Abstract: An arc chamber for a DC circuit breaker includes an entry side adapted to receive an electric arc, which was generated outside of the arc chamber and which propagates in a forward direction, a plurality of stacked splitter plates, and at least one inhibitor barrier. The at least one inhibitor barrier is arranged on the entry side to inhibit a reverse propagation of the electric arc out of the arc chamber in a reverse direction. DC circuit breaker comprising an arc chamber. Use of an arc chamber with a circuit breaker in a DC electrical system.

Abstract: A group-operated switching system for multi-phase electrical transmission lines including a number of inline axial switches for opening and closing circuits to control electrical flow through the transmission lines. The switches include axially mounted load break vacuum interrupters and are mechanically and electrically isolated from each other and from a control box. The control box communicates with the inline switches via RF communications. Power for the switch electronics and operations can be provided from line power, a battery, or a capacitive source.

Abstract: A switching apparatus includes one or more electric pole units, each electric pole unit comprising a fixed contact, a movable contact, a first pole terminal, a second pole terminal, and a motion transmission arrangement to reversibly move the movable contact. The motion transmission arrangement includes a conductive motion transmission member coupled to the movable contact. The first pole terminal is in electrical connection to the fixed contact while the second pole terminal includes a first coupling region in electrical connection with a second coupling region of the conductive motion transmission member. Each electric pole unit further includes a shielding element formed by a conductive hollow body and arranged in a relative fixed position with respect to the second pole terminal and the motion transmission member. The shielding element is arranged to at least partially surround the first coupling and the second coupling region.

Abstract: An electrical switch including a frame, a first stationary contact, a second stationary contact, a roll element and a movable contact mounted to the roll element. The roll element is rotatable around a rotation axis between a first position and a second position relative to the frame. The movable contact includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion. In the first position of the roll element, the movable contact electrically conductively connects the first stationary contact to the second stationary contact, and in the second position of the roll element the first stationary contact is electrically disconnected from the second stationary contact. The first in contact portion and the second contact portion are located on opposite sides of a centre plane perpendicular to the rotation axis.

Abstract: A switching device for low-voltage or medium-voltage applications including: one or more electric poles; for each electric pole, at least a fixed contact and at least a movable contact, each movable contact being reversibly movable between a coupled position, at which the movable contact is coupled with a corresponding fixed contact, and an uncoupled position, at which the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact, wherein a separation gap is present between the movable contact and the fixed contact, when the movable contact is in the uncoupled position. The switching device includes, for each electric pole, at least an arc-diverting element made of electrically insulating material.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter includes at least one insulating body, a fixed contact, a fixed contact flange, a moving contact having a longitudinal axis of the moving contact, a moving contact flange, a moving contact bearing, and a bellows. The fixed contact is stationarily disposed in the fixed contact flange, the moving contact is moveably guided in the moving contact bearing and the moving contact is moveably secured to the moving contact flange by the bellows. The bellows is secured to the moving contact flange by a first bellows end and the bellows is secured to the moving contact by a second bellows end. An increased pressure resistance of the vacuum interrupter against ambient pressures over 1 bar is achieved by a sleeve which is secured to the moving contact against movements along the longitudinal axis of the moving contact, and which is guided through the moving contact bearing.

Abstract: A system for isolating a fault in a direct current (DC) grid using thermionic arc extinction. The system includes a DC grid that includes a transmission line. The DC grid also includes a plurality of current interrupters disposed on the transmission line. Each of the plurality of current interrupters on the transmission line are electrically coupled to one another in series. At least one of the current interrupters includes a fixed terminal end and a moveable terminal end. Further, at least one of the current interrupters has an arc shield housing at least two arcing contacts. At least one of the arcing contacts comprises a first conducting material that has a first vaporizing point.

Abstract: A gas-insulated switch has a first contact and a second contact. A contact unit is connected to the first contact as a movement contact unit having a drive unit and is movably mounted along a switch axis. The gas-insulated switch further has a multi-part insulation nozzle system with a primary nozzle and an auxiliary nozzle. A heating channel is formed between the primary nozzle and the auxiliary nozzle. The heating channel originates from an electric arc chamber and opens in a gas reservoir, wherein the gas reservoir is delimited by a ram. The gas reservoir is radially delimited by a wall, in respect of the switch axis, which is not a component of the movement contact unit, and the ram is part of the movement contact unit and is movably mounted such that the ram moves along the switch axis away from the second contact to enlarge the gas reservoir.

Abstract: Stackable electric contact block including a casing that defines its volume, the casing having upper and lower faces for connecting the block to another component, the casing accommodating a screw for fixing the block to another component, and a press rod capable of moving from a rest position to an activation position for transferring a translation force to a component attached to the lower face of the casing, the press rod including an activation head in the form of a wedge capable of engaging with a push-button or a rotary knob, the casing including a cavity for guiding the press rod between its rest and activation positions, in which cavity the press rod is accommodated. A device for guiding the press rod into the guide cavity includes a guide tab accommodated in a matching guide slot passing through the activation head.

