Abstract: A switching device for low or medium voltage electric power distribution networks, the switching device including one or more electric poles and, for each electric pole: an insulating housing defining an internal volume of said electric pole; a first pole terminal and a second pole terminal electrically connectable with a corresponding electric phase conductor of an electric source and with a corresponding electric phase conductor of an electric load, respectively; a movable contact and a fixed contact, which are coupleable/decoupleable one to another, the fixed contact being electric connected with the first pole terminal, the movable contact being electrically connected with the second pole terminal; a stack of semiconductor devices adapted to switch in conduction state or in an interdiction state depending on the voltage provided thereto.

Abstract: A medium or low voltage circuit interrupter includes a housing with a first end cap, a second end cap that comprises a radial bellows, and one or more insulating sidewalls that extends from the first end cap to the second end cap. The end caps and one or more sidewalls provide a vacuum chamber. A fixed contact that extends through an opening of the first end cap and into the vacuum chamber. A moveable contact that extends through an opening of the second end cap and into the vacuum chamber. Multiple such interrupters may be electrically connected in series, positioned a single plane, and actuated by a single actuator.

Abstract: Systems and methods the improve operation and security of large complex webs of 200,000 to 2,000,000 interconnected systems are provided. Systems and methods may dynamically schedule downtime for target systems within the complex. The schedule downtime may not impact operations stability of the complex web. Based on computational resource constraints, systems and methods may provide dynamic rescheduling of system downtime. Systems and methods may provide dynamic computational capacity management by adding capacity and/or reorganizing systems within the complex web.

Abstract: A system for transient over voltage protection of a three-phase transformer. Two surge arresters are series connected across each winding of the transformer and the center point connection of the two surge arresters is electrically connected to a middle location of the winding. Three additional surge arresters are electrically connected from each phase to ground in the case of either a delta or Y connected transformer; and/or connected from a neutral point to ground in the case of a Y connected transformer. The system allows for all of the surge arresters to be packaged as an integrated surge arrester system to minimize induced transient over voltages and high stresses on the transformer winding due to internal resonances.

Abstract: A device for detecting vacuum loss in a vacuum breaking apparatus that includes an enclosure having a first part at least partially of insulating material, closed at its opposite ends by end-plates, and housing fixed and mobile electrodes. A second part of the enclosure is insulating material at least partially around the first part, this second part is an over-molding of electrically grounded conductive shielding at least a part of its outer surface. This first strip of over-molding faces both the first part and one of the electrodes, thereby providing two capacitances in series, namely, a vacuum capacitance between the electrode and the inner surface of the first part, and a solid capacitance between the inner surface of the first part and the first strip, and means for measuring change of current value in the first strip, which corresponds to a vacuum loss inside a vacuum breaking apparatus.

Abstract: A device for detecting vacuum loss in a vacuum breaking apparatus that includes an enclosure having a first part at least partially of insulating material, closed at its opposite ends by end-plates, and housing fixed and mobile electrodes. A second part of the enclosure is insulating material at least partially around the first part, this second part is an over-molding of electrically grounded conductive shielding at least a part of its outer surface. This first strip of over-molding faces both the first part and one of the electrodes, thereby providing two capacitances in series, namely, a vacuum capacitance between the electrode and the inner surface of the first part, and a solid capacitance between the inner surface of the first part and the first strip, and means for measuring change of current value in the first strip, which corresponds to a vacuum loss inside a vacuum breaking apparatus.

Abstract: An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch.

Abstract: A vacuum circuit breaker includes a line terminal, a load terminal and a vacuum interrupter having a vacuum envelope containing a fixed contact assembly and a moveable contact assembly moveable between closed and open circuit positions. The fixed contact assembly is electrically interconnected with the line terminal and the moveable contact assembly is electrically connected to the load terminal. An operating mechanism moves the moveable contact assembly between the closed and open circuit positions. An auxiliary contact indicates one of the open or closed circuit positions. An electro-optical voltage sensor determines a voltage difference between the line and load terminals, or the shield and one of the line and load terminals. A circuit determines no leakage or loss of vacuum of the vacuum envelope when the vacuum switch is intended to be in the open circuit position and when the voltage difference is greater than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A vacuum switch is composed by installing a vacuum circuit-breaker and a disconnector in different grounded vacuum vessels, respectively, and a vacuum-measurement device is attached to each grounded vacuum vessel. The above vacuum vessel communicates with one of the grounded vacuum vessels, and the degree of vacuum in the vacuum vessel can be directly measured and monitored.

Abstract: A vacuum switch is composed by installing a vacuum circuit-breaker and a disconnector in different grounded vacuum vessels, respectively, and a vacuum-measurement device is attached to each grounded vacuum vessel. The above vacuum vessel communicates with one of the grounded vacuum vessels, and the degree of vacuum in the vacuum vessel can be directly measured and monitored.

Abstract: A vacuum switch is composed by installing a vacuum circuit-breaker and a disconnector in different grounded vacuum vessels, respectively, and a vacuum-measurement device is attached to each grounded vacuum vessel. The above vacuum vessel communicates with one of the grounded vacuum vessels, and the degree of vacuum in the vacuum vessel can be directly measured and monitored.

Abstract: A vacuum switch 1 includes a grounded vacuum vessel 2. The reliability of monitoring and measuring the vacuum pressure is improved by providing a vacuum pressure measuring terminal 30 at a side plane of the vacuum vessel 2 such that a main circuit 13 and the measuring terminal 30 are electrically separated from each other.

Abstract: A sensitive to a change in the physical dimension(s) of the exterior surface of a pressure vessel transducer and attached to the exterior surface thereof the pressure vessel may be a vacuum chamber. The transducer measures exterior dimension change, representing interior pressure change information, without intrusion. The measurements are displayed using distinctive lights or audible alarms which signal if the pressure inside the vessel is within a predetermined range. If the pressure within the vessel varies outside of the predetermined range, a more precise display device such as a meter, is provided to aid facility personnel in deciding when repairs are necessary.