Abstract: A vacuum switch with an elongated cartridge comprising a cylindrical housing sealed by two end plates. Inside the cylindrical housing there are two arcing contacts, one stationary and one movable. The stationary contact is securedly affixed to one of the end plates, whereas the other movable contact is mounted to axially slide inside the cartridge. At least two portions of turn are mounted in parallel. Each portion has a first end electrically connected to one of the arcing contacts and a second end electrically connected to the current input strip of the contact. The first and second ends of each portion of turn are electrically connected by a branch-off designed to disperse a part of the main current trough the potions of turn during breaking.

Abstract: A vacuum switch has an elongated vacuum cartridge with a cylindrical enclosure blanked off by two end-plates, in which there are housed two arcing contacts respectively stationary and movable, and a coil designed to produce an axial magnetic field in the arc formation zone. The coil has one end arranged as a current conducting strip and an end electrically connected to one of the above-mentioned arcing contacts. The two ends of the coil are superposed and electrically connected, and a branch-off means, such as for example a magnetic circuit, is fitted between these two ends to branch off a part of the main current through the coil during breaking in order to create the axial magnetic field.

Abstract: An elongated vacuum cartridge having a cylindrical enclosure blanked off by two end-plates and housing a stationary arcing contact securedly united to one of the end-plates and a movable arcing contact mounted axially and slidingly inside the cartridge thereby providing a closed position and a separated position of the arcing contacts. An axial magnetic field in the arc formation zone is provided by a horizontal component of arcing current having an inclined trajectory with resect to the plane of the contact surfaces of the arcing contacts, the inclined trajectory being provided by angularly offset and alternating conductive and non-conductive sectors on the ends of each of the arcing contacts.

Abstract: A medium voltage circuit breaker and switch having first and second stationary contacts, a mobile conducting bridge equipped with first and second movable contacts, an operating mechanism coupled to said bridge. The switch further having a vacuum cartridge containing a third stationary contacts electrically connected to the second stationary contacts, a third movable contact electrically connected to said bridge, and mechanically coupled to said operating mechanism, and sequencing means designed to establish the opening and closing sequences of the first, second, and third contacts cooperating with the operating means so that in the course of opening or closing operations of the switch, the third stationary and movable contacts close momentarily to switch the arc associated with the first stationary and movable contacts or with the second stationary and movable contacts.

Abstract: A vacuum cartridge for a medium voltage electrical switch, as well as a switch incorporating such a cartridge comprising an enclosure closed by two end-plates in which there are housed three contacts extending axially. Two of these contacts are stationary and comprise a disk-shaped contact part and are securely fixed respectively to the two end-plates, whereas the third contact is formed by a rod slidably mounted in the second stationary contact, the rod being brought into contact with the first stationary contact during a period sufficient to generate an electrical arc between the two stationary contacts in order to perform breaking of an electrical circuit. A switch comprises an enclosure filled with sulphur hexafluoride including a cartridge as previously described, two main contacts electrically connected in parallel to the stationary contacts and an operating mechanism connected to selected aformentioned contacts.

Abstract: An arc extinguishing chamber of a pole of an electrical circuit breaker having rotating arc device, the extinguishing chamber operating by self-extinguishing expansion, includes an elongated housing sealed off at both ends by end plates. Coaxially inside the housing there are disposed tubular contacts and a magnetic blowout coil. Along the length of the extinguishing zone defined by the separation distance between the contacts, there is located a sleeve positioned to leave a gap, which allows a top open area of the chamber and a bottom open area of the chamber, located on opposite sides of the extinguishing zone, to communicate. The gap allows the gases to flow between these two areas and fins arranged on a bottom portion of the chamber slow down rotation of the gases to direct them to the extinguishing zone.

Abstract: Inside a sealed enclosure (10) filled with sulphur hexafluoride there are housed main contacts (17,19) and an auxiliary circuit comprising two vacuum cartridges (20,21) electrically connected in series with each other and in parallel with the main contacts. The vacuum cartridges (20,21) are operated by a single mechanism to open and close simultaneously and serial connection enables the voltage withstand to be increased. The invention can be applied to medium or high voltage gas-insulated installations or substations.

Abstract: A vacuum cartridge of a hybrid circuit breaker comprises an end-plate having a groove for housing an annular coil external to the cartridge and electrically connected in series with the contacts of the cartridge. The coil is located facing the arcing contacts and is rigidly held by the groove.

Abstract: A medium voltage circuit breaker, including first and second arcing contacts, the first arcing contact being longitudinally slidable with respect to the second arcing contact between open and closed positions, first and second main contact, the first main contact being movable with respect to the second main contact between open and closed positions, a sealed enclosure filled with a high dielectric strength gas and housing the first and second arcing and main contacts, and operating mechanism for closing the first and second arcing contacts before the first and second main contacts close and for opening the first and second arcing contacts after the first and second main contacts open. The operating mechanism is mechanically coupled to the first arcing and the first main contacts and comprises a compressible linkage coupled to the first arcing contact.

Abstract: A vacuum electrical switch comprises a coil arranged in the metal base plate of the cartridge. The metal base plate constitutes a current input to the contact, this input having a radial conducting path and a path forming a spiral, electrically connected in parallel. In order to enhance the current flow in the spiral, which forms an axial magnetic blowout coil, the base plate has ripples or a slit which lengthen the radial conducting path.

Abstract: The circuit breaker comprises main contacts 26, 30 and a vacuum cartridge 38 in parallel which performs breaking, the assembly being contained in an enclosure 10 filled with sulphur hexafluoride. The cartridge is designed for dielectric withstand in this gas. The contacts of the cartridge 38 are made of high resistive material and a coil generates an axial magnetic field in the arcing zone.

Abstract: A medium-voltage electrical switch comprises contacts actuated by a connecting rod and crank system. Parallel to the main contacts there is arranged an arcing circuit comprising a cylindrical electrode disposed inside a coil and whose internal surface cooperates with a movable arcing contact. The mechanical link connecting the main contact to the arcing contact comprises a crank and connecting rod system comprising a flexible part formed by an aperture and a spring providing the contact pressure of the arcing contacts. In the open position of the switch, the connecting rod extends perpendicular to the crank and the flexible part is neutralized so as to hold the movable arcing contact without clearance in the open position despite the electrodynamic forces acting on it.

Abstract: A self-expansion electrical circuit breaker includes an arc extinguishing chamber of variable volume by repulsion of a piston by the pressure of the gas in the extinguishing chamber. A semi-stationary contact is securedly united to the piston so as to increase the separation distance of the contacts at the same time as the volume of the extinguishing chamber increases.

Abstract: A breaking device for a low voltage circuit breaker comprises in each pole a switching bar, a pair of stationary contacts connected to the connection terminals, a double-break rotary contact extending in a housing of the bar, and two arc chutes disposed on each side of the bar. Two contact pressure springs ensure elastic positioning of the rotary contact along the longitudinal direction of the pole. Pivoting of the rotary contact takes place around a fictitious axis mounted floating with respect to the fixed rotation axis of the bar.

Abstract: The operating rod 24 of a high-voltage puffer circuit-breaker is guided inside the support insulator 12 by insulator guides 40 mounted in the areas where the superimposed porcelain sections 14, 16 of the support insulator 12 join. A sealing O-ring 44 is inserted between the porcelain sections 14, 16 and circumferentially surrounds the edge 42 of the insulator guide 40 to center the latter.