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PowerPact H-, J-, and L-Frame Circuit Breakers
Glossary
264
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Glossary
accessory = An electrical or mechanical device that performs a secondary or minor function apart
from overcurrent protection.
accessory cover = A removable cover on the front of a circuit breaker behind which are mounted the
trip unit and all electrical accessories.
adjustable rating plug = A component which plugs into the trip unit, establishing the ampere rating of
the circuit breaker
AIC = Amperes interrupting capacity.
AIR = See amperes interrupting rating.
alarm switch (bell alarm) = See overcurrent trip switch.
ambient temperature rating = Temperature at which the continuous current rating (handle rating) of a
circuit breaker is based; the temperature of the air immediately surrounding the circuit breaker which
can affect the thermal (overload) tripping characteristics of thermal-magnetic circuit breakers.
Electronic trip circuit breakers, however, are insensitive to normal (-10° to 50°C) ambient conditions.
ammeter (local current meter) = A module that mounts directly to the circuit breaker trip unit and
reports RMS phase and ground-fault current values as seen by the trip unit. Current values are
displayed one phase at a time.
ampacity = The current, in amperes, that a conductor or circuit breaker can carry continuously under
the conditions of use without exceeding its temperature rating.
ampere = The equivalent of one coulomb per second or the steady current produced by one volt
applied across a resistance of one ohm.
amperes interrupting rating = The highest current at rated voltage that an overcurrent protective
device is intended to interrupt under specified test conditions (NEC).
ANCE (National Association of Standardization and Certification for the Electrical Sector) = The
standards and certification agency accredited by the Mexican government.
ANSI
®
= American National Standards Institute.
automatic molded case switch = A switch with construction similar to a molded case circuit breaker
except that the switch opens only instantaneously at a non-adjustable trip point calibrated to protect
only the molded case switch itself.
auxiliary switch = A switch mechanically operated by the main device for signaling, interlocking, or
other purposes.
bell alarm = A mechanically-operated switch used to indicate the main contact position of a circuit
breaker, which indicates when a circuit breaker has tripped. Also see overcurrent trip switch.
BPFE = See electrical closing push button.
branch circuit = The circuit between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlet(s).
BCM = See circuit breaker communications module.
Canadian Standards Association
®
(CSA
®
) = Canadian product safety testing and certification
organization.
carriage= See cradle.
CCM = See cradle communication module.
CD = See cell switch.
CDM = See mechanical operation counter.
CE = See cell switch.