Abstract: A circuit-interrupting device for electrical power distribution and transmission systems is provided having improved handling provisions for removal and installation with respect to conventional mountings. The handling provisions permit the circuit-interrupting device to pivot about the lower hinge of the mounting before the circuit-interrupting device is lifted out of the mounting via a handling tool. This permits the dimensions of the circuit-interrupting device to be greater than conventional circuit-interrupting devices. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the circuit-interrupting device includes exhaust diverter structure which directs exhaust away from the mounting, the exhaust diverter structure extending beyond the maximum dimensions which allow the circuit-interrupting device to be directly lifted out of the mounting hinge, i.e. the exhaust diverter structure interferes with the mounting if the circuit-interrupting device is lifted in a direction out of the mounting.

Abstract: A sealed contactor for switching electric current has a switching assembly that includes a movable contact which selectively bridges a pair of stationary contacts to provide an electrical path therebetween. The moveable and stationary contacts are mounted to a body of electrically insulating material to form a unitized structure. A separate actuator assembly has an enclosure which contains an electrically operated driver with a linkage that extends into the switching assembly to alternately operate the moveable contact into engagement with and disengagement from the stationary contacts. The switching assembly is sealingly attached to the actuator assembly in an interlocking manner that prevents arcs produced between the contacts from escaping outside the electric current switching apparatus. Nevertheless, the switching assembly is capable of being easily removed and replaced as a single unit from the actuator assembly when repairing the contactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-voltage circuit-breaker including a casing that is filled with a dielectric gas and that contains a first arcing contact and a second arcing contact, which arcing contacts are mounted to move in opposite directions from an open position to a closed position and vice versa, the first contact being secured by means of a ring to a tube mounted to slide in a support portion electrically connected to a terminal. Said ring is made of an insulating material, the first contact is extended by a rod that is in alignment with the contact, which rod is disposed on the side of the first contact that is further from the second contact, and is connected to a resistance, and said rod carries a switching member organized to connect said rod directly to said support portion during closure.

Abstract: An AC contactor having a high recovery voltage strength includes a contact assembly and a high recovery voltage gas system coupled to the contact assembly. The contact assembly includes two contact pads per electrical phase, with one of the contact pads being attached to a positioning device that selectively disposes the contact pad between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position. The high recovery voltage gas system includes a thermal gas evolving medium for introducing a high recovery voltage strength gas into the gap between the contact pads, which gas has a high glow discharge cathode voltage fall value, as determined for silver-based contacts, of not less than about 300 volts, and typically greater than about 500 volts. The high recovery voltage strength gas typically comprises carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor, or the like. The thermal gas evolving medium typically is as a Group IA carbonate (e.g., sodium bicarbonate), and is disposed in the contact assembly.

Abstract: A circuit breaker with an input side and an output side for connecting and disconnecting conductors in an electrical circuit comprising a magnetic breaker device which acts on a latching mechanism unit for opening a contacting device in case of overload, an arc-quenching means being connected to said magnetic breaker device, whereat said magnetic breaker device comprises two parallel connected coils.

Abstract: A relay includes a plastic enclosure, contacts disposed in the plastic enclosure for selectively operating to make and/or break at least one electrical connection, a gas filling containing at least one electronegative gas, and a sealed plastic encapsulation for preventing the at least one electronegative gas from diffusing away, whereby the dielectric strength of the at least one electronegative gas is maintained throughout the intended life of the relay.

Abstract: An electrical switch device with separable contacts is provided with a shunt conductor adapted to receive one end of the arc that is struck when the contacts separate after it has jumped a dielectric gap. The shunt conductor determines an interim arc current path in which is a current limiter device.

Abstract: A barrier arrangement for use in a multiple-phase padmounted switchgear includes a pair of insulated upper and lower barrier panels mounted in spaced vertical tandem and stationary relation one above the other so as to define a gap therebetween and an insulated intermediate barrier panel disposed adjacent to the gap between the upper and lower barrier panels. The barrier panels are disposed within an enclosure of the switchgear between the pairs of multi-phase switchgear assemblies. The intermediate barrier panel is mounted to the upper barrier panel so as to undergo sliding movement between lowered and raised positions relative to the lower barrier panel so as to respectively open and close the gap between the upper and lower barrier panels in response to insertion and withdrawal of a transversely disposed additional barrier panel through the gap.

Abstract: A high-voltage measurement device for an electrical high-voltage switchboard plant having an measurement electrode built into an encapsulating housing, as well as an electrical conductor which conducts a measurement signal provided by the measurement electrode, connected with the electrode, and passed through the wall of the encapsulating housing in insulated manner. To protect operating personnel from high voltage which occurs at the conductor, the conductor is grounded by metal springs outside the encapsulating housing. These metal springs can be lifted up from the conductor if necessary, by means of activation elements. This is done, for example, by setting a switchboard housing onto a measurement housing which surrounds the conductor. If the switchboard housing is removed, the conductor is automatically grounded again by the metal springs. This high-voltage measurement device can be used for all types of gas-insulated high-voltage switchboard plants.

Abstract: A load interrupter device is provided for live front padmounted high voltage switchgear unit wherein circuit interruption is independent of the speed at which a lineman opens the switch of the switchgear. The interrupter includes an insulating body having a fixed terminal and a moveable terminal spaced therefrom which forms a part of manually operable switch structure. A conductive element within the body connected to the moveable terminal normally engages the fixed terminal. A pair of moveable conductive members are also provided in the body, with one of the conductive members normally engaging a contact electrically connected to the first terminal, while the second member is joined to the second terminal for movement therewith.

