05-EDP-426
ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS, AND MOVABLE CONTACT
ASSEMBLY AND SHIELD THEREFOR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to electrical switching apparatus and, more
particularly, to an electrical switching apparatus having a movable contact assembly with
a shield. The invention also relates to movable contact assemblies for electrical
switching apparatus, and to shields for the movable contact assemblies of electrical
switching apparatus.
Background Information
Electrical switching apparatus, such as circuit breakers, provide protection
for electrical systems from electrical fault conditions such as, for example, current
overloads, short circuits, and other fault conditions. Typically, circuit breakers include a
spring powered operating mechanism which opens electrical contacts to interrupt the
current through the conductors of an electrical system in response to abnormal
conditions.
The electrical contacts generally comprise one or more movable contacts
and one or more corresponding stationary contacts. Each movable contact is disposed at
or about a first end of a spring-biased movable contact arm. The spring-biased movable
contact arm is pivotably coupled, at or about its second end, to a crossbar of the operating
mechanism. The crossbar carries the movable contact arms for all of the poles of the
circuit breaker, and allows for simultaneous opening and closing of the contacts in all of
the poles. The operating mechanism controls the spring-biased movable contact arm to
pivot the movable contact into and out of electrically conductive engagement with the
corresponding stationary contact. A contact arm spring biases the second end of the
movable contact arm, proximate the crossbar of the operating mechanism, in order to
maintain the closed position of the pair of movable and stationary contacts.
During a trip condition, such as, for example, interruption of a short
circuit, an arcing event occurs when the movable contact initially separates from the
corresponding stationary contact. Debris such as, for example, molten material (e.g.,
molten metal), can be formed as a byproduct of the arcing event. Such debris can be
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blown backward towards the crossbar and can attach to the contact arm spring causing
the coils of the spring to become welded together. This undesirable condition may
adversely affect the operation of the movable contact arm, and the current interruption
function of the circuit breaker, in general. For example, a welded contact arm spring can
prevent blow-off of the movable contact from the corresponding stationary contact,
and/or it can reduce contact pressure between the movable contact and the corresponding
stationary contact.
There is, therefore, room for improvement electrical switching apparatus,
such as circuit breakers, and in movable contact assemblies therefor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These needs and others are met by embodiments of the invention, which
are directed to a movable contact assembly for an electrical switching apparatus, such as
a circuit breaker having a spring-biased movable contact arm. A shield for the movable
contact assembly protects at least the spring of the spring-biased movable contact arm
from harmful arcing event byproducts, without adversely affecting the operability of the
movable contact arm, or the overall current interruption performance of the circuit
breaker.
As one aspect of the invention, a shield is provided for an electrical
switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, a movable
contact, a stationary contact, and an operating mechanism for moving the movable
contact into and out of electrical contact with the stationary contact. The operating
mechanism includes a crossbar, a biasing member, and a movable contact assembly. The
movable contact assembly has a movable contact arm pivotably coupled to the crossbar.
The movable contact arm has a first end and a second end, with the movable contact
being disposed at or about the first end of the movable contact arm, and the biasing
member being structured to bias the second end of the movable contact arm, thereby
biasing the movable contact disposed at or about the first end of the movable contact arm
toward the stationary contact. The shield comprises: an elongated barrier element
including a first end, a second end, and an opening disposed between the first end and the
second end, wherein the elongated barrier element is structured to be coupled to the
crossbar of the operating mechanism of the electrical switching apparatus proximate the
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second end of the movable contact arm in order to shield at least the biasing member of
the movable contact assembly.
The elongated barrier element may be structured to receive the movable
contact arm of the movable contact assembly. A portion of the elongated barrier element
proximate the opening of the elongated barrier element may be structured to engage the
crossbar of the operating mechanism of the electrical switching apparatus. The first end
of the elongated barrier element may also be structured to be coupled to the crossbar.
The elongated barrier element may include at least two bends. The bends may comprise
a first bend at or about the first end of the elongated barrier element, and a second bend at
or about the opening of the elongated barrier element, wherein the bends are structured to
permit the elongated barrier element to generally conform to the crossbar. The elongated
barrier element may be made from an electrically insulative and heat-resistant material,
and it may comprise one single piece.
