Abstract: An electrical switching device includes: a main contact arrangement including a fixed contact and a movable contact, a plurality of splitter plates, each having a loop structure, the splitter plates being coaxially stacked with respect to their loop structure to form a stack, wherein one splitter plate is a first outermost plate and another splitter plate is a second outermost plate, a first arc runner electrically connected to the second outermost plate and a second arc runner electrically connected to the first outermost plate, the first and second arc runners being configured to direct a main arc from the main contact arrangement to the stack to thereby split the main arc into a plurality of secondary arcs between the splitter plates, and a first drive coil electrically connected to the second arc runner and to the movable contact or to the first arc runner and to the fixed contact.

Abstract: An electric switch is disclosed. The electric switch has a first terminal, a second terminal, a contact sub-assembly comprising at least two contact members disposed in a current path between the first and second terminals, the contact sub-assembly having a connecting position in which the contact members contact each other and an interrupting position in which the contact members are spaced apart from each other a Lorentz force generator comprising a first conductor member and a second conductor member, and at least one support Lorentz force generator. The Lorentz force generator and the at least one support Lorentz force generator both bias the contact sub-assembly into the connecting position, the current path extending from the first terminal to the second terminal through the contact sub-assembly in the connecting position.

Abstract: A switching device suitable for DC operation includes at least a pair of contacts having a first and second contact, wherein at least one of the two contacts is mobile and the two contacts are in contact with one another in a switched-on state and are not in contact with one another in a switched-off state, having an arc driver arrangement which generates a magnetic field at least in the region of the pair of contacts, and comprising a first arc guiding arrangement by which an arc which is produced between the contacts is guided in a first current direction to a quenching device for quenching the arc, wherein a second arc guiding arrangement is provided, by means of which an arc which is produced between the contacts is guided in a second current direction, which is opposite the first current direction, to said quenching device for quenching the arc.

Abstract: A switch device includes first and second contacting portions including first and fixed contacting portions and first and second movable contacting portions, respectively, the first fixed contacting portion and the second fixed contacting portion being configured to be electrically connected to one of a power source and an electronic device while the first movable contacting portion and the second movable contacting portion are configured to be electrically connected to the other of the power source and the electronic device; and first and second electric arc voltage suppression units configured to be electrically connected to the first and second fixed contacting portions and the first and second movable contacting portions for suppressing generation of electric arcs there between, respectively.

Abstract: A switch unit 200 for a voltage circuit breaker that includes a first switch contact 202a and a second switch contact 202b. The first switch contact 202a is movable between a first position in which the first switch contact 202a contacts the second switch contact and a second position in which the first and second switch contacts 202a, 202b are separated from each other. Further, a positioning element to position an arc chute 100 on the switch unit. The arc chute 100 includes at least two stacks 102, 106 of a plurality of substantially parallel metal plates 104, 104a, 104b, . . . , 104n, 108, 108a, 108b, . . . , 108n. The switch unit includes a first connection device 120, 230a capable to electrically connect the first switch contact 202a to a predetermined metal plate 104a selected of the most proximal 25% metal plates of the first stack 102.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter for cooling and quenching an electrical arc having a housing with a first contact and a second contact movable with respect to the first contact. An arc splitter is located in an arcing chamber, and an arc runner is located near the second contact. The arc runner has an arc strap facing toward the first contact, a first wall shaped as a rectangular spiral perpendicularly extending from the arc strap, a second wall shaped as a rectangular spiral perpendicularly extending from to the arc strap and opposite the first wall. The arc runner generates a magnetic force on the arc forcing the arc toward the arc splitter.

