CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/426,988, filed November 28, 2016, to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/477,925, filed March 28, 2017, to U.S. Provisional Application 62/506,473, filed May 15, 2017, and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/529,238, filed July 6, 2017, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrical components and methods of use associated with such components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In some embodiments, a circuit breaker device is provided, including a housing, the housing including a utility tapping housing section connected to a breaker housing section, a first plurality of electrical connectors disposed in the utility tapping housing section and configured to be placed in electrical communication with a utility power grid, a plurality of circuit breaker poles disposed in the breaker housing section, an inner pair of circuit breaker poles configured to operate as an inner double pole circuit breaker, and an outer pair of circuit breakers configured to operate as an outer double pole circuit breaker, a second plurality of electrical connectors disposed in the breaker housing section each of the second plurality of electrical connectors in electrical communication with one of the plurality of circuit breaker poles, a first internal bus in electrical communication with one of the first plurality of electrical connectors and extending through both the utility tapping housing section and the breaker housing section, the first internal bus in electrical communication with one pole of the inner double pole circuit breaker and one pole of the outer double pole circuit breaker, a second internal bus in electrical communication with another of the first plurality of electrical connectors and extending through both the utility tapping housing section and the bracket housing section, the second internal bus in electrical communication with the other pole of the inner double pole circuit breaker and the other pole of the outer double pole circuit breaker, and a securement mechanism configured to secure the circuit breaker device relative to one or more busbars in a load center without placing the circuit breaker device in direct electrical communication with the one or more busbars.

[0004] The plurality of circuit breaker poles can include four circuit breaker poles. The four circuit breaker poles can be arranged side by side, and the first internal bus and the second internal bus can extend between the middle two circuit breaker poles of the four circuit breaker poles.

[0005] The device can additionally include a first common tripping mechanism extending between the circuit breaker poles of the outer double pole circuit breaker, the first common tripping mechanism configured to trip one of the circuit breaker poles of the outer double pole circuit breaker when the other circuit breaker pole of the outer double pole circuit breaker is tripped, and a second common tripping mechanism extending between the circuit breaker poles of the inner double pole circuit breaker, the second common tripping mechanism configured to trip one of the circuit breaker poles of the inner double pole circuit breaker when the other circuit breaker pole of the inner double pole circuit breaker is tripped. The first common tripping mechanism can extend through a portion of the second common tripping mechanism. The first common tripping mechanism can include a trip rod operably coupled to trip arms of the circuit breaker poles of the outer double pole circuit breaker, the second common tripping mechanism can include interlocking structures operably coupled to trip arms of the circuit breaker poles of the inner double pole circuit breaker and having an aperture extending therethrough, and the trip rod can extend through the aperture in the second common tripping mechanism and can be freely rotatable without inducing rotation of the second common tripping mechanism. The first internal bus and the second internal bus can extend past the first and second common tripping mechanisms on opposite sides of the first and second common tripping mechanisms from one another.

[0006] The device can include two electrical lugs configured to receive wires in electrical communication with the utility power lines, and the second plurality of electrical connectors can include four breaker lugs configured to receive wires in electrical communication with loads or alternative energy power sources. The first plurality of electrical connectors and the second plurality of electrical connectors can face in the same direction. At least a portion of the utility tapping housing section can be laterally offset from the breaker housing section.

[0007] In some embodiments, a circuit breaker device is provided, including a pair of electrical connectors configured to be placed in electrical communication with a utility power grid, an inner pair of circuit breakers configured to operate as an inner double pole circuit breaker, an inner pair of breaker connectors, each of the inner pair of breaker connectors in electrical communication with one of the inner pair of circuit breakers, an outer pair of circuit breakers located on either side of the inner pair of circuit breakers and configured to operate as an outer double pole circuit breaker, an outer pair of breaker connectors, each of the outer pair of breaker connectors in electrical communication with one of the outer pair of circuit breakers, a first internal bus in electrical communication with one of the pair of electrical connectors, one of the inner pair of circuit breakers, and one of the outer pair of circuit breakers, and a first internal bus in electrical communication with the other of the pair of electrical connectors, the other of the inner pair of circuit breakers, and the other of the outer pair of circuit breakers.

