Abstract: A switch (10), particularly a disconnecting switch (10) for high direct currents and alternating currents at high voltages, can be transferred from a conducting position into a disconnecting position. The switch (10) is includes a housing (12), a first contact (28), a second contact (30), a switching piston (24) guided by the housing (12) with a connecting element (22), which establishes an electrical connection in the connecting position between the first contact (28) and the second contact (30). The housing (12) defines an interior space surrounding the connecting element (22). The connecting element (22) extends at least partially in the interior space (18) and is filled with an insulating medium (20), and the switch is designed such that a mechanical movement of the switching piston (24) transfers the switch (10) from the connecting position into the disconnecting position.

Abstract: The disclosed concept pertains to coating compositions, methods of applying the compositions, and coated components produced therefrom. The coating compositions include alkyd or modified alkyd. The coatings are formed on surfaces of one or more internal components positioned within an electrical system, such as a circuit breaker. In the event of electrical arcing and the metal splatter produced therefrom, the coatings of the disclosed concept are effective to at least partially protect the component surface from the metal splatter and to at least partially impart splatter resistance to the component surface such that the metal splatter does not tend to adhere thereto.

Abstract: A quenching chamber in medium-voltage switch disconnectors includes a body made of a gassing material that is of a solid shape similar to a rectangular prism. The chamber includes an arcing knife channel and an arc chamber hollowed in the body and is fitted with an arcing contact unit located in a socket. The arc chamber extends directly along the arcing knife channel from a back wall of the chamber and is connected with the inside of the arcing knife channel through a gap that forms a flat funnel. The height of the funnel decreases with an increase in the distance to the arcing knife channel. The width of the gap is less than the width of the arcing knife channel measured in a plane perpendicular to the side walls of the body.

Abstract: A movable contactor for an air circuit breaker with a contact spring protecting mechanism is provided, the movable contactor comprising a shielding plate configured to shield exposed surfaces of the contact springs for protection so as to prevent a deterioration or performance degradation in the contact springs due to arcs.

Abstract: A contact system for a short-circuiting device for a switchboard, the contact system including at least one fixed contact piece connected to a main voltage source. The contact system also includes at least one moving contact piece and an insulating screen penetrable using the at least one moving contact piece so as to make contact between the at least one moving contact piece and the at least one fixed contact piece. The screen is disposed between the at least one fixed contact piece and the at least one moving contact piece.

Abstract: A multiphase current interrupter is provided for interrupting a phase current between two contacts in an electrical phase. The current interrupter includes a first ablative chamber disposed around contacts for a first electrical phase. The first chamber has an ablative material thereon that causes a shock wave when an electrical arc is generated in an arc zone for the first electrical phase during a separation of the contacts therein. The current interrupter further includes at least a second ablative chamber disposed around contacts for at least a second electrical phase. The second chamber has an ablative material thereon that causes a shock wave when an electrical arc is generated in an arc zone for the second electrical phase during a separation of the contacts therein. An interconnecting structure provides fluid communication between the first ablative chamber and the second ablative chamber. The interconnecting structure is adapted to dissipate a shock wave generated in any of the ablative chambers.

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: An electrical switching device has a displaceable contact piece mounted on an encapsulated housing. The displaceable contact piece extends within and outside of the encapsulated housing. The displaceable contact piece is sealed gas-proof in relation to the encapsulated housing. For forming a gas-proof transition, first and second sealing elements are provided, which, as axial sealing elements, are alternately pressed against the encapsulated housing by peripheral collars of the displaceable contact piece. A third sealing element is provided for sealing the displaceable contact piece in a radial direction.

Abstract: An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch.

Abstract: A high-voltage loadbreak switch operates submersed in a dielectric fluid and may be configured to switch one or more phases of power using one or more phase switches. Each phase switch may include first and second stationary contacts. The first stationary contact may be connected to a phase of a high-voltage power source. Each phase switch also may include a non-stationary contact. The non-stationary contact may be placed in a first position to electrically couple the first stationary contact to the second stationary contact, and in a second position to decouple the first stationary contact and the second stationary contact. The region of motion of the first non-stationary contact between the first position and the second position includes an arcing region. The high-voltage loadbreak switch uses a fluid circulation mechanism to improve circulation of the dielectric fluid through the arcing region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current limiting circuit breaker having a current responsive device for opening a pair of contacts or switch upon short circuit conditions. The current responsive device utilizes an insulating object driven by a magnetic force caused by a short circuit current. Upon opening of the contacts with the use of the insulating object, let-through current flows through a secondary contact, positioned on the insulating object, to a positive temperature coefficient resistivity element which limits the current and arcing in the contacts. The PTC elements could be pure metallic materials such as pure tungsten, pure iron, etc. Conductive polymer and ceramic PTC materials could also be used for some specific applications. The present invention also provides a method of electrically connecting a drive plate and a line terminal on the current limiting circuit breaker.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current limiting circuit breaker having a current responsive device for opening a pair of contacts or switch upon short circuit conditions. The current responsive device utilizes an insulating object driven by a magnetic force caused by a short circuit current. Upon opening of the contacts with the use of the insulating object, let-through current flows through a secondary contact, positioned on the insulating object, to a positive temperature coefficient resistivity element which limits the current and arcing in the contacts. The PTC elements could be pure metallic materials such as pure tungsten, pure iron, etc. Conductive polymer and ceramic PTC materials could also be used for some specific applications. The present invention also provides a method of electrically connecting a drive plate and a line terminal on the current limiting circuit breaker.