As another aspect of the invention, a movable contact assembly is
provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, a movable contact, a
stationary contact, and an operating mechanism including a crossbar. The operating
mechanism is structured to move the movable contact into and out of electrical contact
with the stationary contact. The movable contact assembly comprises: a movable contact
arm including a first end and a second end, the second end of the movable contact arm
being structured to be pivotably coupled to the crossbar of the operating mechanism of
the electrical switching apparatus, the movable contact of the electrical switching
apparatus being disposed at or about the first end of the movable contact arm; a biasing
member biasing the second end of the movable contact arm, thereby biasing the movable
contact disposed at or about the first end of the movable contact arm toward the
stationary contact; and a shield comprising: an elongated barrier element having a first
end structured to be coupled to the crossbar of the operating mechanism of the electrical
switching apparatus, a second end, and an opening disposed between the first end and the
second end, wherein the opening of the elongated barrier element receives the movable
contact arm, and wherein the elongated barrier element is structured to shield at least the
biasing member of the moving contact assembly from an arc when the movable contact
separates from the stationary contact.
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The crossbar of the operating mechanism may include a protrusion
wherein the first end of the elongated barrier element comprises an aperture structured to
engage the protrusion. The biasing member may be a spring having a first end and a
second end wherein the first end of the spring biases the second end of the movable
contact arm of the movable contact arm assembly, and the second end of the spring
engages and secures the first end of the elongated barrier element about the protrusion of
the crossbar of the operating mechanism of the electrical switching apparatus.
As another aspect of the invention, an electrical switching apparatus
comprises: a housing; separable contacts housed by the housing, the separable contacts
comprising at least one movable contact and at least one stationary contact; an operating
mechanism including a crossbar, the operating mechanism being structured to move the
at least one movable contact into and out of electrical contact with a corresponding one of
the at least one stationary contact; and at least one movable contact assembly comprising:
a movable contact arm including a first end and a second end, the at least one movable
contact being disposed at or about the first end of the movable contact arm, the second
end of the movable contact arm being pivotably coupled to the crossbar of the operating
mechanism, a biasing member biasing the second end of the movable contact arm,
thereby biasing the at least one movable contact disposed at or about the first end of the
movable contact arm toward the corresponding one of the at least one stationary contact,
and a shield comprising: an elongated barrier element coupled to the crossbar of the
operating mechanism of the electrical switching apparatus, wherein the elongated barrier
element is structured to shield at least the biasing member of the movable contact
assembly from an arc when the at least one movable contact separates from the
corresponding one of the at least one stationary contact.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following
description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side, cross-sectional view of a circuit breaker, and a movable
contact assembly and shield therefor, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
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Figure 2 is an isometric view of the shield of Figure 1 prior to the shield
being installed in the circuit breaker;
Figure 3 is an isometric view of the front of the circuit breaker crossbar of
Figure 1, showing one movable contact assembly and shield therefor coupled to the
crossbar; and
Figure 4 is an isometric view of the back of the circuit breaker crossbar,
movable contact assembly and shield of Figure 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For purposes of illustration, embodiments of the invention will be
described as applied to a shield for the spring of a spring-biased movable contact
assembly for a circuit breaker, although it will become apparent that they could also be
applied to shield and protect a wide variety of components of any known or suitable
electrical switching apparatus (e.g., without limitation, circuit switching devices and
circuit interrupters such as circuit breakers, contactors, motor starters, motor controllers
and other load controllers).
Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, left, right, front,
back, clockwise, counterclockwise and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the
elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly
recited therein.
As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are "coupled"
together shall mean that the parts are joined together either directly or joined through one
or more intermediate parts.
As employed herein, the term "number" shall mean one or an integer
greater than one (i.e., a plurality).
