Abstract: In a three-phase switchgear apparatus having two adjacent poles per phase, the inner pole of each side phase is equipped with a magnetic compensation circuit designed to optimize the current distribution between the two poles and of each side phase in balanced three-phase operation. This arrangement enables the currents flowing in the two poles of either of the side phases to be balanced, by specifically reducing the current intensity and temperature in the inner pole of the side phases.

Abstract: An electrical switchgear apparatus comprises a fixed frame, a circuit breaker movable in the fixed frame between a plugged-out position and a plugged-in position, a reversible plug-in and plug-out mechanism of the circuit breaker, a movable means for detecting an indexed position of the mechanism or of the circuit breaker, linked to a first electrical switch, and a movable means for detecting an indexed position (open or closed) of the main contact means of the circuit breaker linked to a second electrical switch. Each of the two switches comprises an input, a first output and a switching means able to take a first position in which it connects the input of the switch electrically to the first output of the switch, the switching means being kinematically linked to the corresponding detecting means, in such a way that the switching means is in its first position if and only if the corresponding detecting means is in its active position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plug-in circuit breaker and has the object of preventing no-load discharges of the closing mechanism when extraction of the circuit breaker is performed. The drive mechanism of the circuit breaker loading and closing mechanism comprises a trip mechanism which is able to move from a closed state wherein actuation of an oscillating lever is designed to move the closing spring to its loaded state, to a tripped state wherein actuation of the oscillating lever is designed to prevent movement of the closing spring to its loaded state. This trip mechanism causes either disengagement of the oscillating lever or neutralization of a free-wheel coupling of the drive mechanism. The circuit breaker is moreover equipped with opening and closing controls causing an opening, closing, opening cycle when extraction is performed.

Abstract: An electrical switchgear apparatus comprises a plug-in circuit breaker movable in a fixed frame by means of a drive mechanism. A movable element, secured to the circuit breaker or to the drive mechanism, takes indexed positions characteristic of the plugged-out, test or plugged-in state of the apparatus. The apparatus is provided with at least two indicating switches. Indexing means enable each of the switches to be connected to the movable element in such a way that the first switch switches when the movable element reaches a first indexing position and that the second switch switches when the movable element reaches a second indexing position. The same indexing means, placed in a second state, also enable each of the switches to be connected to the movable element in such a way that the first switch switches when the movable element reaches the second indexing position and that the second switch switches when the movable element reaches the first indexing position.

Abstract: A switchgear apparatus having at least one movable contact biased in an open position by an opening spring, a loading mechanism of a closing spring and a kinematic opening and closing system linking the closing spring, the movable contact and the opening spring. The system is controlled by an opening latch and a closing latch. A closing order can be validly transmitted only to the closing latch when the apparatus is in a "ready to close" state, i.e. open, loaded and without a permanent opening order. The switchgear apparatus has an indicator with three positions: a "not loaded" position, a "ready to close" position, and a third "loaded and not ready to close" or "loaded disengaged" position. The indicator is kinematically linked to the loading mechanism, the opening latch, and the movable contact.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical fixing terminal for an electrical switchgear apparatus being disconnected by an axial withdrawal motion. In particular, an extractable circuit breaker, comprising a protruding part extending parallel to an axis of withdrawal and, defined by its external surface on the side where its free end is located a contact surface designed to cooperate with fixing jaws of a plug-in contact whose plug-in jaws are designed to cooperate by plug-in with an electrical plug-in terminal. The contact surface follows the outline of a cylinder sector of axis perpendicular to the axis of the protruding part, of opening angle greater than 180.degree. and is designed to form a pivot for rotation of the plug-in contact around the axis of the cylinder. An application is plug-in multipole circuit breakers.

Abstract: A rotary switch includes a housing (14) with a pair of fixed select terminals (44a, 44b) and a fixed common terminal (44c). A rotor (28) that can pivot about an axis (A1), carries a connector (48) with a contact pad (60) for engaging one of the select contacts at a time and a common contact (58) for engaging the common terminal on the housing. The common terminal on the housing is in the form of a track extending in an arc centered on the rotor axis to enable the common contact to remain in continuous engagement with the common terminal as the rotor turns. The common contact on the rotor forms a pair of tabs (62) that slideably engage opposite sides of the track. The connector on the rotor can shift radially to the axis, and is biased by a spring (64) to urge the contact pad toward a select terminal. A cam arrangement shifts the contact pad radially away from a select terminal as the rotor begins to turn from a center position, to minimize the duration of electric arcs.

Abstract: The circuit breaker pole or poles comprise a movable contact means with a support carrier movable with respect to the frame between an open position and a closed position and one or more contact fingers movable with respect to the support carrier between a contact position and a retracted position. Electromagnetic compensation means are designed to apply electromagnetic forces on the contact finger or fingers tending to keep the contact finger or fingers in contact with the stationary contact means. Electromagnetic limiting means are designed to apply electromagnetic forces on the contact finger or fingers tending to drive the finger or fingers to their retracted position.

Abstract: A mechanism for a multipole circuit breaker with high currents and high electrodynamic strength, comprising a toggle device associated to a trip hook and a switching bar, an opening ratchet cooperating with the hook to perform loading and tripping of the mechanism respectively in the locked or unlocked position of the ratchet. The opening ratchet comprises a disengageable actuator causing self-unlocking of the catch in the presence of a short-circuit current exceeding a calibration threshold defined by a flexible element, said self-unlocking being commanded from a mechanical reaction generated by the electrodynamic compensation effect and causing an ultra-fast rotation of the catch to unlock the opening ratchet before the tripping component operates.