[0008] The device can additionally include a non-conductive securement feature configured to allow the circuit breaker device to be seated on one or more busbars without placing the circuit breaker device in direct electrical communication with the one or more busbars. The non-conductive securement feature can include an insulated or non- conductive busbar stab recess.

[0009] The first and second internal buses can extend between the inner pair of circuit breakers. The inner pair of breakers can be configured to commonly trip without tripping the inner pair of circuit breakers, and the outer pair of circuit breakers can be configured to commonly trip without tripping the inner pair of circuit breakers.

[0010] In some embodiments, a circuit breaker device is provided, including a non-conductive securement feature configured to allow the circuit breaker device to be seated on one or more busbars without placing the circuit breaker device in direct electrical communication with the one or more busbars, an inner pair of circuit breakers configured to operate as an inner double pole circuit breaker, an inner pair of breaker connectors, each of the inner pair of breaker connectors in electrical communication with one of the inner pair of circuit breakers, an outer pair of circuit breakers located on either side of the inner pair of circuit breakers and configured to operate as an outer double pole circuit breaker, an outer pair of breaker connectors, each of the outer pair of breaker connectors in electrical communication with one of the outer pair of circuit breakers, the circuit breaker device configured to receive power from an alternative energy source via at least one of the inner pair of breaker connectors and the outer pair of breaker connectors, and a pair of electrical connectors configured to be placed in electrical communication with a utility power grid, the circuit breaker device configured to backfeed power to the utility power grid without passing through the one or more busbars on which the circuit breaker device is seated.

[0011] The device can additionally include a first internal bus in electrical communication with one of the pair of electrical connectors, one of the inner pair of circuit breakers, and one of the outer pair of circuit breakers, and a first internal bus in electrical communication with the other of the pair of electrical connectors, the other of the inner pair of circuit breakers, and the other of the outer pair of circuit breakers. The first and second internal buses can extend between the inner pair of circuit breakers.

[0012] The inner pair of breakers can be configured to commonly trip without tripping the inner pair of circuit breakers, and the outer pair of circuit breakers can be configured to commonly trip without tripping the inner pair of circuit breakers. The device can additionally include a housing, the housing including a utility tapping housing section connected to a breaker housing section, where at least a portion of the utility tapping housing section is laterally offset from the breaker housing section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of an alternative energy backfeeding circuit breaker device.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a back view of the circuit breaker device of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a front right top isometric view of the circuit breaker device of

FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a front right top isometric view of the circuit breaker device of

FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a front left bottom isometric view of the circuit breaker device of

FIG. 1. [0018] FIG. 6 is a back left bottom isometric view of the circuit breaker device of

FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a top view of the circuit breaker device of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the circuit breaker device of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a right side view of the circuit breaker device of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a left side view of the circuit breaker device of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the circuit breaker device of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a cutaway view of certain internal components of a circuit breaker device such as the circuit breaker device of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the internal bussing of the circuit breaker device.

[0026] FIG. 14 is an isometric cross-sectional view illustrating the interior of one of the poles of the circuit breaker device of FIG. 11, shown in a tripped state, along with a portion of the internal bussing mechanism.

[0027] FIG. 15 is an isolated cross-sectional view illustrating the interior of one of the poles of the circuit breaker device of FIG. 11, shown in an ON state/position.

[0028] FIG. 16 illustrates an isolated view at an oblique angle of the interior of one of the poles of the circuit breaker device of FIG. 11, shown in an OFF state/position.

[0029] FIG. 17 is an isolated cross-sectional view illustrating the interior of one of the poles of the circuit breaker device of FIG. 11, shown in a tripped state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Traditionally, a circuit breaker is designed to be the weak link in a home or commercial electrical system, and is designed to fail safely. In the event a circuit draws more current than it is designed to handle, the temperature of at least a portion of the wiring in that circuit increases, and problems can occur, including fires. The use of "overcurrent" safety devices such as circuit breakers are designed to prevent such fires by breaking the circuit and minimizing or preventing heat build-up caused by greater than expected level of electrical current. Circuit breakers connect to the hot bus bars in an electrical panel and come in a variety of types and capacities. [0031] Single Pole Breakers provide 120 volts and typically come in ratings of 15 to 20 amps. These breakers make up the majority of breakers in a standard home. Double Pole Breakers provide 240 volts and typically come in ratings from 15 to 50 amps. These breakers generally serve dedicated circuits for large appliances such as electric dryers, stoves and air conditioners.