Figure 1 shows a circuit breaker 2 having a movable contact assembly 50
with a shield 100. The circuit breaker 2 generally includes a housing 4, separable
contacts 6, 8 housed by the housing 4, and an operating mechanism 10. The operating
mechanism 10 includes at least one movable contact assembly 50. For simplicity of
illustration, one movable contact assembly 50, and one pair of separable contacts 6, 8
therefor, will be shown and described herein. It will, however, be appreciated that any
known or suitable number of movable contact assemblies 50 could be employed. For
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example, typically for a multi-pole molded case circuit breaker 2 such as the one shown
in Figure 1, one movable contact assembly 50 is employed for each pole of the circuit
breaker 2.
Continuing to refer to Figure 1, and also to Figures 3 and 4, it will be
appreciated that the separable contacts comprise a movable contact 6, and a stationary
contact 8. The operating mechanism 10 may be substantially similar to that which is
shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 5,910,760 issued June 8, 1999 to Malingowski et
al., entitled "Circuit Breaker with Double Rate Spring." As shown in Figure 1, the
operating mechanism 10 includes a crossbar 12. The operating mechanism 10 and
crossbar 12 are structured to move the moveable contact 6 into and out of electrical
contact with the stationary contact 8. The movable contact assembly 50 includes a
movable contact arm 52 having a first end 54 and a second end 56. The movable contact
6 is disposed at or about the first end 54 of the movable contact arm 52, as shown. The
second end 56 of the movable contact arm 52 is pivotably coupled to the crossbar 12 of
operating mechanism 10 by a pivot 53. A biasing member, such as the spring 14 shown
in Figures 1 and 4, biases the second end 56 of the movable contact arm 52, by way of a
cam follower 17 as described and shown in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No.
5,910,760. This, in turn, biases the movable contact 6 disposed at or about the first end
54 of the movable contact arm 52 toward the stationary contact 8 (Figure 1). In this
manner, the operating mechanism 10 and crossbar 12 thereof, cooperate with the movable
contact assembly 50 in order to pivot the movable contact arm 52 about pivot 53 in the
directions indicated by arrow 55, and thereby open (clockwise with respect to Figures 1,
3, and 4) and close (counterclockwise with respect to Figures 1, 3 and 4) separable
contacts 6, 8. In other words, the movable contact arm 52 pivots clockwise and
counterclockwise (with respect to Figure 1) to bring the separable contacts 6, 8 into (as
shown in phantom line drawing) and out of (as shown) electrical communication with
one another. In the example of Figure 1, the operating mechanism 10, crossbar 12 and
movable contact assembly 50 are shown in the tripped position, with the movable contact
6 and stationary contact 8 being separated.
The shield 100 of the movable contact assembly 50 generally comprises
an elongated barrier element 102 coupled to the crossbar 12 of operating mechanism 10.
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The elongated barrier element 102 is structured to shield at least the spring 14 (Figures 1
and 4) of the movable contact assembly 50 from an arc when the movable contact 6
separates from the stationary contact 8 (Figure 1). Specifically, as previously discussed,
an arc can generate flames and debris which can be harmful to circuit breaker
components, such as the spring 14. More specifically, molten metal debris which can be
blown into the spring 14 as the result of an arcing event, can weld the coils of the spring
14 together, thereby inhibiting the circuit interrupting performance (e.g., without
limitation, preventing blow-off; reducing contact pressure) of the circuit breaker 2. To
resist such circumstances, the shield 100 provides a barrier element 102 disposed
between the spring 14 and the separable contacts 6, 8 where the arc originates.
More specifically, the elongated barrier element 102 of shield 100
includes a first end 104, a second end 106, and an opening 108 disposed between the first
and second ends 104, 106. The opening 108 of the elongated barrier element 102 is
structured to receive the movable contact arm 52 of movable contact assembly 50, as best
shown in Figure 3. The first end 104 of the elongated barrier element 102 is structured to
be coupled to crossbar 12 of operating mechanism 10, and a portion of elongated barrier
element 102 proximate the opening 108 therein is structured to engage crossbar 12 of the
operating mechanism 10, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4.
