Digital control of circuit breaker

Abstract

A system includes a circuit breaker and a switch module having a first module terminal for electrically connecting the switch module to an electrical circuit and a second module terminal electrically connected in series with the first terminal of the circuit breaker. A switching device of the switching module is electrically connected in series between the first module terminal and the second module terminal and is configured to switch between an ON state for allowing current to pass through the circuit and an OFF state for opening the circuit to stop current passing through the circuit. The circuit breaker has a first housing that houses the circuit breaker mechanism therein. The switch module has a second housing that accommodates the switching device therein. The second housing may be mounted to the first housing. The first housing and the second housing together may be configured to fit in a physical envelope of a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to circuit breakers, and more particularly to digital and / or remote control of circuit breakers. BACKGROUND

[0002] Motor operators can be added to the front of a circuit breaker to remotely operate the circuit breaker mechanism. Circuit breakers and contactors are used together to form motor starters for controlling loads in a conventional configuration. In these configurations, the additional contactors are large, and the contactors are destroyed after a short circuit fault and must be replaced. Solid state circuit breakers that can also be used are not always suitable for all applications.

[0003] Such conventional approaches and systems are generally considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is still a need in the art for improved circuit breaker control. The present disclosure provides a solution for this need. SUMMARY

[0004] The system includes a switch module having a first module terminal for electrically connecting the switch module to an electrical circuit, and a second module terminal configured to be electrically connected in series with a first terminal of a circuit breaker. A switch device of the switch module is electrically connected in series between the first module terminal and the second module terminal, and is configured to switch between an ON state for allowing current to pass through the electrical circuit, and an OFF state for opening the electrical circuit to stop current from passing through the electrical circuit.

[0005] The switch module can have a module housing that houses the switch device. The switch device can include a first contact electrically connected to the first module terminal. A second contact can be electrically connected to the second module terminal. A third contact can be electrically connected to an arm mounted in the second housing for rotation relative to the housing about a pivot axis. A fourth contact can be electrically connected to the arm. In the ON state, the arm can be pivoted relative to the second housing to a first position in which the first contact and the third contact are electrically connected to each other, and in which the second contact and the fourth contact are electrically connected to each other to electrically connect the first module terminal to the second module terminal through an electrical path that includes the arm, the first contact, the second contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact. In the OFF state, the arm can be pivoted relative to the second housing to a second position in which the first contact and the third contact are spaced apart from each other, and in which the second contact and the fourth contact are spaced apart from each other to open the electrical path so that the first module terminal and the second module terminal are not electrically connected in the OFF state.

[0006] The second contact and the third contact can be on opposite sides of the arm. The third contact can be closer to the rotation axis than the fourth contact. A first plurality of arc mitigation bars can be included near the first contact and the third contact, and a second plurality of arc mitigation bars can be included near the second contact and the fourth contact.

[0007] The actuator can be operably connected to pivot the arm back and forth between the first position and the second position. The actuator can include a solenoid operably connected to an input-output connector of the switch module for wired and / or wireless control of the ON and OFF states of the switch module.

[0008] The solenoid can include a bistable mechanism including an actuator body mounted to the module housing. An armature can be mounted in the actuator body for sliding back and forth within the armature along an armature axis between a first bistable position and a second bistable position. The armature can include a ferromagnetic material. A biasing member can be mounted to the armature and the actuator body, the biasing member configured to bias the armature to a position between the first bistable position and the second bistable position. A first magnet can be mounted at a first end of the actuator body configured to magnetically latch the armature in the first bistable position. A first solenoid coil can be included proximate the first magnet, the first solenoid coil configured to at least partially cancel a magnetic field of the first magnet to allow the biasing member to move the armature away from the first bistable position if the first solenoid is energized. A second magnet can be mounted at a second end of the actuator body opposite the first end configured to magnetically latch the armature in the second bistable position. A second solenoid coil can be included proximate the second magnet, the second solenoid coil configured to at least partially cancel a magnetic field of the second magnet to allow the biasing member to move the armature away from the second bistable position if the second solenoid is energized. A pole of the first magnet can be positioned along the armature axis. A pole of the second magnet can be positioned along the armature axis, and different poles of the first magnet and the second magnet can be oriented toward each other and toward a middle position along the armature axis between the first magnet and the second magnet.

