Abstract: A circuit interruption device including first and second terminals for connection, to a respective electrical circuit or network, a current-conductive branch including first, second, and third current-conductive branch portions successively connected in series between the first and second terminals, the first current-conductive branch portion including a first switching element, the second current-conductive branch portion including a second switching element, the third current-conductive branch portion including a third switching element, each switching element configured to be switchable to selectively permit and block a flow of current in the respective current-conductive branch portion, first and second current bypass paths, the first current bypass path connected across the first and second current-conductive branch portions, the second current bypass path connected across the second and third current-conductive branch portions, and a controller configured to selectively control the switching of the swit

Abstract: The present invention provides an information providing apparatus including a determining unit configured to determine an added value to be provided to a user of a portable electric power supply device including a storage battery that stores electric power to be supplied to electrical equipment detachably connected, wherein in a case where a kind of the electrical equipment is a specified kind of electrical equipment, the determining unit determines the added value to be provided to the user in such a manner that the added value to be provided to the user is higher than an added value in a case where the kind of the electrical equipment is not the specified kind of electrical equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information providing apparatus including a determining unit configured to determine an added value to be provided to a user of a portable electric power supply device including a storage battery that stores electric power to be supplied to electrical equipment detachably connected, wherein in a case where a kind of the electrical equipment is a specified kind of electrical equipment, the determining unit determines the added value to be provided to the user in such a manner that the added value to be provided to the user is higher than an added value in a case where the kind of the electrical equipment is not the specified kind of electrical equipment.

Abstract: An electronic sensing and allocation system is provided for a distributed water infrastructure containing a plurality of differing appliances. The system may receive, from at least one sensor upstream of the plurality of differing appliances, a plurality of signals indicative of water usage within the distributed water infrastructure. The system may output a first indication of a first volume of water together with an indicator attributing the first volume of water to a first rate schedule, and output a second indication of a second volume of water together with an indicator attributing the second volume of water to a second rate schedule. The system may enable billing of the first and second volumes of water to a consumer at differing rates based on differing uses.

Abstract: A contact arrangement for a Pre-Insertion Resistor (PIR) wherein a control rod is arranged to move a movable contact, against the force of a biasing member, into temporary connection with a PIR. The control rod comprises a tulip with a plurality of resilient fingers and having a first diameter where it is able to mechanically couple to a latching ring on the movable contact, and a second diameter where the tulip is deformed with the fingers deflected inwards, once the resistance to movement exceeds a predetermined value, wherein the latching ring is able to pass over the tulip to decouple the movable contact from the control rod. The contact arrangement is particularly suited for a PIR arranged for connection in parallel to the interrupter of a gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) circuit breaker.

Abstract: A smart residential circuit breaker includes a hybrid assembly that incorporates a solid-state circuit element integrated into a simplified mechanical pole having main contacts. The solid-state circuit element includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with a micro SD reader to provide faster opening speeds. The smart residential circuit breaker is configured for use for different current levels and controlled by the PCB. The smart residential circuit breaker includes a mag-latch. The PCB is configured to send a signal to the mag-latch to open and close the main contacts within microseconds of detecting an over-current.

Abstract: A dielectric composite including a plurality of crystal grains including a semiconductor or conductive material, and a grain boundary insulation layer between the crystal grains, wherein the grain boundary insulation layer includes a two-dimensional layered material covering at least a portion of a surface of at least one of the crystal grains, and a multi-layered capacitor and an electronic device including the same.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sintered oxide to be used for a sputtering target, whereby little abnormal discharge occurs even during high-power film-deposition and no cracking occurs in the target. A sintered oxide having zinc, aluminum, titanium and oxygen, as constituent elements, characterized in that when the contents of zinc, aluminum and titanium are represented by Zn, Al, and Ti, respectively, the atomic ratios of the elements constituting the sintered oxide are Al/(Zn+Al+Ti)=0.035 to 0.050 and Ti/(Zn+Al+Ti)=0.05 to 0.20, and the average grain size of crystal grains having a Zn2TiO4 crystal phase as the matrix phase in the sintered oxide, is at most 5 ?m.

