An electrical interrupter device for switching a short-circuit electrical current in an electric circuit is disclosed. The device comprises a vacuum evacuated housing (58); first and second electrodes (54, 56) at least partially located within the housing. The first and second electrodes (54, 56) are separated by a rail gap. A third electrode (52) moveable relative to the first and second electrodes (54, 56) between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position is provided, whereby an electrical arc is generated between the third electrode (52) and at least one of the first and second electrodes (54, 56) during said movement. Once generated, the arc is directed by the first and second electrodes (54, 56) away from the third electrode (52).

A hybridization system for an electric device having two terminals and two states including a closed state allowing an electric current to circulate between the two terminals and an open state blocking the circulation of the electric current between the terminals, the device being suitable for an electric arc to be generated during the switching from the closed state to the open state. The hybridization system includes: two conductors connected to the two terminals of the electric device; a timer switch having two terminals connected to the two conductors and the timer switch being suitable for being in the open state by default and, after a first predetermined duration following the triggering of the electric arc, switching to the closed state for a second predetermined duration, and an electric power supply of the timer switch, connected to the two conductors in order to derive its power only from the electric energy provided by the electric arc.

A hybridization system for an electric device having two terminals and two states including a closed state allowing an electric current to circulate between the two terminals and an open state blocking the circulation of the electric current between the terminals, the device being suitable for an electric arc to be generated during the switching from the closed state to the open state. The hybridization system includes: two conductors connected to the two terminals of the electric device; a timer switch having two terminals connected to the two conductors and the timer switch being suitable for being in the open state by default and, after a first predetermined duration following the triggering of the electric arc, switching to the closed state for a second predetermined duration, and an electric power supply of the timer switch, connected to the two conductors in order to derive its power only from the electric energy provided by the electric arc.

An on-load tap changer has a contact system. The contact system includes: a fixed contact; a movable contact; and an auxiliary contact. The moveable contact is configured to directly contact, in a stationary state, the fixed contact. The auxiliary contact is configured to electrically connect, in addition to the direct contact, the movable contact with the fixed contact in the stationary state. The auxiliary contact is constructed and arranged to conduct a current between the fixed contact and the movable contact in the event of interruption of the direct contacting.

An on-load tap changer has a contact system. The contact system includes: a fixed contact; a movable contact; and an auxiliary contact. The moveable contact is configured to directly contact, in a stationary state, the fixed contact. The auxiliary contact is configured to electrically connect, in addition to the direct contact, the movable contact with the fixed contact in the stationary state. The auxiliary contact is constructed and arranged to conduct a current between the fixed contact and the movable contact in the event of interruption of the direct contacting.

The electrical switch includes two fixed contacts and a rotatable knife contact having a rotational axis and including at least one longitudinal pair of blades flexibly connected to each other. The two fixed contacts as well as the blades in the rotatable knife contact are of a first electrically conductive material composition. The first and the second fixed contact includes a first contact pin and outer ends in the blades in the rotatable knife contact includes a second contact pin. The first contact pin and the second contact pin are of a second electrically material composition, which is different from the first material composition. The first contact pin and the second contact pin pass over each other during a switching event.

An improved breaker for high current or voltage applications, for instance industrial and/or railways applications, is provided wherein a high current must be switched on/off or interrupted with high efficiency and extremely fast intervention times. The breaker may include a base portion including an activating mechanism including a holding mechanism and a release mechanism, an intermediate switching or breaking contact portion, including fixed contacts and movable contacts, and a top arc chute extinguishing portion covering the intermediate switching or breaking contact portion. The arc chute extinguishing portion of the breaker is moveable with respect to the switching or breaking contact portion and is provided with external polar expansions that are coupled on both main sides of the breaker. Further polar expansions may be electrically coupled to the external polar expansion and linked to the intermediate switching or breaking contact portion.

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.

An improved high speed breaker for industrial or railways applications wherein a high D.C. current must be interrupted with high efficiency and extremely fast intervention times. The breaker includes, in a casing, a base portion supporting an activating a switching mechanism including a holding mechanism and a release mechanism, an intermediate switching or breaking contacts portion, including fixed contacts and movable contacts, and a top arc chute extinguishing portion covering the switching or breaking contact portion, wherein intermediate delimiting portions are provided on both sides of the casing to delimit laterally the intermediate switching or breaking contact portion and to provide lateral guides for the arc chute extinguishing portion, wherein the arc chute extinguishing portion is slidably mounted in the casing, and wherein at least a lever mechanism is extended transversally between the opposite intermediate delimiting portions for moving or raising the arc chute extinguishing portion for inspection.

An improved high speed breaker for industrial or railways applications wherein a high D.C. current must be interrupted with high efficiency and extremely fast intervention times. The breaker includes, in a casing, a base portion supporting an activating a switching mechanism including a holding mechanism and a release mechanism, an intermediate switching or breaking contacts portion, including fixed contacts and movable contacts, and a top arc chute extinguishing portion covering the switching or breaking contact portion, wherein intermediate delimiting portions are provided on both sides of the casing to delimit laterally the intermediate switching or breaking contact portion and to provide lateral guides for the arc chute extinguishing portion, wherein the arc chute extinguishing portion is slidably mounted in the casing, and wherein at least a lever mechanism is extended transversally between the opposite intermediate delimiting portions for moving or raising the arc chute extinguishing portion for inspection.