[0009] The armature can extend to the arm adjacent or through a hole of the first terminal. A contact spring can be included between the arm and the first terminal disposed circumferentially around a portion of the armature between the first terminal and the arm.

[0010] The arm can include a plurality of laminations of an alternating first material and a second material. Each of the laminations can be oriented in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The first material can include copper. The second material can be less electrically conductive than copper and can be harder than copper. The plurality of laminations can include one or more laminations of a third material. One or more pins can extend through the plurality of laminations to secure the plurality of laminations together.

[0011] In another arm configuration, the portion of the first terminal that is in electrical contact with the first contact of the first terminal may include a first material. The portion of the first terminal opposite to the first contact may include a second material. The portions of the arm that are in electrical contact with the third and fourth contacts may include the first material. The back portion of the arm opposite to the second contact may include the second material. The axis of rotation may pass through the second material of the arm.

[0012] The circuit breaker may have a first circuit breaker terminal electrically connected to a second terminal of the switching module. The circuit breaker may include a second circuit breaker terminal for electrically connecting the circuit breaker mechanism of the circuit breaker to the circuit. The circuit breaker mechanism may have an ON state for allowing current to flow through the circuit and an OFF state for disconnecting the circuit to stop current flow. The circuit breaker may have a first housing in which the circuit breaker mechanism is housed. The switching module may have a second housing separate from the first housing. The second housing may house the switching device therein, and the second housing may be mounted to the first housing. The first and second housings may be mounted together within the physical enclosure of a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB).

[0013] These and other features of the systems and methods disclosed herein will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Therefore, those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains will readily understand how to manufacture and use the devices and methods of this disclosure without excessive experimentation. Preferred embodiments thereof will now be described in detail with reference to certain accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a system constructed according to the present disclosure, showing a switch module installed to a circuit breaker;

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic side view of the switching module, showing the arm and actuator of the switching device;

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic front view of the arm, showing the stacked pieces;

[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic side view of the arm, showing the axis of rotation of the pivot;

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A schematic front view of the arm, showing another stacked configuration;

[0020] Figure 6 yes Figure 5A schematic side view of the arm, showing the axis of rotation of the pivot;

[0021] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A schematic side view of the switch module, showing another configuration of one of the terminals in the arm and terminals; and

[0022] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A schematic side view of a portion of the system, showing a bistable bidirectional actuator for a switching device. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects disclosed herein. Partial views of embodiments of the systems according to this disclosure are provided for purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation. Figure 1 As shown in the figures, and generally indicated by reference numeral 100. As will be described, in Figures 2-8 Other embodiments or aspects thereof of the system according to this disclosure are provided. The systems and methods described herein can be used to provide digital and remote ON / OFF control of circuits, which can be used with mechanical circuit breaker mechanisms for new installations or retrofits.

[0024] System 100 includes a circuit breaker 102 and a switch module 104. The circuit breaker mechanism 106 of circuit breaker 102 includes a switch handle 108 for manually switching the circuit in circuit 110 between ON and OFF states, and for resetting the circuit breaker mechanism 106 after a fault trips it. The circuit breaker mechanism 106 has an ON state for allowing current to flow through circuit 110 and an OFF state for disconnecting the circuit to stop current flow therethrough. The circuit breaker has a first housing 112 that houses the circuit breaker mechanism 106. Circuit breaker 102 has a circuit breaker terminal 114 for electrically connecting the circuit breaker mechanism 106 to circuit 110, and another circuit breaker terminal 116 for electrically connecting the circuit breaker mechanism 106 and terminal 118 of switch module 104.

[0025] Switching module 104 has module terminals 120 for electrically connecting switching device 122 of switching module 104 to circuit 110. Module terminals 120 may include wire connector lugs 186. Module terminals 118 electrically connect switching device 122 in series with terminals 116 of circuit breaker 102. Therefore, switching device 122 of switching module 104 is electrically connected in series with circuit breaker mechanism 106 and can be switched between an ON state and an OFF state, wherein the ON state allows current to flow through circuit 110 as long as circuit breaker mechanism 106 is in the ON position, and the OFF state disconnects circuit 110 to stop current from flowing through circuit 110.

