A high speed arc suppressor and method include a first phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across contacts of the power contactor in a positive domain and a second phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across the contacts in a negative domain. First and second high speed switches are configured to enable and disable operation of an associated one of the first and second phase-specific arc suppressors. First and second drivers are configured to drive the first and second high speed switches.

A high speed arc suppressor and method include a first phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across contacts of the power contactor in a positive domain and a second phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across the contacts in a negative domain. First and second high speed switches are configured to enable and disable operation of an associated one of the first and second phase-specific arc suppressors. First and second drivers are configured to drive the first and second high speed switches.

A device includes an electro-mechanical switching device having an open-circuit and closed-circuit conditions and a path of least resistance having a path input and a path output with the switching device between the input and the output. The device includes a bypass power switch device that comprises a solid-state circuit interrupter and that is configured to conduct current between the input and the output in response to an open-circuit condition of the switching device. The device includes a current sensor that is connected to the output and configured to detect a fault current event. The device includes an actuator that is coupled to the switching device and a controller that is configured to generate a trigger signal to activate the actuator to cause the open-circuit condition of the switching device and to interrupt the fault current event by the power switch device, based on the detected fault current event.

A device includes an electro-mechanical switching device having an open-circuit and closed-circuit conditions and a path of least resistance having a path input and a path output with the switching device between the input and the output. The device includes a bypass power switch device that comprises a solid-state circuit interrupter and that is configured to conduct current between the input and the output in response to an open-circuit condition of the switching device. The device includes a current sensor that is connected to the output and configured to detect a fault current event. The device includes an actuator that is coupled to the switching device and a controller that is configured to generate a trigger signal to activate the actuator to cause the open-circuit condition of the switching device and to interrupt the fault current event by the power switch device, based on the detected fault current event.

A two terminal arc suppressor for protecting switch, relay or contactor contacts and the like comprises a two terminal module adapted to be attached in parallel with the contacts to be protected and including a circuit for deriving an operating voltage upon the transitioning of the switch, relay or contactor contacts from a closed to an open disposition, the power being rectified and the resulting DC signal used to trigger a power triac switch via an optoisolator circuit whereby arc suppression pulses are generated for short predetermined intervals only at a transition of the mechanical switch, relay or contactor contacts from an closed to an open transition and, again, at an open to a close transition during contact bounce conditions.

A two terminal arc suppressor for protecting switch, relay or contactor contacts and the like comprises a two terminal module adapted to be attached in parallel with the contacts to be protected and including a circuit for deriving an operating voltage upon the transitioning of the switch, relay or contactor contacts from a closed to an open disposition, the power being rectified and the resulting DC signal used to trigger a power triac switch via an optoisolator circuit whereby arc suppression pulses are generated for short predetermined intervals only at a transition of the mechanical switch, relay or contactor contacts from an closed to an open transition and, again, at an open to a close transition during contact bounce conditions.

A relay, including a first fixed contact, a second fixed contact, a movable contact piece having first and second movable contacts, a contact piece holding unit configured to hold the movable contact piece, a magnet for arc extinguishing, and a debris suction unit configured to exert a magnetic force to suck debris, is disclosed. A first contact position between the first fixed contact and the first movable contact is located between the magnet for arc extinguishing and the contact piece holding unit in a longitudinal direction of the movable contact piece. The debris suction unit is disposed so that the first contact position does not overlap a region between the debris suction unit and the contact piece holding unit. A magnet force exerted by the debris suction unit in the contact piece holding unit is larger than a magnetic force exerted by the magnet in the contact piece holding unit.

An electric circuit breaker, including a housing, a cut portion that is arranged in the housing and forms a part of an electric circuit, a cutting member that cuts the cut portion, and a power source arranged on a first end portion side of the housing, the electric circuit breaker including a moving body that allows the cut portion to be inserted and accommodated therein and includes the cutting member and a first arc extinguishing space adjacent to the cutting member, in which the housing includes a cylindrical portion capable of moving the moving body between the first end portion and a second end portion on a side opposite to the first end portion. The moving body is further configured such that the cutting member provided in the moving body cuts the cut portion while the moving body moves from the first end portion toward the second end portion by the power source.

An electric circuit breaker, including a housing, a cut portion that is arranged in the housing and forms a part of an electric circuit, a cutting member that cuts the cut portion, and a power source arranged on a first end portion side of the housing, the electric circuit breaker including a moving body that allows the cut portion to be inserted and accommodated therein and includes the cutting member and a first arc extinguishing space adjacent to the cutting member, in which the housing includes a cylindrical portion capable of moving the moving body between the first end portion and a second end portion on a side opposite to the first end portion. The moving body is further configured such that the cutting member provided in the moving body cuts the cut portion while the moving body moves from the first end portion toward the second end portion by the power source.

A power supply circuit for supplying power to an electric load of a vehicle includes a relay and a relay control circuit. The relay is configure to be turned on when enabling the supply of power to the electric load and configured to be turned off when interrupting the supply of power to the electric load. The relay control circuit is configured to turn on the relay when an ignition of the vehicle is on regardless of a state of an operation part that is to be operated by a driver to operate the electric load.