Abstract: A circuit for supplying electrical power at a rated direct current of 20-100 kA to an electrolysis cell is provided. The circuit comprises an upstream and a downstream busbar connected to each other with a short-circuiting device which, when closed by an actuating mechanism, allows the busbars to be electrically connected to each other. An anode bar is equipped with an anode connection interface and a cathode connection interface, for connection to the anode and cathode, respectively. The cathode connection interface is connected to the downstream busbar. The circuit comprises means for absorbing movement of elements of the circuit due to thermal expansion. A disconnector connected to the upstream busbar and to the anode bar is opened by an actuating mechanism and it electrically disconnects the upstream busbar and the anode bar from each other after a non-zero time interval Tm when the short-circuiting device has been closed.

Abstract: Contact device adapted to be inserted between two contact surfaces of two conductors of an electrical connection provided with at least one bolt, the device being formed by a metal foam plate to reduce electrical resistance of the connection. The surface area of the metal foam plate is at least equal to the surface area in contact with the two conductors, and is approximately 1 to 2 mm thick. The metal foam plate includes at least one circular opening intended to contain the bolt and at least one first pre-cut located between the opening and an outer edge of the contact device. The pre-cut is made by cutting the foam plate over a part of its thickness so that it can be easily broken along the pre-cut, the pre-cut allowing the bolt to be passed through it during the installation of the contact device.

Abstract: Contact device adapted to be inserted between two contact surfaces of two conductors of an electrical connection provided with at least one bolt, the device being formed by a metal foam plate to reduce electrical resistance of the connection. The surface area of the metal foam plate is at least equal to the surface area in contact with the two conductors, and is approximately 1 to 2 mm thick. The metal foam plate includes at least one circular opening intended to contain the bolt and at least one first pre-cut located between the opening and an outer edge of the contact device. The pre-cut is made by cutting the foam plate over a part of its thickness so that it can be easily broken along the pre-cut, the pre-cut allowing the bolt to be passed through it during the installation of the contact device.

Abstract: An electrical connection powder comprising particles obtained by pulverizing a skeleton of open cell metal foam chosen from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel and the alloys of same covered with at least one coating of tin or indium or one of the alloys of same. The paste is formed from this powder dispersed in a binder such as grease. The powder or paste is particularity useful for improving the conductivity of an electrical connection consisting of a terminal (20) linked to a cable (24) consisting of a plurality of strands (30, 32, 34) by means of a crimping ring (26).

Abstract: An electrical connection device, including two conductors (12 and 14), in which at least one of the two conductors is made of aluminum, each conductor has a contact surface, and a conductive element (1) is inserted between the contact surfaces of the conductors. The inserted conductive part has a foam skeleton having open cells of a metal selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, and the alloys thereof, directly covered with at least one coating of copper, tin, indium or one of the alloys thereof.

Abstract: An electrical connection device, including two conductors (12 and 14), in which at least one of the two conductors is made of aluminum, each conductor has a contact surface, and a conductive element (1) is inserted between the contact surfaces of the conductors. The inserted conductive part has a foam skeleton having open cells of a metal selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, and the alloys thereof, directly covered with at least one coating of copper, tin, indium or one of the alloys thereof.