mechanical actuator and actuator spring provides a low latching force to the magnetic latch, while providing a large trip force to the circuit breaker latch.