An embodiment of the invention relates to a contact pin for an electric switch. The contact pin is designed as a composite support.

This limiter pole (B) for a multipole DC electrical switch (2) comprises a compartment in which an input terminal and an output terminal for a direct electric current are provided, along with a first electrical contact connected to the input terminal and a second electrical contact connected to the output terminal, third and fourth electrical contacts connected to one another in series, the third and fourth contacts being capable of being moved simultaneously relative to the first and second electrical contacts, respectively, between a closed position, in which the first and third contacts and the second and fourth contacts make contact with one another so as to allow the direct electric current to flow between the input terminal and the output terminal, and an open position, in which said contacts are located away from one another, interrupting the flow of the current between the input terminal and the output terminal. The limiter pole (B) comprises a first electric arc formation chamber in which the first and third electrical contacts are placed, a second electric arc formation chamber in which the second and fourth electrical contacts are placed, and first and second electric arc extinguishing chambers which are associated with the first and second electric arc formation chambers, respectively.

Disclosed is a small circuit breaker. The small circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with an arc guiding portion at a movable contact carrier. Accordingly, an arc generated as a fixed contact and a movable contact are separated from each other can be smoothly discharged to the outside, along the arc guiding portion. Thus, even in a case that an additional arc chamber is not provided, a generated arc can be discharged smoothly. As a result, damage of the fixed contact and the movable contact, which occurs when an arc is positioned near the fixed contact or the movable contact for an excessively-long time, can be prevented.

Switching devices having a contact point, and an arc extinguishing chamber are used to blow switch arcs. The arc extinguishing chamber may have an exit opening through which plasma, generated inside the switching device by a switch arc developing when the contact point opens, exits out of the switching device. Inside the extinguish chamber a first arc guide plate may be provided that extends from the contact point toward the exit opening and which guides and stretches the switch arc. The switch arc may be initially stretched beyond the dimensions of the exit opening by the first arc guide plate and then the stretching may be reduced to be within the dimensions of the exit opening by an arc guide pin projecting from the first arc guide plate.

Switching devices having a contact point, and an arc extinguishing chamber are used to blow switch arcs. The arc extinguishing chamber may have an exit opening through which plasma, generated inside the switching device by a switch arc developing when the contact point opens, exits out of the switching device. Inside the extinguish chamber a first arc guide plate may be provided that extends from the contact point toward the exit opening and which guides and stretches the switch arc. The switch arc may be initially stretched beyond the dimensions of the exit opening by the first arc guide plate and then the stretching may be reduced to be within the dimensions of the exit opening by an arc guide pin projecting from the first arc guide plate.

An electronic circuit breaker comprises an arc interruption mechanism that would enhance arc attraction to arc plates and would reduce the possibilities of an arc escaping from the arc plates. The arc interruption mechanism includes an enhanced arc extinguishing chamber. The arc extinguishing chamber includes a plurality of arc plates having first and second sides. The circuit breaker further comprises a stationary contact plate that includes a first arc runner disposed near the first side of the plurality of arc plates. The circuit breaker further comprises a load terminal that includes a second arc runner disposed near the second side of the plurality of arc plates. As an arc is attracted by the plurality of arc plates and the arc enters the plurality of arc plates, a length of a current path associated with the arc is reduced through the first arc runner and the second arc runner by reducing a resistance of the current path for the arc or by reducing a voltage across the circuit breaker.

Disclosed is a switch device with at least one contact point and a permanent magnetic arc blowing device which is paired with the contact point, wherein the arc blowing device has at least one second permanent magnet (15) as an auxiliary magnet, and the auxiliary magnet is arranged in the direct vicinity of the contact point (7.1), such that at least one section of the magnetic field (17) of the auxiliary magnet (15) amplifies the blow-out field in the transition region.

An electromagnetic relay includes a fixed contact holder, a moving contact holder, an electromagnetic device, and a magnet. The fixed contact holder extends in a predetermined direction and is provided with a fixed contact. The moving contact holder also extends in the predetermined direction, and is provided with a moving contact. The magnet is arranged perpendicularly to an opening/closing direction of the fixed contact and the moving contact. A stretch space in which an arc generated between the fixed contact and the moving contact is stretched is provided, in the predetermined direction, beyond respective tips of the fixed contact holder and the moving contact holder. The stretch space also faces a surface of the fixed contact holder and a surface of the moving contact holder.

A thermal protector includes, in a fixed manner, a first terminal and a second terminal that are respectively connected to external circuits, at lower left/right ends of the longitudinal directions of a base, and a right end at which a movable plate and a bimetal are superimposed is fixed to the right end of the upper surface of the base and is connected to the second terminal. A fixed contact is fixed to an internal end of the first terminal that is exposed in the left end of the base. A movable contact is fixed at a position facing the fixed contact on the lower surface of the left end of the movable plate. A partition wall that encloses the movable contact and the fixed contact from three directions is provided and bent plate planes are formed on both sides of the movable plate in the vicinity of the movable contact. The bent plate planes adjust the flow direction of hot air in cooperation with the partition wall so as to prevent a malfunction of a breaking arc flying to surrounding conductive members.

A circuit breaker design allows for the circuit breaker to have an overall width (i.e., measured along the circuit breaker's exposed outwardly-facing surface of its housing) that is narrower than achievable with known typical configurations, while at the same time still providing robust arc interruption capabilities. This is achieved in large part by providing a specific orientation of a moveable contact arm assembly and/or by providing a specific configuration of a current path within the housing.