A) TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to circuit breakers and particularly to terminal block assembly for circuit breakers. The present invention more particularly relates to providing a terminal connection through the terminal block assembly to attach conductors to the terminals of the MCCB.

B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Often, there exists problem in adapting with terminals of circuit breaker while securely and quickly connecting to different termination types. Examples of different termination types include, but are not limited to a flat conductor, a round conductor, prepared conductor, an unprepared conductor, a tunnel, a spreader, and a box clamp. During installation of an MCCB, both the line side terminal and the load side terminal of the MCCB are connected to conductors from a source or a load. In general, terminal connection or coupling of conductors to the terminals of MCCB is made by means of fasteners. While making such a connection it should be ensured that the conductors are connected properly and securely. The clearance and creep age distances between each of the terminals of MCCB should be as per standards.

[0003] Currently the MCCB terminals are experiencing difficulties in changing the termination types of MCCB at mounting location by a customer. The MCCB if delivered to the customer front termination cannot be used for the rear termination. Moreover, connecting the conductors to the terminals of MCCB by means of fasteners is complex and tedious process. The positioning of the conductors and fasteners while tightening becomes difficult. Further, when a screw is used to make the connection, holding the nut causes inconvenience to a user.

[0004] Hence, there exists a need to provide an efficient terminal block assembly to render safe routing for connecting the external conductors to the incoming terminals and outgoing terminals of the circuit breaker. Also there exists a need to provide the terminal block assembly for accommodating plurality of the terminations using minimal components. Further there exists a need to provide a terminal block assembly such that the plurality of terminations are easily attached from front end or rear end of the terminal block assembly to the terminals of the MCCB.

[0005] The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and sstudying the following specification.

C) OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block assembly to render safe routing for connecting external conductors to incoming terminals and outgoing terminals of a MCCB.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block assembly for MCCB for accommodating a plurality of the terminations using minimal components.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block assembly for MCCB for easy attachment of a plurality of terminations from front end or rear end of the terminal block assembly to the terminals of the MCCB.

[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block assembly for MCCB to change the plurality of terminations at MCCB while mounting the MCCB.

[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block assembly for MCCB having modularity and scalable to various current ratings.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block assembly for MCCB and a locking mechanism within for fixing box clamp to terminals of the MCCB.

[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block assembly for MCCB including common slots for both terminal shields and phase barriers.

[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block assembly for MCCB including a common design for both load side and line side of the MCCB termination.

[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block assembly for ensuring proper connection of cables and bus bars to the terminals of the MCCB.

[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block assembly for ensuring proper clearance and creep distance between terminals of MCCB.

[0016] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The various embodiments of the present invention provides a terminal block assembly to render safe routing for connecting external conductors to incoming and outgoing terminals of a MCCB.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention the terminal block assembly includes an outer casing, a nut holder assembly, an opening provided at front side of the terminal block assembly for access to a user. The terminal block assembly is provided with three pole compartments. The nut holder assembly consists of two parts a base plate and a nut holder. The base plate is provided with a centre hole for rear termination. The nut holder is provided with a hexagonal slot for holding a nut. The nut holder is seated on a projection provided on the base plate to ensure proper positioning. The nut-holder assembly is placed below the power terminals of the MCCB. The terminal block assembly also includes gas vents at top and bottom section of each of pole compartment to exhaust gases released from the MCCB housing during arcing time.

[0019] The side walls of each of the pole compartments are provided with
L-slots for connecting block clamp to the MCCB. Two side walls of centre pole compartment are provided with holes to mount the MCCB using snap fits. The whole nut holder assembly is inserted into slots provided at bottom of each of the pole compartments. The nut-holder assembly are placed under the terminals of MCCB while fixing the terminal block assembly to the MCCB. The terminal block assembly is attached to both incoming and outgoing terminal sides of the MCCB by snap-fits and mounting screws. The terminal block assembly accommodates plurality of termination types. Examples of the plurality of termination types include, but are not limited to a flat conductor, a round conductor, prepared conductor, an unprepared conductor, a tunnel, a spreader.

and a box clamp. The terminal block assembly receives a terminal exiting end of the MCCB at each of the pole compartments.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the whole nut holder
assembly is used for connecting spreader and tunnel from front side of the terminal block assembly to the MCCB. The base plate alone is used for connecting stud terminals to the terminals of MCCB. The nut holder alone is used for connecting box-clamp and rear-link to the MCCB terminals. The flat conductors such as bus bars are connected at to the terminals of the MCCB using screws and nuts which are retained by the nut-holder.

[0021] The terminal block assembly accommodates plurality of the terminations using minimal components. The terminal block assembly is provided with gas vents at top section and bottom section of each of pole compartment of the terminal block assembly, to exhaust gases released from the MCCB housing during arcing time. The terminal block assembly includes common slots for both terminal shields and phase barriers. The terminal block assembly having a common design is utilized by both load side and line side of the MCCB termination. The terminal block assembly ensures proper connection of cables and bus bars to the terminals of the MCCB. Also the terminal block assembly ensures proper clearance and creep distance between terminals of MCCB.

