FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
PHASE BARRIER FOR CIRCUIT BREAKERS;
LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED, A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, 1956, WHOSE ADDRESS IS L&T HOUSE, BALLARD ESTATE, MUMBAI - 400 001, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to circuit breakers, and more particularly to a phase barrier for circuit breakers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A circuit breaker typically has two terminals, one for connection to a power source and one for connection to a load. Connection of these terminals places the circuit breaker within the circuit between the source and the load. The terminal connecting to the source is typically connected to a bus bar, while the terminal connecting to the load may be connected to a crimp lug or some other type of connector. These connections are assembled in a factory or in the field and are difficult to assemble and replace at a user end.
In view of the above, there is a need for a phase barrier that provides ease of assembly at the user-end. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention in one aspect provides a phase barrier for coupling terminal blocks to a circuit breaker, the phase barrier comprising a frame, the frame being adapted to the circuit breaker, the frame having at-least one compartment, each compartment capable of receiving a terminal block; at-least one vent provided on the frame to route gases released from the circuit breaker; and at-least one slot provided on the frame for receiving terminals of the circuit breaker, the terminals extending out to provide connectivity on a load side and a line side of the circuit breaker

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a phase barrier for coupling terminal blocks to a circuit breaker in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows the phase barrier in greater detail in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention.
Figure 3 shows the phase barrier receiving a terminal block in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows terminal blocks being coupled to the circuit breaker using the phase
barrier in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows extended terminals of the circuit breaker electrically coupled to a
terminal block through the phase barrier in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
Figure 6 shows extended phase barrier in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a phase barrier for coupling terminal blocks to a circuit breaker, the phase barrier comprising a frame, the frame being adapted to the circuit breaker, the frame having at-least one compartment, each compartment capable of receiving a terminal block; at-least one vent provided on the frame to route gases released from the circuit breaker; and at-least one slot provided on the frame for receiving terminals of the circuit breaker, the terminals extending out to provide connectivity on a load side and a line side of the circuit breaker
Figure 1 shows a circuit breaker 100 coupled to a terminal block 110 through a phase barrier 120 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Phase barrier 120 is shown in detail in figure 2. In an embodiment of the invention, phase barrier 120 includes a frame 122, at-least one vent 124, and at-least one slot 126.
In an embodiment frame 122 has at-least one compartment 128. In an embodiment as shown in figure 2, frame 122 has three compartments 128. In an embodiment each compartment 128 is capable of receiving terminal blocks 110 (as shown in figure 3).
In an embodiment vent 124 is provided on frame 122. in this regard a vent 124 is provided in each compartment 128. In an embodiment vent 124 routs gases released from circuit breaker. Advantageously, vent 124 allows undesirable gases produced in circuit breaker due to a fault condition to flow out of the circuit breaker.
In an embodiment slot 126 is provided on frame 122. In this regard slot is provided below vent 124 in each compartment. In an embodiment slot 126 allows terminals of a circuit breaker to protrude out of phase barrier 120 as shown in figure 3 and enabling terminals of circuit breaker to be terminated at terminal block 110.
In an embodiment of the invention, phase barrier 120 is capable of being adapted to circuit breaker 100 at a load side and a line side. In this regard, frame 122 is mechanically fitted

on circuit breaker 100 via means for fitting phase barrier 120 to circuit breaker 100. The means for fitting include at-least a protrusion 130 on frame 122, protrusion 130 capable of receiving a fastener such as a screw. Advantageously, phase barrier 120 can be used on both load side and line side of circuit breaker 100.
Referring now to figure 3. Figure 3 shows terminal block 110 being adapted to phase barrier 120. In this regard each compartment has means for fitting terminal block 110 to frame 122, wherein means for fitting terminal block 110 to frame 122 is a snap-fit arrangement 112.
In an embodiment, terminal block 110 has a nut retainer 114. Nut retainer 114 allows tightening/connectivity between a load side terminal and a line side terminal with a bus-bar and external connection to provide user-end termination. In an embodiment the nut retainer allows rear termination, direct termination, etc.
In an embodiment of the invention, phase barrier 120 is made of an insulating material. Advantageously, the phase barrier acts as an insulator between poles of the circuit breaker.
Figure 4 shows an assembled unit of a circuit breaker 402 coupled to a plurality of terminal blocks 404 through a phase barrier 406 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In various embodiments, phase barrier 406 may be first fitted on either load side or line side of circuit breaker 402. Phase barrier 406 provides ventilation for gases release from circuit breaker, and also allows terminals 408 of circuit breaker to protrude out of phase barrier 406, enabling terminals 408 to be terminated at termma\ block 404, thereby providing connectivity on load side and line side of circuit breaker 400.
In an embodiment of the invention, phase barrier has means for accommodating extended terminals 502 as shown in figure 5 to the assembly.
In an embodiment of the invention, phase barrier is capable of accommodating extended phase barriers 602 as shown in figure 6 to the assembly.
Advantageously, the present invention provides a phase-barrier capable of being adapted to both line-side and load-side of a circuit breaker. Phase-barrier also enables ease of

assembly of termination blocks at a user-end. Simple construction of the phase-barrier reduced die complexity while manufacturing and is also cost effective.
While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

We Claim :
1. A phase barrier for coupling terminal blocks to a circuit breaker, the phase barrier comprising:
a frame, the frame being adapted to the circuit breaker, the frame having at-least one compartment, each compartment capable of receiving a terminal block;
at-least one vent on the frame to route gases released from the circuit breaker; and
at-least one slot provided on the frame for receiving terminals of the circuit breaker, the terminals extending out to provide connectivity on a load side and a line side of the circuit breaker.
2. The phase barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the phase barrier is capable of being adapted to line-side and load-side of the circuit breaker.
3. The phase barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein each compartment has means for fitting the terminal blocks to the frame, wherein means for fitting is a snap-fit arrangement.
4. The phase barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein a nut retainer of the terminal blocks enabfes connectivity between a load-side terminal and a line-side terminal with bus-bar and external connection.
5. The phase barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the phase barrier has means for accommodating extended phase barriers.

6. The phase barrier as claimed in claim 1 is made of an insulating material.