Abstract: A method and system provides current, from an electrical hub, to a device. The method and system further receives, at the electrical hub, an indication that the device is in a first configuration state of a plurality of configuration states. An example includes detecting, at the electrical hub, a detected current value of the current sent to the device. Processes include determining, at the electrical hub, whether to generate an error indication based on a comparison of the detected current value and a first reference value or range of values associated with the first configuration state.

Abstract: Disclosed is multipolar power contactor with an electromagnetic drive having an armature, and at least two movable contacts arranged next to one another and connected to the armature. The armature is movable from an open position, where the movable contacts and the fixed contacts are not in contact with one another, into a closed position where the movable contacts come into contact with the fixed contacts. Each movable contact and a corresponding fixed contact, is assigned an arc quenching device, and a plasma barrier having a first and a second barrier is provided between the two movable contacts, whereby one of the two barriers is connected to the armature and the other of the two barriers to a stationary part of the power contactor. The first and the second barrier overlap with one another at least partially in each position of the armature between the open and the closed positions.

Abstract: A process for identifying existence of a welded spot on a cut-out part and retention of the cut-out part on a workpiece in a wire electrode is disclosed which makes it possible to go ahead process steps while identifying automatically the retention of the cut-out part on a workpiece, ensuring unmanned work of the wire electrode discharge processor. The process includes an inspection step to detect whether the wire electrode comes into contact with a welded spot while moving the wire electrode along the cutting path of kerf in the workpiece, after the wire electrode has come into contact with the welded spot, a step goes ahead to one of next procedures, and after the wire electrode has come into no contact with the welded spot, a step goes ahead to generate an alarm and the wire electrical discharge is ceased.

Abstract: A silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) includes a first-type field, a second-type first field and a second-type second field disconnectedly formed in a first-type well; an entire first-type doped region formed within the first-type field; a segmented second-type doped region formed within the second-type first field; and a segmented first-type doped region formed within the second-type second field.

Abstract: In a method of welding a cut-out part with a workpiece at a preselected area in a thickness direction of the workpiece in a wire electrical discharge machining to retain temporarily or tentatively the part on the workpiece, a wire electrode 5 tilted in posture cuts the workpiece 6 to form a slant cutting surface 30 at a spark discharge location in a desired contour 21 in the workpiece 6. The wire electrode 5 after kept in an upright posture executes the welding process on the workpiece 6 along the slant cutting surface. A plurality of the welded spots is formed over a preselected length at preselected areas in the thickness direction of the workpiece 6. Even if the cut-out part 26 weighs more or the spark discharge is executed on the workpiece 6 overlapped one on the other, the welding spot 20 is formed in the thickness direction of the workpiece 6 adequately depending on the working situation to tentatively retain the cut-out part 26 on the workpiece 6.

Abstract: An extinguishing branch (28) for an electrical circuit (32) includes: a snubber circuit (36) including an energy storage limb (40), wherein the energy storage limb (40) includes first and second energy storage limb portions separated by a first junction (46) to define a first voltage divider, and each energy storage limb portion includes at least one energy storage device (48,50); and an arrester limb (38) connected across the energy storage limb (40), wherein the arrester limb (38) includes first and second arrester limb portions separated by a second junction (52) to define a second voltage divider, and each arrester limb portion includes at least one arrester element (54,56), wherein the first and second junctions (46,52) are connected to define a voltage divider bridge, and the voltage divider bridge is electrically coupleable to the electrical circuit (32) so as to provide, in use, a driving voltage to drive the electrical circuit (32).

Abstract: A pre-charge circuit is provided for an electromechanical relay having a coil and relay contacts. The pre-charge circuit includes a semiconductor switch configured to be electrically connected across the relay contacts of the electromechanical relay. The pre-charge circuit includes a resistor configured to be electrically connected in series with the semiconductor switch between the coil and the relay contacts of the electromechanical relay. The pre-charge circuit includes a driver configured to be electrically connected between the coil of the electromechanical relay and the semiconductor switch such that the driver is configured to power operation of the semiconductor switch. The semiconductor switch is configured to pre-charge a capacitor of a load of the electromechanical relay with electrical current through the resistor for limiting in-rush electrical current supplied to the relay contacts of the electromechanical relay.

