A circuit interrupter includes a first set of contacts connected in series with a second set of contacts, with both sets of contacts configured to open and close simultaneously. First and second arc extinguishers are associated with the first and second sets of contacts, respectively. A moveable permanent magnet moves as the sets of contacts simultaneously open and close, the moveable magnet generating a moveable magnetic field, a first stationary permanent magnet associated with the first arc extinguisher, the first stationary magnet generating a first stationary magnetic field, where the first stationary magnetic field and the moveable magnetic field are additive, and a second stationary permanent magnet associated with the second arc extinguisher, the second stationary magnet generating a second stationary magnetic field, where the second stationary magnetic field and the moveable magnetic field are also additive.

Exemplary embodiments include a device for connecting and disconnecting a high-voltage circuit. The device includes a first main terminal and a second main terminal, a first intermediate terminal connected to the first main terminal by a first impedance, a first arc quenching chamber arranged between the first intermediate terminal and the first main terminal, a second intermediate terminal connected to the first intermediate terminal by a second impedance, the first intermediate terminal being connected in series between the first main terminal and the second intermediate terminal, a second arc quenching chamber arranged between the first intermediate terminal and the second intermediate terminal, and a mobile armature making it possible to connect, in the disconnection direction, the second main terminal on the one hand and, on the other hand and in succession, the first main terminal, the first intermediate terminal and the second intermediate terminal.

A mounting base or a riser base for a switchgear is provided with side interior openings to provide an internal arc pathway through which arc gasses or plasma are safely discharged to an outside air. The mounting base includes a front wall having a first end and a second end, a rear wall having a first end and a second end, a first side channel connecting the first end of the front wall to the first end of the rear wall, a second side channel connecting the second end of the front wall to the second end of the rear wall, and forming the mounting base having a central open area in a first section of a switchgear that is adjacent a second section of the switchgear. The mounting base further includes at least one opening in the first side channel for the passage of an arc from the first section of the switchgear to the second section of the switchgear, and thereby forming the mounting base with the internal arc pathway.

Conductive elements (104A-C) are positioned within a housing (100) of an electric device. The conductive elements (104A-C) are arranged such that in an event of an electric arc (106) occurring between the conductive elements (104A-C) an electromagnetic force is exerted upon plasma of the electric arc (106) such that the electric arc (106) is directed towards a wall (108) of the housing (100). Furthermore, a conductor configuration (102) includes conductors (104A, 104B, 104C) and sacrificial electrodes (118A-C) positioned within a housing (100) of an electric device, wherein the conductors (104A-C) are arranged such that in an event of an electric arc (106) occurring between the conductors (104A-C) an electromagnetic force is exerted upon plasma of the electric arc (105) such that the electric arc (106) is directed towards the sacrificial electrodes (118A-C).

An arc quenching device for a three-phase electrical switchgear. The device includes a first busbar, a second busbar and a third busbar, each of a respective phase of the three-phase switchgear. The device also includes a first piston and a second piston, each of an electrically conductive material. The device also includes at least one pyrotechnical actuator arranged with the first and second pistons to axially move each of the first and second pistons if the at least one pyrotechnical actuator is fired. The first and second pistons are arranged in relation to the first, second and third busbars such that said axial movement brings the first piston into contact with both the first busbar and the second busbar, and the second piston into contact with both the first busbar and the third busbar.

An exhaust gas module for an electrical switch, which has outlets for switching gases on its output side and/or its input side. The exhaust gas module can be mounted on the electrical switch, such that the switching gases are directed into an exhaust gas channel of the exhaust gas module. The exhaust gas channel deflects the switching gases substantially at a right angle and the exhaust gas channel can cooperate in a modular manner with a neighboring exhaust gas channel of a neighboring exhaust gas module in order to bring together the deflected exhaust gases.

An electric arc extinction chamber comprises a stack of electric arc splitter plates. The splitter plates define an inlet of the extinction chamber that is to be present facing electric contacts, and a back of the extinction chamber. At least one permanent magnet is present inside the extinction chamber in a central zone in the width direction of the extinction chamber and beside the back thereof. The magnet presents magnetization having a non-zero component along an axis extending between the inlet and the back of the extinction chamber.

An electric arc breaker device comprises a contact zone in which there are present at least one stationary contact and at least one movable contact that is movable relative to the stationary contact. The contacts are capable of being put into contact with each other and of being separated from each other. An arcing horn is present facing the stationary contact, the height h.sub.c of the arcing horn being greater than or equal to the height h.sub.t of the stationary contact, and the arcing horn presenting a folded-back arc switching portion extending in a direction away from the stationary contact.

A contact device includes a moving contactor, a pair of moving contacts arranged in one direction, a pair of fixed terminals, and a pair of fixed contacts. At least one fixed terminal, selected from the pair of fixed terminals, includes a contact holder. The contact holder includes a first fixed extension and a second fixed extension. As for either a current component flowing in the one direction into the fixed contact or a current component flowing in the one direction out of the fixed contact, the current component flowing through the first fixed extension has a larger amount of current than a current component flowing through the second fixed extension.

A hybrid interrupter member for an electrical circuit, the interrupter member including a static interrupter component and an electromechanical interrupter component. The static component is mounted on a support carrying electrical contacts for the static component, the support being configured, on receiving a command to interrupt, to move in such a manner as to withdraw at least one of the electrical contacts from its respective pin, thereby forming the electromechanical interrupter component.