Abstract: A gas insulated circuit breaker includes a closed tank filled with an insulation gas, one pair of separable contacts disposed in the closed tank, a supporting frame supporting the closed tank, an opening spring for performing an opening operation of the pair of contacts, a closing spring for performing a closing operation of the pair of contacts, and an actuating mechanism box accommodating an opening coil which is adapted to receive a circuit opening command for the contacts, a closing coil which is adapted to receive a circuit closing command for the contacts and an actuating mechanism for rendering the opening spring and the closing spring operative in response to an activation of the opening coil and the closing coil. A first spring casing accommodates the opening spring and is secured on the closed tank, and a second spring casing accommodates the closing spring and is secured on the supporting frame.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker enclosure and operating components are provided with additional features to enable compliance with a variety of international electrical requirements for sales in the world market. The circuit breaker operating handle is prevented from returning to the OFF position upon contact welding as one example. Another modification includes a reinforcement and rejection pin used with the enclosure case. A further modification includes a shield used with the movable contact arm to prevent the arc gas contaminants from contacting the circuit breaker operating springs.

Abstract: A mid terminal for a double break circuit breaker comprises first and second elongated conductive plates, where each of the plates have first and second ends. The second end of the first plate is longitudinally spaced from the first end of the second plate and the first end of the first plate is connected to the second end of the second plate by a lateral conductive plate. A first are runner is electron beam welded to the second end of the first plate, and a second are runner is electron beam welded to the first end of the second plate. The first and second arc runners are preferably made of steel. A first stationary contact is mounted on the first plate adjacent the first arc runner, and a second stationary contact is mounted on the second plate adjacent the second arc runner.

Abstract: A self-contained current limiter unit allows lower short-circuit-rated circuit breakers to be utilized within industrial applications. The unit is electrically-connected in series with the circuit breakers and the protected load to limit the short circuit current to a fixed predetermined value while the circuit breaker trip unit responds to interrupt the circuit current. A single unit can be arranged in electrical series connection with a plurality of lower short-circuit-rated circuit breakers to allow a substantial savings in component and equipment costs.

Abstract: A sealed contact unit that attains stabilized contact switching operation and effective dimensional minimization with an arrangement wherein a switching contact section including opposing movable and stationary contacting members is housed within a sealed container together with an electrically insulating gas, a movable shaft interlocked to the movable contacting member is hermetically passed through a wall of the container to be axially shiftable with an end projected externally while the movable contacting member biased away from the stationary contacting member by a resetting spring is mounted through a contact-pressure spring to the other end of the movable shaft inside the container, the contact-pressure spring being provided to coaxially enclose the movable shaft and biasing the movable contacting member against the biasing force of the resetting spring for attaining a contact-pressure when the movable contact member shifts to engage the stationary contact member fixed inside the container, a driving se

Abstract: Molded insulating shell halves are secured together around a blowout coil, stationary and movable contacts to pivotally trap an armature assembly therebetween. Windows are provided in the shell halves to ventilate the electromagnet coil during operation. The electromagnet is removable through the window without disassembly of the contactor. Contact and armature adjustment is accomplished through additional window openings. An arc chute having left and right-hand arc extinguishing chambers each sub-divided into upper and front chambers splits the arc into four series segments and increases the overall length of the arc significantly over similar prior art devices.

Abstract: A high amperage switch is provided for interrupting flow of power through a circuit. First and second connectors are connected in the circuit with the circuit being open between the first and second connectors. An electrically conductive bridging member includes first and second complementary-shaped connectors respectively mateable with the first and second connectors for electrically coupling the first and second connectors together when the bridging member is in the closed position and interrupting the circuit when the bridging member is in an open position. The bridging member is moveable between the closed and opened positions. The present invention is particularly well adapted for use in a vehicle having an electrical circuit for supplying power from a battery on the vehicle to at least one electrical component used on the vehicle.

Abstract: A two-pole switch for DC current has a housing formed by a pair of open shells abutting each other to enclose components of the apparatus. Each shell rigidly holds a stationary contact, and an actuator is pivotally coupled to the shells. A pair of movable contacts are pivotally attached to the actuator so that each movable contact touches one stationary contact when the actuator is in a first position and the contacts are separated when the actuator is in a second position. A spine plate is between the shells and electrically separates the two stationary contacts and arc extinguishing chambers. A solenoid is within the housing aligned with the contacts and drives the actuator between the second and first positions to close the contacts.

Abstract: An arc quenching apparatus for circuit breakers includes a quenching space (10) in which each phase has a stationary contact (11) and a knife contact (12) pivotable in relation thereto, and which has a quenching chamber (13) in whose body member (15), made of an insulating material, quenching plates (14) are disposed in a spaced-apart relation so as to be located successively in relation to the path (P) of the opening movement of the knife contact (12). To overcome the problem of soot depositing in the quenching plate support structure made of an insulating material, which makes the support structure conductive between the quenching plates and adversely affecting the breaking capacity of the circuit breaker. Stop elements (20, 21a, 21b, 31, 42) are disposed between the ends of the quenching plates (14) on the knife contact (12) side and the body member (15).