Self-adjusting plug-in line terminal
View Patent ↗A line terminal for a circuit breaker includes a body forming two opposing legs and a third leg. The opposing legs are configured to form a passage for receiving a stab from a panel board. The two opposing legs are biased toward each other, and each of the opposing legs has a convex surface facing the passageway for engaging and maintaining alignment of the stab. A fixed contact is attached to the third leg. The fixed contact connects to a moveable contact of a circuit breaker. An arc runner is connected to the third leg and at least partially encloses a perimeter of the fixed contact.
1. A line terminal for a circuit breaker, comprising:
a body forming two opposing legs and a third leg;
the opposing legs being configured to form a passage for receiving a stab from a panel board, the two opposing legs being biased toward each other and each of the opposing legs having a convex surface facing the passageway for engaging and maintaining alignment of the stab;
a fixed contact being attached to the third leg, the fixed contact for connecting to a moveable contact of a circuit breaker; and
an arc runner being connected to the third leg and at least partially enclosing a perimeter of the fixed contact.
2. The line terminal as recited in claim 1 , wherein the arc runner includes an angled end portion for directing arcs away from the fixed contact.
3. The line terminal as recited in claim 1 , wherein the arc runner includes a ferromagnetic material such that a reverse current path is formed when to create a magnetic blow off force during a tripping event of the circuit breaker.
4. The line terminal as recited in claim 1 , wherein the two opposing legs are biased using a spring clip.
5. The line terminal as recited in claim 1 , wherein the convex surfaces include at least two protrusions for each of the opposing legs.
6. The line terminal as recited in claim 5 , wherein the at least two protrusions on each of the opposing legs are aligned in a direction perpendicular with an insertion direction of the stab.
7. The line terminal as recited in claim 1 , wherein the opposing legs have end portions angled outwardly for receiving the stab.
8. The line terminal as recited in claim 1 , wherein the fixed contact is enclosed by the arc runner to maintain a shape of the fixed contact within the arc runner.
9. The line terminal as recited in claim 8 , wherein the fixed contact includes silver to provide a soft non-stick contact surface.
10. A circuit breaker, comprising:
a moveable contact connected to an arm and configured to move to cause an open circuit in accordance with a current condition;
a line terminal having a body forming two opposing legs and a third leg;
the opposing legs being configured to form a passage for receiving a stab from a panel board, the two opposing legs being biased toward each other and each of the opposing legs having a convex surface facing the passageway for engaging and maintaining alignment of the stab;
a fixed contact being attached to the third leg, the fixed contact for connecting to the moveable contact; and
an arc runner being connected to the third leg and at least partially enclosing a perimeter of the fixed contact.
11. The circuit breaker as recited in claim 10 , wherein the arc runner includes an angled end portion for directing arcs away from the fixed contact.
12. The circuit breaker as recited in claim 10 , wherein the arc runner includes a ferromagnetic material such that a reverse current path is formed when to create a magnetic blow off force during a tripping event of the circuit breaker.
13. The circuit breaker as recited in claim 10 , wherein the two opposing legs are biased using a spring clip.
14. The circuit breaker as recited in claim 10 , wherein the convex surfaces include at least two protrusions for each of the opposing legs.
15. The circuit breaker as recited in claim 14 , wherein the at least two protrusions on each of the opposing legs are aligned in a direction perpendicular with an insertion direction of the stab.
16. The circuit breaker as recited in claim 10 , wherein the opposing legs have end portions angled outwardly for receiving the stab.
17. The line terminal as recited in claim 10 , wherein the fixed contact is enclosed by the arc runner to maintain a shape of the fixed contact within the arc runner.
18. The line terminal as recited in claim 10 , wherein the fixed contact includes silver to provide a soft non-stick contact surface.