Abstract: The invention provides a device for controlling an electromagnet having a coil (L) connected to a monoarch periodic current supply source, through a controllable switch (TH). This switch (TH) is controlled by a control circuit comprising a member for detecting the zero cross-over times of the voltage of the source (R.sub.3, D.sub.4, IN.sub.1, R.sub.4, C.sub.3) and a switching device (FC) controlled by said detection member for delivering a closure signal to the switch (TH) following detection of a zero cross-over time which follows the order for controlling energization of the coil (L). The invention applies particularly to contactors and electromagnetic valves.

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 and apparatus are provided for the protected supply of a load using static and electromechanical switches. A switch apparatus having current limiting properties is opened by remote control means after a very short delay, following disabling of a static switch system placed in series therewith and connected in parallel across a voltage limiting component.

Abstract: An electric protection apparatus is provided for protection against current faults of different intensities, including, in series in an internal circuit, a first switch with automatic opening, which is controlled by moderate current levels, and a second switch with automatic opening having short circuit current limiting properties; a zinc oxide voltage limiting component, which is placed in parallel across this latter, has a fairly low stabilization threshold so that diverted currents, flowing through it at the time of opening on a short circuit, extend as far as the resistive portion of the characteristic which follows the stabilization level portion.

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 bistable polarized electromagnet is provided having a mobile armature with a permanent magnet and pole pieces which cooperate with a fixed yoke through two pairs of air gaps for each of which one is variable whereas the other is substantially constant. This electromagnet may further have asymmetric or symmetric forms of revolution for easy replacement of the excitation coil.

Abstract: A static switch is provided for controlling the closing and opening of an AC electric circuit including an inductive load. This switch includes an inhibitable thyristor having an RCD network for protection against the voltage gradients on turn-off. The anode-cathode path of the inhibitable thyristor and its protection network are connected to the AC energy source through a full wave rectifier device, whereas a voltage clipping member is disposed at the terminals of the rectifying device.

Abstract: Each phase circuit comprises a static switch of the IGT or GTO type, between the anode and the cathode of which there is arranged in parallel a series mounting of a CTP resistance and of a normally open switch which is closed when a current detector detects a short abnormal intensity lower than six times the rated current; said static switch is locked either immediately when the rate is higher than six, or with a short delay on the contrary. Said device is particularly convenient to be used in industrial installations where it is desired to replace the associations of contactors, thermal relay and circuit breaker by static apparatuses.

Abstract: An electric switch protective apparatus is provided having a mobile contact which may be separated from a pseudo-fixed contact to which it is applied, either through the movement of coupling means of the mobile contact, or through the lateral movement made by a support of this pseudo-fixed contact under the action of connection means associated with a remote controlled electromagnet.

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: 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: 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 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: 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 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: 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.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a switching device which comprises a casing provided with an input terminal, an output terminal and, therebetween, an electric circuit including at least two separable contacts as well as a rotary screen presenting an interposable annular sector between the contacts and displaceable vis-a-vis a wall comprising an opening for the passage of at least one of the contacts. The wall delimits in the casing two volumes as well as a lamellar space enabling to provide for the rolling and cooling of the arc. The space communicates with a chamber which enables the gas expulsion with expansion to the chamber. The invention enables to obtain a simple and inexpensive way of reliably breaking the arc.

Abstract: An electric switching unit for preventing oxidation of copper-base contacts in contactors comprises a body (2), comprises an electromagnet (11) having a stationary yoke (7) and a moving armature (15) in cooperating relation with a plurality of switches (36). A protective casing (42) is fixed on the body so as to contain the switches. The contact-studs (30, 31, 32, 33) of the switches (36) essentially have a base of cuprous materials while a non-oxidizing atmosphere is confined and maintained beneath the protective casing (42) by seals (55, 23, 47). The seals are placed on the one hand between the moving armature (15) and a first face (21) of the body (2) and on the other hand between the casing (42) and a second face (41) of the body which is opposite to the first face.

Abstract: A fuse cartridge for example of the cylindrical type comprising an insulating cylindrical body ending in two conducting end pieces and a fuse element connected electrically to the end pieces, further comprising two pistons housed in the body which are movable in translation in opposite directions to each other and collect the gases released by the electric arc at the time of its appearance, so that the pressure of the gases exerts on each piston a force which causes it to move towards a position in which the arc is totally sheared.