Abstract: A vacuum interrupter includes at least one insulating body, a fixed contact, a fixed contact flange, a moving contact having a longitudinal axis of the moving contact, a moving contact flange, a moving contact bearing, and a bellows. The fixed contact is stationarily disposed in the fixed contact flange, the moving contact is moveably guided in the moving contact bearing and the moving contact is moveably secured to the moving contact flange by the bellows. The bellows is secured to the moving contact flange by a first bellows end and the bellows is secured to the moving contact by a second bellows end. An increased pressure resistance of the vacuum interrupter against ambient pressures over 1 bar is achieved by a sleeve which is secured to the moving contact against movements along the longitudinal axis of the moving contact, and which is guided through the moving contact bearing.

Abstract: A switching apparatus for medium voltage electric systems, the switching apparatus including one or more electric poles, each electrically coupleable with a corresponding electric line, the switching apparatus including: for each electric pole, a fixed contact and a corresponding movable contact, the movable contact being reversibly movable, along a corresponding translational displacement axis, between a decoupled position from the fixed contact and a coupled position with the fixed contact; an actuation assembly having, for each electric pole, an actuation shaft rotating about a rotation axis during a closing manoeuvre or an opening manoeuvre of the switching apparatus; for each electric pole, a motion transmission assembly including an eccentric mechanism operatively coupled with the actuation shaft.

Abstract: A DC breakers and in particular to DC breaker modules suitable for use in a high voltage DC circuit. The breaker module comprises at least a first breaker circuit (enclosed within a conductive enclosure. The enclosure is configured such that the first breaker circuit can be connected (in an electrical path with a circuit external to the conductive enclosure. The conductive enclosure is further configured to be connected to a node of the electrical path such that, in use, the conductive enclosure is at the same voltage potential as the node of the circuit path. The conductive enclosure may be a standardised size and may, for example, be a standard shipping container. The methods and apparatus of the present application allow a DC breaker to be formed from modules that can be built, tested, transported and installed in a standardised enclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gas-insulated vacuum load break switch, including a high-voltage conductive loop having three phases independent from each other and of the same design, a control operating mechanism, a support box and a transmission apparatus. Each phase of the high-voltage conductive loop includes a load break switch unit with a vacuum interrupter, an isolating switch unit with an isolator, a plastic housing supporting the load break switch unit and the isolating switch unit, and an earthing switch unit; the control operating mechanism includes an operating mechanism for controlling the load break switch unit, an operating rod for controlling the isolating switch unit, and an operating mechanism for controlling the earthing switch unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are an electrode assembly and a vacuum interrupter including the same. The electrode assembly is provided in an insulating vessel which is in a vacuum state, and switches a main circuit. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode plate, a second electrode, a coil conductor, a first conductor, and a second conductor. The coil conductor induces a flow of a current in a first direction and a second direction between the other side of the first conductor connecting pin and the one side of the second conductor connecting pin, and the first direction and the second direction are mutually opposite circumference directions. Accordingly, an arc gas is effectively spread by using mutually opposite flows of currents in a circumference direction, thereby enhancing break performance.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes, a first contact and a second contact, the second contact being moveable relative to the first contact, a drive assembly structured to move the second contact relative to the first contact, and an erosion monitoring device including a linear transducer coupled to a portion of the drive assembly. The liner transducer is structured to generate an output signal representative of an amount of linear displacement of the portion of the drive assembly, wherein the erosion monitoring device is structured to monitor a degree of erosion of at least one of the first contact and the second contact based on the output signal.

Abstract: A switching device for electric power distribution, electrically connectable to an electrical conductor, the switching device including a breaker electrically connectable to the electrical conductor, and an electrically conductive housing to which the breaker is mounted, the switching device providing a current path between the breaker and the electrical conductor, and the housing houses a guiding member for operating the breaker, the guiding member being movable in relation to the housing, the housing having an outer surface, wherein the housing has a smooth outer shape to distribute the electric field generated by the voltage of the current through the switching device. A switchgear including such a switching device.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a pole part of a circuit-breaker arrangement having an insulation housing for accommodating a vacuum interrupter containing a pair of corresponding electrical switching contacts, wherein a fixed upper electrical contact is connected to an upper electrical terminal molded or assembled in the insulation housing and a movable lower electrical contact is connected to the insulating housing by a support plate of the insulation housing via a flexible conductor that includes a first end for attaching the flexible conductor to the lower electrical terminal and a second end for attaching the flexible conductor to the movable lower electrical contact. The second end of the flexible conductor is provided with an inside thread which is screwed to an outside thread arranged on the distal end of the movable lower electrical contact.

