Abstract: A vacuum switch incorporating two contact elements arranged in an evacuated housing, the contact elements being in contact with one another in the closed condition of the switch and being separable from one another for cutting-off the current. As to the two contact elements at least one is movable in one direction. At least the movable contact element is secured to a support element which is movably guided in the direction of movement of such contact element and possesses a current terminal separate from the support element.

Abstract: An arc electrode, especially for a contact arrangement in a vacuum switch, comprising electrode plates serving to take-up the arc base points and secured to a contact element. Neighboring electrode plates are arranged in spaced relationship from one another. The electrode plates are provided at least at one of their surfaces with impressed or embossed recesses.

Abstract: A contact arrangement for an electrical switch, especially a vacuum switch, comprising two contact components movable in one direction relative to one another, each contact component possessing two electrically parallelly connected contact elements, and in the closed condition of the switch each such contact element is in contact with the associated contact element of the other contact component. Further, for the common movement of the contact elements of the movable contact component such contact elements are mechanically coupled with one another.

Abstract: An arc electrode, especially for a contact arrangement in a vacuum switch, comprising an essentially hollow cylindrical contact component and electrode elements fixedly connected with the essentially hollow cylindrical contact component and extending into the interior of such contact component, said electrode elements serving for taking-up the base points of the arc. The electrode elements are arranged to extend over the entire axial length of the contact component.

Abstract: A vacuum switch having a housing within which there are arranged axially oriented switching elements and fixedly mounted sheet metal or plate electrodes, wherein between the axially aligned sheet metal members thereof there are left free gaps or spaces and the confronting electrode end surfaces or faces of which serve to take-up the base points of the arc. According to the invention, within the switch housing there are arranged a number of sheet metal electrodes in the form of a column with oppositely situated electrode end surfaces and the sheet metal electrodes form compartments within the switch housing which are separated from one another by metallic chip or shaving layers present in the individual sheet metal electrodes, and the separation gap of the switching elements extends through the compartments past the height of the electrode column.

Abstract: An arcing electrode in accordance with the invention has a number of plates separated by gaps. The plates are shaped with if necessary, additional plates into a receptacle for metal droplets produced by the arc.