Disclosed embodiments relate to an electrically controlled switch for high current switching operations and with different configurations of fixed terminal contacts that includes a switch body, a couple of moving contacts, a guide that drives the couple of moving contacts up to an abutting position, a housing groove running perimetric in the switch body, and at least one contact bar for connecting each of the moving contact to a respective fixed terminal contact of the switch, wherein the contact bar is hosted within the housing groove and has a free end projecting from the switch body to form the fixed terminal contact through a corresponding aperture of the switch body located on a same lateral side or on opposite lateral sides, or on the base support, respectively.

A closing spring assembly for an electrical switching device is provided. The closing spring assembly is configured to exert a closing force on a moving contact of the switching device. The closing force helps to maintain physical and electrical contact between the moving contact and an associated stationary contact, so that the moving and stationary contacts form a path for conducing electric current through the switching device. The closing spring assembly is configured so that the closing force remains constant or decreases as the moving contact is driven away from the stationary contact during switching of the current path away from the moving and stationary contacts.

An improved switching or contactor device with high arc extinguishing capabilities industrial and railways applications where a high current must be switched on and off is provided. The switching or contactor device includes, in a casing, a switch base portion including electrical switching means of a low voltage driving portion active on moving contacts; a high voltage portion including the moving contacts driven towards and away from each other with respect to a mutual contact position, said moving contacts being mounted at respective contact ends of a toggle mechanism which is movable by a low voltage driving portion, and a top arc chute extinguishing portion covering the high voltage portion.

A contactor assembly for a transfer switch includes a housing, first and second operating mechanisms in the housing, a first contact assembly in the housing and adjacent the first operating mechanism, a second contact assembly in the housing and adjacent the second operating mechanism, and a central control system in the housing and coupled to each of the first and second operating mechanisms. The central control system is configured to be manually actuated (i) in a first way to cause the first operating mechanism to change the first contact assembly to a closed state and to lock the second contact assembly in an open state and (ii) in a second way to cause the second operating mechanism to change the second contact assembly to a closed state and to lock the first contact assembly in an open state.

A method of monitoring a contact force between electrical contacts in a mechanical contactor. The method includes receiving, from a force sensor, a signal including information about a base force sensed by the force sensor between a stationary core and a base; determining a magnitude of the contact force based on the received information; and outputting information based on the determined magnitude to an operator.

A method of monitoring a contact force between electrical contacts in a mechanical contactor. The method includes receiving, from a force sensor, a signal including information about a base force sensed by the force sensor between a stationary core and a base; determining a magnitude of the contact force based on the received information; and outputting information based on the determined magnitude to an operator.

A contactor (1) comprising: one or more electric poles (3); for each electric pole, a fixed contact (31) and a corresponding movable contact (32), the one or more movable contacts (32) of said contactor being reversibly movable, along corresponding displacement axes (33) mutually parallel and lying on a common displacement plane (34), between a first position (A), at which said movable contacts are decoupled from the corresponding fixed contacts, and a second position (B), at which said movable contacts are coupled with the corresponding fixed contacts; a movable armature (7) reversibly movable, along a corresponding displacement direction parallel to the displacement axes (33) of said movable contacts, between a third position (C) and a fourth position (D); for each electric pole, a first plunger (8) coupled with said movable armature (7) and with a corresponding movable contact (32), each first plunger extending along a corresponding main longitudinal axis parallel or coinciding with the displacement axis (33) of a corresponding movable contact (32); an electromagnetic actuator (4) comprising a magnetic yoke (41, 42) having a fixed yoke member (41) and a movable yoke member (42), said movable yoke member being reversibly movable, along a corresponding displacement direction parallel to the displacement axes (33) of said movable contacts (32), between a fifth position (E), at which it is decoupled from said fixed yoke member, and a sixth position (F), at which it is coupled with said fixed yoke member, said electromagnetic actuator further comprising a coil (44) wound around said fixed yoke member (41) and adapted to be fed by a coil current (IC) to make said fixed yoke member (41) to magnetically interact with said movable yoke member (42) and generate a force to move said movable yoke member from said fifth position (E) to said sixth position (F) or maintain said movable yoke member in said sixth position (F); one or more opening springs (6) coupled with said fixed yoke member (41) and said movable yoke member (42), said opening springs being adapted to provide a force to move said movable yoke member from said sixth position (F) to said fifth position (E); one or more second plungers (5) coupled with said movable yoke member (42) and said movable armature (7), each second plunger extending along a corresponding main longitudinal axis parallel with the displacement axes (33) of said movable contacts (32).

A circuit breaker having a mechanical switch which is inserted into a main current path and has a fixed contact and a moving contact which is connected to a contact bridge mounted movably thereto. The circuit breaker has a drive unit which is operatively connected to the contact bridge, and which comprises a first drive unit and a second drive unit. The first drive unit is energized by means of a control circuit, and the second drive unit is inserted into the main current path. Further, the invention relates to a motor vehicle.

A circuit breaker having a mechanical switch which is inserted into a main current path and has a fixed contact and a moving contact which is connected to a contact bridge mounted movably thereto. The circuit breaker comprises a drive, which is operatively connected to the contact bridge, and a control unit, via which the drive is energized and which is powered from a control circuit. The drive has a “moving magnet actuator.”Further, a vehicle having the circuit breaker is provided.

A circuit breaker having a mechanical switch introduced into a main current path, which comprises a fixed contact and a moving contact connected to a movably mounted contact bridge. The circuit breaker comprises a drive, which is in active connection with the contact bridge, and which comprises a first drive unit and a second drive unit. The first drive unit is energized via a control circuit, and the second drive unit is connected in parallel to a resistor element introduced into the main current path. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle.