Abstract: A component which is configured to switch an electrical signal, the component includes an insulating substrate bearing a semiconductor chip which ensures switching of the signal; a sole plate on which the substrate is secured, the sole plate being configured to discharge heat emitted during switching of the component; a conductive plane positioned between the sole plate and the insulating substrate, the conductive plane being insulated electrically against the sole plate; a specific component with impedance of at least 1 Ohm and/or at least 1 µH, by means of which the conductive plane is connected to a reference voltage.

Abstract: A Graëtz-bridge converter-rectifier in which at least one rectifier arm situated between a single AC terminal and a single DC terminal includes multiple unidirectional electronic components connected in parallel and connected on one side to the DC terminal by means of a conductive component set and on the other side to the AC terminal. The invention is characterized in that the component set for at least one rectifier arm includes a plurality of separate component busbars each having at least one end connected to the DC terminal, the unidirectional components being divided between the component busbars into as many component sets connected in parallel as there are component busbars.

Abstract: A Graëtz-bridge converter-rectifier in which at least one rectifier arm situated between a single AC terminal and a single DC terminal includes multiple unidirectional electronic components connected in parallel and connected on one side to the DC terminal by means of a conductive component set and on the other side to the AC terminal. The invention is characterized in that the component set for at least one rectifier arm includes a plurality of separate component busbars each having at least one end connected to the DC terminal, the unidirectional components being divided between the component busbars into as many component sets connected in parallel as there are component busbars.

Abstract: The device includes two breaking areas formed at each side of a contact bridge carrying main contacts that can be separated from fixed contacts located in the breaking areas and fixed to main conductors. The main conductors each have shaped extensions in the break areas that are configured to cooperate with shaped extensions associated with arc collection parts positioned nearby. The shaping of the extensions and the spacing therebetween encourage a particular direction of arc migration relative to arcs created when the moveable contacts carried by the contact bridge are separated from the fixed contacts. Further, arc migration control is provided in the form of magnetic fields provided in each breaking area. Each arc collection part is connected through a shunt conductor and a single direction of current flow establishing component to make a direct electrical connection to the main conductor associated with the other area.

Abstract: An electrical switch device with separable contacts is provided with a shunt conductor adapted to receive one end of the arc that is struck when the contacts separate after it has jumped a dielectric gap. The shunt conductor determines an interim arc current path in which is a current limiter device.

Abstract: An electromechanical switch of the contactor or circuit-breaker type with adjacent contacts, which are provided on respective mobile and fixed contact parts. This arrangement defines a narrow ionization slot which is maintained at the start of contact opening in order to cause a secondary arc to fire substantially perpendicular to the contact opening direction constituting a shunting arc to eliminate the time duration of the contacts and switch legs.