A power contact electrode plasma therapy circuit includes a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a set of switchable contact electrodes of a power contact. A plasma ignition detector is configured to detect an electrical parameter over the switchable contact electrodes indicative of the formation of plasma between the switchable contact electrodes and output a plasma ignition signal based on the electrical parameter as detected. A plasma burn memory is configured to receive and store the plasma ignition signal. A controller circuit is configured to receive from the plasma burn memory the plasma ignition signal, start a time based on receipt of the plasma ignition signal, and upon the timer meeting a time requirement, output a plasma extinguish command. A plasma extinguishing circuit, configured to bypass the pair of terminals upon receiving the trigger signal to extinguish the plasma between the switchable contact electrodes.

A power contact electrode plasma therapy circuit includes a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a set of switchable contact electrodes of a power contact. A plasma ignition detector is configured to detect an electrical parameter over the switchable contact electrodes indicative of the formation of plasma between the switchable contact electrodes and output a plasma ignition signal based on the electrical parameter as detected. A plasma burn memory is configured to receive and store the plasma ignition signal. A controller circuit is configured to receive from the plasma burn memory the plasma ignition signal, start a time based on receipt of the plasma ignition signal, and upon the timer meeting a time requirement, output a plasma extinguish command. A plasma extinguishing circuit, configured to bypass the pair of terminals upon receiving the trigger signal to extinguish the plasma between the switchable contact electrodes.

An electric machine, to a motor vehicle with such an electric machine, and to a method for operating such an electric machine. The electric machine includes at least one sliding contact which is formed by a slip ring connected to a rotor and by at least one brush and via which an operating current flows during an operation of the electric machine. A control unit is configured to control the operation of the electric machine. The control unit is configured to verify a predetermined operating criterion of the electric machine and, if said operating criterion is met, to inject a cleaning current according to a predetermined scheme, which then flows independently of the operating current via the sliding contact and cleans said sliding contact in order to maintain or improve a current transfer capability of the sliding contact.

An electric machine, to a motor vehicle with such an electric machine, and to a method for operating such an electric machine. The electric machine includes at least one sliding contact which is formed by a slip ring connected to a rotor and by at least one brush and via which an operating current flows during an operation of the electric machine. A control unit is configured to control the operation of the electric machine. The control unit is configured to verify a predetermined operating criterion of the electric machine and, if said operating criterion is met, to inject a cleaning current according to a predetermined scheme, which then flows independently of the operating current via the sliding contact and cleans said sliding contact in order to maintain or improve a current transfer capability of the sliding contact.

The electrical switch includes a first and a second fixed contact, and a movable knife contact including at least one longitudinal pair of blades being flexibly connected to each other, wherein the blades form, in a switching event, contact with contact portions of the first and/or the second fixed contact. Opposite surfaces of the contact portions of the first and the second fixed contact include a roughened area and the inner surface of each blade includes a protruded area or opposite surfaces of the contact portions of the first and the second fixed contact include a protruded area and the inner surface of each blade includes a roughened area.

A push switch includes a stationary contact and a movable contact. The stationary contact includes a base material and a conductive layer that covers the base material. The movable contact is disposed opposite a contact surface of the stationary contact. The movable contact is movable between a first position where the movable contact is in contact with the contact surface and a second position where the movable contact is apart from the contact surface. The stationary contact has a groove that divides the contact surface into a plurality of areas. Connection surfaces connect respective opening edges of the groove with a bottom of the groove. Each of the connection surfaces has a slope that is inclined at acute angle relative to the contact surface.

A push switch includes: a case that has a depression that opens in a first direction, and an enlarging depression that is adjacent to the depression; a movable component disposed in the depression; a first stationary contact that is provided on a bottom surface of the depression, the first stationary contact is located in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction from the movable component; and a second stationary contact exposed at the bottom surface of the depression. When the movable component is deformed, the movable component comes into contact with the first stationary contact. The second stationary contact has a contact portion with which the movable component is in contact. The enlarging depression is more apart from a center of the case than the depression is apart from the center of the case when viewed in the first direction. The depression and the enlarging depression are integrally made. The enlarging depression is adjacent to the contact portion.

A circuit breaker includes: a live line between a live supply connecting terminal and a live load connecting terminal; a neutral line between a neutral supply connecting terminal and a neutral load connecting terminal; a processing unit; a mechanical switch located in the live line, which mechanical switch is controllable by the processing unit; a trigger for interrupting the live line and/or the neutral line; and an auxiliary line connecting the neutral line with the live line between the mechanical switch and the live load connecting terminal, the auxiliary line including serially a current limiting resistor and a control switch controllable by the processing unit. The processing unit controls the control switch and to open and close at least the mechanical switch for a removal of oxidation layers of mechanical contacts of at least the mechanical switch by controlled arcing.

Embodiments herein are directed to a portable diagnostic tool. The portable diagnostic tool includes a tool body, a first hexagonal shape, a second hexagonal shape, and a plurality of legs. The tool body has four peripheral edges, a top face and a bottom face positioned on an opposite side of the tool body. The first and second hexagonal shapes are disposed within the tool body extending through the top face and the bottom face. The second hexagonal shape is larger than the first hexagonal shape. Each of the plurality of legs extend from the same one of the four peripheral edges. Each of the plurality of legs are spaced apart and extend an equal length. Each one of the plurality of legs has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface has a tapered portion with respect to the first surface.

A circuit for controlling an input current, the circuit includes a first input port configured to receive the input current. A current detector detects an input current value of the input current and generates a control signal indicative of the input current value. A first output port outputs an output current to a load. A second output port receives the output current from the load. A control circuit provides a low-impedance path in parallel with the load in response to the control signal indicating the input current value is below a threshold value.