The crossbar 12 of operating mechanism 10 comprises a molded member
12 which defines a cavity 15, including a protrusion 16 (Figures 1 and 4) disposed within
the cavity 15. The second end 56 of the movable contact arm 52 extends into the cavity
15, as best shown in Figure 4. The first end 104 of the elongated barrier element 102 of
shield 100 also extends into the cavity 15. Specifically, the first end 104 comprises an
aperture 114 (best shown in Figure 2) which engages the protrusion 16 within the cavity
15 of crossbar 12. The first end 104 of elongated barrier element 102 is then held in
place by spring 14, which is also disposed within the cavity 15 of crossbar 12. More
specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, the spring 14 has a first end 18 and a second
end 20. The first end 18 engages and biases the cam follower 17 which in turn biases the
second end 56 of movable contact arm 52, as previously discussed, and the second end 20
engages and secures the first end 104 of the elongated barrier element 102 about the
protrusion 16 of crossbar 12, as shown. The crossbar 12 further comprises a slot 22 (best
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shown in Figure 3) for providing access into the cavity 15. As will now be discussed, the
first end 104 of the elongated barrier element 102 is inserted through the slot 22.
As shown in Figure 2, the elongated barrier element 102 of shield 100
further comprises a first portion having a first width 120, and a second portion 118
having a second width 122. The second width 122 of second portion 118 is greater than
the first width 120 of first portion 116. This configuration permits the first portion 116 of
the first end 104 of the elongated barrier element 102 to be inserted through the slot 22 of
crossbar 12, and into cavity 15 thereof, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. When installing the
shield 100, once the first portion 116 has been inserted and secured about protrusion 16
by the second end 20 of spring 14, the second portion 118 of the shield 100 is bent
upward in order to generally conform to the crossbar 12. More specifically, the elongated
barrier element 102 of shield 100 includes at least two bends, a first bend 110 between
the first portion 16 of the elongated barrier 102 and the second portion 118 of the
elongated barrier 102, and a second bend 112 at or about the opening 108 of the
elongated barrier. In Figure 2, the elongated barrier element 102 is shown prior to being
coupled to the crossbar 12 (Figures 1, 3 and 4), and thus before first and second bends
110, 112 have been bent in order for the shield 100 to generally conform to the crossbar
12 (Figures 1, 3 and 4).
The movable contact arm 52 of movable contact assembly 50 is received
through the opening 108 of the elongated barrier element 102 regardless of whether the
movable contact 6 separates from or is in electrical contact with the corresponding
stationary contact 8 (Figure 1). Accordingly, the shield 100 provides an effective barrier
which shields and protects the spring 14 of the movable contact arm assembly 50,
without inhibiting the operation of the movable contact arm 52. The elongated barrier
element 102 of the exemplary shield 100 comprises one single piece of electrically
insulative and heat-resistant (i.e., flame retardant) material. For example, and without
limitation, the elongated barrier element 102 can be made from fishpaper, flame-resistant
fiber, Teflon® coated glass material, or any other known or suitable material which can
withstand the arc and its byproducts (e.g., molten metal debris). It will also be
appreciated that the shield 100 could alternatively be made from more than one piece of
suitable material, without departing from the scope of the invention.
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While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in
detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and
alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the
disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be
illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the
full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.
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REFERENCE CHARACTER LIST
2 electrical switching apparatus
4 housing
6 movable contact
8 stationary contact
10 operating mechanism
12 crossbar
14 spring
15 cavity
16 protrusion
17 cam follower
18 first end of spring
20 second end of spring
22 slot
50 movable contact assembly
52 movable contact arm
53 pivot
54 first end
55 arrow
56 second end
100 shield
102 elongated barrier element
104 first end
106 second end
108 opening
110 first bend
112 second bend
114 aperture
116 first portion
118 second portion
120 first width
122 second width
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What is claimed is:
1. A shield for an electrical switching apparatus, said electrical switching
apparatus including a housing, a movable contact, a stationary contact, and an operating
mechanism for moving said movable contact into and out of electrical contact with said
stationary contact, said operating mechanism including a crossbar, a biasing member, and
a movable contact assembly, said movable contact assembly having a movable contact
arm pivotably coupled to said crossbar, said movable contact arm having a first end and a
second end, said movable contact being disposed at or about the first end of said movable
contact arm, said biasing member being structured to bias the second end of said movable
contact arm, thereby biasing said movable contact disposed at or about the first end of
said movable contact arm toward said stationary contact, said shield comprising:
an elongated barrier element including a first end, a second end, and an
opening disposed between the first end and the second end,
wherein said elongated barrier element is structured to be coupled to said
crossbar of said operating mechanism of said electrical switching apparatus proximate the
second end of said movable contact arm in order to shield at least said biasing member of
said movable contact assembly.
