Abstract: A switching apparatus including an electromagnetic command device fitted with a magnetic circuit made up of a main circuit polarized by a permanent magnet and linked to a depolarizing coil and through a movable circuit integral with a movable support subject to a return spring and acting directly or indirectly on at least one disconnecting pole. The main magnetic circuit has at least two air gaps in series on the path of the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet and the movable magnetic circuit includes at least two parts capable of closing the air gaps when the main magnetic circuit and the movable magnetic circuit are joined together and are crossed by the magnetic flux created by the permanent magnetic, thereby carrying out a locking function and creating a multiplication of the locking forces, with an unlocking function being provided by the depolarization coil the counter-flux from which crosses the magnetic circuit and air gaps.

Abstract: A protective switching device equipped with power poles, for which mobile contacts are supported on a contact support, a protection assembly with magnetic and/or temperature tripping capable of detecting overloads or overcurrents on each pole current path and a lock operated by a manual control knob. The lock includes a mechanism to control direct opening of power contacts of a circuit breaker or similar device in a manual control, or opening of an auxiliary contact that interrupts the current in the coil in the control electromagnet of a contactor-circuit breaker or similar device.

Abstract: A protection switch device has power poles whose mobile contacts are carried by a contact-holder, a magnetically and/or thermally tripped protection system to detect overloads or overcurrents on each pole current path and an actuator mechanism operated manually by an actuator button. This mechanism includes a permanent magnet lever cooperating with a magnetizable contact operating arm and a magnetizable tripping arm, movement of which is controlled by the protection system. The mechanism also includes a manual actuator for directly opening the power contacts of a overload relay or like device or, after turning the manual actuator button, opening an auxiliary contact to interrupt the current in a coil of a solenoid actuating a contactor/overload relay or like device.

Abstract: A protective switch device such as a relay switch includes at least one pole having at least one moving contact that cooperates with a stationary contact and a magnetic or thermal trip mechanism for assuring protection against overloads and excess currents and that acts on a control mechanism actuating the moving contact and that can be activated by a rotary control knob rotating about a pivot pin. Recocking of the control mechanism is possible from a "tripped" to an "off" or from a "tripped" to an "on" position. The control mechanism includes a lever for opening the contacts that pivots from an on position corresponding to the closing of the contacts to a position corresponding to the opening of the contacts. The opening lever is associated with a pivoting cocking mechanism, which is able to bring back and hold the opening lever in the on position. A trip mechanism is provided which is able to control the mechanical separation of the opening lever and the cocking mechanism so as to free the opening lever.

Abstract: A current switching device includes stationary contacts, and movable contacts which are movable between a position in which the movable contacts engage the stationary contacts and a position in which the movable contacts separate from the stationary contacts. The movable contacts are mounted on a movable contact holder. A magnetic locking element includes a permanent magnet and is pivotally mounted about a fixed axis. An actuation armature is connected to the contact holder and is movable to move the contact holder. The actuation armature is movable in proximity to the magnetic locking elements such that the actuation armature is locked to the magnetic locking element by magnetic attraction with the movable contacts engaging the stationary contacts. An opening armature is movable between a rest position and a position in proximity to the magnetic locking element, such that the opening armature is locked to the magnetic locking element by magnetic attraction.

Abstract: A protective switch device such as a relay switch is provided with at least one pole having contacts that can be separated. It includes a control mechanism (5) that can cause the opening and closing of contacts (21, 31) and that can be actuated by a protective device (4) that can act in case of electrical failure, and a manual control button (6) controlling an electromagnet (7) for operating the contacts. A moving trap door (11) opens and closes an opening of the box so as to make it possible to change the coil of electromagnet (7). The trap door (11) cooperates with a trap door locking element (81) that can be displaced between a closed position where it immobilizes the trap door on the box and an open position making it possible to open the trap door.

Abstract: A current switching device comprises, in a box, at least one polar current path, disposed between two connecting terminals. The at least one polar current path comprising, in series, a break pole formed by at least one stationary contact and at least one mobile contact, a protective thermal tripping device having a bi-metal strip surrounded by a heater element and a protective magnetic tripping device having a coil wound around a coil form in which a mobile core slides. A wire of the coil being connected by an intermediate conductor to an end of the heater element. A wire of the heater element comprising a lower end which is substantially straight and without curvature, the lower end of the wire of the heater element being soldered to the intermediate conductor. The intermediate conductor being soldered to a substantially straight lower end of the coil wire. The two tripping devices being carried by a support which is slidably removable from the box.

Abstract: A protective switch device such as a contactor/circuit-breaker comprises double-contact switch poles. Contact bridges are housed in a mobile support. Slide members guided in slots of the support and commanded by a tripping mechanism can be applied to the bridges. The mobile support can be actuated by a solenoid without the contact pressure springs transmitting any reaction force to the armature of the solenoid.

