An improved contactor device for high current switching applications, in particular industrial or railways applications, is provided, wherein a high DC current must be switched on and off, the contactor device includes a switch base portion including an electric switching mechanism of a high voltage portion and an arc extinguishing portion covering the switching mechanism. The contactor device includes a couple of moving contacts driven towards and away from each other with respect to a mutual contact and abutting position, those moving contacts being mounted at the respective contact ends of a toggle mechanism activated by a low voltage driving portion incorporated in the switch base portion and active on the toggle mechanism.

An improved contactor device for high current switching applications, in particular industrial or railways applications, is provided, wherein a high DC current must be switched on and off, the contactor device includes a switch base portion including an electric switching mechanism of a high voltage portion and an arc extinguishing portion covering the switching mechanism. The contactor device includes a couple of moving contacts driven towards and away from each other with respect to a mutual contact and abutting position, those moving contacts being mounted at the respective contact ends of a toggle mechanism activated by a low voltage driving portion incorporated in the switch base portion and active on the toggle mechanism.

A system includes a mechanical switching device having a first moveable contact operatively connected to selectively contact a first static contact. A second moveable contact is operatively connected to selectively contact a second static contact that is electrically connected in parallel with the first static contact. The first and second moveable contacts are mechanically connected to each other to move between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position. The first moveable contact contacts the first static contact before the second moveable contact contacts the second static contact as the first and second moveable contacts move into the closed circuit position from the open circuit position. The first moveable contact disconnects from the first static contact after the second moveable contact disconnects from the second static contact as the first and second moveable contacts move from the closed circuit position into the open circuit position.

A system includes a mechanical switching device having a first moveable contact operatively connected to selectively contact a first static contact. A second moveable contact is operatively connected to selectively contact a second static contact that is electrically connected in parallel with the first static contact. The first and second moveable contacts are mechanically connected to each other to move between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position. The first moveable contact contacts the first static contact before the second moveable contact contacts the second static contact as the first and second moveable contacts move into the closed circuit position from the open circuit position. The first moveable contact disconnects from the first static contact after the second moveable contact disconnects from the second static contact as the first and second moveable contacts move from the closed circuit position into the open circuit position.

A medium voltage circuit breaker includes: vacuum interrupters; and a drive, the drive being provided with a magnetic actuator with a yoke, and an anchor. At least the yoke or the anchor includes a movable part, the movable part of the drive being coupled to a movable part of a switch, and the yoke being provided with an actuation coil. The actuation coil can be driven actively by activation with electrical energy. The yoke is provided with at least one passive coil, which is coupled with the actuation coil only inductively, and with at least one permanent magnet, arranged inside or at the yoke, by which magnetic flux will be further concentrated and/or enhanced towards an airgap to the anchor.

A medium voltage circuit breaker includes: vacuum interrupters; and a drive, the drive being provided with a magnetic actuator with a yoke, and an anchor. At least the yoke or the anchor includes a movable part, the movable part of the drive being coupled to a movable part of a switch, and the yoke being provided with an actuation coil. The actuation coil can be driven actively by activation with electrical energy. The yoke is provided with at least one passive coil, which is coupled with the actuation coil only inductively, and with at least one permanent magnet, arranged inside or at the yoke, by which magnetic flux will be further concentrated and/or enhanced towards an airgap to the anchor.

Automatic transfer switches and methods of forming such switches are disclosed herein. One automatic transfer switch disclosed herein includes a first source bar structured to connect to a first power source, a second source bar structured to connect to a second power source, and a stationary bar structured to be coupled to a load. The automatic transfer switch also includes a first movable bar and a second movable bar each electrically coupled and rotatably connected to the stationary bar. The length of each movable bar and the angle of each movable bar with respect to the stationary bus bar are selected to approximately balance the contact force on each movable bar. Thus, smooth and reliable operations of the automatic transfer switch can be achieved.

Automatic transfer switches and methods of forming such switches are disclosed herein. One automatic transfer switch disclosed herein includes a first source bar structured to connect to a first power source, a second source bar structured to connect to a second power source, and a stationary bar structured to be coupled to a load. The automatic transfer switch also includes a first movable bar and a second movable bar each electrically coupled and rotatably connected to the stationary bar. The length of each movable bar and the angle of each movable bar with respect to the stationary bus bar are selected to approximately balance the contact force on each movable bar. Thus, smooth and reliable operations of the automatic transfer switch can be achieved.

A switching device comprising first and second body parts and a first operating device for moving the body parts into a closed state. A piezoelectric actuator is coupled to each body part and is operable to move the body parts part away from one another. The switching device may be incorporated into an actuator for operating the vacuum interrupter of a vacuum circuit breaker.

A switching device comprising first and second body parts and a first operating device for moving the body parts into a closed state. A piezoelectric actuator is coupled to each body part and is operable to move the body parts part away from one another. The switching device may be incorporated into an actuator for operating the vacuum interrupter of a vacuum circuit breaker.