[0026] The switch module 104 has a housing 124 separate from the housing 112 of the circuit breaker 102. The housing 124 houses the switchgear 122. The module housing can be manufactured separately and can be mounted onto the circuit breaker housing 112, as... Figure 1 As shown. The housings 112, 124, mounted together, can be configured to be fitted into the physical enclosure of a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB), for example, for a standard circuit breaker panel.

[0027] Now for reference Figure 2 The switching device 122 of the switching module 104 includes a contact 126 electrically connected to module terminal 120. A contact 128 is electrically connected to module terminal 118. A contact 130 is electrically connected to an arm 132, which is mounted in the module housing 124 for rotation about a pivot axis A relative to the housing 124. A contact 134 is electrically connected to the arm 132 at the opposite end to the contact 130. Contacts 130 and 134 are located on opposite sides of the arm 132 and at opposite ends of the arm relative to the rotation axis A. Contact 130 is closer to the rotation axis A than contact 134.

[0028] With the switch module 104 in the ON state, the arm 132 pivots relative to the module housing 124 as follows: Figure 2 The first position shown, wherein contacts 126 and 130 are electrically connected to each other, and wherein contacts 128 and 134 are electrically connected to each other, for use by means of... Figure 2 The long arrow in the diagram indicates the electrical path including arm 132, contacts 126, 128, 130, and 134, which electrically connects module terminal 118 to module terminal 120. In the OFF state, arm 132 pivots relative to module housing 124. Figure 2 The second position, indicated by dashed line 136, spaces contacts 126 and 130 apart from each other, and contacts 128 and 134 apart from each other to disconnect the electrical path, so that module terminals 118 and 120 are not electrically connected in the OFF state. Having two sets of contacts 126, 130 and 128, 134 that must both be close to complete circuit 110 helps protect contacts 126, 128, 130, 134 during an arcing event, and takes into account the geometry of this design. A first plurality of arc-extinguishing gates 138 are included in housing 124 near contacts 126 and 130, and a second plurality of arc-extinguishing gates 140 are included in housing 124 near contacts 128 and 134.

[0029] Actuator 142 is operatively connected to pivot arm 132 about axis A between a first position and a second position. Actuator 142 includes solenoid 144, which is operatively connected, for example, via controller 146 of switch module 104 to input / output connector 148 of switch module 104 for wired and / or wireless control of the ON and OFF states of switch module 104. Armature 150 of solenoid 144 extends through aperture 152 of terminal 120 to arm 132. It is also contemplated that solenoid 144 may be offset relative to terminal 120, for example, into or out of the plane of view in FIG. X, such that armature 150 extends adjacent to terminal 120 and connects to arm 132.

[0030] When current is conducted through arm 132 and terminal 120, a magnetic field is generated around arm 132 and terminal 120. Figure 2 The field lines are identified by three circles labeled B and three X's, where circle B indicates the field lines leaving the plane of view, and X's indicate the field lines entering the plane of view. The force from the magnetic field, in the direction determined by the cross product of J and B, is referred to herein as the blowing force, which tends to increase the contact force between contacts 128, 134 and between contacts 126, 130. The large gray arrows illustrate this blowing force, where J is the current density in contacts / arms 132 and 120, positioned along a parallel length between a pair of contacts 128, 134 and pivot point A.

[0031] Now for reference Figure 3 Good electrical conduction through arm 132 is desirable; however, conductive materials such as copper tend to deform easily. The pivoting position of axis A in arm 132 determines the holding force during a short-circuit event. The closer axis A is to the upper contact pairs 126, 130, the greater the blowing force due to the increased torque arm, and the smaller the contact gap. The pivoting position can therefore be optimized for a specific application. The magnetic force generated by the fault current and conductor geometry keeps the moving arm 132 and its contacts 130, 134 closed during a short-circuit event. The contact material and the number of contacts and parallel moving arms 132 can be selected for the desired steady-state current rating; for example, larger circuit breaker ratings may use multiple contact fingers for each contact 126, 128, 130, 134 to sustain the desired temperature rise.

