Abstract: An electrical switching device for controlling lighting or other electrical loads from multiple locations. Device toggle element indicates to a user whether or not the load is energized. A raised “ON” position indicates an energized load while lowered “OFF” position indicates the load is not energized. Toggle element position is changeable manually by the user or programmatically by an actuator mechanism. A mode of communication exists among devices so that when one device's toggle element position is changed manually, this change is communicated to other devices on the same circuit and these other devices activate their actuator in order to change the position of their toggle elements in synchronization. One or more loads are connected to devices and are energized when the respective device's toggle element is in the raised “ON” position and de-energized when the device's toggle element is in the lowered “OFF” position.

Abstract: An apparatus (200) for remote manipulation of an electric equipment. The apparatus (200) comprises a supporting structure (204) adapted to be attached to the electric equipment adjacent to a button (202a) of the electric equipment, and an elongated lever (206) attached to an axis (204a) of the supporting structure between a first end and a second end of the elongated lever such that the elongated lever is rotatable around the axis (204a). The apparatus (200) also comprises an actuation member (208, 210) adapted to actuate the first end of the elongated lever in response to an actuation signal (S) such that the elongated lever rotates around the axis (204a) so to move a finger portion (206c) at the second end of the lever against the button with a predefined maximum length.

Abstract: A magnetic trip device of a thermal magnetic circuit breaker and a thermal magnetic circuit breaker including such a magnetic trip device, and also a method for adjusting a magnetic field area of a magnetic trip device of a thermal magnetic circuit breaker, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the magnetic trip device includes at least an armature locator moveable arranged at a pin in order to adjust a magnetic field area, and an armature element fixed on a lower surface of the armature locator in order to interact with a yoke, arranged near a current conductive element for conducting electric energy. The armature locator includes an adjustment element arranged between a spring element and the yoke. The spring element surrounding at least a part of the pin is arranged between the armature element and the yoke.

Abstract: The disclosure refers to a switch which is suitable to protect an electric circuit against overloading. The switch generally consists of a triggering assembly as well as of an interrupting assembly, wherein said triggering assembly comprises and induction unit, a thermic interrupter and an actuating needle. The induction unit comprises a coil with a yoke intended to displace the actuating needle towards the triggering assembly, when the short circuit occurs. Said thermic interrupter comprises a bimetallic membrane, which is mechanically interconnected with the actuating needle and is in the case of excess current and generating of heat displaced towards the interrupting assembly. In order to provide such switch, which could moreover enable protection against transient voltage, e.g. due to thunder bolt, such switch is furnished with a varistor, which is located within the triggering assembly in a heat-conductive relationship with said thermic interrupter.

Abstract: A thermal-magnetic trip unit is provided for a circuit breaker. The thermal-magnetic trip unit includes a heater and a translational magnetic system coupled to the heater. The heater includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion has a first surface disposed in a first plane, and the second portion has a second surface disposed in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. The first surface is separated by a first predetermined distance from the second surface. The third portion has a third surface disposed in a third plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane. The third surface has a first predetermined length and is separated by a second predetermined distance from the second surface.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having a movable contact arm for opening and closing the circuit which is controlled separately by a circuit breaker mechanism for circuit protection and by a switch lever mechanism which does not require actuation of the circuit breaker mechanism to function. The switch lever may be activated by a solenoid or other suitable means, and various interlocking mechanical states exist among the elements that provide added safety features.

Abstract: A shutter plate that is supported so as to be able to swing in both directions and covers both first and second operating parts, and a shutter mechanism that operates the shutter plate in one direction when the first operating part is to be exposed and in reverse direction when the second operating part is to be exposed are provided, wherein the shutter mechanism includes one pair of locking members for limiting or releasing the swing of the shutter plate.

Abstract: A protective switch assembly (100) includes switch position sensors (109) that sense switch blade (14) position and indicate whether one or more switches (104) are open. According to another aspect, the voltage and current of the switch circuits are monitored to determine switch position as well as overall circuit status.

Abstract: An electromechanical switch comprising a plunger, a first switch in contact with the plunger in a first position of the plunger, in which a connection of the switch is open, a button in sliding contact with the plunger, and a solenoid in contact with the plunger in a second position of the plunger, in which a connection of the first switch is closed.

