Abstract: A high voltage DC circuit breaker includes a semiconductor switching assembly in series with a mechanical switch. When the semiconductor switching assembly is switched off due to a current fault, a residual current flowing through arresters of the semiconductor switching assembly is switched off by the mechanical switch. A capacitor arranged parallel to the mechanical switch leads to passive resonance effects, which in turn induce current zero crossings in its arc. The current zero crossings allow for reliable extinguishing of the arc. The mechanical switch can be an AC circuit breaker.

Abstract: A simplified construction of a gas-insulated high-power circuit breaker with a saving of components is achieved by at least one hole and at least one leaf spring, which is fastened on one side and is elastically bendable in dependence upon the pressure of the insulating gas in the compression volume, being formed in a valve plate of the valve. The bendable spring closes off the hole when the circuit breaker closes and opens it when the circuit breaker opens as soon as the pressure of the compressed insulating gas in the compression volume exceeds the value of the gas pressure in the low-pressure chamber by at least two bar.

Abstract: A simplified construction of a gas-insulated high-power circuit breaker with a saving of components is achieved by at least one hole and at least one leaf spring, which is fastened on one side and is elastically bendable in dependence upon the pressure of the insulating gas in the compression volume, being formed in a valve plate of the valve. The bendable spring closes off the hole when the circuit breaker closes and opens it when the circuit breaker opens as soon as the pressure of the compressed insulating gas in the compression volume exceeds the value of the gas pressure in the low-pressure chamber by at least two bar.

Abstract: A high voltage DC circuit breaker includes a semiconductor switching assembly in series with a mechanical switch. When the semiconductor switching assembly is switched off due to a current fault, a residual current flowing through arresters of the semiconductor switching assembly is switched off by the mechanical switch. A capacitor arranged parallel to the mechanical switch leads to passive resonance effects, which in turn induce current zero crossings in its arc. The current zero crossings allow for reliable extinguishing of the arc. The mechanical switch can be an AC circuit breaker.

Abstract: A self-blowout circuit breaker is disclosed which includes contacts for connecting or disconnecting a circuit, a heating volume, a compression volume and an exhaust volume. The compression volume can be connected to the heating volume by at least one first valve, which heating volume is in turn connected to an arc zone. Upon the disconnection of the circuit, while a first arcing contact is being disconnected from an associated second arcing contact, an arc is produced between the two arcing contacts in the arc zone. The compression volume is separated from the exhaust volume by a combined filling and overpressure valve which is formed as at least one plate, and has at least one tab which is formed in the plate.

Abstract: The high-voltage switch exhibits a compression space of small dimensions, in which, on interruption of a current, insulating gas exhibiting quenching characteristics is compressed mechanically to form quenching gas with the aid of an operating mechanism of the switch. When a small current is interrupted, a sufficient quantity of quenching gas can thus be provided with little mechanical operating force. When a large current is interrupted, quenching gas communicates from the compression space into an expansion volume above a response pressure, keeping the operating force low, of a pressure relief valve. A large quantity of quenching gas is then available for successfully interrupting a large current whilst the operating force is kept low.

Abstract: A self-blowout circuit breaker is disclosed which includes contacts for connecting or disconnecting a circuit, a heating volume, a compression volume and an exhaust volume. The compression volume can be connected to the heating volume by at least one first valve, which heating volume is in turn connected to an arc zone. Upon the disconnection of the circuit, while a first arcing contact is being disconnected from an associated second arcing contact, an arc is produced between the two arcing contacts in the arc zone. The compression volume is separated from the exhaust volume by a combined filling and overpressure valve which is formed as at least one plate, and has at least one tab which is formed in the plate.