[0032] For example, the blowing force during an arc fault may exceed the material strength of a pure copper arm 132. Arm 132 comprises multiple stacks of alternating first material 156 and second material 158. Each of the stacks is oriented in a corresponding plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation A, for example, Figure 3The diagram shows a plane P in the stack. The first material 156 may include a copper material, such as silver-containing copper, while the second material 158 may be less conductive than copper but harder, such as a nickel-chromium superalloy of stainless steel. Figure 4 A front view of arm 132 is shown for reference. Figure 3 The positions of intermediate contacts 130, 134 and axis A. Figure 5 and 6 They respectively showed the same as Figure 3 and 4 A view of the same arm 132, but wherein the plurality of stacks include one or more stacks of a third material 160, which alternate with stacks of the first and second materials 156, 158. Specifically, the third material is shown between two stacks of the first material 156, and the combined stacks of the first material 156 and the third material 160 alternate with stacks of the second material 158. The third material 160 may be a polymer. One or more pins 162 may extend through the plurality of stacks to secure the plurality of stacks together. Figures 3 to 6 The stacked plates in the middle provide the required conductivity for arm 132 as well as the strength to resist bending under the aforementioned blowing force.

[0033] High strength is beneficial for conductor arm 132 because the magnetic force that may be generated during a fault will tend to bend it. Ferromagnetic steel used for the second material 158 has the added benefit of enhancing the magnetic field. Arm 132 can be manufactured by bonding layers using induction brazing, ultrasonic welding, 3D manufacturing processes, etc. It is also conceivable that... Figures 5-6 As shown, the laminates can be pinned together. Alternating ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic high-strength materials can be used to clamp arm 132 during a short-circuit event.

[0034] Now for reference Figure 7 In another configuration of arm 132, portion A of arm 132, which is in electrical contact with the third contact 130 and the fourth contact 134, includes a first material 156 for conductivity, such as copper. The back portion of arm 132 opposite to contact 128 includes a second material 158, such as a ferromagnetic steel alloy or a stainless steel superalloy, to resist blow forces. Similarly, the portion of terminal 120 in direct electrical contact with contact 126 includes the first material 156, such as copper for conductivity. The portion of terminal 120 opposite to contact 126 includes the second material 158 to resist blow forces. In this configuration, the axis of rotation A passes through the second material 158 of arm 132 (note that...). Figure 7 Material 158 in the middle has the same characteristics as Figures 3 to 6 (The different constructions shown).

[0035] As shown, bonding a high-yield-strength material 158, serving as a support, to the conductive material 156 of the arm helps prevent the arm 132 (and similarly, terminal 120) from yielding during a short-circuit event. The second material 158 can be non-magnetic (e.g., 304, 316 stainless steel, titanium, precipitation-hardened aluminum, nickel-chromium-based superalloys). Using a high-yield-strength ferromagnetic material (e.g., carbon steel) for the second material 158 can enhance magnetic retention during short-circuit interruption. For the first material 156, sufficient conductor thickness is required to meet thermal requirements. If desired, using silver-containing copper can also improve strength.

[0036] Now for reference Figure 8 The solenoid 144 includes a bistable mechanism, which includes components mounted to... Figure 2 The actuator body 164 is housed in the module housing 124. An armature 150 is mounted within the actuator body 164 for moving along the armature axis AA within the armature. Figure 8 The first bistable position shown and Figure 8 The armature 150 slides back and forth between the second bistable positions, schematically indicated by dots. The armature 150 comprises a ferromagnetic material. A biasing member 166 (e.g., a spring or spring assembly) is mounted to the armature 150 and the actuator body 164 and is configured to bias the armature 150 to a position between the first and second bistable positions, for example, to center the armature 150. A first permanent magnet 168 is mounted at a first end of the actuator body 164 and is configured to magnetically latch the armature 150 in the first bistable position, such as... Figure 8 As shown. The first solenoid coil 170 is located near the first magnet 168 and is configured to generate a magnetic field (coil-1 B field) when energized with a current pulse to at least partially cancel the magnetic field (PM1 B field) of the first magnet 168, allowing the bias member 166 to move the armature 150 away from the first bistable position, wherein the magnetic field (PM2 B field) described below can pull the armature towards Figure 8 The second position is indicated by a dotted line.

