초록 ▼

An arc fault circuit breaker includes a panel having a first side and an opposite second side, a housing coupled to the opposite second side of the panel, separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip mechanism cooperating with the operati

An arc fault circuit breaker includes a panel having a first side and an opposite second side, a housing coupled to the opposite second side of the panel, separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes a test circuit structured to simulate a trip condition to trip open the separable contacts, and a proximity sensor disposed on or within the housing proximate the opposite second side of the panel. The proximity sensor is structured to sense a target to actuate the test circuit when the target is disposed proximate the first side of the panel and opposite the proximity sensor.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of actuating a test function of a first circuit interrupter including a housing, a first side and an opposite second side, said first circuit interrupter being coupled to a panel having a first side and an opposite second side, said first circuit interrupter being cou

What is claimed is: 1. A method of actuating a test function of a first circuit interrupter including a housing, a first side and an opposite second side, said first circuit interrupter being coupled to a panel having a first side and an opposite second side, said first circuit interrupter being coupled to said panel intermediate a second circuit interrupter adjacent the first side of said first circuit interrupter, and a third circuit interrupter adjacent the opposite second side of said first circuit interrupter, said method comprising:coupling said housing to said panel at the opposite second side thereof;disposing a proximity sensor on or within said housing and proximate the opposite second side of said panel;disposing a target in a holding member proximate the first side of said panel and opposite said proximity sensor;providing first and second openings passing from the first side to the opposite second side of said panel;disposing a protrusion and an alignment member from said housing;passing said protrusion from the opposite second side of said panel, through the first opening of said panel, and beyond the first side of said panel;passing said alignment member from the opposite second side of said panel and through the second opening of said panel;disposing said proximity sensor proximate the protrusion of said housing;disposing said target in said holding member proximate the protrusion of said housing at the first side of said panel and opposite said proximity sensor;limiting rotational movement of said holding member about said protrusion by said alignment member and said protrusion, and thereby preventing said target disposed in said holding member from actuating a corresponding test function of either of said second and third circuit interrupters;sensing said target with said proximity sensor; andresponsive to said sensing said target, actuating said test function of said first circuit interrupter without said target actuating the corresponding test function of either of said second and third circuit interrupters.