Abstract: The switch contacts of a MEMS relay for a circuit interrupter are coated with a thin layer of liquid metal, and the MEMS relay is disposed in a sealed enclosure containing a gas medium. The gas medium provides an environmentally desirable alternative to sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), prevents oxidation of the liquid metal coating the relay switch contacts, and has sufficient dielectric strength in order to prevent current flow after separation of the switch contacts.

Abstract: A switching device for guiding and switching of load currents includes: a movable switching component having a first movable contact and a second movable contact; a first fixed contact and a second fixed contact; a supporting device for supporting the switching component; and a magnetic actuator. The first movable contact is in contact with the first fixed contact and the second movable contact is in contact with the second fixed contact in a switched-on state of the switching component. The first movable contact is electrically separated from the first fixed contact and the second movable contact is electrically separated from the second fixed contact in a switched-off state of the switching component. The switching component is arranged such that the switching component moves between the switched-on state and the switched-off state by at least a rotational movement of the switching component and a translational movement of the supporting device.

Abstract: The switch contacts of a MEMS relay for a circuit interrupter are coated with a thin layer of liquid metal, and the MEMS relay is disposed in a sealed enclosure containing a gas medium. The gas medium provides an environmentally desirable alternative to sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), prevents oxidation of the liquid metal coating the relay switch contacts, and has sufficient dielectric strength in order to prevent current flow after separation of the switch contacts.

Abstract: A contact unit for a switching device includes: a first fixed contact; a second fixed contact; a contact bridge; a first movable contact and a second movable contact that are arranged at the contact bridge; a first arc extinguishing chamber, a second arc extinguishing chamber, and a third arc extinguishing chamber; and an arc guiding system. The first fixed contact is in contact with the first movable contact and the second fixed contact is in contact with the second movable contact in a switched-on state of the contact unit. The first fixed contact is free of contact with the first movable contact and the second fixed contact is free of contact with the second movable contact in a switched-off state of the contact unit. The first and the second arc extinguishing chamber and the arc guiding system in coordination with each other extinguish a first arc.

Abstract: A switching device for guiding and switching of load currents includes: a movable switching component having a first movable contact and a second movable contact; a first fixed contact and a second fixed contact; a supporting device for supporting the switching component; and a magnetic actuator. The first movable contact is in contact with the first fixed contact and the second movable contact is in contact with the second fixed contact in a switched-on state of the switching component. The first movable contact is electrically separated from the first fixed contact and the second movable contact is electrically separated from the second fixed contact in a switched-off state of the switching component. The switching component is arranged such that the switching component moves between the switched-on state and the switched-off state by at least a rotational movement of the switching component and a translational movement of the supporting device.

Abstract: A contact unit for a switching device includes: a first fixed contact; a second fixed contact; a contact bridge; a first movable contact and a second movable contact that are arranged at the contact bridge; a first arc extinguishing chamber, a second arc extinguishing chamber, and a third arc extinguishing chamber; and an arc guiding system. The first fixed contact is in contact with the first movable contact and the second fixed contact is in contact with the second movable contact in a switched-on state of the contact unit. The first fixed contact is free of contact with the first movable contact and the second fixed contact is free of contact with the second movable contact in a switched-off state of the contact unit. The first and the second arc extinguishing chamber and the arc guiding system in coordination with each other extinguish a first arc.

Abstract: A debris barrier is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes separable contacts and an arc chute. The separable contacts generate debris when tripping open in response to an electrical fault. The arc chute has a plurality of splitter plates each having an edge portion and a distal portion located opposite and distal the edge portion. The debris barrier includes a first leg, a second leg, and a middle portion connecting the first leg and the second leg. The middle portion is coupled to one of the separable contacts. At least one of the first leg and the second leg has a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion extending therefrom. The first barrier portion is located proximate the distal portion. The second barrier portion extends from the first barrier portion toward the edge portion in order to redirect the debris toward the edge portion.

Abstract: A system for switching gases appearing after a short-circuit switching procedure in electrical service devices, particularly in low-voltage power switches, includes a switching gas cooling assembly and particle capture arrangement. Downstream of the flow path of switching gases issuing from at least one switching chamber outlet window, the switching gas cooling assembly is arranged in a blow-out chamber. In the space behind the at least one switching chamber outlet window and prior to entry of the switching gases into the switching gas cooling assembly, there is arranged a flow element around which the switching gases can flow and which has a cross section which corresponds to or is greater than the cross section of the switching chamber outlet window. The flow elements act as the particle capture arrangement and thus as a protection device for the switching gas cooling arrangement.

Abstract: A cooling device for hot gases occurring during and after a switching process in electrical installation equipment, preferably in low-voltage circuit breakers, includes a window, with narrow passage openings, arranged in the flow path of the hot switching gases, wherein the window is made from a material with high thermal conductivity and high heat capacity. The passage openings in the window are planar in shape and are arranged parallel to the flow direction of the switching gases such that no deflection of the switching gases takes place.