[0037] The second permanent magnet 172 is mounted at the second end of the actuator body 164 opposite to the first end, and the second permanent magnet 172 is configured to magnetically latch the armature 150. Figure 8 In the second bistable position indicated by a dotted line, a second solenoid coil 174 is located near the second magnet 172. The second solenoid coil 174 is configured to generate a magnetic field (coil-2 B field) that at least partially cancels the magnetic field (PM2 B field) of the second magnet 172 when energized with a current pulse, allowing the bias member 166 to move the armature 152 away from the second magnet 172. Figure 8 The second bistable position is shown in the diagram, where the magnetic field (PM1 B field) of the first permanent magnet 168 can pull the armature 150 toward the position shown in the diagram. Figure 8The first position is shown. Coils 170 and 174 can be energized to help their respective permanent magnets 168 and 172 pull armature 150 toward the respective ends of actuator body 164. Coil control can be initiated by directly wiring to power supply 178 and manual switch 180 to energize coils 170 and 174. It is also conceivable that corresponding solid-state switches 182 and 184 can be used to energize the respective coils 170 and 174, for example, based on commands from controller 146, which can be controlled by wired or wireless signals received from an external controller. The field lines of PM1, coil-1, PM2, and coil-2B are schematically shown, with only one side of each field line shown, and all possible field line paths are not shown for clarity.

[0038] The magnetic poles N and S of the first magnet 168 are positioned along the armature axis AA. The magnetic poles N and S of the second magnet 172 are also positioned along the armature axis AA. Unlike the magnetic poles N and S of the first magnet 168 and the second magnet 172, the magnetic poles N and S of the first magnet 168 and the second magnet 172 are oriented towards each other and towards the midpoint of the armature axis AA between the first magnet 168 and the second magnet 172. The piston 176 of the armature 150 passes through a hole in the first magnet 168 to be mechanically connected to the arm 132, as shown below. Figure 2 and Figure 7 As shown. The actuator arrangement is based on switching piston 176 between two permanent magnets 168, 172 to provide a bidirectional solenoid, and allows for opening and closing. Figures 1-2 Switching device 122 is marked in the middle. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that any other suitable mechanism may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0039] The systems and methods disclosed herein offer potential benefits including the following: Add-on modules for remote control of the MCCB. The MCCB circuit breaker mechanism does not operate for remote or digital control; instead, it is a set of series contacts that connect and disconnect load current. The small package size and ability to withstand short-circuit events without contact damage can replace motor operators, motor-starter combinations, and can be an alternative to solid-state circuit breakers. Demand load management can be enabled, allowing for New Energy Layout (NEL) architectures. Conductor geometries allow the switching device to withstand high currents and still operate contacts to open / close under steady-state conditions. Bidirectional solenoid valves enable local or remote operation of the switch. Strike geometry coupled to a small-package bidirectional solenoid can be used as an add-on module for existing circuit breakers, such as MCCBs. This allows existing products to be used in load-demand-operated digital applications (e.g., NEL architectures). The switch module can be an add-on module that fits the cross-section of the MCCB—without changing the existing housing dimensions. Existing UL labels for the MCCB will not need to be changed, as the combined system retains all existing MCCB protection.

[0040] The methods and systems of this disclosure, as described above and in the accompanying drawings, provide digital and remote ON / OFF control of circuits that can be used with mechanical circuit breaker mechanisms for new installations or retrofits. While the apparatuses and methods disclosed herein have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily understand that changes and / or modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A system comprising: A switching module having a first module terminal for electrically connecting the switching module to a circuit and a second module terminal configured to be electrically connected in series with a first terminal of a circuit breaker, wherein a switching device of the switching module is electrically connected in series between the first module terminal and the second module terminal and is configured to switch between an ON state and an OFF state, the ON state being for allowing current to flow through the circuit and the OFF state being for disconnecting the circuit to stop current from flowing through the circuit.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The switch module has a module housing that accommodates the switch device.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein, The switching device includes: The first contact is electrically connected to the terminal of the first module. The second contact is electrically connected to the second module terminal; A third contact, electrically connected to an arm, said arm being mounted in the second housing to rotate relative to the housing about a pivot axis; and The fourth contact, which is electrically connected to the arm, In the ON state, the arm pivots relative to the second housing to a first position, wherein the first contact and the third contact are electrically connected to each other, and wherein the second contact and the fourth contact are electrically connected to each other, so as to electrically connect the first module terminal to the second module terminal through an electrical path including the arm, the first contact, the second contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact. In the OFF state, the arm pivots to a second position relative to the second housing, wherein the first contact and the third contact are spaced apart from each other, and wherein the second contact and the fourth contact are spaced apart from each other, to disconnect the electrical path, such that the first module terminal and the second module terminal are not electrically connected in the OFF state.