[0032] The service main panel is typically configured with two bus bars (LI, L2 and a ground neutral bar) typically comprising a thick strip of copper or aluminum that conducts electricity within a distribution board, switchboard, substation or any other electrical apparatus. Bus bars are typically used to carry or dispense very large currents to several devices that are inside the switchgear such as to home appliances or other electricity consuming apparatus.

[0033] Modernly, remodeling and installation of alternative energy devices including solar panels, wind turbines or other power generating equipment in a home or commercial building have required either replacing the structure's electrical main panel or installation of a sub panel in order to accommodate the extra load generated by the additional alternative energy devices being installed. Replacement of a new service panel and/or installation of new sub panels to an existing electrical system results in significant expenses to the home or building owner committing the owner to an investment of several years of alternative energy generation to recoup the expense associated with installation of the alternative energy device.

[0034] Regulations such as National Electrical Code (NEC) sections 690.64(B) / 705.12(D) govern the requirements and limitations of bus bar load. Bus bars are generally intended to deliver electrical power from the main panel to the various circuit breakers that are employed in distribution of power to a residential or commercial dwelling. 705.12(D)(2) provides in part: Buss or Conductor Rating: The Sum of the ampere ratings of overcurrent devices in circuits supplying power to a bus bar or conductor shall not exceed 120 percent of the rating of the bus bar or conductor.

[0035] From a practical perspective, regulations that govern electrical power through a bus bar preclude the transfer of such power beyond 120% of the amperage rating of the bus bar. Accordingly, to maintain compliance with regulations, the installation of alternative energy sources to a home or commercial building including solar power, wind turbines and the like, can require a complete replacement of the existing main panel, or addition of a sub panel to accommodate excess power back fed to the utility since excess power can potentially overload the amperage rating of the bus bars leading to the risk of fire.

[0036] Embodiments discussed herein are directed to a back feed circuit breaker that is connected (or "tapped") in parallel with power incoming from a power grid and utility. The parallel connection is disposed either between a main circuit breaker (breaker side) of the service panel and the bus bars of the main panel. Alternatively, the parallel connection is disposed between a power meter that is connected to a power utility grid (supply side) and the main circuit breaker, again, prior to the bus bars, which in turn lead to sub breakers that distribute power to a home, building or other structure. The back feed circuit breaker is connected to and manages the power generated from a source of alternative energy, including for example; solar panels, wind turbines, electrical generators or any other alternative energy sources as known in the art wherein the alternative energy source generates excess power that can be transferred back to the power grid and utility, or alternatively, to the structure during times of energy need.

[0037] The back feed circuit breakers discussed herein can be connected in parallel to power incoming from the utility and configured to create a direct circuit between the back feed circuit breaker and the main panel while by-passing the bus bars of the main circuit breaker in order to back feed power to the utility. In this configuration, excess power generated from the alternative energy source does not pass through the bus bars of the main panel. As excess power is generated by the alternative energy source, a circuit formed by the parallel tap with the main circuit breaker, either configured supply side or breaker side, delivers the excess power to the utility, while the power bypasses the bus bars completely since the bus bars do not form any portion of the circuit.

[0038] During instances in which power is needed in the structure, a circuit is created between the back feed circuit breaker, the main circuit breaker and the bus bars which in turn lead to sub-breakers which feed and distribute power to the structure so to deliver power generated from the alternative energy source as needed. In so doing, compliance with NEC regulations relating to bus bar amperage rating is maintained.

[0039] FIGS. 1-10 are various views of an alternative energy-backfeeding circuit breaker device. The illustrated circuit breaker device 100 includes two double-pole circuit breakers, and can be referred to as a quad circuit breaker device. The circuit breaker device 100 is shown prior to connection of A-phase and B-phase utility feeders, which may be 120 volt alternating current (AC) utility feeders to buss connectors 13, and prior to insertion and securement of the stripped ends of at least one pair of wires connected to an alternative energy source in a pair of breaker lugs such as the outer breaker lugs 38a and 38d and/or the inner breaker lugs 38b and 38 c.

