Abstract: In order to take maximum advantage of the modularity provided by a multipole circuit breaker (100) with double enclosure, a new architecture is proposed. A part of the outer case (48) of the switchgear apparatus is formed directly when assembly of the breaking device (600) is performed by juxtaposition and securing between single-pole breaking units (10), spacers (46) and side walls (50). It is thus possible to use the spacers (46) for various functionalities, and in particular to modify the external aspect of the switchgear apparatus (100) or the nature of the trip device in delayed manner.

Abstract: A device for measuring the wear of the contacts of a switchgear device is described. The switchgear device is of the open circuit breaker type with offset pole-shaft, and the movable contact is mounted on a sliding support. Measurement of the wear of the contacts is based on evaluation of the over-travel of the movable contact in the closed position when the latter slides in its support. This over-travel is determined by measuring the residual rotation of the pole-shaft, preferably by a contact-less magnetic rotation sensor.

Abstract: A breaking unit comprising a contact bridge, at least one stationary contact operating in conjunction with said contact bridge and a rotary bar having a transverse hole accommodating said bridge which is salient on each side of the bar, said bar being fitted between two side panels of the breaking unit. Said contact bridge comprises two sealing flanges respectively placed between the radial surfaces of the rotary bar and the side panels. At least one arc extinguishing chamber opens onto an opening volume of the contact bridge. The rotary bar comprises at least one channel connected to the transverse accommodating hole.

Abstract: Switchgear device having at least one single-pole breaking unit, said unit comprising a movable contact bridge, a pair of stationary contacts operating in conjunction with said movable contact bridge and respectively connected to a current input conductor, and two arc extinguishing chambers respectively opening onto an opening volume of the contact bridge, and comprising a stack of at least two deionizing fins separated from one another by a gas exchange space. Each extinguishing chamber is connected to at least one quenching gas exhaust channel, said exhaust channels opening onto a line-side panel of the case of the breaking unit, said line-side panel being positioned opposite another load-side panel designed to be placed in contact with trip means.

Abstract: In order to take maximum advantage of the modularity provided by a multipole circuit breaker with double enclosure (100), a new architecture is proposed. The outer case (48) of the switchgear apparatus (100) is formed directly when assembly of the breaking device (600) is performed by juxtaposition and securing between single-pole breaking units (10), spacers (46) and side walls (50), trip device (7) and cover (64). The spacers (46) can thus be used for various functionalities, and in particular to modify the external aspect of the switchgear apparatus (100) or the nature of the trip device (7) in delayed manner.

Abstract: In order to take maximum advantage of the modularity provided by a multipole circuit breaker (100) with double enclosure, a new architecture is proposed. A part of the outer case (48) of the switchgear apparatus is formed directly when assembly of the breaking device (600) is performed by juxtaposition and securing between single-pole breaking units (10), spacers (46) and side walls (50). It is thus possible to use the spacers (46) for various functionalities, and in particular to modify the external aspect of the switchgear apparatus (100) or the nature of the trip device in delayed manner.

Abstract: A closing system for an arc extinguishing chamber of a circuit breaker with high breaking capacity has been developed. The system according to the invention comprises a first duct equipped with a set of filters able to support usual pressures caused by the gases arising from the switching arc, in particular about 10 to 12 bars, and a second duct closed by a valve device enabling direct outlet of the exhaust gases when the pressure exceeds a threshold so as to prevent any explosion of the case. The outer wall of the extinguishing chamber is designed for the circuit breaker housing so as, including in case of opening of the valve device, to direct the gases and to prevent any arc-over on the frame. The valve device comprises a suitable membrane made from polymer, in particular aramide.

Abstract: A device for measuring the wear of the contacts of a switchgear device is described. The switchgear device is of the open circuit breaker type with offset pole-shaft, and the movable contact is mounted on a sliding support. Measurement of the wear of the contacts is based on evaluation of the over-travel of the movable contact in the closed position when the latter slides in its support. This over-travel is determined by measuring the residual rotation of the pole-shaft, preferably by a contact-less magnetic rotation sensor.

Abstract: Contact pad designed to be fixed on a movable contact of a low-voltage circuit breaker designed to withstand peak short-circuit currents comprised between 200 and 600 amperes per square millimeter of pad. The pad is made of a silver- or copper-based conducting material alloy, a fraction of refractory particles such as tungsten carbide, tungsten or titanium nitride and a fraction of carbon fibers. The weight percentage of carbon fibers in the pad is strictly less than 2% of the total weight of the pad.

Abstract: Electric switchgear device comprising at least one electric pole-unit comprising a stationary contact part made of conducting material, a movable contact part and an arc chute. The arc chute comprises two side parallel flanges, a rear wall, and a bottom arcing horn made of conducting material, electrically connected to the stationary contact part. Said bottom arcing horn is surrounded by a periphery made of gas-generating material. The arc chute comprises a stack of separators at least two of which separators comprise a notch. The arc chute comprises at least one regenerating separator placed parallel to the bottom arcing horn, said at least one separator comprising at least one metallic surface covering at least half of the notches in the longitudinal mid-plane.

Abstract: Electric switchgear device comprising at least one electric pole-unit comprising a stationary contact part made of conducting material, a movable contact part and an arc chute. The arc chute comprises two side parallel flanges, a rear wall, and a bottom arcing horn made of conducting material, electrically connected to the stationary contact part. Said bottom arcing horn is surrounded by a periphery made of gas-generating material. The arc chute comprises a stack of separators at least two of which separators comprise a notch. The arc chute comprises at least one regenerating separator placed parallel to the bottom arcing horn, said at least one separator comprising at least one metallic surface covering at least half of the notches in the longitudinal mid-plane.