E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a perspective front view of a terminal block assembly as viewed from a three pole Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) side according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a perspective rear view of the terminal block assembly as viewed from a three pole Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) side according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates fitting of a terminal block assembly to a three pole MCCB according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of the terminal block assembly fitted to the end sections of a three pole MCCB according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 shows exploded view of a nut holder assembly provided in the terminal block assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows a side sectional view and side perspective view of the terminal block assembly illustrating connection of conductors from rear side of the terminal block assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 7 shows a side sectional view of terminal block assembly illustrating connection of connection of conductors from front side of the terminal block assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention

[0030] FIG. 8 shows front view and side perspective view of a box clamp and a terminal block assembly respectively according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates steps required in assembling box clamp into the terminal block assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Although specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.

F) DETAILED DES CRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0034] The various embodiments of the present invention provides a terminal block assembly to render safe routing for connecting external conductors to incoming and outgoing terminals of a MCCB.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention the terminal block assembly includes an outer casing, a nut holder assembly, an opening provided at front side of the terminal block assembly for access to a user. The terminal block assembly is provided with three pole compartments. The nut holder assembly includes two parts a base plate and a nut holder. The base plate is provided with a centre hole for rear termination. The nut holder is provided with a hexagonal slot for holding a nut. The nut holder is seated on a projection provided on the base plate to

ensure proper positioning. The nut-holder assembly is placed below the power terminals of the MCCB while attaching termination type to the terminals of the MCCB. The terminal block assembly also includes gas vents at top and bottom section of each of pole compartment to exhaust gases released from the MCCB housing during arcing time.

[0036] The side walls of each of the pole compartments are provided with
L-slots for connecting block clamp to the MCCB. Two side walls of centre pole compartment are provided with holes to mount the MCCB using snap fits. The whole nut holder assembly is inserted into slots provided at bottom of each of the pole compartments. The nut-holder assembly are placed under the terminals of MCCB while fixing the terminal block assembly to the MCCB. The terminal block assembly is attached at both incoming and outgoing terminal sides of the MCCB by snap-fits and mounting screws. The terminal block assembly accommodates plurality of termination types. Examples of the plurality of termination types include, but are not limited to a flat conductor, a round conductor, prepared conductor, an unprepared conductor, a tunnel, a spreader, and a box clamp. At most one termination type is connected to the terminals of the MCCB by inserting the termination type into each of the pole compartments. The terminal block assembly receives a terminal exiting end of the MCCB at each of the pole compartments.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention the whole nut holder
assembly is used for connecting spreader and tunnel from front side of the terminal block assembly to the MCCB. The base plate alone is used for connecting stud terminals to the terminals of MCCB. The nut holder alone is used for connecting box-clamp and rear-link to the MCCB terminals. The flat conductors such as bus bars are connected at to the terminals of the MCCB using screws and nuts which are retained by the nut-holder.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows front side perspective view of terminal block assembly as viewed from a three pole Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) side according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 2 the terminal block assembly as viewed from the three poles MCCB side includes an outer casing 1, a nut holder assembly, an opening 2 provided at front side of the terminal block assembly for access to a user. The terminal block assembly is provided with three pole compartments for receiving at most one termination. The nut holder assembly consists of two parts a base plate 4 and a nut holder 3. The side walls of each of the pole compartments are provided with L-slots 5 for connecting block clamp to the MCCB. Two side walls of centre pole compartment are provided with slots 6 to mount the MCCB using snap fits. The whole nut holder assembly is inserted into slots provided at bottom of each of the pole compartments of the terminal block assembly.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows rear side perspective view of terminal block assembly as viewed from a three pole Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) side according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 2, the terminal block assembly as viewed from front side of the MCCB includes , an opening 2 provided at front side of the terminal block assembly for access to a user, gas vents 9 at top and bottom section of each of pole compartment to exhaust gases released from the MCCB housing during arcing time. The side walls of each of the pole compartments are provided with L-slots for connecting block clamp to the MCCB. The nut holder (as shown in FIG. 1) is provided with a hexagonal slot for holding a nut 8. The terminal block assembly is provided with slots 7 at top of the assembly for top access by the user. A common slot 10 is provided along sides of middle pole compartment of the terminal block assembly for receiving terminal shields. Comparatively small holes 15 are provided adjacent to the holes 7 for mounting plurality of terminations to the MCCB through the terminal block assembly using screws.

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates fitting of a terminal block assembly to a three pole MCCB according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 3, the MCCB includes load side terminals 12 and line side terminals 13 extremely at opposite side of the MCCB 11. One or more termination types are connected to the load side terminals and the line side terminals of the MCCB using the terminals block assembly. At most one termination type is connected to the terminals 12 of the MCCB by inserting the termination type into each of the pole compartments. The terminal block assembly receives a terminal 12 exiting end of the MCCB at each of the pole compartments. The terminal block assembly is attached to incoming and outgoing terminal sides of the MCCB through snap-fits and mounting screws.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows side perspective view of terminal block assembly fitted to both line end side and load end side of a three pole MCCB according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 4 the terminal block assemblies are attached to load end side 17 and line end side 16 of the MCCB.