If only one pair of wires from an alternative energy source is connected to a pair of breaker lugs, wires connected to a conventional load such as a 240 V AC appliance, a battery charger, or an electric vehicle charger may be connected in the remaining pair of breaker lugs.

[0040] Prior to the connection of utility feeders to bus connectors 13 of the circuit breaker device 100 in a main panelboard or load center, a utility meter in electrical communication with the main panelboard or load center may be pulled. This cuts utility power to the utility feeders in electrical communication with the main panelboard or load center until the meter is reinserted. Depending on the number and placement of branch breakers on the busbars, existing branch breakers may be moved to a different position on the busbars of the main load center, or removed so that the circuit breaker device can be installed on the busbars of the main load center. If a one or more circuit breakers are removed, one of the two-pole breakers of the quad circuit breaker device can service the load previously connected to the one or more removed circuit breakers.

[0041] The circuit breaker device 100 may in some embodiments be installed directly adjacent to the main breaker, the placement of which in the main panel may vary. For example, in the case of overhead electrical service from the utility, the main breaker may be located above the busbars, whereas in the case of underground electrical service from the utility, the main breaker may be located below the busbars. The circuit breaker device 100 may tap lines the A- and B-phase 120 V AC utility feeders connected to a fixed main breaker above or beneath the bus bars of a main panelboard or load center, or those connected to a main breaker in a centerfed load center. In such embodiments, the tap lines may be connected to the bus connectors 13 of a circuit breaker device 100 positioned away from the main breaker of the panel. [0042] In particular, the circuit breaker device 100 includes a housing 50 having a utility tapping housing section 52 and a breaker housing section 54. The utility tapping housing section 1 10 includes a pair of electrical lugs 13 configured to receive wires in electrical communication with the utility power lines, and secure them in place using screws 14. As discussed above, these electrical lugs can provide a parallel power tap with the power incoming from the utility lines. Apertures allow access to the tightening screws of the electrical lugs 13.

[0043] The breaker housing section 54 also includes lugs 38 configured to receive wires in electrical communication with an alternative energy source. The lugs in the breaker housing section 54 are in electrical communication with breakers disposed within the breaker housing section 54. Apertures allowing access to the lugs within the breaker section may be disposed in the front of the breaker housing section 54, on the same side of the breaker housing section 54 as the utility tapping housing section 52. In some embodiments they may be at the same height as the electrical lugs 13 used for the utility line tapping, although in other embodiments they may be located elsewhere within the breaker housing section 54 or circuit breaker device 100.

[0044] The shape of the housing 50 allows the circut breaker device 100 to be positioned on the busbars of a load center in a main service panel or other structure without forming a direct electrical communication between the circuit breaker device 100 and the underlying busbars. In particular, the dimensions of the breaker housing section 54 can in some embodiments allow placement of the breaker housing section adjacent or between existing breakers on the busbars of the main service panel. The utility tapping housing section 52 is similarly dimensioned to allow it to sit in close proximity to existing breakers within the limited space of the main service panel. In some embodiments, the breaker device 100 may include spacers to account for the spacing between the busbars and the adjacent surfaces of the main service panel. In some embodiments, the spacers can be removable and/or replaceable with spacers of different heights to accommodate main service panels of different dimensions.

[0045] After installation of the circuit breaker device 100 in the load center, and the pairwise insertion and securement of end-stripped wires into at least a pair of the lugs 38, the meter can be reinserted to restore power to the utility feeders. The installation and securement of the end-stripped wires into the lugs 38 can include the securement of wires connected to at least one alternative energy source into at least one of the inner or outer pairs of lugs 38 (e.g., outer pair 38a and 38d or inner pair 38b and 38c), along with the possible securement of another pair of wires into the other pair of lugs. As discussed above, the other pair of wires may be connected to the same or a different alternative energy source, or to a load.

[0046] Unlike conventional circuit breakers, no direct electrical connection with the busbars of the main load center is established when the circuit breaker device 100 is installed on the busbars using busbar stab recesses 41 or another suitable connection mechanism, as the busbar stab recesses include a non- conductive or insulating material. Thus, despite the circuit breaker device 100 being physically seated on the stabs of the busbars of the main load center, no direct electrical connection is made with these stabs. Internal bussing 15 and 16 (see FIG. 13, for example), electrically connected to A- and B- phase feeders from the utility, is directed to stationary contacts at the respective termini of the internal bussing 15 and 16 within the circuit breaker device 100. Rather, utility power is connected to the bussing within quad breaker 100, and alternative energy sources connected to one or both pairs of lugs 38a and 38d, and/or 38b and 38c, can be backfed to the utility feeders.

