An auxiliary contact unit to be attached on a side surface of an electromagnetic contactor by a snap-fit, wherein the snap-fit includes: a projecting piece projecting toward the electromagnetic contactor and having a tip end portion engaging with the electromagnetic contactor, the tip end portion being formed in a hook shape; and a release operating portion formed on a base end side of the projecting piece and configured to, by bending when pressed from an outside, cause the tip end portion engaged with the electromagnetic contactor to be released.

An electromagnetic contactor includes a stationary contact element including a stationary contact, a movable contact element including a movable contact configured to be able to contact and separate from the stationary contact, an arc-extinguishing chamber that contains a contact portion that includes the stationary contact and the movable contact, and an arc runner provided in the arc-extinguishing chamber. The arc-extinguishing chamber includes an insulating wall portion that is situated beside the stationary contact element in a first direction that is a width direction of the stationary contact element. The arc runner is situated beside the contact portion in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

An electromagnetic contactor includes a stationary contact element including a stationary contact, a movable contact element including a movable contact configured to be able to contact and separate from the stationary contact, an arc-extinguishing chamber that contains a contact portion that includes the stationary contact and the movable contact, and an arc runner provided in the arc-extinguishing chamber. The arc-extinguishing chamber includes an insulating wall portion that is situated beside the stationary contact element in a first direction that is a width direction of the stationary contact element. The arc runner is situated beside the contact portion in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

A switching device is disclosed. In an embodiment a switching device includes at least one stationary contact and a movable contact in a switching chamber configured to contain a gas containing H.sub.2, wherein the movable contact is movable by a magnetic armature with a shaft, wherein the shaft projects through an opening in a yoke which is part of a magnetic circuit, and wherein a liner composed of a plastic is arranged in the opening of the yoke, the liner configured to guide the shaft.

A relay circuit includes a relay and a current divider. The relay includes a coil and a contact. The contact is configured to switches on and off a supply of power to a load that is configured to operate with power supplied from a direct-current power supply through conduction of the coil. The current divider is connected between the contact and the load and configured to split a current supplied from the power supply to the load. The current divider incudes a resistor and a capacitor connected in series and grounded.

A relay circuit includes a relay and a current divider. The relay includes a coil and a contact. The contact is configured to switches on and off a supply of power to a load that is configured to operate with power supplied from a direct-current power supply through conduction of the coil. The current divider is connected between the contact and the load and configured to split a current supplied from the power supply to the load. The current divider incudes a resistor and a capacitor connected in series and grounded.

A magnetically actuated MEMS switch 100 includes a first magnetic core portion 120, a first signal line 15, a first contact point 16, a second magnetic core portion 220, a second signal line 25, a second contact point 26, and a first coil portion 111 and a second coil portion 211 serving as a magnetic field applying portion that causes a current to flow in conductor coil to apply a magnetic field to the first magnetic core portion 120 and the second magnetic core portion 220. The first contact point 16 is displaced depending on the presence or absence of a magnetic field applied by the magnetic field applying portion. Connection and disconnection between the first contact point 16 and the second contact point 26 are switched in response to displacement of the first contact point 16.

A magnetically actuated MEMS switch 100 includes a first magnetic core portion 120, a first signal line 15, a first contact point 16, a second magnetic core portion 220, a second signal line 25, a second contact point 26, and a first coil portion 111 and a second coil portion 211 serving as a magnetic field applying portion that causes a current to flow in conductor coil to apply a magnetic field to the first magnetic core portion 120 and the second magnetic core portion 220. The first contact point 16 is displaced depending on the presence or absence of a magnetic field applied by the magnetic field applying portion. Connection and disconnection between the first contact point 16 and the second contact point 26 are switched in response to displacement of the first contact point 16.

A high voltage relay resistant to instantaneous high-current impact is disclosed, and includes an electromagnet system, a control system, a contact system, and a base support. In the present solution, an electromagnetic force generated by the contact system is used to resolve a problem of contact separation caused by an electric repulsion force generated by an instantaneous high-current.

An arc path forming unit and a direct current relay including same are illustrated. The arc path forming unit according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises multiple magnets. Each of the magnets is configured to form a magnetic field at a point where each stationary contact is located. Each of the magnets located adjacent to each stationary contact is configured such that the opposite surfaces thereof have different polarities. A current flowing through a stationary contact and a movable contact and a magnetic field formed by each of the magnets generate an electromagnetic force. The electromagnetic force travels in a direction away from the center of the direct current relay. Therefore, a generated arc travels in the direction of the electromagnetic force and is thus moved in a direction away from the center of the direct current relay. Accordingly, the direct current relay can be prevented from being damaged.