Abstract: An interrupter switch mechanism 18, an actuator mechanism 20 for operating the switch mechanism 18, an engagement arm 30 such as a whip, a first resistor 22, a second resistor 26, a drive mechanism 64 for pivoting the engagement arm 30 into contact with the resistors 22 and 26, and a drive shaft 62. The drive mechanism 64 has a first hub 82, a second hub 84 that is biased relative to the first hub 82, and a pivotal latch member 66 that is biased towards an engaged position with the second hub 94. The drive shaft 62 sequentially operates the drive mechanism 64 to introduce the first resistor 22 and then the second resistor 26, and then operates the actuator 20 to close the switch mechanism 18, for reducing electrical disturbances when switching a capacitor bank 12 into an electric power circuit 16.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism that decreases the time needed to move the contacts of a circuit interrupter between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position to reduce the probability of the occurrence of restrikes. The actuator mechanism uses a toggle spring arrangement that uses a single spring to move the interrupter through both an opening stroke and a closing stroke. The interrupter is designed to connect to the circuit in parallel, so that the interrupter is not normally in the circuit when the circuit is closed. Because the interrupter is not normally in the circuit, it can be manufactured to less stringent standards than those that apply to electrical components that normally remain in the circuit. The interrupter is well adapted for use as a puffer-type interrupter in which the contacts of the interrupter are contained in an arc-extinguishing gas, such as sulphur-hexaflouride (SF6) gas to further reduce the probability of restrikes and to minimize the effect of occurring restrikes.

Abstract: An interrupter switch mechanism 18, an actuator mechanism 20 for operating the switch mechanism 18, an engagement arm 30 such as a whip, a first resistor 22, a second resistor 26, a drive mechanism 64 for pivoting the engagement arm 30 into contact with the resistors 22 and 26, and a drive shaft 62. The drive mechanism 64 has a first hub 82, a second hub 84 that is biased relative to the first hub 82, and a pivotal latch member 66 that is biased towards an engaged position with the second hub 94. The drive shaft 62 sequentially operates the drive mechanism 64 to introduce the first resistor 22 and then the second resistor 26, and then operates the actuator 20 to close the switch mechanism 18, for reducing electrical disturbances when switching a capacitor bank 12 into an electric power circuit 16.

Abstract: An interrupter switch mechanism 18, an actuator mechanism 20 for operating the switch mechanism 18, an engagement arm 30 such as a whip, a first resistor 22, a second resistor 26, a drive mechanism 64 for pivoting the engagement arm 30 into contact with the resistors 22 and 26, and a drive shaft 62. The drive mechanism 64 has a first hub 82, a second hub 84 that is biased relative to the first hub 82, and a pivotal latch member 66 that is biased towards an engaged position with the second hub 94. The drive shaft 62 sequentially operates the drive mechanism 64 to introduce the first resistor 22 and then the second resistor 26, and then operates the actuator 20 to close the switch mechanism 18, for reducing electrical disturbances when switching a capacitor bank 12 into an electric power circuit 16.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism that decreases the time needed to move the contacts of a circuit interrupter between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position to reduce the probability of the occurrence of restrikes. The actuator mechanism uses a toggle spring arrangement that uses a single spring to move the interrupter through both an opening stroke and a closing stroke. The interrupter is designed to connect to the circuit in parallel, so that the interrupter is not normally in the circuit when the circuit is closed. Because the interrupter is not normally in the circuit, it can be manufactured to less stringent standards than those that apply to electrical components that normally remain in the circuit. The interrupter is well adapted for use as a puffer-type interrupter in which the contacts of the interrupter are contained in an arc-extinguishing gas, such as sulphur-hexaflouride (SF6) gas to further reduce the probability of restrikes and to minimize the effect of occurring restrikes.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism that decreases the time needed to move the contacts of a circuit interrupter between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position to reduce the probability of the occurrence of restrikes. The actuator mechanism uses a toggle spring arrangement that uses a single spring to move the interrupter through both an opening stroke and a closing stroke. The interrupter is designed to connect to the circuit in parallel, so that the interrupter is not normally in the circuit when the circuit is closed. Because the interrupter is not normally in the circuit, it can be manufactured to less stringent standards than those that apply to electrical components that normally remain in the circuit. The interrupter is well adapted for use as a puffer-type interrupter in which the contacts of the interrupter are contained in an arc-extinguishing gas, such as sulphur-hexaflouride (SF6) gas to further reduce the probability of restrikes and to minimize the effect of occurring restrikes.