Abstract: A pole assembly of a switching device is provided. The pole assembly includes a first interrupter unit operably connected to a pole plate of the pole assembly via first post insulators. The first interrupter provides a path for current flow through the first interrupter in a closed state and interrupts the current flow in an open state. A second interrupter unit is operably connected to the first interrupter unit and to the pole plate via second post insulators. The second interrupter allows the current flow through the first interrupter unit in an open state and grounds the switching device in a closed state. The pole assembly includes a dielectric shield physically disposable between and operably connected to the first post insulators and the second post insulators for uniformly distributing an electric field generated during operation of the pole assembly.

Abstract: An improved switching or contactor device with high arc extinguishing capabilities industrial and railways applications where a high current must be switched on and off is provided. The switching or contactor device includes, in a casing, a switch base portion including electrical switching means of a low voltage driving portion active on moving contacts; a high voltage portion including the moving contacts driven towards and away from each other with respect to a mutual contact position, said moving contacts being mounted at respective contact ends of a toggle mechanism which is movable by a low voltage driving portion, and a top arc chute extinguishing portion covering the high voltage portion.

Abstract: A movable electrode driving device for a gas insulated switchgear is proposed. A movable electrode may be installed at one of conductors installed in an enclosure inner space of an enclosure. The movable electrode may move into and out of the conductor. Power for driving the movable electrode may be transmitted from a manipulator. A rotation manipulation lever may be installed at the outside of the enclosure, and an insulated shaft may be located inside the enclosure, the insulated shaft being connected to the rotation manipulation lever and extending into the conductor. A rotary lever may be located inside the conductor by being connected to the insulated shaft, and a transmission lever driven by the rotary lever so as to move the movable electrode may be provided.

Abstract: A mechanical latching accessory kit for a Medium Voltage contactor including one or more movable contacts connected through a mechanical link to a contact actuator moving the one or more movable contacts between a contact open position and a contact closed position. The mechanical latching accessory kit includes: a supporting interface adapted to be fixed to and removed from the Medium Voltage contactor; a latching element movable between a first operating position and a second resting position; a latching actuating system moving the latching element between the first, operating, position and the second, resting, position; the latching element being adapted, when it is in the first operating position, to cooperate with the mechanical link of the Medium Voltage contactor to latch the one or more movable contacts, and, when it is in the second resting position, to release the one or more movable contacts.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for use in medium voltage applications includes: a housing; a first contact arranged on an end of a first contact stem that extends fixedly through the housing; a second contact arranged on an end of a second contact stem that extends axially and is movable through the housing. The circuit breaker further includes a moving device for moving the second contact between a closed position in contact with the first contact and an open position spaced apart from the first contact. A mass of the second contact is less than a mass of the first contact. The moving device includes a closing mechanism for urging the second contact to the closed position and an opening mechanism for urging the second contact to the open position. The circuit breaker further includes a reconditioning power source and a controller for providing a reconditioning current.

Abstract: An on-load tap changer has: a first selector rod and a second selector rod; a load changeover-switch rod; a switch; and a transmission. The first selector rod, the second selector rod and the load changeover-switch rod are arranged collinearly. The transmission is configured to: move the first selector rod and the second selector rod during changeover from one selector contact to an adjacent selector contact in a first direction; and move the load changeover-switch rod during the changeover in the first direction and a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, so as to actuate the switch.

Abstract: A guiding pull ring member for guiding a unit top contact in a switch assembly into a mounting contact. The guide ring member includes a mounting ring defined in a first plane, a grasping ring coupled to one side of the mounting ring and being defined in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, and a V-shaped guide piece coupled to the mounting ring at a side opposite from the grasping ring and extending perpendicular to the first plane. The guiding pull ring member has particular application for a solenoid operated vacuum interrupter recloser switch mounted to a utility pole.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for opening and closing at least two contacts simultaneously is provided. The operating mechanism includes a base frame and a bridge body having an elongate contact surface with a length and a width. The elongate contact surface is configured to extend in a length direction over and be in contact with operating rods of the at least two contacts. The operating mechanism further includes a first reaction arm extending substantially parallel to the length of the elongate contact surface and a second reaction arm extending parallel to the first reaction arm and at a distance of the first reaction arm in the direction perpendicular to the elongate contact surface. The operating mechanism also includes a rod mechanism of two links and a cam arranged on a shaft.

Abstract: A switching device comprising first and second body parts and a first operating device for moving the body parts into a closed state. A piezoelectric actuator is coupled to each body part and is operable to move the body parts part away from one another. The switching device may be incorporated into an actuator for operating the vacuum interrupter of a vacuum circuit breaker.

Abstract: A disconnector for use in a switchgear structured to electrically connect between a power source and a load includes a pair of disconnector blades spaced apart by a distance and having a first end structured to selectively receive and form an electrical connection with a busbar contact and a second end structured to electrically couple to the load, and a pair of magnetic plates mechanically connected to inner surfaces of the pair of disconnector blades and structured to bias the pair of disconnector blades toward each other.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a pole unit with a first and second electrodes. A linkage also extends from the pole unit. A linear actuator is operably connected to the pole unit. A Thomson coil or other high-speed actuator is also operably connected to the linkage. When the circuit breaker is closed, no gap is provided between them. To open the electrodes, the high-speed actuator first acts on the linkage by moving the linkage at a speed that is greater than a speed by which the linear actuator can move the linkage. The linear actuator can then actuate and increase a distance between the electrodes. A gap is provided between the pole unit and at least one of the actuators when the breaker is closed. This gap is reduced or eliminated when the breaker is open.