2. The shield of claim 1 wherein the opening of said elongated barrier
element is structured to receive said movable contact arm of said movable contact
assembly.
3. The shield of claim 2 wherein a portion of said elongated barrier element
proximate the opening of said elongated barrier element is structured to engage said
crossbar of said operating mechanism of said electrical switching apparatus.
4. The shield of claim 1 wherein the first end of said elongated barrier
element is structured to be coupled to said crossbar of said operating mechanism of said
electrical switching apparatus.
5. The shield of claim 1 wherein said elongated barrier element includes at
least two bends; wherein said at least two bends comprise a first bend at or about the first
end of said elongated barrier element, and a second bend at or about the opening of said
elongated barrier element; and wherein said at least two bends are structured to permit
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said elongated barrier element to generally conform to said crossbar of said operating
mechanism of said electrical switching apparatus.
6. The shield of claim 1 wherein said elongated barrier element is made from
an electrically insulative and heat-resistant material.
7. The shield of claim 1 wherein said elongated barrier element comprises
one single piece.
8. A movable contact assembly for an electrical switching apparatus
including a housing, a movable contact, a stationary contact, and an operating mechanism
including a crossbar, said operating mechanism being structured to move said movable
contact into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, said movable
contact assembly comprising:
a movable contact arm including a first end and a second end, the second
end of said movable contact arm being structured to be pivotably coupled to said crossbar
of said operating mechanism of said electrical switching apparatus, said movable contact
of said electrical switching apparatus being disposed at or about the first end of said
movable contact arm;
a biasing member biasing the second end of said movable contact arm,
thereby biasing said movable contact disposed at or about the first end of said movable
contact arm toward said stationary contact; and
a shield comprising:
an elongated barrier element having a first end structured to be
coupled to said crossbar of said operating mechanism of said electrical switching
apparatus, a second end, and an opening disposed between the first end and the second
end,
wherein the opening of said elongated barrier element receives said
movable contact arm, and
wherein said elongated barrier element is structured to shield at
least said biasing member of said moving contact assembly from an arc when said
movable contact separates from said stationary contact.
9. The movable contact assembly of claim 8 wherein the opening of said
elongated barrier element of said shield receives said movable contact arm when said
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movable contact is in electrical contact with said stationary contact or when said movable
contact is separated from said stationary contact.
10. The movable contact assembly of claim 8 wherein a portion of said
elongated barrier element proximate the opening of said elongated barrier element is
structured to engage said crossbar of said operating mechanism of said electrical
switching apparatus.
11. The movable contact assembly of claim 8 wherein said crossbar of said
operating mechanism includes a protrusion; and wherein the first end of said elongated
barrier element comprises an aperture structured to engage said protrusion.
12. The movable contact assembly of claim 11 wherein said biasing member
is a spring having a first end and a second end; wherein said operating mechanism further
comprises a cam follower disposed between the first end of said spring and the second
end of said movable contact arm of said movable contact assembly; wherein the first end
of said spring biases said cam follower and the second end of said movable contact of
said movable contact assembly; and wherein the second end of said spring engages and
secures the first end of said elongated barrier element about said protrusion of said
crossbar of said operating mechanism of said electrical switching apparatus.
13. The movable contact assembly of claim 8 wherein said elongated barrier
element includes at least two bends; wherein said at least two bends comprise a first bend
at or about the first end of said elongated barrier element, and a second bend at or about
the opening of said elongated barrier element; and wherein said at least two bends are
structured to permit said elongated barrier element to generally conform to said crossbar
of said operating mechanism of said electrical switching apparatus.