Abstract: Embodiments provide arc chambers, and methods adapted to rapidly extinguish arcs in circuit breakers. In one aspect, a circuit breaker is provided having first and second electrical contacts, wherein at least one of the contacts is movable and has a maximum contact face transverse dimension (d), and an arc chamber including first and second sidewalls spaced by a transverse spacing (Ts). The sidewalls are provided in close proximity to each other providing a transverse arc compression ratio (TACR) less than or equal to about 2.0, wherein TACR=Ts/d. According to another aspect, an arc chamber including one or more recesses formed into a transverse sidewall is provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A protection switch, particularly for rapid quenching of electrical arcing, includes at least one single-pole protection switch module having a housing, a movable contact mounted on a switching arm for pivoting against a fixed contact between a closed position and an open position and a quenching device for quenching electrical arcing of the switch. The quenching device includes a quenching chamber with an inlet and an outlet for the arc. A first running rail connects the fixed contact with a first side wall of the quenching chamber and a second running rail connects a stopping surface, against which the movable contact abuts in the open position of the switching arm, to a second side wall of the quenching chamber. A separation strip extends substantially from side wall to side wall at the outlet of the quenching chamber.

Abstract: An arc member is provided for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes an operating mechanism for opening and closing separable contacts, and an arc chute disposed proximate the separable contacts to attract an arc generated thereby. The separable contacts include a stationary contact and a movable contact. The stationary contact has an edge, which is disposed in a plane. The arc member includes an arc element disposed between the stationary contact and the arc chute. The arc element has first and second portions and first and second arc attractors. The first arc attractor extends outwardly from the first portion toward the plane of the edge of the stationary contact to draw the arc from the separable contacts to the arc member. The second arc attractors, which are disposed on the second portion of the arc element, direct the arc into the arc chute.

Abstract: A contactor assembly includes a stationary contact, an arc contact, an arc arrestor, and a magnetic intensifier. The magnetic intensifier is constructed to extend in generally close proximity to one of the stationary contact and the arc contact. During communication of power through the contactor assembly, the magnetic intensifier manipulates a magnetic field associated with current passing through the contactor assembly and increases the magnitude of a magnetic force directed to the arc arrestor. Preferably, the magnetic intensifier is formed integrally with a turnback associated with one of the stationary contact or the arc contact. Such a construction simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the contactor assembly and provides efficient and repeatable arc suppression.

Abstract: A method of forming a switch assembly that includes a magnetic intensifier constructed to extend in generally close proximity to one of the stationary contact and the arc contact. During communication of power through the contactor assembly, the magnetic intensifier manipulates a magnetic field associated with current passing through the switch assembly and increases the magnitude of a magnetic force directed to the arc arrestor. Preferably, the magnetic intensifier is formed integrally with a turnback associated with one of the stationary contact or the arc contact. Such a construction simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the contactor assembly and provides efficient and repeatable arc suppression.

Abstract: An arc chute assembly includes a housing having a lateral axis and a quenching portion disposed within the housing. The quenching portion includes at least two deion plates being spaced along the lateral axis of the housing and each having a cut portion wherein the cut portions are staggered along the lateral axis with respect to one another and are configured to mitigate an arc.

Abstract: The electromechanical circuit breaker is intended to establish and break the current in a main circuit (3, 4) and comprises a fixed contact element (5) and a moving contact element (6) which in a first position are in electrical contact with each other for carrying the current of the main circuit (3, 4). Said moving contact element (6) is adapted to be displaced to a second position in which it is separated from the fixed contact element (5) so that the current in the main circuit is cut off. The circuit breaker is provided with a blow-out device (2) comprising a magnetising coil (8) traversed by a magnetising current for producing a magnetic field (26) adapted to drive an arc generated by the separation of said two contact elements (5, 6) into an arc extinction means. The blow-out device (2) comprises electrodes (12) electrically connected to the magnetising coil (8) and adapted to cooperate with said arc in such a manner that the latter generates said magnetising current in the magnetising coil (8).

Abstract: A contactor assembly includes a stationary contact, an arc contact, an arc arrestor, and a magnetic intensifier. The magnetic intensifier is constructed to extend in generally close proximity to one of the stationary contact and the arc contact. During communication of power through the contactor assembly, the magnetic intensifier manipulates a magnetic field associated with current passing through the contactor assembly and increases the magnitude of a magnetic force directed to the arc arrestor. Preferably, the magnetic intensifier is formed integrally with a turnback associated with one of the stationary contact or the arc contact. Such a construction simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the contactor assembly and provides efficient and repeatable arc suppression.