Abstract: A device for protecting an electrical installation including an insulating body electrically defining an internal housing, the protective device including, within the internal housing: an active component of a device for protecting an electrical installation; a disconnection system for disconnecting the active component moveable between a contact position corresponding to a connected state of the active component and an open position corresponding to a disconnected state of the active component; a disconnection indicator, where the disconnection indicator is secured in movement to the disconnection system and the disconnection indicator and the insulating body are arranged to have a first configuration, which corresponds to the contact position, and a second configuration, which corresponds to the open position, the relative positioning of the disconnection indicator with respect to the insulating body in the first configuration being visually distinct from the outside of the insulating body from the relative

Abstract: A hybrid high-voltage DC breaker, consists of a plurality of completely identical breaker modules connected in series. Each of the breaker modules comprises a main current circuit, a transfer current circuit, an over-voltage limiting circuit and a control system, wherein a high-speed mechanical switch, the transfer current circuit and the over-voltage limiting circuit are connected in parallel. The transfer current circuit consists of circuits 1-4, wherein the circuit 1 and the circuit 4 are connected in series at first and then connected with the main current circuit in parallel; a pre-charged capacitor is connected with the circuit 4 in parallel after being connected with the circuit 3 in series; and, one end of the circuit 2 is connected with the left end of the main current circuit while the other end thereof is connected with a connection point of the pre-charged capacitor and the circuit 3.

Abstract: A device for a controlled electrostatic discharge in persons consists of two electrically non-conductive elements mutually spaced by at least one spring and arranged in a housing. At least one element is arranged in the housing in a way to come closer parallel to a second element when force is exerted on it from the outside. Electric pins are arranged on adjacent surfaces of both elements and arranged on each surface at a mutual distance and the two surfaces are arranged at a mutual distance and simultaneously the rows of pins on one and the second element are offset, so that the pins of one row lie in the middle of the distance and both rows of pins are spaced from each other by a different distance.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a DC current interruption system able to open a DC line with inductive behavior, comprising a primary mechanical breaker (S0), a secondary mechanical breaker (S1) and an electronic overvoltage protection circuit (B1, B2) comprising at least one transistor. The DC current interruption system of the invention furthermore comprises an electronic opening system (72, 76) comprising a passive circuit able to auto-bias the electronic protection circuit (B1, B2) upon the opening of said primary mechanical breaker (S0), so as to trigger a switching of said at least one transistor (M1, M2, IG1) making it possible to limit the voltage and the current in the DC line, total interruption of said DC line being obtained by subsequent opening of said secondary mechanical breaker (S1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a supporting structure of a closing resistor for a high voltage circuit breaker, capable of stably supporting the closing resistor not to be twisted even by an impact applied upon a closing operation. A supporting structure of a closing resistor for a high voltage circuit breaker according to one embodiment includes a fixed part main circuit conductor, a supporting conductor installed on an upper surface of the fixed part main circuit conductor, a connecting conductor connected to one end of the supporting conductor, a closing resistor unit coupled to one side of the fixed part main circuit conductor in a spaced manner, and a coupling conductor provided to couple the supporting conductor to the closing resistor unit. The supporting conductor and the connecting conductor are provided with a coupling rib and a coupling groove, respectively, to be coupled to each other in an inserting manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for limiting a current of a line or breaking a current, and a control method thereof are disclosed. The apparatus includes a current breaking branch (29) and a bridge branch. The bridge branch includes two bridge arms formed by four identical current commutation branches. Every two of the four current commutation branches are connected in series, and the formed two bridge arms are then connected in parallel. The two bridge arms are both connected in parallel to the current breaking branch, and middle points of the two bridge arms are separately connected to two ends of a line. Each current commutation branch includes at least one high-speed isolation switch (6) and at least one bidirectional power semiconductor switch (10) that are connected in series. The apparatus can turn off currents in two directions.