14. An electrical switching apparatus comprising:
a housing;
separable contacts housed by said housing, said separable contacts
comprising at least one movable contact and at least one stationary contact;
an operating mechanism including a crossbar, said operating mechanism
being structured to move said at least one movable contact into and out of electrical
contact with a corresponding one of said at least one stationary contact; and
at least one movable contact assembly comprising:
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a movable contact arm including a first end and a second end, said
at least one movable contact being disposed at or about the first end of said movable
contact arm, the second end of said movable contact arm being pivotably coupled to said
crossbar of said operating mechanism,
a biasing member biasing the second end of said movable contact
arm, thereby biasing said at least one movable contact disposed at or about the first end
of said movable contact arm toward said corresponding one of said at least one stationary
contact, and
a shield comprising:
an elongated barrier element coupled to said crossbar of
said operating mechanism of said electrical switching apparatus,
wherein said elongated barrier element is structured to
shield at least said biasing member of said movable contact assembly from an arc when
said at least one movable contact separates from said corresponding one of said at least
one stationary contact.
15. The electrical switching apparatus of claim 14 wherein said elongated
barrier element comprises a first end, a second end, and an opening disposed between the
first end and the second end; and wherein the opening of said elongated barrier element
receives said movable contact arm of said movable contact assembly regardless of
whether said at least one movable contact separates from or is in electrical contact with
said corresponding one of said at least one stationary contact.
16. The electrical switching apparatus of claim 15 wherein a portion of said
elongated barrier element proximate the opening of said elongated barrier element is
disposed proximate said crossbar of said operating mechanism.
17. The electrical switching apparatus of claim 15 wherein said crossbar of
said operating mechanism comprises a molded member; wherein said molded member
defines a cavity including a protrusion disposed within said cavity; wherein the second
end of said movable contact arm of said movable contact assembly extends into said
cavity of said molded member; and wherein the first end of said elongated barrier
element comprises an aperture which engages said protrusion within said cavity of said
molded member.
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18. The electrical switching apparatus of claim 17 wherein said biasing
member is a spring having a first end and a second end; wherein said operating
mechanism further comprises a cam follower disposed in said cavity between the first
end of said spring and the second end of said movable contact arm; wherein said spring is
disposed within said cavity of said molded member; wherein the first end of said spring
biases said cam follower and the second end of said movable contact arm of said movable
contact assembly; and wherein the second end of said spring engages and secures the first
end of said elongated barrier element about said protrusion within said cavity of said
molded member.
19. The electrical switching apparatus of claim 17 wherein said molded
member further comprises a slot structured to provide access into said cavity; wherein the
first end of said elongated barrier element further comprises a first portion; and wherein
said first portion is inserted through said slot of said molded member into said cavity of
said molded member.
20. The electrical switching apparatus of claim 19 wherein said elongated
barrier element further comprises a second portion; wherein said first portion of said
elongated barrier element has a first width; wherein said second portion of said elongated
barrier element has a second width; wherein the second width of said second portion of
said elongated barrier element is greater than the first width of said first portion of said
elongated barrier element; wherein said elongated barrier element includes at least two
bends in order that said elongated barrier element generally conforms to said crossbar of
said operating mechanism; and wherein said at least two bends comprise a first bend
between said first portion of said elongated barrier element and said second portion of
said elongated barrier element, and a second bend at or about the opening of said
elongated barrier element.

A shield is provided for a circuit breaker including a housing, a movable
contact, a stationary contact, and an operating mechanism for moving the movable
contact into and out of electrical contact with the stationary contact. The operating
mechanism includes a crossbar, a biasing member, and a movable contact assembly. The
movable contact assembly has a movable contact arm pivotably coupled to the crossbar,
and includes a first end carrying the movable contact, and a second end biased by the
biasing member, thereby biasing the movable contact toward the stationary contact. The
shield comprises an elongated barrier element having an opening which receives the
movable contact arm. The elongated barrier element is coupled to the operating
mechanism crossbar proximate the second end of the movable contact arm in order to
shield at least the biasing member. A movable contact assembly, and electrical switching
apparatus are also provided.