[0047] As part of the installation of a circuit breaker device 100 being installed immediately adjacent to a main breaker in a load center, appropriate lengths (e.g., 5/8") of insulation of the feeders connected to the main breaker can be stripped mid-span stripped in front of the main breaker. Bus connector cover 9 is then removed, and the tops 13a (see FIG. 13) of bus connectors 13 are then slid off from the bottoms 13b (see FIG. 13) of bus connectors 13. The front of circuit breaker device 100, prior to the attachment of hold-down poles 36, is then tilted down so that the bottoms 13b of bus connectors 13 are positioned directly beneath the portions of the utility feeders that have been stripped of insulation, and circuit breaker device 100 is then pressed down to mechanically seat the circuit breaker device 100 on the busbars of the main load center. The tops 13a of bus connectors 13 can then be slid back onto the bottoms 13b of the bus connectors 13, the bus connector cover 9 can be pushed down and secured above bus connectors 13, and bus connector screws are tightened, thereby establishing electrical connection between the internal bussing of quad breaker 100 and the A- and B-phase utility feeders. In some embodiments, the bus connector screws may be tightened to 100 In-Pounds of torque.

[0048] Because certain existing electrical standards/codes require that any device capable of backfeeding to the grid must be secured by one or more screws, such that removal of the device would require the use of a tool, hold-down poles 36 can be secured by hold- down screws (not shown). At this point, with handles 27a-27d toggled to the OFF position, one or more pairs of wires from one or more alternative energy sources may be end-stripped, inserted, and secured, pairwise, in either or both of the outer pair of lugs 38a and 38d, and the inner pair of lugs 38b and 38c. In some embodiments, the end-stripping may be measured by the strip length markings 42 embossed on each side of the circuit breaker device 100. In some embodiments, the length of these strip markings may be 0.466".

[0049] Each lug 38a-38d is in electrical communication with one of four single- pole circuit breakers, such that lug 38a is in electrical communication with a first pole (referred to herein as Pole A), lug 38b is in electrical communication with a second pole (referred to herein as Pole B), lug 38c is in electrical communication with a third pole (referred to herein as Pole C); and lug 38d is in electrical communication with a fourth pole (referred to herein as Pole D).

[0050] As discussed above, quad circuit breaker device 100 includes two duplex circuit breakers that trip independently. In some embodiments, these circuit breakers are two two-pole, 240 V AC breakers. More specifically, pole A and pole D constitute one duplex circuit breaker, referred to herein as the outer circuit breaker, while pole B and pole C constitute the other duplex breaker, referred to herein as the inner circuit breaker. Mechanisms disposed within the circuit breaker device are described hereinafter in greater detail with respect to other figures, and result in poles A and D tripping commonly, but independently of poles B and C. Likewise, pole B and pole C trip commonly, but independently of pole A and pole D. As a result, a conventional load connected to the inner circuit breaker including inner poles B and C, can be toggled off without turning off power from an alternative energy source connected to the outer circuit breaker including poles A and D.

[0051] The independent tripping of the inside-outside breaker pairs occurs because the common trip levers 11 of Poles B and C, most clearly seen in FIG. 11, have opposing protrusions and female recesses that mesh/mate in the longitudinal direction along the length of common trip rod 12. However, that the reason that common trip levers 11 of Poles B and C do not cooperatively operate to trip in unison with common trip levers 10 of Poles A and D, is that the inner diameters of the common trip levers 11 of Poles B and C are not dimensioned to respond to rotations of common trip rod 12. Rather, unlike common trip levers 10 of poles 1 and 4, which have square recesses dimensioned nearly identically to the cross section of common trip rod 12, the through holes of common trip rod levers 11 are circular and larger in diameter than the cross section of common trip rod 12.