Abstract: The disclosure refers to a switch which is suitable to protect an electric circuit against overloading. The switch generally consists of a triggering assembly as well as of an interrupting assembly, wherein said triggering assembly comprises and induction unit, a thermic interrupter and an actuating needle. The induction unit comprises a coil with a yoke intended to displace the actuating needle towards the triggering assembly, when the short circuit occurs. Said thermic interrupter comprises a bimetallic membrane, which is mechanically interconnected with the actuating needle and is in the case of excess current and generating of heat displaced towards the interrupting assembly. In order to provide such switch, which could moreover enable protection against transient voltage, e.g. due to thunder bolt, such switch is furnished with a varistor, which is located within the triggering assembly in a heat-conductive relationship with said thermic interrupter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a ceramic material, which comprises: (a) forming a green compact by compacting a powder comprising alumina and carbon, wherein the powder is substantially free of silicon carbide and wherein the amount of carbon present in the powder does not exceed 0.1% by weight of the powder; and (b) sintering the green compact under non-oxidising conditions to form a ceramic material comprising alumina and carbon, wherein the green compact is sintered at a temperature of less than 1550° C. Ceramic materials obtainable by said process are also provided.

Abstract: Contact alignment structure aligns a contact of a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes the contact fixed to a conductor, and a resistor tube having a longitudinal axis. The contact alignment structure includes a tube clamp assembly for selectively coupling to a periphery of the resistor tube. A rocker assembly is coupled with the tube clamp assembly and with the conductor so that the conductor is supported by the rocker assembly only at one end of the conductor. When the rocker assembly is coupled to the conductor, the tube clamp assembly can be rotated about the periphery of the resistor tube to change a position of the contact in a first degree of freedom, and a portion of the rocker arm assembly can be moved to change a position of the contact in a second degree of freedom that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the resistor tube.

Abstract: A control input for controlling a driving force of an actuator (5), by a control processing of the sliding-mode control using a switching function configured from a first variable component, which is a deviation between an observed value of a secondary power imparted to a secondary element (3) from a primary element (2) via an elastic deformation member (4), and a second variable component which is a temporal change rate of the deviation, so as to converge the first variable component to zero on the switching hyperplane. A gradient of the switching hyperplane is preliminarily determined based on a response characteristics data satisfying a predetermined requirement.

Abstract: A commutating circuit breaker that progressively inserts increasing resistance into a circuit via physical motion of a shuttle that is linked into the circuit by at least one set of sliding electrical contacts on the shuttle that connect the power through the moving shuttle to a sequence of different resistive paths with increasing resistance; the motion of the shuttle can be either linear or rotary. At no point are the sliding stator electrodes separated from the matching stationary stator electrodes so as to generate a powerful arc, which minimizes damage to the sliding stator electrodes. Instead, the current is commutated from one resistive path to the next with small enough changes in resistance at each step that arcing is suppressed. The variable resistance can either be within the moving shuttle, or the shuttle can comprise a commutating shuttle that moves the current over a series of stationary resistors.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gas circuit breaker switch (5) which can be integrated inside a switching device insulated in a dielectric gas, said switch (5) comprising an arc chute (1) inside which a fixed contact (3) and a moving contact (4) are arranged. The integration of the contacts (3, 4) inside at least one casing (19, 20) corresponding to the arc chute (1) allows reducing distances between phases, in addition to preventing any incident in one phase from affecting the remaining phases, and finally more compact electrical equipment is obtained. The switch (5) also comprises at least one generation means (6) for generating at least one gas, at least one blowout/intake means (7) for at least one extinguishing gas and at least one generation means (2) for generating a magnetic field, such that the electric arc generated between the contacts (3, 4) of the switch (5) can be extinguished by combining said means (6, 7, 2).

Abstract: A gas circuit breaker includes movable and fixed electrode parts arranged to face each other in an engaging/separating manner in a container filled with an insulating gas, an operating mechanism attached to a partition of the container and configured to output an operating force to the movable electrode part, an operating rod attached to the movable electrode part, a first link rotatably attached to the operating rod, a lever rotatably attached to the first link, a support bearing fixed to the partition of the container via an insulating spacer, a second link rotatably attached to the lever and also rotatably attached to the support bearing, a seal bearing connected through the partition of the container, a seal rod rotatably attached to the center of the lever and slidably supported to the seal bearing, and a third link rotatably attached to the seal rod and also attached to the operating mechanism.