Abstract: Contact pad designed to be fixed on a movable contact of a low-voltage circuit breaker designed to withstand peak short-circuit currents comprised between 200 and 600 amperes per square millimetre of pad. The pad is made of a silver- or copper-based conducting material alloy, a fraction of refractory particles such as tungsten carbide, tungsten or titanium nitride and a fraction of carbon fibres. The weight percentage of carbon fibres in the pad is strictly less than 2% of the total weight of the pad.

Abstract: A device for protection against voltage surges comprises a stationary electrode and a movable electrode arranged facing an arc extinguishing chamber. The movable electrode is driven by a mechanisms, by an electromechanical actuator and/or by an electromagnetic circuit. At rest, the movable electrode is situated at a distance from the stationary electrode. When a voltage surge occurs between the electrodes, an arc arises and extends in the chamber in which it is extinguished. If the arc continues, in particular in the case of a follow current of high energy, the movable electrode is driven to a disconnected position moving away from the stationary electrode, which has the effect of lengthening the arc even more in the chamber to facilitate its extinction and perform disconnection of the circuit. A pair of contacts may be associated in series to the electrodes, one of the contacts being stationary and the other being fixedly secured to the movable electrode. A spark gap can also be associated to the electrodes.

Abstract: A device for protection against voltage surges comprises a stationary electrode and a movable electrode arranged facing an arc extinguishing chamber. The movable electrode is driven by a mechanisms, by an electromechanical actuator and/or by an electromagnetic circuit. At rest, the movable electrode is situated at a distance from the stationary electrode. When a voltage surge occurs between the electrodes, an arc arises and extends in the chamber in which it is extinguished. If the arc continues, in particular in the case of a follow current of high energy, the movable electrode is driven to a disconnected position moving away from the stationary electrode, which has the effect of lengthening the arc even more in the chamber to facilitate its extinction and perform disconnection of the circuit. A pair of contacts may be associated in series to the electrodes, one of the contacts being stationary and the other being fixedly secured to the movable electrode. A spark gap can also be associated to the electrodes.

Abstract: A pole of a low-voltage limiting electrical power circuit breaker comprises a stationary contact defining a contact area, at least one movable contact finger and an arc extinguishing chamber. The finger is pivotally mounted on a movable support, itself linked to an opening mechanism. A spring biases the finger to a contact position. The lateral branches of a U-shaped magnetic circuit bound the contacts on each side, with interposed insulating side walls which form a passage between the contact area and the arc extinguishing chamber. This passage forms a constriction at the inlet of the chamber. The pole comprises in addition a receiving surface of an electric arc root, situated between the contact area and the constriction and electrically connected to the contact area and which is extended towards the inside of the chamber by a narrower part.

Abstract: An electrical circuit breaker pole comprises a stationary contact means, a movable contact means, and an arc extinguishing chamber comprising two side flanges, separators, a front opening situated near to the contact zone of the stationary contact means, a lower arcing horn, an upper arcing horn and a pair of lateral dielectric shields laterally limiting the front opening of the chamber. Each lateral dielectric shield is arranged in such a way as to be interposed laterally between the separators and the movable contact means in the open position. The pair of lateral dielectric shields is arranged in such a way that the width of the opening of the chamber is appreciably smaller near to the upper arcing horn than pear to the lower arcing horn.

Abstract: A pole of a low-voltage limiting electrical power circuit breaker comprises a stationary contact defining a contact area, at least one movable contact finger and an arc extinguishing chamber. The finger is pivotally mounted on a movable support, itself linked to an opening mechanism. A spring biases the finger to a contact position. The lateral branches of a U-shaped magnetic circuit bound the contacts on each side, with interposed insulating side walls which form a passage between the contact area and the arc extinguishing chamber. This passage forms a constriction at the inlet of the chamber. The pole comprises in addition a receiving surface of an electric arc root, situated between the contact area and the constriction and electrically connected to the contact area and which is extended towards the inside of the chamber by a narrower part.

Abstract: An electrical circuit breaker pole comprises an arc extinguishing chamber with two side flanges, a rear wall, separators, a front opening, a lower arcing horn electrically connected to the stationary contact and an upper arcing horn. The rear part of the lower arcing horn is of large width. It is bordered by a periphery made of gas-generating material interposed between the edge of the rear part and the side flanges. This arrangement fosters breaking of arcs of weak intensity, in high voltage.

Abstract: An electrical circuit breaker pole comprises a stationary contact means, a movable contact means, and an arc extinguishing chamber comprising two side flanges, separators, a front opening situated near to the contact zone of the stationary contact means, a lower arcing horn, an upper arcing horn and a pair of lateral dielectric shields laterally limiting the front opening of the chamber. Each lateral dielectric shield is arranged in such a way as to be interposed laterally between the separators and the movable contact means in the open position. The pair of lateral dielectric shields is arranged in such a way that the width of the opening of the chamber is appreciably smaller near to the upper arcing horn than near to the lower arcing horn.

Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a plurality of pole compartments juxtaposed inside an insulating case, in each of which compartments there are arranged an arc extinguishing chamber and at least one pair of separable contact parts comprising at least one movable contact part, at least two of said pole compartments being contiguous and separated from one another by a partition. The separating partition of the twinned poles comprises a communicating aperture of dimensions and location such that it is able to appreciably influence the distribution of the arcing energy between the two compartments when the latter are connected in parallel. A circuit breaker with a high breaking capacity is thus obtained from a standard multipole circuit breaker of lower breaking capacity.