Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic latching contactor for high current switching applications. A stationary assembly is provided which comprises a first passive biasing member and an active biasing member. A moveable assembly is slidably coupled to the stationary assembly for movement between a first stable position and a second stable position. A second passive biasing member is also provided. The first passive biasing member applies a first passive biasing force to the moveable assembly biasing the moveable assembly toward the first stable position. The second passive biasing member applies a second passive biasing force to the moveable assembly biasing the moveable assembly toward the second stable position. The active biasing member provides an active biasing force to the moveable assembly alternatively biasing the moveable assembly to the first stable position and the second stable position.

Abstract: A unitary housing structure is provided for an electrical switching device such as a three-phase contactor. The housing includes internal partitions for separating an operator section from contact sections, and for isolating phase sections from one another. The partitions are contiguous with one another and with side walls of the housing, inhibiting plasma flow within the housing cavities. The housing is made of a thermoplastic material which is molded as a single piece. The thermoplastic may be partially protected from plasma and arcs by shields within the phase sections, such as splitter plate supports.

Abstract: An electromechanical contactor that houses an electromagnet and a mobile contact carrier within one body. The electromagnet 20 is situated at the rear of the body 10 and a command wiring plane PB is situated at the front of the power wiring plane PA. The command terminals B and the control terminals C are arranged in a forward command/control terminal block 60. The coil terminals 26 are connected to the command terminals B by transverse conductors 27 housed in grooves made between an internal surface of the body and an external surface of an arch-shaped casing.

Abstract: A contact shoe device for a circuit breaker is formed of a case, at least one pair of fixed contact shoes disposed in the case, at least one movable contact shoe disposed in the case for bridging the pair of the fixed contact shoes, and at least one pair of contact springs cooperating with the movable contact shoe. The contact springs urge the movable contact shoe to the pair of the fixed contact shoes to close an electric path between the pair of the fixed contact shoes. The movable contact shoe is separated from the pair of the fixed contact shoes against the contact springs when the electric path is open.

Abstract: In an instantaneous-tripping circuit breaker, a heater-mounted main bimetal, a shifter of a differential shifter mechanism, and an adjustment dial of a thermal overload/open-phase tripping device are removed from a standard circuit breaker equipped with a breaking section, an opening and closing mechanism section, a thermal overload/open-phase tripping device, and an electromagnetic instantaneous tripping device in a case. Instead, a trip coil of the instantaneous tripping device is connected to a main circuit via a connection conductor of a low resistance, a test-tripping part is mounted in place of the shifter of the differential shifter mechanism, and the adjustment dial is replaced with a dummy dial. Accordingly, the standard circuit breaker is changed to an instantaneous-breaking circuit breaker.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for use on a contactor is disclosed. The electronic circuit may be encased in a housing and mounted to a coil cover on the front of a contactor for applying control power to the coil for a selected time period to enable the contactor to change its state and be held in the changed state. Thereafter, the electronic circuit disconnects the supply to the coil thereby preventing coil burn out. The control power is only applied after initiation of an input signal from a switch and after a controller in the electronic circuit has slept for a first predetermined period of time so as not to register any bounce from the input signal. The electronic circuit may include an auxiliary contact status check for providing error free activation of the mechanically held contactor when changing state of the contactor. A contactor employing the electronic circuit of the present invention and a method of using the electronic circuit on a contactor are further disclosed.

Abstract: A terminal unit having connection conductors to be connected to corresponding terminals of a switch is installed in a terminal section of the switch, and an external electric wire is connected to each terminal section of the connection conductors. Thus, the insulation distance between phases for the terminal sections and the insulation distance between the terminal section and a panel cut surface are increased according to the requirement of the switch. The shape and size of the terminal unit can be set regardless of the switch, so that a required insulation distance is obtained without increasing the size of the switch main body.