Abstract: A sealed solenoid, magnetically operated electric power switch is suitable for use as capacitor, line and load switch operating at transmission and distribution voltages that includes no dynamically moving seals through the sealed container housing the contactor portion of the switch. The sealed solenoid switch includes a magnetically operated drive system with an actuator that magnetically couples across the container wall to avoid the use of a moving or sliding seal as part of the drive system. The sealed solenoid switch may also include a ballast resistor and resistor contact located inside the sealed container to avoid another seal as part of the ballast system. A magnetic latch holds the switch in a closed position, and a spring holds the switch in the closed position, to avoid the need for an energizing current to maintain the switch in either position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a switchgear including: a vacuum chamber; a fixed electrode having a fixed contact at an end thereof, the fixed contact being disposed within the vacuum chamber; a movable electrode having a movable contact at an end thereof, the movable contact being disposed within the vacuum chamber; a linkage assembly electrically connecting or disconnecting the movable electrode and the fixed electrode; an engaging coil spring; and a disengaging coil spring. The engaging coil spring and the disengaging coil spring are provided such that centers of the diametric directions thereof are substantially coaxial and at least a part of the engaging coil spring and a part of the disengaging coil spring overlap each other.

Abstract: A commutating circuit breaker that progressively inserts increasing resistance into a circuit via physical motion of a shuttle that is linked into the circuit by at least one set of sliding electrical contacts on the shuttle that connect the power through the moving shuttle to a sequence of different resistive paths with increasing resistance; the motion of the shuttle can be either linear or rotary. At no point are the sliding stator electrodes separated from the matching stationary stator electrodes so as to generate a powerful arc, which minimizes damage to the sliding stator electrodes. Instead, the current is commutated from one resistive path to the next with small enough changes in resistance at each step that arcing is suppressed. The variable resistance can either be within the moving shuttle, or the shuttle can comprise a commutating shuttle that moves the current over a series of stationary resistors.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a direct current switching apparatus including at least a first mechanical switching device which is suitable to be positioned along an operating path of an associated DC circuit and includes a fixed contact and a corresponding movable contact which can be actuated between a closed position and an open position along the operating path, wherein an electric arc can ignite between the contacts under separation. The switching apparatus includes an electronic circuit having a semiconductor device which is suitable to be positioned along a secondary path and connected in parallel with the first mechanical switching device. The electronic circuit can be configured to commute the flow of current from the operating path to the secondary path and extinguish an electric arc ignited when the movable contact separates from the fixed contact when the first mechanical switching device fails to extinguish the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to an HVDC breaker (300) comprising at least two individually controllable HVDC breaker sections (305) connected in series, wherein the HVDC breaker is arranged in a manner so that the number of HVDC breaker sections tripped upon tripping of the HVDC breaker depends on the operational event in response to which the tripping occurs. The invention further relates to a control apparatus (400) for controlling the HVDC breaker, as well as to a method of breaking an HVDC line. The method comprises receiving (500) a system status signal indicative of an operational event requiring the breaking of the HVDC line, and determining (505) the number of HVDC breaker sections required for the breaking.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contactor-circuit breaker device (2, 102, 202), comprising: a switch (4) including two pairs of contacts (10, 12) each comprising a stationary contact (14, 16) and a moving contact (18, 20), the stationary contacts (14, 16) being connected in series to an electrical circuit (22), the switch (4) being capable of switching between a closed configuration of the electrical circuit (22) and an open configuration of the electrical circuit (22); a support member (24) for the moving contacts; a current cutoff module (6) able to switch the current from the electrical circuit (22) to the cutoff module (6); and a movement apparatus (26) for moving the support member (24) comprising a armature (44) capable of translating the armature such that the support member switches between the closed configuration and the open configuration through a translational and/or rotational movement.

Abstract: A sealed solenoid, magnetically operated electric power switch is suitable for use as capacitor, line and load switch operating at transmission and distribution voltages that includes no seals through the sealed container housing the contactor portion of the switch. The sealed solenoid switch includes a magnetically operated drive system with an actuator that magnetically couples across the container wall to avoid the use of a moving or sliding seal as part of the drive system. The sealed solenoid switch may also include a ballast resistor and resistor contact located inside the sealed container to avoid another seal as part of the ballast system. A magnetic latch holds the switch in a closed position, and a spring holds the switch in the closed position, to avoid the need for an energizing current to maintain the switch in either position.