Abstract: The present invention specifies an arc quenching device having improved current limitation and reduced heat losses, in the case of which a moving contact piece (31) is not subject to increased erosion and wear. For this purpose, a quenching path according to the invention is provided which takes over an arc from said contact piece (31) and comprises arc guide rails (61), a quenching chamber (71) and a current-limiting element (8). Based on circuit breakers with double interruption, the current-limiting element (8) is preferably provided between arc guide rails (62, 52) of a second contact point and provided with a blowing section (81) for additional magnetic blowing of the arc of the first contact point.

Abstract: An electric power circuit breaker includes a connecting bar against which an arcing horn rests with an attaching limb. The connecting bar extends through an opening of a rear wall of the housing. In order to connect the arching horn to the connecting bar, a projection is provided on the attaching limb of the arcing horn and a recess that accommodates the projection is provided on the connecting bar. When inserting the connecting bar with the arching horn resting thereon, the attaching limb of the arching horn is covered by a collar mounted on the housing. The attaching device grasp a fillet located on the underside of the connecting bar.

Abstract: A current-limiting contact arrangement includes a conductor rail including a stationary contact and including two current loops extending at opposite sides of the conductor rail in respective planes parallel to a center plane of the contact arrangement. A contact arm including a movable contact which can be brought into and out of contact with the stationary contact is provided, the current loops extending in respective planes parallel to a center plane of the contact arrangement and along an entire opening travel of the movable contact. An arc control device including arc splitters and a cassette including a first part and a second part and an insulating material are also provided. The arc splitters are disposed in a positive-locking manner in an interior of the cassette, the contact arm and a part of the conductor rail including the stationary contact extending into the interior of the cassette, and the current loops being disposed in a positive-locking manner at outer walls of the cassette.

Abstract: An electrical circuit breaker pole comprises a stationary contact means, a movable contact means, and an arc extinguishing chamber comprising two side flanges, separators, a front opening situated near to the contact zone of the stationary contact means, a lower arcing horn, an upper arcing horn and a pair of lateral dielectric shields laterally limiting the front opening of the chamber. Each lateral dielectric shield is arranged in such a way as to be interposed laterally between the separators and the movable contact means in the open position. The pair of lateral dielectric shields is arranged in such a way that the width of the opening of the chamber is appreciably smaller near to the upper arcing horn than near to the lower arcing horn.

Abstract: A U-shaped magnetic plate is positioned on the side of a movable contact shoe opposite to a fixed contact shoe, and the tips of the respective legs of the magnetic plate face via a gap the movable contact shoe in a closed condition of the movable contact shoe. A magnetic plate is attached to the surface of the movable contact shoe at the side of the fixed contact, so that the magnetic plates form a closed magnetic circuit surrounding the movable contact shoe. If a high current, such as short circuit current, flows, a magnetic flux passing through the closed magnetic circuit induces an attractive force between the upper end surfaces of the U-shaper magnetic plate and the end surface of the magnetic plate. Accordingly, the movable contact shoe is rapidly opened to quickly interrupt the current, before a signal from an overcurrent trip apparatus operates an opening and closing mechanism. The opening speed of the movable contact shoe is increased when high current flows.

Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker has an enclosure with a rear wall and a front part, in which there is a switching contact system with connecting bars. Each of the connecting bars has a web arranged transversally to the longitudinal direction of the connecting bars; the webs are used for contacting the mating surfaces of the rear wall of the enclosure. Fastening means act in the longitudinal direction of the connecting bars.

Abstract: Electric circuit breaker with means for adjusting the contacts comprising, for each electric phase, moving levers having main contacts and arc-breaking contacts co-operating with main contacts and arc-breaking contacts provided on a terminal bar there being provision for the levers loaded by springs to be supported by a crank pivoting about a pin and for the crank to be operationally connected to a link-rod articularly joined to an operating shaft and for each end of the operating shaft to have translatable and position-adjustable supports.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is equipped with a current limiting arc runner for effective overcurrent interruption without additional heating under quiescent operating conditions. Upon contact separation, an arc is drawn with the endpoints of the arc being initially rooted on the set of open contacts. Further opening of the contacts commutates the arc onto the current limiting arc runner to suppress the circuit current.