4. The system of claim 3 further includes an actuator operably connected to pivot the arm back and forth between the first position and the second position.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein, The actuator includes a solenoid operably connected to the input / output connector of the switching module for wired and / or wireless control of the ON and OFF states of the switching module.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein, The solenoid includes a bistable mechanism, which comprises: The actuator body is mounted to the module housing; An armature, which is mounted in the actuator body, is used to slide back and forth within the armature along the armature axis between a first bistable position and a second bistable position, wherein the armature comprises a ferromagnetic material; A biasing member is mounted to the armature and the actuator body, the biasing member being configured to bias the armature to a position between the first bistable position and the second bistable position; A first magnet, which is mounted at a first end of the actuator body, is configured to magnetically latch the armature in the first bistable position; A first solenoid coil, located near the first magnet, is configured to at least partially cancel the magnetic field of the first magnet when the first solenoid is energized, thereby allowing the biasing member to move the armature away from the first bistable position. A second magnet, mounted at a second end of the actuator body opposite to the first end, is configured to magnetically latch the armature in the second bistable position; and A second solenoid coil, located near the second magnet, is configured to at least partially cancel the magnetic field of the second magnet when the second solenoid is energized, thereby allowing the biasing member to move the armature away from the second bistable position.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein, The magnetic poles of the first magnet are positioned along the armature axis, wherein the magnetic poles of the second magnet are positioned along the armature axis, and wherein the different magnetic poles of the first magnet and the second magnet are oriented toward each other and toward a midpoint between the first magnet and the second magnet along the armature axis.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein, The armature extends into the arm adjacent to or through the hole of the first terminal.

9. The system of claim 6 further includes a contact spring between the arm and the first terminal, the contact spring being circumferentially disposed around a portion of the armature between the first terminal and the arm.

10. The system according to claim 3, wherein, The second contact and the third contact are located on opposite sides of the arm.

11. The system according to claim 3, wherein, The third contact is closer to the axis of rotation than the fourth contact.

12. The system according to claim 3, wherein, The arm comprises a plurality of alternating stacks of a first material and a second material, each of which is oriented in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The first material includes copper, wherein the second material has a lower electrical conductivity than copper, and wherein the second material is harder than copper.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein, The plurality of stacks includes one or more stacks of a third material, wherein one or more pins extend through the plurality of stacks to secure the plurality of stacks together.

15. The system according to claim 3, wherein, The portion of the first terminal that is in electrical contact with the first contact of the first terminal comprises a first material, wherein the portion of the first terminal opposite to the first contact comprises a second material, wherein the portion of the arm that is in electrical contact with the third contact and the fourth contact comprises the first material, and wherein the back portion of the arm opposite to the second contact comprises the second material.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein, The axis of rotation passes through the second material of the arm.

17. The system of claim 3, further comprising a first plurality of arc-extinguishing gates near the first contact and the third contact, and a second plurality of arc-extinguishing gates near the second contact and the fourth contact.

18. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: A circuit breaker having a first circuit breaker terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the switch module, and a second circuit breaker terminal for electrically connecting the circuit breaker mechanism to the circuit, wherein the circuit breaker mechanism has an ON state for allowing current to flow through the circuit and an OFF state for disconnecting the circuit to stop current from flowing through the circuit.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein, The circuit breaker has a first housing in which the circuit breaker mechanism is housed, and wherein the switch module has a second housing separate from the first housing in which the switch device is housed, and wherein the second housing is mounted to the first housing.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein, The first and second housings, installed together, are assembled in the physical enclosure of a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB).

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