Abstract: In a system for remotely controlling the supply of electric power to customer premises, each customer premises is fitted with a power-switching arrangement coupled to a paging receiver (5-1, 5-2, 5-3). A utility company supplying the electric power can input requests to a server (1), optionally via a terminal (2) or a network link (3). A software application running on the server generates a control instruction in response to a request and sends it to a paging service (4) for transmission over a paging network. When a paging message is received at one of said customer-premises paging receivers, if the control instruction is appropriately addressed the power-switching arrangement will put it into effect, for example to connect or reconnect the customer premises power supply.

Abstract: A switching device (220) comprises a solenoid actuator (224) and an inlet terminal (224) attached to a first bus-bar (246). Mounted on the bus-bar is a flexible switch blade (236) operable by the actuator and having a movable contact (240) at its free end. An outlet terminal (254) is connected by a second bus-bar (250) to a fixed contact (242) of the contact pair, the arrangement being such that in use an electrodynamic force is produced at least between the blade (236) and the first bus-bar (246) which tends to maintain the contacts (240, 242) in engagement.

Abstract: A solenoid actuator for a fluid flow valve comprises a closure member (64) adapted to engage a fluid flow orifice (16), and includes a magnetic plunger (46) under the control of a solenoid, for moving the closure member (64) into or out of engagement with the orifice (16). To assist the opening of the valve, a diaphragm spring (66) aids the downward force upon plunger (46) at changeover, being deflected during the upward stroke of plunger (46) and held deflected until changeover.The solenoid plunger (46) is stable at either end of its travel to maintain the selected state of the valve, change of state to open or close orifice (16) being by means of an magnetic pulse generated by solenoid coil (43), the plunger (46) being latched at closure by permanent magnets (32,34).The diaphragm spring (66) may form part of an assembly (62) including a membrane switch (70), responsive to the state of the valve, the assembly (62) fitting into the body of the closure member (64).