[0042] FIG. 5 shows exploded view of nut holder assembly provided in terminal block assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. The nut holder assembly includes two parts a base plate 4 and a nut holder 3. The base plate 4 is provided with a centre hole 14 for rear termination. The nut holder is provided with a hexagonal slot for holding a nut 8. The nut holder 3 is seated on a projection provided on the base plate to ensure proper positioning. The nut-holder assembly is placed below the power terminals of the MCCB while attaching termination type to the terminals of the MCCB.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a side sectional view and side perspective view of terminal block assembly illustrating connection of conductors from rear side of the terminal block assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 6, round conductors are inserted into one of pole compartment of the terminal block assembly 1. The nut-holder is removed and

the base plate 4 alone is inserted at each of the pole compartments while connecting the round conductor to the terminals 18a. Further, the round conductors or a stud is inserted from bottom side of the terminal block assembly and screwed to the terminal 18a using screws 19. In one embodiment of the present invention links are connected to the MCCB terminal using the nut holder alone.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows a side sectional view of terminal block assembly illustrating connection of bus bars and tunnel terminals from front side of the terminal block assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 7, the bus bars and the tunnel are connected to the terminals of the MCCB from front side using the whole nut holder assembly. The nut provided in the nut holder assembly is retained below the terminal surface. The terminals of the terminal block assembly are connected to the bus bars and the tunnel using screws. The screws are accessed from both top and front sides of the terminal block assembly.

[0045] FIG. 8 shows front view and side perspective view of a box clamp and a terminal block assembly respectively according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 8, the box clamp is provided with two arms at extremely opposite sides of the box clamp. The arms of the box clamp slides through an L- slot provided at side walls of each of pole compartments of the terminal block assembly.

[0046] FIG. 9 illustrates steps required in assembling box clamp from rear side of the terminal block assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 9, for assembling the box clamp into the terminal block assembly, firstly the box clam is inserted into pole compartment. Arms of the box clamp slides, through an L- slot provided at side walls of each of pole compartments of the terminal block assembly. Thereby the box clamp is lifted in an upward direction into the pole compartment. Finally, nut holder alone is used to connect and lock the box clamp to the terminal block assembly.

G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0047] The various embodiments of the invention provide a terminal block assembly to render safe routing for connecting external conductors to incoming terminals and outgoing terminals of a MCCB. The terminal block assembly accommodates a plurality of the terminations using minimal components. The terminal block assembly is provided with gas vents at top and bottom section of each of pole compartment of the terminal block assembly, to exhaust gases released from the MCCB housing during arcing time. The terminal block assembly includes common slots for both terminal shields and phase barriers. The terminal block assembly having a common design is utilized by both load side and line side of the MCCB termination. The terminal block assembly ensures proper connection of cables and bus bars to the terminals of the MCCB. Proper clearance and creep distance between terminals of MCCB is ensured by the terminal block assembly.

[0048] The embodiment according to the invention is utilized to provide the function of main terminal protection, accommodation of multiple termination types with minimum variety, projections for gas vent, increased clearance and creephage age distances. This provides a projection for connecting interphase barriers and terminal shield covers, thereby providing a safe routing for connection of external conductors to the incoming and outgoing terminals of MCCB. The terminal block assembly can be assembled to the MCCB easily and a simple and rigid fitting is provided which ensures stability.

[0049] Although the invention is described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.

[0050] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the present invention described herein and all the statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A terminal block assembly for circuit breakers, the assembly comprising:
a terminal block casing;
a plurality of pole compartments in the casing;
a nut holder;
a nut holder base plate;
wherein the nut holder and nut holder base plate provides for attaching multiple
termination so as to connect a plurality of conductors from at least one of a rear
side and a front side to terminals of the circuit breaker.

2. A terminal block assembly according to claim 1, wherein the nut holder includes a hexagonal slot to hold a nut.

3. The terminal block assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base holder includes a projection to provide for proper positioning of the nut holder.

4. The terminal block assembly according to claim 1, wherein the nut holder is arranged below the terminals of the circuit breaker.

5. The terminal block assembly according to claim 1, further comprising gas vents on at least one of a top section and a bottom section of the plurality of pole compartments to exhaust gases released from the circuit breaker during arcing.

6. The terminal block assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one side wall of each of the pole compartment is provided with L-slots for connecting block clamp to the circuit breaker.
7. The terminal block assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pole compartments is provided with a slot to insert the nut holder and the nut holder base plate.

8. The terminal block assembly according to claim 1, further comprises a mounting
means to attach to at least one of the incoming terminal side and the outgoing
terminal side of the circuit breaker.

9. The terminal block assembly according to claim 1, wherein the multiple
terminations include at least one of a flat conductor, a round conductor, prepared
conductor, an unprepared conductor, a tunnel, a spreader, and a box clamp.

10. The terminal block assembly according to claim 1, wherein the nut holder
assembly is adapted to connect at least one of a spreader and terminal to the
circuit breaker.

11. The terminal block assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base plate is
adapted to connect stud terminals to the terminals of the circuit breaker.

12. The terminal block assembly according to claim 1, wherein the nut holder is
adapted to connect a box-clamp and a rear-link to the terminals of circuit breaker.