Abstract: A switchgear includes a power supply built into a common housing, and at least two drives. The power supply can be fed by an external supply voltage and an external consumer can be connected to the two drives. In at least one embodiment, the switchgear includes, in the same housing, a built-in overload detection for the two drives and/or a built-in circuit breaker function for the two drives, and/or a built-in control circuit for the common control of the two drives. The switchgear can optionally be completed by a transformer providing an additional function of the targeted charging of a buffer capacitor and/or by an energy accumulator providing an additional function of the targeted discharge thereof by temporarily switching on a connected consumer.

Abstract: In order to determine contact erosion of an electromagnetic switching device, a mechanical parameter is measured which characterizes the time course of the relative movement between the contacts, said movement being caused by an actuator. The point in time when the contacts close is determined by evaluating the time course of the relative movement, and the distance traveled by the contact/s until said point in time or the distance traveled by the actuator from said point in time until reaching the final position thereof is detected at least indirectly and is compared to a stored reference value.

Abstract: A method for operating a switching device and a device for use with the method are provided. In at least one embodiment, an energy storage medium provided for EMC considerations, in particular a capacitor, is energized in a controlled fashion through short-term activation of a switching element even after the respective connected user is turned off, the energy storage medium being thereby discharged.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for the secure operation of a switching device including at least one main contact which can be switched on and off and which includes contact pieces and a displaceable contact bridge, and at least one control magnet which includes a displaceable anchor. The anchor and the contact bridge are actively connected to each other such that the corresponding main contact can be opened or closed when switched on and off. In at least one embodiment, the method includes the following: a) the path difference, which returns the anchor after switching on and off, is recognised, b) devices which are used to open welded main contacts are released by a release device when the recognised path difference exceeds a predetermined value and a specific time duration of time has run out after switching off.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electromagnetic switching device including a number of fixed contact pieces, a solenoid-operated mechanism, a contact support which can be moved counter to restoring devices in at least one embodiment, with the aid of the solenoid-operated mechanism and on which a number of movable contact pieces are arranged, and an off stop for the contact support. A sensor is provided, in at least one embodiment, for detecting the position of the contact support while a control unit is provided which is connected to the sensor and regulates and/or controls the solenoid-operated mechanism during a switch-off process in order to decelerate the contact support before the same hits the off stop. Also disclosed is a method for operating such a switching device. The contact support, in at least one embodiment, transmits only a small momentum to the off stop, thus reducing the load applied to the involved parts. Such a switching device therefore has a longer service life than conventional switching devices.

Abstract: A switchgear includes a power supply built into a common housing, and at least two drives. The power supply can be fed by an external supply voltage and an external consumer can be connected to the two drives. In at least one embodiment, the switchgear includes, in the same housing, a built-in overload detection for the two drives and/or a built-in circuit breaker function for the two drives, and/or a built-in control circuit for the common control of the two drives. The switchgear can optionally be completed by a transformer providing an additional function of the targeted charging of a buffer capacitor and/or by an energy accumulator providing an additional function of the targeted discharge thereof by temporarily switching on a connected consumer.

Abstract: A method and a device for the secure operation of a switching device are disclosed, including at least one main contact which can be switched on and off and which includes contact pieces and a displaceable contact bridge, and also at least one control magnet which includes a displaceable anchor. The anchor acts upon the contact bridge when it is switched on or off such that the corresponding main contact is opened and closed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes: a) the displaceable contact bridge of the at least one main contact recognizes when an opening point has been exceeded after being switched off, and b) the additional operation of the switching device is interrupted, according to a predetermined duration of time, when the opening point is not exceeded.

Abstract: A method for operating a switching device and a device for use with the method are provided. In at least one embodiment, an energy storage medium provided for EMC considerations, in particular a capacitor, is energized in a controlled fashion through short-term activation of a switching element even after the respective connected user is turned off, the energy storage medium being thereby discharged.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for the secure operation of a switching device including at least two main contacts which can be switched on and off and which includes respectively, contact pieces and a displaceable contact bridge, and at least one control magnet which includes a displaceable anchor. The anchor acts upon the contact bridge when it is switched on and off such that the corresponding main contact is opened or closed. At least one embodiment of the inventive method includes the following steps: a) release device for a force element remains in a first state in order to interrupt the main contact as long as the main contacts are closed when switched on and open when switched off, and b) the release device are transferred into a second state if at least the main contact is welded after switching off.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for safely operating a switching device with at least one main contact, which can be switched on or off, and which has contact elements and a moving contact bridge, and with at least one control magnet, which has a moving armature. During switching on and off, the armature acts upon the contact bridge whereby closing and opening the corresponding main contact. At least one embodiment of the method includes the following: a) identifying whether the moving contact bridge of the at least one main contact has surpassed an opening point after the switching off; and b) interrupting the further operation of the switching device when the opening point has not been surpassed after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: In one example embodiment of the present application, the switching device includes a first switching point for normal switching of at least one current path, and includes a second switching path for disconnection of a short-circuit current. The first and second switching points are connected in series, and are accommodated in a common enclosure. Electrical connections and, if required, a control connection for inputting a switching command, are provided in or on the enclosure for connection of the current paths. The first switching point is designed for a maximum continuous current. The second switching point is designed to disconnect a short-circuit current which is a multiple of the maximum continuous current. The first switching point includes at least one main contact which can withstand a short-circuit at least for the time by means of a contact holding system or a contact locking system.

