Abstract: An improved triggered arc flash arrester includes a shield apparatus disposed within an interior of an evacuated envelope and includes a first shield element and a second shield element. A plurality of conductors are partially disposed within the interior and are separated from one another by a gap. A first element of the shield apparatus is situated adjacent the envelope and is structured to protect the envelope from damage due to the high temperature plasma that results from an arc across the gap. A second element of the shield apparatus is interposed between the gap and at least a portion of the first element and is structured to protect the at least portion of the first element from damage due to an arc across the gap.

Abstract: A contact assembly for an electrical component includes: a bus member; and a switching assembly structured to move between first and second positions. The switching assembly includes: a stationary contact extending from the bus member, a movable contact engaging the stationary contact when the switching assembly is in the first position and disengaging the stationary contact when the switching assembly moves toward the second position, and a switching device coupled to the bus member. When the switching assembly is in the first position, the switching device and the stationary contact are electrically connected in parallel with the bus member and the movable contact. When the switching assembly moves from the first position toward the second position, the switching device disconnects power after the movable contact disengages the stationary contact in order that electrical disconnection between the bus member and the movable contact occurs within the switching device.

Abstract: A contact assembly for an electrical component includes: a bus member; and a switching assembly structured to move between first and second positions. The switching assembly includes: a stationary contact extending from the bus member, a movable contact engaging the stationary contact when the switching assembly is in the first position and disengaging the stationary contact when the switching assembly moves toward the second position, and a switching device coupled to the bus member. When the switching assembly is in the first position, the switching device and the stationary contact are electrically connected in parallel with the bus member and the movable contact. When the switching assembly moves from the first position toward the second position, the switching device disconnects power after the movable contact disengages the stationary contact in order that electrical disconnection between the bus member and the movable contact occurs within the switching device.

Abstract: An improved triggered arc flash arrester includes a shield apparatus disposed within an interior of an evacuated envelope and includes a first shield element and a second shield element. A plurality of conductors are partially disposed within the interior and are separated from one another by a gap. A first element of the shield apparatus is situated adjacent the envelope and is structured to protect the envelope from damage due to the high temperature plasma that results from an arc across the gap. A second element of the shield apparatus is interposed between the gap and at least a portion of the first element and is structured to protect the at least portion of the first element from damage due to an arc across the gap.

Abstract: An improved triggered arc flash arrester includes a shield apparatus disposed within an interior of an evacuated envelope and includes a first shield element and a second shield element. A plurality of conductors are partially disposed within the interior and are separated from one another by a gap. A first element of the shield apparatus is situated adjacent the envelope and is structured to protect the envelope from damage due to the high temperature plasma that results from an arc across the gap. A second element of the shield apparatus is interposed between the gap and at least a portion of the first element and is structured to protect the at least portion of the first element from damage due to an arc across the gap.

Abstract: An improved triggered arc flash arrester includes a shield apparatus disposed within an interior of an evacuated envelope and includes a first shield element and a second shield element. A plurality of conductors are partially disposed within the interior and are separated from one another by a gap. A first element of the shield apparatus is situated adjacent the envelope and is structured to protect the envelope from damage due to the high temperature plasma that results from an arc across the gap. A second element of the shield apparatus is interposed between the gap and at least a portion of the first element and is structured to protect the at least portion of the first element from damage due to an arc across the gap.

Abstract: A triggered arc flash arrester includes an envelope structured to operate at: a pressure less than about 1.33 Pa; or a pressure greater than 0.10857 MPa; a plurality of conductors partially disposed within the envelope; a number of gaps disposed between the plurality of conductors within the envelope; and a shorting structure selected from the group consisting of a triggered gap and a fuse. The shorting structure is operatively associated with the number of gaps. The shorting structure is structured to electrically short the plurality of conductors either together or to ground, in order to create an arc within the envelope which is electrically in parallel to an arc fault causing the arc fault internal to switchgear to be extinguished.

Abstract: A triggered arc flash arrester includes an envelope structured to operate at: a pressure less than about 1.33 Pa; or a pressure greater than 0.10857 MPa; a plurality of conductors partially disposed within the envelope; a number of gaps disposed between the plurality of conductors within the envelope; and a shorting structure selected from the group consisting of a triggered gap and a fuse. The shorting structure is operatively associated with the number of gaps. The shorting structure is structured to electrically short the plurality of conductors either together or to ground, in order to create an arc within the envelope which is electrically in parallel to an arc fault causing the arc fault internal to switchgear to be extinguished.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter includes a pair of separable electrode assemblies within a vacuum envelope, each electrode assembly including a contact confronting the contact of the other electrode assembly and an electrode coil assembly located behind the contact for generating a magnetic field in a region between the contacts. The electrode coil assembly, which is energized by an a.c. current in the interrupter, includes a generally annular-shaped member having a plurality of slots extending radially between a peripheral surface and an interior surface, the slots defining a substantially circumferential current path. The slots include an axially extending slot and a circumferentially extending slot that define a coil. The electrode coil member is connected in series between a terminal post and the contact of the electrode assembly. The electrode coil assembly also can include a tubular support for the contact.

Abstract: A single pressure sulfur hexafluoride circuit interrupter is contained in a bottle or elongated, cylindrical housing filled with gas under moderate pressure. The bottle contains arcing and main contacts arranged generally along the axis of the bottle and arranged to separate from one another in the vicinity of a pair of spaced, conductive rings fixed relative to one another, and which serve as arc runners. Each of the rings is connected in series with a respective coil which is wound on the axis of its respective ring and which encircles the cooperating contact and conductors therefor. The coils and the conductive rings create a magnetic field which spins an arc drawn between the spaced short-circuited rings through the sulfur hexafluoride gas, thereby to extinguish the arc.