Abstract: A movable contact arm set for a switching contactor includes first and second movable contact arms which respectively carry first and second movable contacts. The first and second movable contact arms respectively include first and second engagement surfaces which are engagable with an actuation to permit displacement of the first and second movable contacts. The first and second engagement surfaces are asymmetric to one another to permit asynchronous displacement of the first and second movable contacts. A switching contactor, movable contact arm for use with a movable contact arm set, and a method of providing a lead-lag contact opening arrangement for a switching contactor are also provided.

Abstract: An electrical contact switch for use in an electrical contactor, which comprises first and second electrical terminals, an electrically-conductive busbar in electrical communication with the first electrical terminal, and at least one fixed electrical contact which is attached to the electrically-conductive busbar. The switch also has an electrically-conductive moveable arm in electrical communication with the second electrical terminal, with at least one moveable electrical contact which is attached to the electrically-conductive moveable arm to form an electrical contact set with the fixed electrical contact. A fixed ferromagnetic element is positioned at or adjacent to a side of the electrically-conductive moveable arm proximate the second electrical terminal, and a moveable ferromagnetic element is provided in physical communication with a side of the electrically-conductive moveable arm which is opposite to the fixed ferromagnetic element.

Abstract: A plunger includes an elongate plunger body which is at least in part cylindrical and a plunger head at one end of the plunger body. The plunger body has a magnet-interface body portion which has a non-cylindrical cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the plunger body. A magnetic latching solenoid actuator using such a plunger is also provided, as is a method of improving the performance of a magnetic latching solenoid actuator.

Abstract: A movable contact arm set for a switching contactor includes first and second movable contact arms which respectively carry first and second movable contacts. The first and second movable contact arms respectively include first and second engagement surfaces which are engagable with an actuation to permit displacement of the first and second movable contacts. The first and second engagement surfaces are asymmetric to one another to permit asynchronous displacement of the first and second movable contacts. A switching contactor, movable contact arm for use with a movable contact arm set, and a method of providing a lead-lag contact opening arrangement for a switching contactor are also provided.

Abstract: A switching electrical power contactor having a bi-blade type switch, has ferrous plates attached to the blades to increase the current carrying capacity and reduce the resistance of the switch. The contacts of the switches are arranged in pairs with at least one pair of contacts being arranged to close before another pair of contacts.

Abstract: A plunger includes an elongate plunger body which is at least in part cylindrical and a plunger head at one end of the plunger body. The plunger body has a magnet-interface body portion which has a non-cylindrical cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the plunger body. A magnetic latching solenoid actuator using such a plunger is also provided, as is a method of improving the performance of a magnetic latching solenoid actuator.

Abstract: A switching electrical power contactor having a bi-blade type switch, has ferrous plates attached to the blades to increase the current carrying capacity and reduce the resistance of the switch. The contacts of the switches are arranged in pairs with at least one pair of contacts being arranged to close before another pair of contacts.

Abstract: A low-profile electrical contactor is provided comprising at least one electrical contact switch, an actuation means and a current determining device. The or each electrical contact switch has first and second electrical terminals, an electrically-conductive busbar in electrical communication with the first electrical terminal, the busbar having two end faces between which a current can flow in a flow direction and at least two flat sides in parallel with the flow direction, at least one fixed electrical contact which is attached to the busbar, an electrically-conductive moveable arm in electrical communication with the second electrical terminal, and at least one moveable electrical contact which is attached to the electrically-conductive moveable arm to form an electrical contact set with the fixed electrical contact. The actuation means can actuate the electrically-conductive moveable arm of the or each electrical contact switch between open and closed conditions.

Abstract: An electrical contact switch for use in an electrical contactor, which comprises first and second electrical terminals, an electrically-conductive busbar in electrical communication with the first electrical terminal, and at least one fixed electrical contact which is attached to the electrically-conductive busbar. The switch also has an electrically-conductive moveable arm in electrical communication with the second electrical terminal, with at least one moveable electrical contact which is attached to the electrically-conductive moveable arm to form an electrical contact set with the fixed electrical contact. A fixed ferromagnetic element is positioned at or adjacent to a side of the electrically-conductive moveable arm proximate the second electrical terminal, and a moveable ferromagnetic element is provided in physical communication with a side of the electrically-conductive moveable arm which is opposite to the fixed ferromagnetic element.

Abstract: A current determining device with a flat-sided primary conductor having two end faces between which a current can flow in a flow direction, and at least two flat sides in parallel with the flow direction. A first field-modifying element formed of a magnetic material is located at or adjacent to a first said flat side of the primary conductor, and a second field-modifying element formed of a magnetic material and located at or adjacent to the second said flat side of the primary conductor. At least one sensing coil is also provided at or adjacent to the primary conductor and the first and second field-modifying elements, and has a coil axis which extends between planes of the two flat sides.