Abstract: A circuit breaker of the invention is formed of an attached switch installed in a breaker main body case and moving synchronously with an opening and closing lever of an opening and closing mechanism section to detect ON or OFF status of the circuit breaker. The attached switch has an operating lever moving vertically and placed opposite a tip of the opening and closing lever when the attached switch is installed in the main body case. The operating lever has an interlocking hook additionally provided thereon and linked with the opening and closing lever so as to hook the tip thereof, and an attached switch housing section formed in the main body case has a hook guide at a bottom thereof for guiding, in a position where the attached switch is installed, the interlocking hook to a position where the interlocking hook engages the opening and closing lever.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit breaker (10) and a cover (20) for a molded case circuit breaker having an operating mechanism (40) and an intermediate latching mechanism (52) with the cover (20) comprising a substantially planer member having a central opening (29) and an accessory compartment (22) formed in the planer member on either side of the opening (29) with the accessory compartment (22) configured to accept a plurality of different types of accessories (20) and having a plurality of holes (24) wherein a circuit breaker accessory (80) is nested in the accessory compartment (22) and is in contact with one of the operating mechanism (40) and the intermediate latching mechanism (52) within the housing (12).

Abstract: A breaking mechanism includes a latch receiver engaging a latch to allow a movable contact shoe to be closed, and a tripping device for rotationally driving the latch receiver to disengage the latch to open the movable contact shoe. An engaging surface of the latch engaging the latch receiver is formed as a projecting circular surface, whereas an engaging surface of the latch receiver engaging the projecting circular surface is formed as a recessed circular surface having a radius of curvature greater than that of the projecting circular surface. The center of the curvature of the recessed circular surface coincides with the axis of a support shaft supporting the latch receiver. The loads causing a tripping device to drive the latch receiver do not change even if the location of an engaging point is changed.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing contact weld under various fault current conditions is disclosed. The system includes a contactor having stationary and movable contacts biased towards each other and switchable between an open and closed position. Energization of an electromagnetic coil engages the contacts creating an electric path for current flow through the contactor. Pulse width modulation is used to lower the power to the coil and maintain the contacts in the closed position. The contactor is equipped with safeguards to prevent contact welding. Under low fault currents, welding is prevented by contact material composition. Under intermediate fault currents, the contacts are blown open and remain open using magnetic components until the arc dissipates and the contacts have cooled sufficiently. Under high fault currents, the arrangement causes the contacts to blow open and separate the armature from the coil preventing re-engagement of the contacts until the coil is energized again.

Abstract: A compact power circuit breaker has a molded insulative casing providing the structural support and electrical isolation for the pole mechanisms mounted in cavities in the casing and the operating mechanism mounted to the front of the casing. A grounded barrier between the pole mechanisms and the operating mechanism protects the operator actuating push buttons controlling the operating mechanism and accessible through a molded insulative cover. Preferably, the grounded barrier is sandwiched between a rear section of the molded casing containing the pole cavities and a forward section to which the operating mechanism is secured. The grounded barrier is connected to an electrically conductive pan extending under the molded insulative casing which also houses electrically grounded linkages coupling the operating mechanism to the vacuum interrupters of the pole mechanisms.

Abstract: An identification system for identifying correct placement of various circuit breaker accessories within recesses of a circuit breaker molded frame is disclosed. The system includes recess symbols adjacent the recesses in the frame and matching accessory symbols positioned on a front, visible surface of the accessories. The system may further include name labels positioned on the accessories for labeling the accessories'names. A circuit breaker employing the identification system of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including separable main contacts, an operating mechanism interconnected with the contacts, and a housing in which the contacts and the operating mechanism are disposed. The housing includes a first attaching region and a mounting cutout. A shield is provided that includes a second attaching region attaching with the first attaching region for connecting the shield to the housing. The shield includes a tab adapted for covering the mounting cutout when the connection is made.

Abstract: An improved rating plug housing is presented for use with circuit breakers having electronic trip units. The housing (10) for the rating plug has a series of protruding tabs (14) on the bottom of the housing (10). A trip unit housing (50) forms part of a circuit breaker housing. Trip unit housing (50) includes a recess (52) for receiving the trip unit housing (10). Recess (52) has a series of castellations (54) on the bottom of the recess (52). If a rating plug is appropriate for a given trip unit, the pattern of tabs (14) and castellations (54) will not interfere, and insertion will be permitted. If a rating plug is not appropriate for a given trip unit, the pattern of tabs (14) and castellations (54) will interfere, and insertion will not be permitted. Tabs (14) or projections (53) may be removed from housing (10) or recess (52) using a hand-held tool.