Abstract: An apparatus of modular trip mechanism and auxiliary mechanism for a circuit breaker comprises an auxiliary mechanism module including a first micro switch to output an electrical signal indicating an ON/OFF position of the circuit breaker, a first shaft contact lever mechanism to operate the first micro switch by contacting the switching shaft or receiving an artificial pressing force, a second micro switch to output an electrical signal indicating whether a trip operation of the circuit breaker has been performed, and a second lever to operate the second micro switch by contacting the switching shaft or receiving an artificial pressing force; and a trip mechanism module including an electromagnetic trip device to operate a trip bar to trigger the circuit breaker to a trip position in response to a trip control signal from an overcurrent relay or a test trip control signal from a test signal generating source.

Abstract: An exemplary medium or high voltage switch has a first set of contact elements and a second set of contact elements. Each contact element includes an insulating carrier carrying conducting elements. In the closed current-carrying state of the switch, the conducting elements align to form one or more current paths between terminals of the switch along an axial direction. For opening the switch, the contact elements are mutually displaced by through two drives along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The switching arrangement is arranged in a fluid-tight housing in a gas of elevated pressure or in a liquid. The switch has a high voltage withstand capability and fast switching times.

Abstract: A device integrating a digital switch and a hand switch, which includes one hand switch having a primary terminal being fixed at one side, and a secondary terminal and a third terminal being fixed at another side respectively, thereat, either the said secondary terminal or said third terminal is able to be connected with the said primary terminal via specifiable switching operations; one automatic switch having a fourth terminal being fixed at one side, and a fifth terminal and a sixth terminal being fixed at another side respectively, whereat, either the said fifth terminal or said sixth terminal is able to be connected with the said fourth terminal via specifiable switching operations; and wherein, upon the occurrence of a malfunction in the automatic switch, the device is allowable to turn on or off manually.

Abstract: An add-on module adapted to be attached to the basic mechanical structure of a multi-pole circuit breaker includes multiple extended terminal plates each of which is adapted to replace one of the input and output terminals for one of the poles, multiple electromechanical transducers each of which is coupled to one of the extended terminal plates for producing a mechanical movement in response to a predetermined magnitude of electrical current in the extended terminal plate to which that transducer is coupled, and a mechanical actuator coupled to the electromechanical transducers and to the breaker contacts for operating a trip mechanism in response to a predetermined mechanical movement of any of the transducers.

Abstract: A rugged, miniature, waterproof and lightweight magnetic latching indicator with an auxiliary switch. The indicator includes a solenoid, an elongated plunger mounted in the solenoid, the plunger supporting a first permanent magnet with the magnet being surrounded by specially dimensioned non-magnetic spacers. The plunger and solenoid are packaged in a non-magnetic housing with a solenoid locator, a top cap and a bottom cap maintaining the indicator in a compact waterproof package. An indicator button is mounted to the plunger and a reed switch biasing spring and second permanent magnet are located between the bottom cap and the solenoid. The plunger moves from a retracted latching position to an extended position. In the retracted position, the indicator button is retracted and not readily visible and the second permanent magnet maintains the reed switch in a closed position.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical structure and method is disclosed. A ceramic substrate preferably is formed from low temperature co-fired ceramic sheets. A low loss photodefinable dielectric planarizing layer is formed over one surface of the ceramic substrate. This layer can e a sacrificial layer or a subsequent sacrificial layer added. A photodefined conductor is printed over the low loss dielectric planarizing layer and formed with the sacrificial layer into a structural circuit component. In one aspect of the invention, a switch is formed with a biasing actuator and deflectable member formed over the biasing actuator and moveable into open and closed circuit positions.

Abstract: A manually operable switch has an opening handle pivotally mounted on a housing for moving a set of contacts in the housing from one position to another. A force generating arrangement is mounted outside the switch housing, and a force translation system extends between the housing and the force generating arrangement. The force translation system has a first end structure movable into and out of contact with the operating handle, and a second end structure disposed for movement in the force generating arrangement.

Abstract: A method for organizing the execution of electronically controlled switching processes, in which sequential and/or parallel steps (S1 to S9) are activated by preset transition conditions (T1 to T9) and are deactivated by the advancement of the execution. During the activation of a step (S1 to S9), respectively inadmissible parallel steps are deactivated, each of the respectively inadmissible steps previously having been documented in a stored matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetically influenced current or voltage regulator comprising a body (1) which is composed of a magnetisable material and provides a closed, magnetic circuit, at least one first electrical conductor (8) wound about the body of a first main winding (2) and at least one second electrical conductor (9) wound about the body of a second main winding (4). The winding axis (A2) for the main winding (2) is at right angles to the winding axis (A4) for the control winding (4) with the object of providing orthogonal magnetic fields (H1, B1 and H2, B2 respectively) in the body (1) and thereby controlling the behaviour of the magnetisable material relative to the field (H1, B1) in the main winding (2) by means of the field (H2, B2) in the control winding (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing bus control for relays and more particularly relates to a method of monitoring and/or controlling a relay, a module for exchanging data with a relay, and a relay provided with such a module.