Abstract: In order to determine contact erosion of an electromagnetic switching device, a mechanical parameter is measured which characterizes the time course of the relative movement between the contacts, said movement being caused by an actuator. The point in time when the contacts close is determined by evaluating the time course of the relative movement, and the distance traveled by the contacts until said point in time or the distance traveled by the actuator from said point in time until reaching the final position thereof is detected at least indirectly and is compared to a stored reference value.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electromagnetic switching device including a number of fixed contact pieces, a solenoid-operated mechanism, a contact support which can be moved counter to restoring devices in at least one embodiment, with the aid of the solenoid-operated mechanism and on which a number of movable contact pieces are arranged, and an off stop for the contact support. A sensor is provided, in at least one embodiment, for detecting the position of the contact support while a control unit is provided which is connected to the sensor and regulates and/or controls the solenoid-operated mechanism during a switch-off process in order to decelerate the contact support before the same hits the off stop. Also disclosed is a method for operating such a switching device. The contact support, in at least one embodiment, transmits only a small momentum to the off stop, thus reducing the load applied to the involved parts. Such a switching device therefore has a longer service life than conventional switching devices.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for the secure operation of a switching device including at least two main contacts which can be switched on and off and which includes respectively, contact pieces and a displaceable contact bridge, and at least one control magnet which includes a displaceable anchor. The anchor acts upon the contact bridge when it is switched on and off such that the corresponding main contact is opened or closed. At least one embodiment of the inventive method includes the following steps: a) release device for a force element remains in a first state in order to interrupt the main contact as long as the main contacts are closed when switched on and open when switched off, and b) the release device are transferred into a second state if at least the main contact is welded after switching off.

Abstract: A method and a device for the secure operation of a switching device are disclosed, including at least one main contact which can be switched on and off and which includes contact pieces and a displaceable contact bridge, and also at least one control magnet which includes a displaceable anchor. The anchor acts upon the contact bridge when it is switched on or off such that the corresponding main contact is opened and closed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes: a) the displaceable contact bridge of the at least one main contact recognises when an opening point has been exceeded after being switched off, and b) the additional operation of the switching device is interrupted, according to a predetermined duration of time, when the opening point is not exceeded.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for safely operating a switching device with at least one main contact, which can be switched on or off, and which has contact elements and a moving contact bridge, and with at least one control magnet, which has a moving armature. During switching on and off, the armature acts upon the contact bridge whereby closing and opening the corresponding main contact. At least one embodiment of the method includes the following: a) identifying whether the moving contact bridge of the at least one main contact has surpassed an opening point after the switching off; and b) interrupting the further operation of the switching device when the opening point has not been surpassed after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A method for producing a solenoid with a center limb and two outer pole shanks that have one pole surface each and one back resting so that it faces away from it. The back is first at least partially freely formed. The solenoid is then elastically tensioned towards the back by a tensioning device. In the tensioned state, the pole surfaces are ground so that the solenoid, when withdrawn from the tensioning device, has a convex support surface constituted by the pole surfaces.

Abstract: Switching contacts of a switching device are provided to ensure optimum service life. An optimum switching point, in terms of the load of one of the switching contacts, is determined depending on a current path that is measured during the switching process and the switching point is shifted by a delay time from switching operation to switching operation. The optimal switching point is preferably determined by self-calibration of the switching device.

Abstract: A method for producing a solenoid with a center limb and two outer pole shanks that have one pole surface each and one back resting so that it faces away from it. The back is first at least partially freely formed. The solenoid is then elastically tensioned towards the back by a tensioning device. In the tensioned state, the pole surfaces are ground so that the solenoid, when withdrawn from the tensioning device, has a convex support surface constituted by the pole surfaces.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device is monitored at least for the correct connection of an input contact and of an output contact by a contact bridge. For this purpose, a monitoring circuit is coupled to the contacts before the contact bridge is moved into a connection position when a connection command is given, and an indicator of the correct connection of the contacts is determined by evaluation of a contact voltage dropped across the contacts and supplied to the monitoring circuit.