Automated assembly methods for miniature circuit breakers with wire attachment clamps

• Main Authors: FLEEGE DENNIS WILLIAM, LARSON BRETT EUGENE, FIXEMER JAMES VIRGAL
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 19.11.2002
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER; CURRENT COLLECTORS; ELECTRIC SWITCHES; ELECTRICITY; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES; GENERATION; LINE CONNECTORS; MEASURING; MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES; PHYSICS; RELAYS; SELECTORS; TESTING

An apparatus for use in arcing fault detection systems within circuit breakers and which is adapted for automated production by top-down assembly. The invention also includes several devices for making electrical connections to the circuit breakers, including a lug having a top and a hollow center, the top having a hole connecting the top to the hollow center for accessing a wirebinding screw, a neutral bus having a first end and a second end, the first end disposed within the hollow center beneath the hole, a wire binding screw disposed in the hole and extending through the hollow center for securing a first wire to the first end of the neutral bus, and a strain relief member connected to the second end of the neutral bus for securing a second wire connected to the second end of the neutral bus. In another embodiment, a strain relief member has a top section and a bottom section, the top section being substantially flat and having a threaded hole disposed therein and adapted for use in securing a wire by means of a screw engaging said threaded hole, the bottom section defining a cavity for receiving a wire, the top section and the bottom section being connected together and separated by a solid member, the strain relief member having a sire welded to the strain relief member and extending through the cavity of the bottom section, the bottom section of the strain relief member preventing strain on the weld connection.