Abstract: The present invention is an electromagnetic relay capable of transferring currents of greater than 100 amps for use in regulating the transfer of electricity or in other applications requiring the switching of currents of greater than 100 amps. A relay motor assembly has an elongated coil bobbin with an axially extending cavity therein. An excitation coil is wound around the bobbin. A generally U shaped ferromagnetic frame has a core section disposed in and extending through the axially extending cavity in the elongated coil bobbin. Two contact sections extend generally perpendicularly to the core section and rises above the motor assembly. An actuator assembly is magnetically coupled to the relay motor assembly. The actuator assembly is comprised of an actuator frame operatively coupled to a first and a second generally U-shaped ferromagnetic pole pieces, and a permanent magnet. A contact bridge made of a sheet of conductive material copper is operatively coupled to the actuator assembly.

Abstract: In an overcurrent-tripping device for a circuit breaker, an electromagnet is used to open a movable contact shoe when a heavy current flows through a conduction path. A push rod is provided so as to contact the movable contact shoe. The electromagnet of the overcurrent-tripping device is located above the push rod so as to attract a movable iron core of the overcurrent-tripping device linearly along a moving direction of the push rod. When the heavy current such as a short-circuit current flows through the conduction path, the movable iron core is attracted to push the movable contact shoe via the push rod for rapid opening of the movable contact shoe. Thus, before a tripping operation of the opening-and-closing mechanism, the movable contact shoe is moved, so that the time required by the movable contact shoe for the opening operation is reduced.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device with a multipart housing. The magnet core of the switching device, including the coil, is accommodated in one of the housing parts. Identical connecting modules are provided for each outer terminal of the device. These connecting modules can be slipped on on the top side of the housing part in which the magnet core is accommodated, in the area of the four corners of said housing part. A blank module is configured externally in the same way and can be slipped on on the corner of the housing part which is not occupied by a connecting module.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical contactor is disclosed having a powerhead and a base housing. The powerhead has a set of stationary contacts mounted therein. A set of movable contacts are mounted on a movable contact carrier that moves the movable contacts between a contact open position and a contact closed position with respect to the stationary contacts. The movable contact carrier has an armature slot integrally molded therewith to loosely receive an armature therein so as to allow the armature to float within the movable contact carrier and the powerhead. The powerhead has a powerhead housing configured to guide and retain the floating armature during normal operation. Extended life of the contactor is achieved by eliminating a rigid mounting between the armature and the movable contact carrier.

Abstract: A two pole contactor, particularly for a domestic electricity meter, comprising a solenoid with a plunger actuator and a movable contact for each pole mounted on a pivotal blade in a symmetrical opposed configuration. The plunger is connected to the blades by a leaf spring whose ends engage sliders connected to the blades to impart a similar and even movement to each blade.

Abstract: A capacitor switching contactor is described which includes a standard contactor, an auxiliary switch, an input terminal block, an output terminal block, as well as resistance wires disposed between the terminal blocks, on the one hand, and the auxiliary switch, on the other hand. The resistance wires are connected to connecting terminals in chambers of the terminal blocks, and largely accommodated in the housing of the terminal blocks.

Abstract: Electromagnetic switching device including a movable contact-holder fitted with a set of contact bridges bearing movable power contacts that operate in conjunction with fixed contacts, and an electromagnet composed of a coil, a fixed framework and movable framework. The movable contact-holder includes an assembling device including at least one elastic clipping foot for fastening the movable contact-holder of the electromagnet to the movable contact-holder, characterized in that the assembling device is equally suitable for direct and indirect assembly of the movable framework onto the movable contact-holder according to the type of movable framework used in DC or AC electromagnets.

Abstract: An auxiliary position switch assembly for a circuit breaker provides an electrical signal to an external monitoring device indicative of the position of a pair of separable contacts of the circuit breaker. The auxiliary position switch assembly engages a rod that switches from a retracted and extended position in response to the opening and closing of the separable contacts of the circuit breaker. The switch assembly includes a switch having a pair of separable contacts and a plunger having one end engaging one of the contacts. The plunger slidably engages a concave upper engagement surface of a pivotally mounted actuator. The actuator includes a lower convex engagement surface that engages the rod. A biasing spring connected to the actuator urges the actuator against the rod during operation of the switch assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic latching contactor for high current switching applications. A stationary assembly is provided which comprises a first passive biasing member and an active biasing member. A moveable assembly is slidably coupled to the stationary assembly for movement between a first stable position and a second stable position. A second passive biasing member is also provided. The first passive biasing member applies a first passive biasing force to the moveable assembly biasing the moveable assembly toward the first stable position. The second passive biasing member applies a second passive biasing force to the moveable assembly biasing the moveable assembly toward the second stable position. The active biasing member provides an active biasing force to the moveable assembly alternatively biasing the moveable assembly to the first stable position and the second stable position.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker assembly using auxiliary switches to perform indication and control functions. The circuit breaker assembly having at least one pole comprising a stationary and a moveable contact where the moveable contact is connected to a moveable contact arm which is activated by a spring mechanism. The spring mechanism is affixed to an operating handle. A trip device, housed in a mid-cover of the molded case, separates the stationary and moveable contacts when a fault is sensed. The mid-cover comprises at least one auxiliary switch compartment, where a single auxiliary switch compartment is capable of housing multiple compatible auxiliary switches.