Abstract: Current path structure provides a current path between an interrupter assembly and a resistor assembly of a dead tank circuit breaker and includes an electrically conductive fixed support having first and second ends. The first end is fixed to one of the interrupter assembly or the resistor assembly. A substantially hollow, electrically conductive conductor has first and second ends, with a connector at the first end thereof. The connector is removably connected to the other of the interrupter assembly or the resistor assembly. Coupling structure removably couples the conductor with the fixed support such that when coupled, the current path structure is in an operative position electrically connecting the interrupter assembly with the resistor assembly, and when decoupled, the fixed support can be moved into telescoping relation within the conductor defining a collapsed position of the current path structure.

Abstract: Contact alignment structure aligns a contact of a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes the contact fixed to a conductor, and a resistor tube having a longitudinal axis. The contact alignment structure includes a tube clamp assembly for selectively coupling to a periphery of the resistor tube. A rocker assembly is coupled with the tube clamp assembly and with the conductor so that the conductor is supported by the rocker assembly only at one end of the conductor. When the rocker assembly is coupled to the conductor, the tube clamp assembly can be rotated about the periphery of the resistor tube to change a position of the contact in a first degree of freedom, and a portion of the rocker arm assembly can be moved to change a position of the contact in a second degree of freedom that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the resistor tube.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a contact apparatus for a circuit breaker, and the circuit breaker may include a stationary electrode portion having a stationary contact; and a movable electrode portion configured to be brought into contact with and separated from the stationary electrode portion, wherein the movable electrode portion includes a movable conductor portion configured to be approached to and spaced from the stationary electrode portion; and a movable contact combined with the movable conductor portion in a relatively movable manner to be brought into contact with and separated from the stationary contact. Through this, it may be possible to alleviate a shock when contacting a contact.

Abstract: The current in a generator circuit breaker is measured using the Faraday effect of an optical sensing fiber looped around the breaker's conductor. The sensing fiber is arranged in a sensing strip, which can be mounted to the enclosure of the generator circuit breaker or to the conductor. Exemplary embodiments can have a wide measuring range and can easily be fitted to new or existing generator circuit breakers.

Abstract: A commutating circuit breaker that works by progressively inserting increasing resistance into a circuit. This is done via physical motion of a shuttle that is linked into the circuit by at least one set of sliding electrical contacts on the shuttle (“shuttle electrodes”) that connect the power through the moving shuttle to a sequence of different resistive paths with increasing resistance; the motion of the shuttle can be either linear or rotary. A feature of the commutating circuit breaker is that at no point are the shuttle electrodes separated from the matching stationary stator electrodes so as to generate a powerful arc, which minimizes damage to the electrodes. Instead, the current is commutated from one resistive path to the next with small enough changes in resistance at each step that arcing can be suppressed. The variable resistance can either be within the moving shuttle, or the shuttle can comprise a commutating shuttle that moves the current over a series of stationary resistors.

Abstract: An electric switch for application to high- and very high-voltage circuit breakers and switches comprising a flexible toroidal helical spring (8) placed in a groove of a control rod (1) carrying a movable resistance-insertion contact (2), and springs (4) placed about the movable resistance-insertion contact to cause the springs to be compressed until a certain value is reached, at which value the movable resistance-insertion contact causes the flexible toroidal helical spring (8) to deform under pressure enabling the movable resistance-insertion contact (2) to be withdrawn. Among other uses, the switch is suitable for use in a resistance-inserting device that does not need additional mechanical moving parts. For application to high- and very high-voltage circuit breakers and switches.

Abstract: A high-voltage circuit breaker has an interrupter unit, a closing resistor and a switch which is connected in series with the closing resistor. The interrupter unit has a driven first interrupter contact which can move along an axis and interacts with a second interrupter contact, which is arranged on the axis in order to open and close the high-voltage circuit breaker. The switch has a switching contact which can rotate about a rotation shaft (D) and whose rotary movement is coupled by of a link control to the movement along the axis (A1) of the first interrupter contact.