Abstract: An electrode assembly is provided for a vacuum switch, including a vacuum envelope, a fixed contact assembly including a fixed contact disposed within the vacuum envelope, and a movable contact assembly including a movable contact disposed within the vacuum envelope and movable between a closed position in electrical contact with the fixed contact and an open position spaced apart from the fixed contact. The electrode assembly includes at least one electrode bundle having a plurality of electrodes coupled to a corresponding one of the fixed contact assembly and the movable contact assembly. The electrodes extend from at or about a corresponding one of the fixed contact and the movable contact toward the closer of the first end of the vacuum envelope and the second end of the vacuum envelope.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a switching device with a vacuum interrupter chamber in which at least one moving contact piece is arranged. To considerably increase the switching rating and the dielectric strength, the disclosure proposes that two series-connected contact arrangements with a total of two contact levels which can be opened are arranged within a vacuum interrupter chamber.

Abstract: A contact assembly for use in a vacuum switch includes an electrode stem and a contact coupled to an end portion of the electrode stem via a threaded fastener which threadingly engages a threaded portion of the electrode stem.

Abstract: A double break vacuum interrupter includes a first contact system with an annular stationary contact, which is engaged by a primary moving contact with the moving contact rod extending through the primary moving contact and through the opening of the annular stationary contact. A second contact system includes a secondary moving contact disposed on an end of the moving contact rod, which engages and operates a floating contact on the same axis. Both contact systems are enclosed in a sealed envelope. A mechanical adjustment system is provided for the floating contact, which controls its range of motion. The mechanical adjustment system allows the first and second contact systems to engage at approximately the same time. A system of capacitors and resistors is provided to balance the voltage between the first and second contact systems to provide more efficient interruption of the electric current.

Abstract: An electrode assembly is provided for a vacuum switch, including a vacuum envelope, a fixed contact assembly including a fixed contact disposed within the vacuum envelope, and a movable contact assembly including a movable contact disposed within the vacuum envelope and movable between a closed position in electrical contact with the fixed contact and an open position spaced apart from the fixed contact. The electrode assembly includes at least one electrode bundle having a plurality of electrodes coupled to a corresponding one of the fixed contact assembly and the movable contact assembly. The electrodes extend from at or about a corresponding one of the fixed contact and the movable contact toward the closer of the first end of the vacuum envelope and the second end of the vacuum envelope.

Abstract: A pole part of a switchgear assembly having a vacuum interrupter chamber is provided. To ensure that heat is dissipated to the exterior for convection, a thermally conductive heat transmission element in the form of a cylindrical casing is provided between the vacuum interrupter chamber, a contact holder and an encapsulation casing. An inner surface of the heat transmission element rests on the vacuum interrupter chamber and the contact holder, and an outer surface of the heat transmission element rests on an inner surface of the encapsulation casing inner surface. The heat transmission element can be produced from a thermally conductive plastic using an injection-molding or molding-compound production process. The heat transmission element can be connected to the pole part through openings. The heat transmission element can be arranged before the encapsulation of with an encapsulation compound, and be cast in the encapsulation casing.

Abstract: The contact assembly for a vacuum interrupter, comprises: a fixed contact; a fixed electrode coupled to the fixed contact; a movable contact movable to a first position at which the movable contact comes into contact with the fixed contact and a second position at which the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact; a movable electrode coupled to the movable contact and movable with the movable contact; and a contact support member installed to be in contact with the movable contact on the circumference of the movable electrode and increase a contact area contacting the movable contact together with the movable electrode in order to reduce stress applied to the movable contact and the movable electrode when the movable contact moves to the first position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum switch, especially a vacuum circuit breaker, for medium and high voltages, comprising a mobile switch unit arranged inside a vacuum switch compartment (1) and provided with mutually mobile elements including a contact tappet (17), an insulator (18), and a driving or switching rod (11) introduced into the vacuum switch compartment (1) by means of metal bellows. Said vacuum switch also comprises a fixed contact inserted into the housing of the vacuum switch compartment (1). The upper end of the insulator (18) is fixed to the contact tappet (17), and the lower end of the insulator (18) is fixed to the driving or switching rod (11). The contact tappet (17) is connected to a conductor (8) by a flexible, electroconductive connection (20), said conductor being electroconductively connected to at least one laterally arranged output contact (6). The aim of the invention is to enable an improved embodiment of the switching and contact surfaces.