Abstract: A compact automatic shutter mechanism in an electrical enclosure provides enhanced protection against inadvertent electrical contact for personnel working within and around the electrical enclosure, and also makes it possible to install more equipment in the electrical enclosure than could have been accommodated using prior automatic shutter mechanisms.

Abstract: A mounting system for a circuit breaker comprising: a mounting box; an angular mounting plate, including a planar portion retained to a mounting wall of a mounting box, and an angular portion at about 200° in which a circuit breaker body is retained; a mechanical breaker actuator handle, retained to the mounting wall, including an actuator bar coupled to the breaker actuator handle; an actuator rod coupled to the actuator bar of the breaker actuator handle, and to a movable break contact of the circuit breaker, in order to operate it against a fixed breaker contact, on and off, by a rotational operation of the breaker actuator handle; and an overload actuator handle including a short overload actuator arm coupled to the overload actuator handle; and a link arm coupled to the overload actuator arm, in order to operate it, on and off, by a rotational operation of the overload actuator handle.

Abstract: A load break interrupter includes a case, an arc-suppressing tube mounted on and projecting outwardly from the case, a shunt circuit rod slidably supported in the tube with the rod and tube having electrical contacts mounted thereto and convertible between make and break conditions upon sliding of the rod into and from the tube, and a shunt circuit break actuating mechanism disposed in the case and coupled with a leading end of the rod extending into the case such that upon tripping of the actuating mechanism from a shunt circuit-defining position to a shunt circuit-breaking position the rod is pulled partially into the case from the tube thereby breaking the shunt circuit through the rod and between the electrical contacts such that any arcing that occurs upon breaking of the shunt circuit is confined and suppressed inside the tube.

Abstract: A load break interrupter includes a case, an arc-suppressing tube mounted on and projecting outwardly from the case, a shunt circuit rod slidably supported in the tube with the rod and tube having electrical contacts mounted thereto and convertible between make and break conditions upon sliding of the rod into and from the tube, and a shunt circuit break actuating mechanism disposed in the case and coupled with a leading end of the rod extending into the case such that upon tripping of the actuating mechanism from a shunt circuit-defining position to a shunt circuit-breaking position the rod is pulled partially into the case from the tube thereby breaking the shunt circuit through the rod and between the electrical contacts such that any arcing that occurs upon breaking of the shunt circuit is confined and suppressed inside the tube.

Abstract: An arc isolation shield for molded case circuit breakers is inserted between the circuit breaker case and cover and attached to one leg of the operating cradle. The knee of the circuit breaker moveable contact arm contacts the bottom of the shield and moves the shield in unison with the contact arm to protect the contact arm, contact braid and operating spring upon contact separation under severe overcurrent conditions.

Abstract: There is described a novel arc extinction method for use in switchgear, and improved, low cost power switchgear incorporating the novel arc quenching method. By physically severing the arc and the substantially simultaneous interposition of a high dielectric strength insulating barrier between the fixed contact and the moving contact, substantially consistent and predictable arc extinguishing characteristics are obtained. When the dielectric strength of the barrier exceeds the applied voltage, the arc cannot maintain itself nor can it reignite. Upon detection of a fault, moving contact 16 disengages from fixed contact 12 and retreats 28 from contact 12 creating arc 30. Insulating guillotine 24, in intimate sliding contact with the surface of insulating partition 18 moves 26 toward aperture 20 in partition 18. When edge 31 of guillotine 24 reaches aperture edge 33 of partition 18, arc 30 is severed and extinguished.

Abstract: There is described a novel arc extinction method for use in switchgear, and improved, low cost power switchgear incorporating the novel arc quenching method. By physically severing the arc and the substantially simultaneous interposition of a high dielectric strength insulating barrier between the fixed contact and the moving contact, substantially consistent and predictable arc extinguishing characteristics are obtained. When the dielectric strength of the barrier exceeds the applied voltage, the arc cannot maintain itself nor can it reignite. Upon detection of a fault, moving contact 16 disengages from fixed contact 12 and retreats 28 from contact 12 creating arc 30. Insulating guillotine 24, in intimate sliding contact with the surface of insulating partition 18 moves 26 toward aperture 20 in partition 18. When edge 31 of guillotine 24 reaches aperture edge 33 of partition 18, arc 30 is severed and extinguished.