Abstract: The invention relates to an HVDC breaker (300) comprising at least two individually controllable HVDC breaker sections (305) connected in series, wherein the HVDC breaker is arranged in a manner so that the number of HVDC breaker sections tripped upon tripping of the HVDC breaker depends on the operational event in response to which the tripping occurs. The invention further relates to a control apparatus (400) for controlling the HVDC breaker, as well as to a method of breaking an HVDC line. The method comprises receiving (500) a system status signal indicative of an operational event requiring the breaking of the HVDC line, and determining (505) the number of HVDC breaker sections required for the breaking.

Abstract: A commutating circuit breaker that progressively inserts increasing resistance into a circuit via physical motion of a shuttle that is linked into the circuit by at least one set of sliding electrical contacts on the shuttle that connect the power through the moving shuttle to a sequence of different resistive paths with increasing resistance; the motion of the shuttle can be either linear or rotary. At no point are the sliding stator electrodes separated from the matching stationary stator electrodes so as to generate a powerful arc, which minimizes damage to the sliding stator electrodes. Instead, the current is commutated from one resistive path to the next with small enough changes in resistance at each step that arcing is suppressed. The variable resistance can either be within the moving shuttle, or the shuttle can comprise a commutating shuttle that moves the current over a series of stationary resistors.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for high voltage applications, including: at least one breaking unit, a supporting insulator having one end on ground potential and the other end on high voltage potential, and the end on high voltage potential is mechanically connected to the breaking unit, and a fiber optic sensor for sensing the current through the breaking unit. The supporting insulator is removably connected to the breaking unit. The sensor has an optic fiber coil arranged in the high voltage end of the supporting insulator, and the circuit breaker includes a mechanism for conducting current from the breaking unit to the sensor so that the current passes through the sensor coil.

Abstract: A high-voltage circuit breaker has an interrupter unit, a closing resistor and a switch which is connected in series with the closing resistor. The interrupter unit has a driven first interrupter contact which can move along an axis and interacts with a second interrupter contact, which is arranged on the axis in order to open and close the high-voltage circuit breaker. The switch has a switching contact which can rotate about a rotation shaft (D) and whose rotary movement is coupled by of a link control to the movement along the axis (A1) of the first interrupter contact.

Abstract: A gas insulated circuit breaker system has: a container that encapsulates insulating gas; a main contact in the container that opens/closes the main circuit; a resistor contact in the container, connected in parallel to the main contact, to be opened after elapse of a predetermined time after the main contact is opened and to be closed at a predetermined time before the main contact is closed; a resistor in the container, serially connected to the resistor contact and connected in parallel to the main contact together with the resistor contact; a temperature sensor that measures temperature of surrounding of the resistor; and a temperature estimation section that estimates a temperature of the resistor based on a timing of opening/closing operation of the main contact, a current flowing through the main circuit and the measured temperature.

Abstract: An electromechanical/solid-state AC relay has an electromechanical winding coil that moves an armature to force mechanical contacts to open or close. Electrical arcing across the mechanical contacts that occur as the contacts are opening or closing can damage and severely reduce the lifetime of the relay. Contact arcing is prevented by pulsing a triac on for a short period of time just before and after the mechanical contacts make or break contact. The triac limits the voltage difference across the mechanical contacts to less than one volt to prevent arcing. The triac is turned off after the mechanical contacts finish moving, reducing the heating and average power through the triac. A zero-sampling circuit that detects when the AC input voltage switches across 0 volts and activates a control integrated circuit to switch on the triac during zero-crossings to minimize power surges.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for high voltage applications, including: at least one breaking unit, a supporting insulator having one end on ground potential and the other end on high voltage potential, and the end on high voltage potential is mechanically connected to the breaking unit, and a fiber optic sensor for sensing the current through the breaking unit. The supporting insulator is removably connected to the breaking unit. The sensor has an optic fiber coil arranged in the high voltage end of the supporting insulator, and the circuit breaker includes a mechanism for conducting current from the breaking unit to the sensor so that the current passes through the sensor coil.

Abstract: A system and associated components for providing an intelligent circuit breaker being adapted to communicate with, monitor and control various devices within a commercial or residential premises. In one embodiment, the system is adapted for low cost, ease of installation and operation, and ease of manufacture. The intelligent circuit breaker may also be adapted to send data relating to sensed parameter or conditions to, and receive commands from, a user interface. Methods for operating such breakers and converting existing circuit breakers to intelligent circuit breakers consistent with the aforementioned system and components are also described.