Abstract: A switch device comprises at least one switch comprising in a casing at least one fixed contact cooperating with a mobile contact movable in a switching chamber by a tripping mechanism. The casing comprises a base fastened to walls which delimit a channel constituting the switching chamber which cooperates with a closure module carrying an electrical conductor which connects the fixed contact to a connecting terminal, the combination of the casing and the module constituting the switching chamber. This design facilitates industrial manufacture of the device and improves its insulating and operating qualities.

Abstract: Circuit breaker including a spark extinction structure comprising a conducting system, having one or two current loops extending on each side of a plane of symmetry passing through an arc deflector and a fixed contact of the circuit breaker. The conducting system is obtained by plastic deformation and bending of a flat piece stamped out from a sheet of conducting material so that the wasted material is very much reduced.

Abstract: A circuit breaker apparatus is provided with remote controlled opening and closing of its circuits and with supports for the mobile and fixed contacts which are adapted so as to promote repulsion forces which produce a limitation of the short circuit currents, in combination with a small mass of the mobile parts, the one supporting a retractable fixed contact being associated by an extension with a slide which is moved by the remote control electromagnet.

Abstract: A circuit breaking apparatus with remote controlled opening and closing of its circuits is provided in which the supports of the fixed and mobile contacts are adapted so as to develop repulsion forces which produce an excellent limitation of the short circuit currents because no parasite mass is connected to the mobile contact despite the presence of an electromagnet which must actuate it through a pusher or a slide.

Abstract: A contactor apparatus is provided protected against short circuit currents, comprising for each phase between input and output terminals a contactor switch and a protective switch with automatic opening, a transfer electrode being placed close to the contacts of this second switch for shunting into a parallel circuit a considerable fraction of the fault currents.

Abstract: An electric switch in which a screen is inserted very quickly between two contacts at the moment when they part. The energy of the arc generated between the contacts inside a volume surrounded by an insulating mobile sheath is used to heat gases released, and the resulting gas pressure displaces the sheath quickly, so that the arc passing through an opening in the sheath is sheared between the sheath and the housing. This type of switch is used to advantage in protection apparatus designed to respond to an abnormal increase of the current flowing in a circuit in which they are series mounted, and in switches where rated current is high.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided with at least one switching arrangement having a mobile contact and a retractable contact, this latter being supported by a pivoting lever; a tripping mechanism for causing the rapid opening of the mobile contact, an electromagnetic actuator having an element movable in translation under the effect of a control signal applied to the actuator and a mechanical coupling for transmitting the movement of the mobile element to the retractable contact, wherein the mechanical coupling is rigid and moves in translation according to a translation plane parallel to the movement of the mobile element and it is coupled to said pivoting lever at a point offset with respect to the plane of translation.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided with at least one switching arrangement having a mobile contact and a retractable contact, this latter being supported by a pivoting lever; a tripping mechanism for causing rapid opening of the mobile contact, an electromagnetic actuator having an element movable in translation under the effect of a control signal applied to the actuator and a mechanical coupling element for transmitting the movement of the mobile element to the retractable contact, wherein the mechanical coupling element, rigid and movable in translation parallel to the axis of displacement of the mobile element, is coupled to one end of the pivoting lever and, at its opposite contact end, the pivoting lever has an arm bent so that an end portion of substantial length of the arm is substantially parallel to the opposite arm of the corresponding mobile contact lever, the pivoting axis of the pivoting lever being placed between its bend and the coupling end.

Abstract: A switch in which a screen inserted between the contacts shears the opening arc. The screen is associated with a sheath that surrounds a contact support and slides on the latter when the gas pressure it is subjected to causes it to move at a velocity which is a function of the energy of the arc. The switch is applicable in particular to protective apparatus designed to limit fault current or breaking devices in which steady-state current is fairly high.

Abstract: An electric switch is provided using an isolating screen for destabilizing the arc. The pieces supporting the contacts are equipped with conducting extensions whose conformation and orientation allow the feet of the arc to circulate there without becoming stationary or coming back towards the contacts when the end of the screen moves towards a slot which receives it and when the mobile support effects an appropriate travel.

Abstract: A screened electric switch in which the screen is inserted at high speed between the contacts and in which a mobile shutter with a sealing surface basically fixed relatively to the housing drives the screen with a speed which is a function of the energy of the arc.This switch is applicable to circuit breaking devices designed to check the rise of short-circuit currents or high steady-state rated currents.

Abstract: An electric switch apparatus for protecting an electric circuit, said apparatus comprising a case, a pivoting drawer connected to the case and adapted to be manually pivoted from a closed position to an open position and reversely, a switch having a fixed and a movable contact, the movable contact being mechanically linked to the drawer for simultaneous opening therewith and a breaking member for automatically breaking an electric circuit connected across two terminals of the case, the said breaking member operating in case of an overflow of current in the said circuit, the movable contact being able to be separated from the fixed contact under the action of an actuation member comprising a spring and a magnetizable member, said actuating member cooperating with a coil placed in the circuit and being reset during a manual opening and closing movement of the drawer.