GB240005A - Improvements in or relating to electric circuit-breakers - Google Patents

Abstract

240,005. Electrical Improvements, Ltd., and Gregory, R. W. Sept. 24, 1924. Automatic circuit-breakers; switches, quickbreak; oil switches; bases; contacts; switches, actuating.-In a circuit-breaker contacts mounted on the ends of springs and held together by retaining contacts are arranged so that, when one of the retaining contacts is moved by the release of the spindle by which it is carried, the spring- mounted contacts fly apart, so producing a sudden and long break of the circuit. As shown in Fig. 1, wedge-shaped contacts J secured on the ends of springs K are retained between the inclined faces E<1>, F<1> of retaining contacts E, F, the former fixed and the latter carried by a vertically movable spindle comprising metal parts B, B<1> connected by an insulating part B<2>. When this spindle is released it is moved downwards by the spring C lowering the contact F and permitting the contacts J to fly apart to the position shown in Fig. 4. The spindle is connected to a pivoted lever P by a pin and slot connection so that when this lever is rotated and held in position by a spring controlled catch R which engages the lever, the retaining contact is raised to its former position, from which it can be released by an electromagnet T. The spring contacts are connected by flexible leads L to a box shaped member K<1> housing the ends of the springs K and carried by the insulators H depending from the lids A<1>. Normally as shown the members K<1> are gripped by spring-clip contacts K<2> mounted on insulators supported from the bottom of the oil-containing switch case A and connected to the incoming leads. When, however, the lid is opened the members K<1> leave the clip-contact K<22> and the spring contacts may be replaced by extending the springs K and slipping the contacts J sidewise into the spaces between the retaining contacts E. F. The retaining contacts corresponding to the three phases of a threephase switch may be arranged so as to be simultaneously controlled and released by a single electromagnet.