Abstract: An operator assembly for an electromagnetic switching device includes a pair of insulative boards arranged in mutually facing relation. A first board carries first contacts, which may be arranged in pairs, while a second board carries second contacts designed to engage the first contacts upon closure. The first and second boards are pivotally secured to one another to rock between open and closed positions. A biasing member urges the board towards a normal position. The first board supports an electromagnet assembly and conductive traces for transmitting energizing current to the electromagnet coil. The second board supports an armature which is displaced under the influence of the electromagnet assembly during energization, thereby pivoting the boards with respect to one another against the force of the biasing member, and moving the first and second contacts into engagement.

Abstract: An accessory for use within a circuit breaker is provided. The accessory includes an actuator having a movable member, a trip member and a link between the movable member and the trip member. The trip member is configured by including a seat portion that allows for a set gap between the link and the movable member.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a housing, separable main contacts within the housing, and an operating mechanism within the housing and interconnected with the contacts. A trip mechanism is disposed within the housing and includes a rotatable trip bar assembly that, when selectively rotated, generates a tripping operation. The trip bar assembly includes an attaching structure which interconnects with an accessory trip member. The accessory trip member causes the trip bar assembly to rotate and generate a tripping operation when the accessory trip member is moved in a first direction. The accessory trip member is configured to enable flexing of the accessory trip member in a second direction opposite of the first direction.

Abstract: An undervoltage release device for a circuit breaker is disclosed having an operating mechanism, a trip bar, line and load terminals, and a cover. The device includes a housing, a solenoid, upper and lower actuators aligned with a plunger of the solenoid and in selective contact with the trip bar, plunger and actuator reset levers mounted upon the solenoid frame, and pair of terminals in electrical contact with the solenoid coil and line terminals of the breaker, wherein the force of the solenoid corresponds to the line voltage. Also disclosed is a method for tripping a circuit breaker when line voltage drops below a selected value, in a circuit breaker having an operating mechanism and a trip unit with an intermediate latch.

Abstract: The circuit breaking device 10 includes a plug box 20 including circuit terminals 21 and 22 respectively connected to the respective open ends of two electric circuits, and a plug main body 30 including short-circuit terminals 31, 32 and disposed in such a manner that it can be shifted by a given amount with respect to the plug box 20; in particular, the plug main body 30 is structured such that not only it can bring the short-circuit terminals 31 and 32 into fit with the circuit terminals 21 and 22 of the plug box 20 to thereby close the two electric circuits, but also it can remove the short-circuit terminals 31 and 32 from the circuit terminals 21 and 22 to thereby open the two electric circuits and thus cut off the circuit currents thereof.

Abstract: A movable contact assembly for contactors and similar devices includes a movable spanner or conductive element biased toward a conducting position by a biasing element. A housing partially surrounds the conductive element and the biasing element. The biasing element and exerts compressive forces against the housing and the conductive element. The assembly may be installed as a modular unit on a carrier which is displaced during operation of the contactor. The housing shields the biasing element from plasma, arcs and debris during operation of the device. Multiple conductive elements and corresponding biasing elements may be includes in each assembly.