Abstract: A low-profile electrical contactor is provided comprising at least one electrical contact switch, an actuation means and a current determining device. The or each electrical contact switch has first and second electrical terminals, an electrically-conductive busbar in electrical communication with the first electrical terminal, the busbar having two end faces between which a current can flow in a flow direction and at least two flat sides in parallel with the flow direction, at least one fixed electrical contact which is attached to the busbar, an electrically-conductive moveable arm in electrical communication with the second electrical terminal, and at least one moveable electrical contact which is attached to the electrically-conductive moveable arm to form an electrical contact set with the fixed electrical contact. The actuation means can actuate the electrically-conductive moveable arm of the or each electrical contact switch between open and closed conditions.

Abstract: An electrical contactor is provided comprising a first terminal having a fixed member with at least one fixed electrical contact; a second terminal; at least one electrically-conductive movable arm in electrical communication with the second terminal and having a movable electrical contact thereon; and an AC dual-coil actuator having a first drive coil drivable to open and close the movable and fixed electrical contacts, and a second non-drive coil feedback connected to induce a reverse flux to temper and stabilize a net flux, thereby enabling control of a delay time of the opening and closing electrical contacts so as to be at or adjacent to a zero-crossing of an associated AC load current.

Abstract: An electrical contactor for switching a load current having an AC waveform, has a fixed electrical contact, a movable electrical contact, an actuator arrangement having a drive coil drivable for opening and closing the movable and fixed electrical contacts, and a power supply having a controller for outputting truncated-waveform drive pulses to the electrical actuator arrangement, so as to prevent contact separation prior to peak load current.

Abstract: A switching electrical power contactor having a bi-blade type switch, has ferrous plates attached to the blades to increase the current carrying capacity and reduce the resistance of the switch. The contactor is incorporated on the outside of a mains meter enclosure or in a wall box for a mains meter, within the space defined by the sprung jaws of the meter socket.

Abstract: An electrical contactor has a first terminal having a fixed member with at least one fixed electrical contact, a second terminal, and at least one movable electrical contact in electrical communication with the second terminal. A dual-coil actuator is also provided and has a first drive coil drivable to open and close the movable and fixed electrical contacts, and a second non-drive coil feedback connected to induce a reverse flux to temper and stabilize a net flux. Control of a delay time of the opening and closing electrical contacts is thus possible, so as to be at or adjacent to a subsequent or next zero-crossing of an associated AC load current waveform.

Abstract: An electrical contactor has first and second terminals; a movable arm connected to the second terminal; and an actuator. The actuator has a magnet, first and second coils having a common connection and located either side of the magnet, a magnetic rocking armature pivotably attached between the coils and an actuation element connected to the first end of the rocking armature for actuating the movable arm. Driving the first coil causes a demagnetization of the first coil and a corresponding increase in magnetic flux in the second coil, latching the armature to the second coil and moving the movable arm in a first direction. Driving the second coil causes a demagnetization of the second coil and a corresponding increase in magnetic flux in the first coil, latching the rocking armature to the first coil and moving the movable arm in a second direction.

Abstract: A switching electrical power contactor having a bi-blade type switch, has ferrous plates attached to the blades to increase the current carrying capacity and reduce the resistance of the switch. The contacts of the switches are arranged in pairs with at least one pair of contacts being arranged to close before another pair of contacts.

Abstract: An electrical contactor has a first terminal having a fixed member with at least one fixed electrical contact, a second terminal, and a busbar connected to the second terminal. Two conductive movable arms are connected to the busbar and have a contact thereon. One arm is biased-closed to contact the fixed electrical contact in the absence of a separating force, and the other arm is biased-open to be spaced away from the fixed electrical contact in the absence of a closing force. The first and second movable arms and the busbar are arranged so that, when the contacts close, contra-flowing current urges the movable arms towards the fixed member to increase a force between the contacts.

Abstract: An electrical contactor has a first terminal having a first fixed contact; a second terminal having a second fixed contact; a first electrically-conductive movable arm in electrical communication with the first terminal and having a first movable contact thereon; a second electrically-conductive movable arm in electrical communication with the second terminal and having a second movable contact thereon, counter-opposed to the first moveable arm; and an actuator for moving the first and second moveable arms in opposing directions. The first moveable contact and the second fixed contact form a primary contact set, and the second moveable contact and the first fixed contact form a secondary contact set, first and second moveable arms thereby forming a current-sharing arm pair between first and second terminals.

Abstract: A switching electrical power contactor having a bi-blade type switch, has ferrous plates attached to the blades to increase the current carrying capacity and reduce the resistance of the switch. The contactor is incorporated on the outside of a mains meter enclosure or in a wall box for a mains meter, within the space defined by the sprung jaws of the meter socket.