Abstract: The present invention relates to contactors for unidirectional DC operation with permanent magnetic arc extinguishing. In addition to the blow magnets, the contactors are equipped with compensatory permanent magnets for compensating the magnetic field in the vicinity of the contact bridge in order to prevent contact levitation, i.e., an uncontrolled opening of the contacts that is due to a magnetic force generated by a strong current flowing through the contact bridge. To this end, the compensatory permanent magnets are arranged in the vicinity of the contact bridge and polarized in the opposite direction of the blow magnets. The magnetic field of the compensatory magnets and the current flowing through the contact bridge are generating a magnetic force that acts on the contact bridge and tends to keep the electrical contacts closed.

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 arc chute comprising an arc extinguishing chamber formed by a stack of deionizing plates and an arc formation chamber bounded by a first and second flange, said arc chute being equipped with permanent magnets arranged behind at least the first flange, in which the arc formation chamber comprises: an enhanced induction section where the arc is propelled towards the arc extinguishing chamber by a first part of the permanent magnets, and a diverting section where the arc is diverted towards the first flange by a second part of the permanent magnets, the magnetic field in the longitudinal mid-plane generated by the second part being substantially weaker than that generated by the first part. A circuit breaker comprising separable contacts and the previously described arc chute.

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: A current interrupter (4) includes a current interrupting device (4) having at least one movable contact (71); an actuator (8) coupled to the movable contact (71) of the current interrupter (4); a feedback sensor (14) for monitoring movement of the actuator (8); and a control system (12) coupled to the feedback sensor (14) so as to receive information from the feedback sensor (14) concerning the movement of the actuator (8) and for controlling movement of the actuator (8) based on the information. The interrupter (4) further includes a memory (202) for storing a desired motion profile of the actuator (8); and a microprocessor (202) for comparing the movement of the actuator (8) with the desired motion profile and controlling movement of the actuator (8) based also on a comparison of the movement of the actuator (8) with the desired motion profile.

Abstract: A DC contactor has stationary and movable contacts. A magnet is rotatably mounted adjacent to the stationary contact within a self magnetic field produced by the flow of electric current in the stationary contact. The magnet rotates so that its magnetic field extends around the stationary contact in the same direction as the self magnetic field. When an arc forms between the stationary and movable contacts, interaction with the self magnetic field and the magnetic field drives the arc toward an adjacent extinguishing chamber.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a cylindrical arcing chamber filled with an insulating medium. The arcing chamber has a power current path and an insulating housing. The insulating housing has a longitudinal axis and the power current path extends along the longitudinal axis of the insulating housing. The power current path includes a fixed contact arrangement and a contact arrangement. The fixed contact arrangement is attached to an electrically insulating guide part. The contact arrangement has a moving contact cage. The fixed contact arrangement and the contact arrangement have a first and second fixed erosion-resistant covering, respectively. The insulating housing has a blast volume for accumulating an increased pressure of the insulating medium which occurs when the moving contact cage breaks contact with the fixed contact arrangement. When the circuit breaker is in an on position, the contact cage contacts the fixed contact arrangement above the guide part and surrounds the guide part.

Abstract: A contactor for switching electric current has a stationary contact and a movable contact which when driven by a solenoid moves into and away from abutment with the stationary contact. An arc chute includes a plurality of splitter plates which extend radially from a center point in a geometric arc around the stationary contact on a side that is opposite to the movable contact. A curved arc runner is connected to the stationary contact to guide an electrical arc travelling between the stationary contact and each of the splitter plates. An elongated arc runner is connected to the movable contact to guide the electrical arc between the movable contact and splitter plates at the ends of the geometric arc.

Abstract: A loadbreak switch is provided that utilizes a pivotally mounted movable jaw contact and a main stationary contact that is positioned in the middle of an arc runner. For operation at voltages 15 kV and above, the switch utilizes a shunt contact that bridges the arc runner and that is above and coplanar with the main stationary contact. A magnetic field is developed by the current that flows through a coil of wire disposed around the arc runner. This configuration when utilized in an environment of insulating gas, provides efficient extinguishing of arcs upon opening of the contacts. Further, the open jaw contact is easily visible to establish an open gap.