Abstract: A device for monitoring the safety operation of power switches, in particular vacuum power switches in medium voltage switchboards. The device has a microprocessor unit that consists of a microprocessor, a microprocessor control and process-oriented storage means. The microprocessor is controlled by an angle pulse and a direction of a rotation recognition device. While the movement of the moving part of the power switch under the influence of states of operation is converted, the device detects the available data of the power switches. The device according to the present invention is especially well-suited in medium voltage switchboards for documenting and forecasting the real state of power switches.

Abstract: A method for determining mechanical parameters of an electric switching device exposed to environmental influences in which a measuring transmitter is provided for detecting the speed of a component of the drive means of the switch device at at least two consecutive times. In the case of vacuum power switches, the time of contact of the switch members and the time of the latching in the switched-on condition are preferably considered. If measurement values from comparative measurements of a given number of switches are available, the maximum intensity of a given environmental influence at which test sample can reliably operate is determined from a measurement of a test sample under normal environmental conditions.