Abstract: A relay and control module combination wherein the control module has an essentially cuboid housing with a coupling side for plug connection to an auxiliary connection side of a cuboid relay housing. Mutually complementary plug connector elements, which can be connected mechanically and electrically, are provided in both the coupling side and in the auxiliary connection side, The plug connector elements allow mechanical and electrical coupling between the control module and the relay. In this way, a universal relay can be converted into a special relay having a specific function by plugging on the control module.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker and includes a molded case (12) having a main cover (20), a first terminal (16) and a second terminal (16) mounted inside the case (12) with a stationary contact (44) electrically coupled to the first terminal (18) and a movable contact (42) electrically coupled to the second terminal (16). The movable contact (42) is coupled to an operating mechanism (40) which has a pivoting member (13) moveable between an ON position, an OFF position and a TRIPPED position. An intermediate latching mechanism (52) also is mounted in the housing (12) and is coupled to the operating mechanism (40). The intermediate latching mechanism (52) is selectively operated by a trip unit (60) which comprises a magnetic short circuit release and a thermal overload release.

Abstract: A trip device comprises a removable module for determining long delay tripping parameters, designed to be fixed to a front panel of the trip device. In the fixed position, the removable module exerts a pressure, via an auxiliary part, on a movable part so as to move the latter to a position in which it performs voltage connection of the processing circuit of the trip device to the conductors of a power system to be protected. In an unlocked position of the removable module, the movable part is urged to the disconnected position by a spring. The part can be movable in rotation or in translation.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switchgear unit has an electromagnetic drive appliance which acts as an auxiliary magnet system and by means of which the contact force is first increased on the occurrence of a short-circuit current, before the contacts are abruptly torn apart. For this purpose, the drive appliance actuates a lever rotatably supported on the contact bridge carrier, which lever displaces the contact bridge carrier and, by this means, compresses a contact compression spring and a further compression spring.

Abstract: An insulated container of a circuit breaker is divided into three vertically-arranged portions including a case, a middle case, and a cover. A fixed contact shoe and a movable contact shoe are accommodated in the case. An opening and closing mechanism and an overcurrent trip device are accommodated in the middle case. A holder slidably passing through a hole in a bottom wall of the middle case by an operation of the opening and closing mechanism is moved linearly and perpendicularly to the bottom wall to open and close the movable contact shoe. A gap in the hole between the holder and the bottom wall is very small due to the straight movement of the holder, so that an arc gas generated in the case is completely shut down by the bottom wall and does not reach the opening and closing mechanism in the middle case during current interruption.

Abstract: This concerns a molded case circuit breaker having separable main contacts and an operating mechanism utilized to cause the separable main contacts to open and close. A trip unit is provided to actuate the operating mechanism in desirable circumstances. Disposed within the circuit breaker casing is a region for the installation of an auxiliary device, such as a bell alarm device, shunt trip device etc. The case of the auxiliary device has an opening disposed therein through which a movable auxiliary device lever protrude. The opening of the circuit breaker case has a region for interfacing with the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker. A separate lever is disposed between the operating mechanism and the auxiliary device lever member. This separate lever member is driven by the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker and actuates the lever of the auxiliary device. It is pivoted about a protrusion on the auxiliary device.

Abstract: An electromagnetic contactor is formed of upper and lower cases. Recesses are formed on opposite sides of the upper case, while guide walls that fit the recesses are provided on two opposite sides of the lower case to extend toward the upper case. The recesses and the guide walls can be fitted together even when the upper case is rotated by 180.degree. relative to the lower case. Therefore, the upper and lower cases can be attached to each other even if the upper case is rotated by 180.degree. relative to the lower case.

Abstract: Miniature circuit breaker apparatus is taught which includes side-by-side ganged cases where one of the ganged cases includes the main circuit breaker operating mechanism and contacts and where the other case includes an actuable micro-switch, which is interconnected with an indicating device for providing either a bell alarm function for the circuit breaker system or an auxiliary switch function for the circuit breaker system. The bell alarm function is provided by extending the rotatable axis of the trip mechanism of the main circuit breaker into the case of the secondary circuit breaker casing for movement of an auxiliary switch. The auxiliary switch indicates a trip function when the main circuit breaker contacts have been tripped opened, thus providing a bell alarm indication, for example.

Abstract: A movably disposed circuit breaker has a blow-out attenuator for cooling and deionizing switching gases escaping from an arc quenching chamber. The blow-out attenuator is composed of two telescopically interlocking sub-members. The one sub-member is fixedly arranged, while the other sub-member rests with a sealing surface on a mouth surface of the arc quenching chamber. Due to the two-part design of the blow-out attenuator, the switching-gas pressure improves the sealing action between the arc quenching chambers and the blow-out attenuator.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device (2) with restricted guidance, in which the closure contacts do not come into contact when the break contact is welded or fixed. An elastically resilient transmission lever (10) is provided to establish the effective connection between the armature (8) and the contact support (12) extending at a distance from and parallel to the armature.

