A method for controlling a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker is connected in a three-phase system having an inductive load, and the method includes a method for controlling a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker being connected in a three-phase system having an inductive load, the method includes opening a first phase of the three-phase system before a zero crossing of a current in the first phase, opening the second and third phases of the three-phase system a quarter period after opening the first phase, closing the first and second phase at a peak voltage of a voltage between the first and second phases, and closing the third phase a quarter period after closing the first and second phases. A circuit breaker controller is also presented.

A method for controlling a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker is connected in a three-phase system having an inductive load, and the method includes a method for controlling a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker being connected in a three-phase system having an inductive load, the method includes opening a first phase of the three-phase system before a zero crossing of a current in the first phase, opening the second and third phases of the three-phase system a quarter period after opening the first phase, closing the first and second phase at a peak voltage of a voltage between the first and second phases, and closing the third phase a quarter period after closing the first and second phases. A circuit breaker controller is also presented.

A switchgear includes a circuit breaking section having a moveable contact bridging element and at least one first arc chutes adjacent the contact bridging element, each arc chute including a base plate for connecting to the contact bridging element and a group of splitter plates placed adjacent the base plate, where the splitter plates of the groups are separated from the base plate and each other via air gaps and resistors interconnect at least some of the plates in at least a first of the arc chutes for bypassing corresponding air gaps, wherein the resistors have values in the range 5 k-1 M, current ratings below 100 mA and power ratings below 1 W.

A switchgear includes a circuit breaking section having a moveable contact bridging element and at least one first arc chutes adjacent the contact bridging element, each arc chute including a base plate for connecting to the contact bridging element and a group of splitter plates placed adjacent the base plate, where the splitter plates of the groups are separated from the base plate and each other via air gaps and resistors interconnect at least some of the plates in at least a first of the arc chutes for bypassing corresponding air gaps, wherein the resistors have values in the range 5 k-1 M, current ratings below 100 mA and power ratings below 1 W.

The present disclosure provides controllers for power distribution network circuit interrupting devices and provides electronic control circuits for inclusion in such controllers. The electronic control circuit has a boost circuit, a capacitor storage unit and a pulse width modulator control circuit. The boost circuit boosts an input voltage to a value to supply sufficient energy to a protective relay solenoid to energize the solenoid. The capacitor storage unit stores the boosted voltage from the boost circuit. The pulse width modulator control circuit is responsive to a control and enable circuit to selectively enable energy from the capacitor to energize the one or more protective relays in power distribution system circuit interrupting device.

The present disclosure provides controllers for power distribution network circuit interrupting devices and provides electronic control circuits for inclusion in such controllers. The electronic control circuit has a boost circuit, a capacitor storage unit and a pulse width modulator control circuit. The boost circuit boosts an input voltage to a value to supply sufficient energy to a protective relay solenoid to energize the solenoid. The capacitor storage unit stores the boosted voltage from the boost circuit. The pulse width modulator control circuit is responsive to a control and enable circuit to selectively enable energy from the capacitor to energize the one or more protective relays in power distribution system circuit interrupting device.

An electrical switch includes a fixed contact member and a plurality of movable contact fingers that pivot into and out of engagement with the fixed contact member. The electrical switch also includes a fixed magnetic member and a plurality of U-shaped magnetic members housing the plurality of movable contact fingers. Upon occurrence of a fault condition, each of the plurality of U-shaped magnetic members is magnetically pulled towards the fixed magnetic member, without contacting the fixed magnetic member, such that each of the plurality of movable contact fingers is held in engagement with the fixed contact member.

An electrical switch includes a fixed contact member and a plurality of movable contact fingers that pivot into and out of engagement with the fixed contact member. The electrical switch also includes a fixed magnetic member and a plurality of U-shaped magnetic members housing the plurality of movable contact fingers. Upon occurrence of a fault condition, each of the plurality of U-shaped magnetic members is magnetically pulled towards the fixed magnetic member, without contacting the fixed magnetic member, such that each of the plurality of movable contact fingers is held in engagement with the fixed contact member.

A HVDC disconnector is disclosed. The HVDC disconnector comprises a fixed contact comprising a guide and a pair of conducting members positioned in the guide wherein the first and second conducting members are both tulip contacts; a movable contact comprising a fixed arm and a mobile arm having a conducting terminal, wherein the mobile arm is movable from an open position to a closed position to close a connection between the fixed contact and the second contact.

A HVDC disconnector is disclosed. The HVDC disconnector comprises a fixed contact comprising a guide and a pair of conducting members positioned in the guide wherein the first and second conducting members are both tulip contacts; a movable contact comprising a fixed arm and a mobile arm having a conducting terminal, wherein the mobile arm is movable from an open position to a closed position to close a connection between the fixed contact and the second contact.