An electrical switch, in particular for high voltages and/or high currents, includes a contact unit which includes at least two contact, a switching element and a drive for the switching element. The drive is designed such that it can move the switching element from an initial position into an end position. The switching element is accelerated during an acceleration phase directly or indirectly by the drive and it passes subsequently through a free movement phase until it has reached the end position.

Provided is a reliable switch having a contact surface that is prevented from being roughened. To solve the problem, there is provided a switch including a plurality of switching units 2 and 3 each including a fixed electrode and a movable electrode that is disposed to be opposed to the fixed electrode and is closed or opened with respect to the fixed electrode, the switch being characterized in that the switching units 2 and 3 each make or break a current to be applied to the switch, the switching units 2 and 3 are electrically connected in series to each other, and the switching units 2 and 3 are each configured such that a first switching unit 3 is first closed, and then a second switching unit 2 is closed.

An electromagnetic actuator of an electrical contact includes: a stationary portion including at least one coil generating a magnetic field centered on a longitudinal axis; at least one core concentrating magnetic flux, installed within the coil, and including a plate spreading the magnetic flux and defining an active surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and at least one element returning magnetic flux; an armature translationally movable along the longitudinal axis and relative to the stationary portion between first and second positions, by a force induced by the magnetic field; and at least one device returning the armature elastically to a predetermined position of the first position or second position. The spreading plate includes at least one rib closing magnetic field lines between the spreading plate and the armature, protruding relative to the active surface on the armature side and housed on one edge of the spreading plate.

An electromagnetic actuator of an electrical contact includes: a stationary portion including at least one coil generating a magnetic field centered on a longitudinal axis; at least one core concentrating magnetic flux, installed within the coil, and including a plate spreading the magnetic flux and defining an active surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and at least one element returning magnetic flux; an armature translationally movable along the longitudinal axis and relative to the stationary portion between first and second positions, by a force induced by the magnetic field; and at least one device returning the armature elastically to a predetermined position of the first position or second position. The spreading plate includes at least one rib closing magnetic field lines between the spreading plate and the armature, protruding relative to the active surface on the armature side and housed on one edge of the spreading plate.

A switch unit includes a current switching device drivable by an electromagnetic actuator for opening/closing an electric circuit associated with the switch unit, a first energy storage for storing electric energy for the electromagnetic actuator, and electronic controller means which are supplied by an external power line and control a supply of the electric energy from the energy storage means to the electromagnetic actuator. The switch unit includes emergency procedure operating means associated with the electronic controller means and provided with a second energy storage means. The emergency procedure operating means are configured for enabling driving of the current switching device and opening the associated electric circuit in an emergency condition in which a lack or drop or irregular supply of the external power line is experienced.

A switch unit includes a current switching device drivable by an electromagnetic actuator for opening/closing an electric circuit associated with the switch unit, a first energy storage for storing electric energy for the electromagnetic actuator, and electronic controller means which are supplied by an external power line and control a supply of the electric energy from the energy storage means to the electromagnetic actuator. The switch unit includes emergency procedure operating means associated with the electronic controller means and provided with a second energy storage means. The emergency procedure operating means are configured for enabling driving of the current switching device and opening the associated electric circuit in an emergency condition in which a lack or drop or irregular supply of the external power line is experienced.

An electric closer, in particular for a motor vehicle line, in particular a motor vehicle power line, comprising a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal, a first contact element which is electrically connected to the first terminal, a second contact element which is electrically connected to the second terminal, a connecting element with which an electrical connection can be established between the two contact elements, and a drive which effects a relative movement between the contact elements and connecting element, characterised in that the connecting element or the contact elements are formed at least in parts from an electrically conductive, porous metal.

A mechanical switch (10), in particular a light switch and/or a roller shutter switch and/or thermostat switch is provided. The mechanical switch (10) has a switching contact assembly (20), in particular a monostable, bistable or tristable switching contact assembly (20), and a base carrier (40), in which the switching contact assembly (20) is received The base carrier (40) has a holding device (50) for receiving an electromechanical actuator unit (100), which is designed in such a way that an electromechanical actuator unit (100) received in the holding device (50) can be supplied with voltage for effecting a state change of the switching contact assembly (20) independently of an external mechanical action on an operating mechanism by means of the electromechanical actuator unit (100).

A mechanical switch (10), in particular a light switch and/or a roller shutter switch and/or thermostat switch is provided. The mechanical switch (10) has a switching contact assembly (20), in particular a monostable, bistable or tristable switching contact assembly (20), and a base carrier (40), in which the switching contact assembly (20) is received The base carrier (40) has a holding device (50) for receiving an electromechanical actuator unit (100), which is designed in such a way that an electromechanical actuator unit (100) received in the holding device (50) can be supplied with voltage for effecting a state change of the switching contact assembly (20) independently of an external mechanical action on an operating mechanism by means of the electromechanical actuator unit (100).

Disclosed embodiments relate to 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. 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. Hardware is provided in the proximity of the moving contacts to influence an electric arc occurring when currents are switched on and off by the moving contacts moving towards and away from each other.