Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device (1), comprising: a fusible member (2) having a first segment (3), a second segment (4), and a connecting segment (5), which connects the first segment (3) to the second segment (4). The safety device (1) further comprises a separation element (6), configured to suppress a light arc between the first segment (3) and the second segment (4). The first segment (3) of the fusible member (2) extends along a first side of the separation element (6), the second segment (4) of the fusible member (2) extends along a second side of the separation element (6) located opposite the first side, and the connecting segment (5) of the fusible member (2) extends along a third side of the separation element.

Abstract: A multi-finger circuit breaker includes a moving contact assembly having a carrier body, a first plurality of fixed breaking contacts, a first plurality of movable contacts, a plurality of first fingers, at least one second finger longer in length to a length of a first finger of the plurality of first fingers, a plurality of splitter plates disposed adjacent to the plurality of first fingers and the at least one second finger and a slot motor disposed adjacent to the plurality of first fingers and the at least one second finger. The slot motor is configured to provide a first magnetic field force to amplify a second magnetic field force being applied on the second finger to influence an arc between the first plurality of fixed breaking contacts and the first plurality of movable contacts during a short circuit such that to move the arc away from between the first plurality of fixed breaking contacts and the first plurality of movable contacts and dissipate energy of the arc.

Abstract: A modular slot motor assembly and arc plate assembly combination for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The modular slot motor assembly is positioned proximate the arc plate assembly by lockingly securing it to a subcomponent housing in order to better provide an enhanced separation of the contact arms. During a short circuit event the modular slot motor assembly provides added acceleration to a moving contact arm. To protect the modular slot motor assembly from damage, an insulating casing is applied to at least a portion of the modular slot motor assembly.

Abstract: A slot motor is for an electrical switching apparatus. The slot motor includes: a support apparatus including a support element having a first leg and a second leg located opposite the first leg, the first leg having a first inner surface, the second leg having a second inner surface facing the first inner surface; a plurality of permanent magnets including a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet, the first permanent magnet being located on the first leg, the second permanent magnet being located on the second leg; and a number of U-shaped plates coupled to the support element. The first inner surface and the second inner surface are located between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet.

Abstract: A slot motor apparatus for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The slot motor has first and second legs connected by a thin web, and an extending portion extending rearward from the rear faces of the legs. Slot motor-arc plate assemblies having an arc plate assembly received at least partially overtop of the extending portion are also disclosed, as are assemblies having the arc plate assembly received very close to the rear faces of the slot motor legs. Circuit breakers, slot motor-arc plate assemblies, slot motor covers, and methods of operating the slot motor-arc plate assemblies are disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A switching device suitable for DC operation includes at least one pair of contacts having a first contact and a second contact, wherein at least one of the two contacts is mobile and the two contacts are in contact with one another in a switched-on state of the switching device and are not in contact with one another in a switched-off state of the switching device, further having an arc driver arrangement for generating a magnetic field and an arc guiding arrangement for guiding an arc, which is produced between the contacts, to a quenching device. The problem of quenching arcs independently of the current direction in just one individual quenching apparatus in each case is solved with a substantially homogeneous magnetic field which is generated by permanent magnets.

Abstract: To provide an electric current switching apparatus having a fixed-side electrode unit and a movable-side electrode unit that are arranged to align central axes thereof with each other and to face each other, in which a movable contact provided in the movable-side electrode unit reciprocates on the central axis to contact or separate from a fixed-side contact provided in the fixed-side electrode unit, thereby switching electric current flowing through these electrode units, the electric current switching apparatus including a plurality of permanent magnets that are provided in at least one of the fixed-side electrode unit and the movable-side electrode unit, that have bodies arranged on the central axis to align magnetizing directions thereof with the central axis, and that are arranged to cause same poles of adjacent ones of the permanent magnets to face each other as if butting with each other.

Abstract: A device and method for operating automotive battery system relays and related switches. By creating a dual bipolar magnetic field adjacent the contactor portion of a switching mechanism in the relay, the magnetic field used to promote arc extinguishing is shifted, which in turn reduces the Lorentz force that forms as a byproduct of the field. Such a configuration has the potential for simultaneously maintaining arc-extinguishing capability and improving short-circuit withstanding capability while reducing the tendency of the Lorentz forces to interfere with the operation of a solenoid or other switch-activating mechanisms. Such devices and methods may be used in conjunction with hybrid-powered and electric-powered vehicles.

Abstract: A switching device for direct-current applications includes a housing having a first wall and a second wall, a plurality of receiving areas for respective mutually substantially parallel current paths disposed in the housing. Each of the current paths has a respective stationary switching contact element and a respective movable switching contact element, the movable switching element being actuatable into a closed position and into an open position so as to form a respective air break, the respective movable switching contact elements being actuatable simultaneously. The switching device includes a plurality of arc-quenching devices associated with the current paths and disposed next to each other, and at least one magnet. The at least one magnet is configured to generate a magnetic field so as to generate a deflection force on the arcs so as to deflect the respective arcs toward at least one of the respective arc-quenching devices.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrical service switching device, in particular a circuit breaker, motor circuit breaker or the like, having a housing which has two housing halves and connecting means for electrical connection to busbars and/or power lines, having at least one electrical switching contact on which an arc is struck in an initial arcing chamber on disconnection of the electrical contact, with an arc quenching unit being provided adjacent to this, in order to quench the arc. An AC blowout device which comprises two iron plates adjacent to the initial chamber area in the lateral direction and guides the arc into the arc quenching device by magnetic interaction during AC operation, is provided. The housing wall has an opening in the area of the iron plates, through which a permanent magnet can be inserted in order to create an AC/DC blowout device, which guides the arc into the arc quenching device in both AC and DC operation, when the housing is assembled.

Abstract: An industrial type relay in which the armature acts upon a movable contact arrangement for shifting the same between fixed normally closed contacts on the relay head and the normally open contacts thereof. The head carries respective feed terminals which have elastic ends pressing on the movable contacts between their support and their contact ends so as to provide a preset force defining the contact pressure of the movable contacts against the normally closed fixed contacts.