A relay with two current paths thermally connected in parallel is particularly fail-safe. In case of a failure of one main contact, the additional load current is led via the remaining functioning main contact. The failed main contact as well as the thermal connection between the two main contacts then serve as heat sinks, whereby the relay can continue to operate.

A circuit breaker according to the present invention includes a terminal switching unit mounted in an enclosure thereof, and the terminal switching unit accommodates, in a base as an outer casing thereof, a fixed contactor and a movable contactor contactable with and separated from each other, a sliding unit rotatably supporting the movable contactor, and a detection mechanism to detect a fault current. Radiators are provided at side portions of at least one of a contact portion where the movable contactor comes in contact with the fixed contactor, the sliding unit and the detection mechanism, each radiator radiating heat to the outside of the base. This may prevent an increase in temperature of the circuit breaker within a limited space without an increase in costs.

A circuit breaker according to the present invention includes a terminal switching unit mounted in an enclosure thereof, and the terminal switching unit accommodates, in a base as an outer casing thereof, a fixed contactor and a movable contactor contactable with and separated from each other, a sliding unit rotatably supporting the movable contactor, and a detection mechanism to detect a fault current. Radiators are provided at side portions of at least one of a contact portion where the movable contactor comes in contact with the fixed contactor, the sliding unit and the detection mechanism, each radiator radiating heat to the outside of the base. This may prevent an increase in temperature of the circuit breaker within a limited space without an increase in costs.

Devices, systems, and methods for dissipating heat from electrical distribution assemblies and electrical switching devices are described herein. In one non-limiting embodiment, a dielectric material of relatively high thermal conductivity can be thermally coupled to electrical switching devices to act as a dielectric heat transfer window that dissipates heat. The dielectric heat transfer window includes at least a first portion thermally coupled to a heat generating component within an electrical switching device, and a second portion disposed external to the electrical distribution assembly or electrical switching device. Among other benefits, this allows heat generated within the electrical switching device to escape the interior of the electrical switching device to an environment external to the electrical switching device.

The present invention is related to a switching device having a contactor and an actuator. The contactor has at least a first contactor member and a second contactor member. The actuator is configured to actuate the contactor. At least one of the contactor members has a varying or variable thickness along its length such that the at least one of the contactor members has a relatively thick portion and a relatively thin portion.

A connector assembly is provided for facilitating live connection of equipment in a switchgear. The assembly includes two circular plates, and conductive fingers which are arranged and spaced apart around the two plates to form a finger cluster with first open-end on a first cluster end and second open-end on an opposite second cluster end. Each open-end can receive a conductor therein. Each finger can include a first finger end and an opposite second finger end which form respective first and second cluster ends; two first interior grooves which are spaced-apart on an interior surface to receive a portion of respective plates; and first and second exterior grooves on an exterior surface around the first and second finger ends respectively. The assembly also includes first and second garter springs which are arranged around the fingers in respective first and second exterior grooves to apply a force against the fingers.

A fusible disconnect switch device is provided. The disconnect switch a switch actuator, an actuator bias element, and a slider assembly. The switch actuator is selectively positionable between an opened position and a closed position. The actuator bias element includes a first end acting on the switch actuator and a second end coupled to the switch housing. The slider assembly is linked to the switch actuator. The slider assembly includes a first slider and a second slider each slidably movable with respect to the switch housing along a linear axis. The first slider is independently movable relative to the second slider. The actuator bias element and the slider assembly are responsive to the position of the switch actuator to effect the switch closing operation and a switch opening operation.

A relay structure includes a case; a magnetoelectric assembly; a first leg and a second leg assembled with two ends of the magnetoelectric assembly, respectively; a magnetic conduction assembly having an end electrically connected to the magnetoelectric assembly in a normal condition, and when the magnetoelectric assembly produces electromagnetism, the magnetic conduction assembly is magnetically attracted to and abutted with other end of the magnetoelectric assembly; a driving plate assembled with the top surface of the magnetic conduction assembly; an armature assembly including conductive plates stacked with each other, and having an end bonded with a third leg, and other end extended toward the driving plate and formed with a conductively connecting member, a top end of the driving plate is inserted through the armature assembly; a fourth leg having an end disposed inside the case and formed with a contact member above the conductively connecting member.

A switching device in accordance with the present invention includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the second electrode includes a body part and a cantilever connected to the body part. In addition, one end of a the cantilever comes into contact with the first electrode by an electrostatic force generated by a voltage applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, and the one end of the cantilever is separated from the first electrode due to heat generated by a voltage applied to both ends of the body part. In addition, the second electrode may include a 2-1 electrode, a 2-2 electrode, and an engineered beam connected in between. The engineered beam comes into contact with the first electrode on the basis of thermal expansion due to heat generated by a current flowing between the body part of the 2-1 electrode and the body part of the 2-2 electrode, or is separated from the first electrode on the basis of thermal expansion due to heat generated by a current flowing through both ends of the body parts of the 2-1 electrode and the 2-2 electrode. According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve high-speed operation while having ultralow power, high reliability through exploiting nano thermal actuation method capable of high-speed thermal expansion and actuation at low operation voltage.

A switching device in accordance with the present invention includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the second electrode includes a body part and a cantilever connected to the body part. In addition, one end of a the cantilever comes into contact with the first electrode by an electrostatic force generated by a voltage applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, and the one end of the cantilever is separated from the first electrode due to heat generated by a voltage applied to both ends of the body part. In addition, the second electrode may include a 2-1 electrode, a 2-2 electrode, and an engineered beam connected in between. The engineered beam comes into contact with the first electrode on the basis of thermal expansion due to heat generated by a current flowing between the body part of the 2-1 electrode and the body part of the 2-2 electrode, or is separated from the first electrode on the basis of thermal expansion due to heat generated by a current flowing through both ends of the body parts of the 2-1 electrode and the 2-2 electrode. According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve high-speed operation while having ultralow power, high reliability through exploiting nano thermal actuation method capable of high-speed thermal expansion and actuation at low operation voltage.