Abstract: A system for switching gases appearing after a short-circuit switching procedure in electrical service devices, particularly in low-voltage power switches, includes a switching gas cooling assembly and particle capture arrangement. Downstream of the flow path of switching gases issuing from at least one switching chamber outlet window, the switching gas cooling assembly is arranged in a blow-out chamber. In the space behind the at least one switching chamber outlet window and prior to entry of the switching gases into the switching gas cooling assembly, there is arranged a flow element around which the switching gases can flow and which has a cross section which corresponds to or is greater than the cross section of the switching chamber outlet window. The flow elements act as the particle capture arrangement and thus as a protection device for the switching gas cooling arrangement.

Abstract: A plate stack in a cooling device for hot gases generated in electric installation devices, preferably in low-voltage power switches. The plate stack is arranged in the flow path of the hot switching gases into a window, the plate stack having identical plates made of a material with a high heat conductivity. Each of the plates is provided with spacer elements which correspond to the spacing of the plates, and the plates are arranged in the stack such that the orientation of the plates changes one after the other.

Abstract: A slot motor is for an electrical switching apparatus. The slot motor includes: a support apparatus including a support element having a first leg and a second leg located opposite the first leg, the first leg having a first inner surface, the second leg having a second inner surface facing the first inner surface; a plurality of permanent magnets including a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet, the first permanent magnet being located on the first leg, the second permanent magnet being located on the second leg; and a number of U-shaped plates coupled to the support element. The first inner surface and the second inner surface are located between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet.

Abstract: An arc chamber assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a stationary contact and a movable contact structured to move into and out of engagement with the stationary contact in order to close and open the electrical switching apparatus, respectively. The arc chamber assembly comprises a plurality of splitter plates; a current loop member coupled to the plurality of splitter plates and being structured to extend from the stationary contact; an element coupled to the current loop member; and a number of permanent magnets each coupled to the element. The current loop member and the number of permanent magnets are structured to draw an electrical arc into the plurality of splitter plates.

Abstract: A slot motor is for an electrical switching apparatus. The slot motor includes: a support apparatus including a support element having a first leg and a second leg located opposite the first leg, the first leg having a first inner surface, the second leg having a second inner surface facing the first inner surface; a plurality of permanent magnets including a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet, the first permanent magnet being located on the first leg, the second permanent magnet being located on the second leg; and a number of U-shaped plates coupled to the support element. The first inner surface and the second inner surface are located between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a number of sensors structured to detect an arc flash from an uncontrolled arcing fault, and a trigger circuit, responsive to the detected arc flash, structured to trigger a triggering mechanism and cause a breakdown of a number of gaps within a low voltage arc flash switch.

Abstract: A low voltage arc flash switch includes a sealed housing and gas insulation within the sealed housing. A plurality of conductors include a number of gaps therebetween within the sealed housing. A triggering mechanism is structured to cause a breakdown of the number of gaps.

Abstract: A method for producing plate arrangements and using these for cooling gaseous blow-off in electric installation devices, produces a plate stack, which is formed in a cuboidal shape, with a stack length and a stack width. The plate stack is made of shaped rectangular sheets which are produced using a shaping process and are sheet-metal strips of a uniform thickness. First shaped sheets with a uniform length which corresponds to the stack length and second shaped sheets with a width which corresponds maximally to the stack width are used. The shaped sheets are stacked one on top of the other after being shaped such that multiple continuous cavities, i.e., slots, are formed in the longitudinal direction of the stack parallel to the uniform length, and the shaped sheets are connected to one another in a captive mariner so as to form a self-supporting structure of a plate stack.

Abstract: A plate stack in a cooling device for hot gases generated in electric, installation devices, preferably in low-voltage power switches. The plate stack is arranged in the flow path of the hot switching gases into a window, the plate stack having identical plates made of a material with a high heat conductivity. Each of the plates is provided with spacer elements which correspond to the spacing of the plates, and the plates are arranged in the stack such that the orientation of the plates changes one after the other.

Abstract: A cooling device for hot gases occurring during and after a switching process in electrical installation equipment, preferably in low-voltage circuit breakers, includes a window, with narrow passage openings, arranged in the flow path of the hot switching gases, wherein the window is made from a material with high thermal conductivity and high heat capacity. The passage openings in the window are planar in shape and are arranged parallel to the flow direction of the switching gases such that no deflection of the switching gases takes place.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a number of sensors structured to detect an arc flash from an uncontrolled arcing fault, and a trigger circuit, responsive to the detected arc flash, structured to trigger a triggering mechanism and cause a breakdown of a number of gaps within a low voltage arc flash switch.