Abstract: A limited flash-over electric power switch uses a dielectric gas regulator and a flash-over arrestor to greatly diminish the occurrences of high voltage flash-over during operation of a circuit interrupter. The dielectric gas regulator prevents the flow of the dielectric gas into the arc gap during an initial portion of the opening stroke of the interrupter contacts. Once the arc gap is sufficiently wide to greatly diminish the likelihood of a high voltage flash-over, the dielectric gas regulator allows the dielectric gas to flow into the arc gap to extinguish the arc. The flash-over arrestor snubs out incipient flash-over that may occur as the arc attempts to reform across the arc gap. The flash-over arrestor may be a conductive ring located on the interior surface of the nozzle in the region of the orifice.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a switching device with a vacuum interrupter chamber in which at least one moving contact piece is arranged. To considerably increase the switching rating and the dielectric strength, the disclosure proposes that two series-connected contact arrangements with a total of two contact levels which can be opened are arranged within a vacuum interrupter chamber.

Abstract: An electrical contact used herein comprises chromium; one of copper and silver; and a carbide, in which the electrical contact comprises a matrix and chromium, the matrix phase mainly comprising one of copper and silver, and the chromium being surrounded by the carbide and dispersed in the matrix. The electrical contact contains 1 to 30 percent by weight of a carbide, with the balance being copper. Another electrical contact contains chromium, copper, and a carbide and has a weight ratio of chromium to the carbide within the range of 1:1.5 to 1:50.

Abstract: Exemplary vacuum fault interrupters are described.

Abstract: According to the invention, heat generated inside a vacuum interrupter (1) is to be extracted, essentially by means of the pins (7, 8) of the contact pieces (5, 6) and, in order to improve the transmission of heat, a first slide contact surface (18) of a slide contact arrangement is provided on a pin (7), whereby the first slide contact surface (18) is arranged on a first section of a pin (7) which comprises an enlarged circumference relative to the remaining sections of the pin (7).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating current transmission through a circuit breaker are described. In an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus, a coupler that includes a copper conductive ring having an inner annular wall is provided. The coupler is electrically coupled to the line terminal. A bore extends through the ring, and the bore is sized so that the shaft can extend therethrough. A plurality of copper bristles extend radially inward from the ring inner annular wall, and the bristles are in electrical contact with the conductive ring. The bristles also are in electrical contact with shaft when shaft extends through ring bore. At least some bristles extend sufficiently radially inward from the ring inner wall so that free ends of at least some bristles are in electrical contact with the shaft when the shaft extends through the bore.

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: In an insulated type switchgear device in which a pair of arc electrodes are separably disposed in an opposing manner in a vacuum tube, and having a movable conductor extending from a back face of a movable one of the arc electrodes to the outside of the vacuum tube, the pair of arc electrodes are designed to be separated through a rotation of the movable conductor around a predetermined main axis.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a vacuum interrupter is disclosed having a coil structure that produces an axial magnetic field during operation of the assembly. The electrode coil includes at least one arcuate arm having a radial cross section which provides more material adjacent to a base of the coil than adjacent to a contact plate of the assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the cross sectional area of the arcuate arm has a trapezoidal shape. The electrode assembly provides improved heat transfer during operation of the vacuum interrupter while maintaining a sufficient axial magnetic field. As a result, the electrode assembly may be operated at higher continuous currents than conventional designs.

Abstract: The current interchange includes a housing disposed on a high voltage circuit interrupter. The movable switch contact extends into the housing with a guide member attached to the end of the movable switch contact. The housing includes a base attached to one of the terminals of the interrupter and includes a pair of guide rods extending into the housing for guiding engagement with the guide member. A pair of electrical cables extend helically around the guide rods and have one end attached to the base and another end attached to the guide member to provide an electrical path between the movable switch contact and the terminal. The electrical cables produce an axial magnetic field which maintains the metallic vapor produced by the interruption of the circuit between the contacts to reduce the transport of ions from the gap and reduce the current chop.