CLAPPER ARMATURE SYSTEM FOR A CIRCUIT BREAKER

A clapper armature system for a circuit breaker includes a heater having a heater element and a pair of electrical conductors. The heater element is electrically connected to and disposed between the conductors. The conductors are spaced from the heater element to provide a pair of slots between the conductors and the heater element. A heat sensitive strip having one end electrically connected to at least one conductor is disposed proximate the heater element. A yoke has a pair of arms with each arm passing through a respective slot of the heater. The heater element and heat sensitive strip are disposed between the arms and provide a plurality of current paths between the arms. A clapper is disposed pivotally proximate the arms. The clapper pivots to the arms of the yoke to open a pair of separable contacts of the circuit breaker in response to a predetermined current passing through the heater and heat sensitive strip.