[0052] After all connections to lugs 38a-38d have been made, and an installer has checked for shorts using an ohmmeter or other suitable method, the utility meter can be reseated in the meter socket, and utility power is restored to the feeders and power is provided to the bussing in the circuit breaker device 100. Handle tie 21 ensures that pole A and pole D can be manually toggled ON or OFF together, as required by code, while handle tie 20 likewise ensures that pole B and pole C can be manually toggled ON or OFF together.

[0053] FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of the circuit breaker device of FIG. 1. The circuit breaker device 100 is shown exploded into four sections, each section including a single pole. From left to right, the components include the pole A cover 1 , pole A in the pole A case 2, and pole B in the pole B case 3. The components of the right and left buses 15 and 16 which extend toward the rear of the circuit breaker device 100 are dimensioned to extend at least partially between the pole B case 3 and the pole C cover 4, although other portions of the right and left buses 15 and 16 will extend to the left of the pole B case 3 and other components, towards the lugs 13. The pole C cover 4 is dimensioned to include bosses or other features which can be stamped or otherwise formed to accommodate the shape of buses 15 and 16. On the right side of the pole C cover 4 are the pole C in the pole C case 5, and the pole D in the pole D case 6.

[0054] In various embodiments, bus 15 may be A-phase, while bus 16 may be B- phase, or vice versa. Similarly, the orientation of bus 15 and 16 relative to poles A-D may be reversed, such that the right and left buses 15 and 16 may extend to the right of the pole C case 5 and other components, towards lugs 13 disposed on the right. Such an embodiment may be, for example, essentially a mirror image of the circuit breaker device depicted in FIGS. 1-10. A reversed orientation may facilitate installation of the circuit breaker device in an embodiment in which the electrical service from the utility is underground, and the main breaker may be located below the busbars.

[0055] To illustrate possible states of the various poles, pole D is depicted as being in a tripped state, while the other poles are depicted as being in the OFF state. However, in practice, the common trip rod 12 depicted in the pole D section may connect pole A and pole D to cause them to trip together, such as by press-fitting the common trip rod 12 into the common trip levers 10 of both poles A and D. Poles B and C also include common trip levers 11 of different length than the common trip levers 10 of poles A and D, so that a common trip bar extending between the common trip levers 11 of poles B and C will not interfere with the common trip bar 12 extending between common trip levers 10 of poles A and D.

[0056] As further described with respect to other figures, the circuit breaker device 100 may include other components not illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 11, including ties 20 and 21, bus connector cover 9, back bus case 7, front bus case 8, bus case rivets 19, breaker case rivets 18, hold-down poles 36, hold-down screws 37

[0057] FIG. 12 is a cutaway view of the circuit breaker device of FIG. 11, illustrating the passage of sections of the bus 15 and bus 16 along the surface of the pole C cover 4. As can be seen, bus 15 and bus 16 are disposed in abutting agreement with bus bosses 45. Also depicted, in profile, is load center rail recess 44. For clarity, stationary contacts 17 are not illustrated in FIG. 12.

[0058] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the internal bussing of the circuit breaker device. The internal bussing includes bus 15 and bus 16 each of which extends between a split-lug connector 13 at one end and a pair of contacts 17 at the other. The bus 15 and 16 can be shaped by forming multiple bends in a cutout or stamped piece of metal. The contacts 17 are spaced along the end section of the bus 15 and the bus 16 such that each contact will be in contact with one of poles A-D. The depicted configuration of bus 15 and bus 16, with both A-phase contacts 17 on one side and both B-phase contacts 17 on the opposite side, results in outer poles A and D forming one duplex, and inner poles B and C forming another duplex. Each breaker has one A-phase contact and one B-phase contact, together forming a 240 V AC duplex breaker when the inner and outer breakers are both 120 V AC breakers. [0059] Because the buses 15 and 16 in the illustrated embodiment are formed from a flat section of metal which is bent to form the desired shapes, one dimension of the cross-sectional shape of the bus may be significantly larger than the other. This shape enables the bus 15 and 16 to be able to safely transmit power through the circuit breaker device 100 from the lugs 13 to the contacts 17 in electrical communication with the breakers, while still maintaining a sufficiently small footprint that the circuit breaker device 100 can be seated on the bus bars of a load center among other conventional circuit breakers. The sections of bus 15 and bus 16 adjacent the lugs 13 within the utility tapping section of the housing overlie one another, with the wider dimension of the cross-sectional shape of the bus 15 and bus 16 extending in a longitudinal front-to-back direction, and with the wide surfaces generally horizontal, except where bends are placed to maintain spacing between the bus 15 and the bus 16. At the edge of the utility tapping section of the housing, the bus 15 and the bus 16 undergo a roughly 90 degree bend, such that the wider dimension of the cross- sectional shape of the bus 15 and the bus 16 now extends in a transverse top-to-bottom direction. The sections of the bus 15 and 16 extending along the busses in the pole C cover 4 are thus coplanar within a narrow plane, and spaced apart from one another in a vertical direction, allowing passage between pole B and pole C without necessitating a substantial increase in the lateral width of the breaker housing section.