Abstract: In a circuit breaker, a grid support (12) having a pair of side walls (12a) which are confronted with each other, is provided by molding resin, and arc-extinction grids (6) are inserted into grooves formed in the side walls (12a). The grid support is fixedly mounted on the stationary contactor (1) by fitting legs (12c) protruded from the bottom surfaces of the side walls (12a) into a U-shaped hole (9) formed in the stationary contactor (1) which defines outside current paths (1a) and an inside current path (1b). The upper surfaces of the outside current paths (1a) are covered with the side walls (12a), respectively, and the upper surface of the inside current path (1b) except for a stationary contact (3) is covered with the cover plate (12b) through which the side walls (12a) are connected to each other.

Abstract: A contactor for switching electric current has a stationary contact and a movable contact which when driven by a solenoid moves into and away from abutment with the stationary contact. An arc chute includes a plurality of splitter plates which extend radially from a center point in a geometric arc around the stationary contact on a side that is opposite to the movable contact. A curved arc runner is connected to the stationary contact to guide an electrical arc travelling between the stationary contact and each of the splitter plates. An elongated arc runner is connected to the movable contact to guide the electrical arc between the movable contact and splitter plates at the ends of the geometric arc.

Abstract: An electrical device for switching an arc to a path parallel to a device to be protected. The electrical device includes double breaking contacts and an arc transfer electrode associated with the parallel path. The parallel path shunts the double breaking contacts and a device to be protected via the arc transfer electrode. The arc transfer electrode is placed in the vicinity of a fixed contact of the double breaking contacts.

Abstract: An electromagnetic circuit breaker is provided with a copper plated arc horn on the top side of the movable contact arm opposite the movable contact. The horn extends beyond the movable contact and has an upturned sweep so as to enhance migration of the electrical arc created upon opening of the contacts during a short circuit condition sensed by the breaker. An arc shoe is provided in conjunction with the fixed contact of the breaker as well and cooperates with the arc horn for the same purpose.

Abstract: An arc quenching device for a circuit breaker having a stationary contact member and a moving contact member includes a magnetic element formed of an arc quenching core and a base plate. The arc quenching core includes a back wall, and two side walls extending from lateral sides of the back wall. The base plate extends substantially perpendicularly from a lower side of the back wall in a direction as in the side walls, and is fixed to the stationary contact member. The base plate includes a U-shaped magnetic driving core situated near a stationary contact point and extending upwardly from the base plate to surround the stationary contact point, and an arc horn integrally formed with the base plate and obliquely extending toward the back wall from a portion near the stationary contact point. Arc formed between the stationary contact member and the moving contact member is moved by magnetic driving force formed by the magnetic driving core to the arc quenching core to be quenched therein through the arc horn.

Abstract: An electrical switch device with separable contacts is provided with a shunt conductor adapted to receive one end of the arc that is struck when the contacts separate after it has jumped a dielectric gap. The shunt conductor determines an interim arc current path in which is a current limiter device.

Abstract: An electromechanical switch of the contactor or circuit-breaker type with adjacent contacts, which are provided on respective mobile and fixed contact parts. This arrangement defines a narrow ionization slot which is maintained at the start of contact opening in order to cause a secondary arc to fire substantially perpendicular to the contact opening direction constituting a shunting arc to eliminate the time duration of the contacts and switch legs.

Abstract: The low-voltage switch includes a stationary contact (2) and a moving contact (3). The two contacts and an arc splitter stack (6) are arranged in an arc quenching chamber (5). An elongation element (14) is fitted on the stationary contact (2), extends in the direction of the arc splitter stack (6) and is used for accommodating an arc root. A section, which is constructed in the form of a plate, of a power supply lead of the stationary contact (2) is widened in a U-shape. The two limbs (11) of the U are bridged by a yoke (12) at their free ends. A conductor element is fitted on the yoke (12), which conductor element is in the form of a plate, is formed by a contact tongue (13) of the stationary contact (2) and by an elongation element (14) fastened thereto, and is inclined in the direction of the arc splitter stack (6) with respect to the plate-shaped section of the power supply lead.