Abstract: A compact high current relay is provided having first and second fixed contacts connected in circuit relationship with the apparatus to be controlled; an elongated bus bar having first and second movable contacts at opposite ends of the bus bar, the bus bar characterized by a stiffness such that upon application of a first predetermined force to the bus bar, between the contacts, the movable contacts both tilt and wipe with respect to the first and second fixed contacts; and a solenoid connected to the bus bar between the first and second contacts for exerting a force on the bus bar greater than the predetermined force.

Abstract: An electromagnetic starter with an overload relay having magnetic flux shielding is disclosed for use in industrial contactor applications. The starter includes a multi-pole DC controlled contactor which is interlockingly coupled to an overload relay. The overload relay has a simplified interlocking connection to the contactor, which when made, corresponds to an abutting electrical connection between the contactor and the overload relay also being made. The contactor further has a guiding pin that promotes even contact closure within the contactor.

Abstract: A switching device in which destructive stress on the contact carrier when short-circuit forces occur when ON is prevented. Stops on the arcing chamber limit the opening movement of the contact bridge before the contact spring is compressed to its block dimension.

Abstract: The present invention is a latching magnetic relay capable of transferring currents of greater than 100 amps for use in regulating the transfer of electricity or in other applications requiring the switching of currents of greater than 100 amps. A relay motor assembly has an elongated coil bobbin with an axially extending cavity therein. An excitation coil is wound around the bobbin. A generally U shaped ferromagnetic frame has a core section disposed in and extending through the axially extending cavity in the elongated coil bobbin. Two contact sections extend generally perpendicularly to the core section and rises above the motor assembly. An actuator assembly is magnetically coupled to the relay motor assembly. The actuator assembly is comprised of an actuator frame operatively coupled to a first and a second generally U-shaped ferromagnetic pole pieces, and a permanent magnet. A contact bridge made of a sheet of conductive material copper is operatively coupled to the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A switching device is provided which includes a magnet system having a yoke which is elastically mounted by means of a volute spring. The volute spring permits the yoke to be displaced as far as closure of the magnet system. As a result, it is possible to prevent current overloading of the magnet system coil in the case of a welded break contact of the switching device.

Abstract: An inexpensive and simple magnet damping arrangement, in particular for contactors with a.c. solenoids, is to be created. The non-switching magnet yoke of an electromagnet system with magnet coil is damped by a single damping compression spring which is supported on the bobbin of the magnet coil at one end and directly on the magnet yoke at the other end.

Abstract: The arrangement for mechanically coupling an overload relay (1) to a contactor (2, 15) is suitable for use with a contactor (2) having connection terminals (11) with wire cages (17) as well as with a contactor (15) having connection terminals (16) with pressure plate claws (12). In order to allow mechanical coupling for both types of connection terminals (11, 16), the coupling cutout in the base of the contactor (2, 15) contains a central cutout (7) and two slots (8, 9) on both sides of the central cutout (7), which are aligned in the pick-up direction of the connection terminals (11, 16). The central cutout (7) is provided to accept the entire end section of the hook (3), and both the slots (8, 9) accept only the flat end section (4) that lies behind the latch element (5) of the hook (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device having a main electromagnetic drive for connecting and disconnecting a moving contact piece to fixed contact elements, and having an auxiliary electromagnetic drive which, in the event of an overload current flowing via the moving contact piece, in the ON state exerts an additional contact pressure of the contact piece on the fixed contact elements. A lever mounted in the moving contact carrier is also is provided to transmit the additional contact pressure.

Abstract: A switching device providing highly-reliable, frictionless, adjustment-free operation is described. Comprised of a comparatively small number of moving parts, the various aspects of the invention offer compact, cost-effective, reliable alternatives to their complex electromagnetic and costly solid-state counterparts. The main parts of the invention rely upon the principles of magnetic attraction and repulsion for the switching of a plurality of electrical contacts contained within the switching device. The flexibility inherent in the design of the invention permits the switching device to be configured in a variety of aspects, including the failsafe and latching designs described herein.