[0060] FIG. 14 is an isometric cross-sectional view illustrating the interior of one of the poles of the circuit breaker device of FIG. 11, shown in a tripped state, along with a portion of the internal bussing mechanism. In particular, the internal bus is shown, along with Pole D, without Pole C or the pole C cover. It can be seen that the trip arm 26 of Pole D is in a down or lowered position relative to the figure, in which the trip arm 26 is not caught or supported by the latch plate 29.

[0061] FIG. 15 is an isolated cross-sectional view illustrating the interior of one of the poles of the circuit breaker device of FIG. 11, shown in an ON state/position. In particular, FIG. 15 shows pole D, without the common trip rod 12 press-fit into the common trip lever 10. In the assembled circuit breaker device 100, the common trip rod 12 will be press-fit into the common trip levers 10 of poles A and D, to ensure that they trip together. The tripping of both poles is a safety feature, as without that, a tripped handle could lead one to believe that both poles had tripped, even though one of the poles would still be live. [0062] When the circuit enters an overcurrent condition, due to a short, fault or other cause, the thermal element 31, which may be a bimetallic strip, bends in the direction of the lug 38, away from the connector 17. An arm conductor 33, which may be a braided multistrand copper wire may be welded between the thermal element 31 and an assist plate 32. The bending induced in thermal element 31 is sufficient to cause the notched end of trip arm 26 to falls out of the catch in latch plate 29. The tripping of pole D will be redundantly assured by the operation of the thermal element 31 in pole A and the linkage between the two, as only one thermal element 31 needs to bend sufficiently to cause the trip arm 26 to release.

[0063] As the trip arm 26 of one of poles A and D releases, the common trip projection 48 of the greater body of trip arm 26, which rotates about handle pivot axis 31 and about trip arm pivot projection 46, presses down on the isosceles triangle-shaped projections of common trip levers 10 of poles A and D. The slender finger-like projection of common trip rods 10 and 11 are dimensioned to press hard against latch plate 29, such that the notched end of trip arm 26 is freed from the catch in latch plate 29.

[0064] FIG. 16 illustrates an isolated view at an oblique angle of the interior of one of the poles of the quad alternative energy-backfeeding circuit breaker of FIGS. 1-12, in an OFF state/position, with bussing terminating in same. The arm 22 is moved away from the stationary contact 17 such that the moving contact 23 at the end of arm 22 is not in contact with the stationary contact 17. FIG. 17 illustrates an isolated view of the interior of one of the poles of the quad alternative energy-backfeeding circuit breaker of FIGS. 1-12, in a tripped state/position, with bussing terminating in same.

[0065] The breakers of the circuit breaker device may be of any amperage. In some embodiments, the current poles for the circuit breaker device range from 20-50 Amps, although amperage ratings lower than 20 Amps and higher than 50 Amps may also be used. As the amperage rating of classified breakers increases in the future, single amps may be allowed to increase to higher amperages, such as 125 Amps. If, for example, two alternative energy sources, such as photovoltaic power sources, are attached, each outputting 50 Amps, the circuit breaker device 100 allows 100 Amps to be backfed in a 100 Amp load center without violating the 120% Rule. [0066] In the foregoing description, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the examples. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the examples may be practiced without these specific details. Certain embodiments that are described separately herein can be combined in a single embodiment, and the features described with reference to a given embodiment also can be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. In some examples, certain structures and techniques may be shown in greater detail than other structures or techniques to further explain the examples.

[0067] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.