Abstract: A switching arrangement for a security circuit as for an automobile, in which an arming switch is mounted behind a covering structure at a concealed location. A switch is normally attached to a position covering spaced conductors turning on the security circuit. A latching magnet is positioned over the concealed locations to pull the switching magnet off the conductors and disarm the security circuit.

Abstract: A power switch for use with a personal locator beacon (PLB), or an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), that prevents accidental activation of the beacon to prevent false alarm transmission of emergency signals. The personal locator beacon includes electronic circuitry housed in a portable hand-held housing that includes a fail safe power switch which has a lever arm that is selectively movable between first and second offset recessed cavities formed in the housing. The lever arm is rotatable about a shaft between an "off" position wherein the lever arm is received within the first cavity, and an "on" position wherein said lever arm is received within the second cavity. An edge portion formed by the offset cavities stops the lever arm from rotating from the first position to the second position unless the lever arm is manually moved laterally along the shaft to clear the edge portion.

Abstract: Photoelectric reflective object sensors are mounted in an exteriorly mounted auxiliary switch case to detect a member on a movable contact assembly of the contactor to produce logic level output signals indicative of the operational state of the contactor electromagnet. One or a pair of photoelectric sensors are used in a side mounted auxiliary switch to detect the contactor movable contact assembly in the energized or de-energized position, or en route between the two positions. A single photoelectric sensor is used in a top adder auxiliary switch to detect if the movable contact assembly is or is not in the extended (de-energized) position. The auxiliary switches provided logic level output signals directly usable with microprocessor based controllers.

Abstract: A panel switch according to the present invention has a switching unit comprising a plurality of switches which are not provided with individual click mechanisms and at least one click mechanism for the switching unit. Because the switching unit does not incorporate individual click mechanisms, the panel switch can be formed into a small size. In addition, by the integration of the provided click mechanism, the degree of freedom on the design of the panel switch is enlarged, and a small-sized panel switch which is excellent in switching feeling can be offered.

Abstract: A switch comprises a mechanical switch element having contacts and a semiconductor switching element, the mechanical switching element and semiconductor element being connected in series or in parallel with each other with respect to the output terminal and integrally formed in a housing. The semiconductor element and the connections thereto are embedded in an insulating material within the housing.

Abstract: A contactless pressure switch 10 sensitive to fluid pressure rates of change includes a housing 36 and a diaphragm 42 secured in the housing defining first and second chambers. Ports 48, 50 are included in the first and second chambers to vent the chambers. A magnet 52 is secured to the diaphragm and a switching module 54 is secured to the housing within one of the first or second chambers at a position spaced from the diaphragm. A biasing magnet 53 is mounted with the module to provide symmetrical switching by the module. The other of the first or second chambers is coupled to a sensing tube 28 such that upon a pulse or rate change of pressure being introduced in the other of first and second chambers, the diaphragm is deflected. This moves the magnet 52 toward the module actuating it to switch the module and actuate a desired circuit. In an alternative embodiment, the position of the module may be varied relative to the diaphragm to vary the sensitivity of the switch.

Abstract: Main contact and interrupter contact operating rods of opposed current interrupters are sequentially moved by a spring loaded operating mechanism to open the main contacts and interrupting contacts of the interrupter switches. Rotation of an input shaft trips a first overcenter toggle linkage by the engagement of a cam on a drive lever operably connected to the shaft. Tripping of the first overcenter toggle linkage allows the springs to rapidly move a main rod arm assembly connected to the main contact operating rods to open the main contacts. Rotation of the main rod arm assembly trips a second overcenter toggle linkage connected to a fast rod arm assembly permitting springs to rotate the fast rod arm assembly connected to the interrupter contact rods to open the interrupting contacts in sequence. Continued rotation of the shaft in the same direction causes abutments on the drive lever to engage the main rod arm assembly and the fast rod arm assembly to recock the mechanism for subsequent operation.