A hybrid switch assembly for use in a circuit interrupter, the hybrid switch assembly including an input, an output, separable contacts electrically connected between the input and the output, a solid state switching circuit electrically connected between the input and the output and in parallel with the separable contacts, and a fuse electrically connected in series with the solid state switching circuit. The solid state switching circuit is structured to turn on and allow current to flow through it between the input and the output for a predetermined amount of time after the separable contacts separate.

A power contact EoL predictor includes a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a set of switchable contact electrodes of a power contact; a power switching circuit configured to trigger activation of the contact electrodes based on a first logic state signal or deactivation based on a second logic state signal; a contact separation detector determining a time of separation of the switchable contact electrodes of the power contact during the deactivation, and a controller configured to generate the second logic state signal to trigger the deactivation, and determine a stick duration associated with the set of switchable contact electrodes. The stick duration is based on a difference between a time the second logic state signal is generated and the time of separation during the contact cycle. The controller generates an EoL prediction for the contact electrodes based on the determined stick duration for multiple contact cycles.

Methods and systems for suppressing arc formation in branch breakers provide a load center that can monitor a branch breaker for indications of arc formation. The load center may include a main breaker that can immediately cut current to the upon receiving an indication of an arc forming in the branch breaker. The indication may be provided by a sensor circuit that sends a trigger signal to the main breaker when arc formation is detected within the branch breaker. The main breaker checks that the trigger signal indicates arc formation, then cuts current to suppress the arc. The main breaker then waits a short period for the branch breaker to clear before restoring current. The wait period is sufficiently short such that devices receiving power from the load center are not adversely affected. To improve cutoff and restoration response times, the main breaker employs a solid-state trip switch.

The present disclosure relates to direct current arc extinguishing circuit and apparatus. The direct current arc extinguishing circuit and apparatus are suitable for quickly extinguishing arc of mechanical contacts such as mechanical switches, where a mechanical switch requiring arc extinguishing is connected with a load in series. It includes a voltage detection switch and a capacitor, wherein the voltage detection switch is connected with the capacitor. During the breaking of the mechanical switch, the capacitor forms a discharge loop by the voltage detection switch and the load, and is used for breaking arc extinguishing of the mechanical switch. The present disclosure is reasonable in design and has the advantages of low cost and high arc extinguishing speed.

An arc quenching device, which prevents a load device from displaying an unnecessary behavior during starting of a power supply, includes: a semiconductor switch connected in parallel to a first switch which is mechanical; a power supply circuit configured to use a voltage which is generated between both contact points of the first switch to output a voltage which causes the semiconductor switch to turn on; and a second switch configured to cause its open state to prevent the semiconductor switch from turning on.

A power contact health assessor system includes a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a set of switchable contact electrodes of a power contact and a contact separation detector configured to determine a time of separation of the set of switchable contact electrodes during deactivation of the power contact. The system includes a controller circuit operatively coupled to the pair of terminals and the contact separation detector. The controller circuit is configured to determine within a first observation window, a plurality of contact stick durations and an average contact stick duration. One or more additional observation windows with corresponding average contact stick durations are configured. A health assessment for the set of switchable contact electrodes may be based on a subsequent contact stick duration for a contact cycle after the first observation window and the corresponding average contact stick durations for the one or more additional observation windows.

An electrical circuit includes a contact with a pair of switchable electrodes, the contact configured to cycle through make and break transitions while conducting current. The electrical circuit further includes an arc suppressor, at least one sensor, and a controller circuit. The arc suppressor is coupled across the pair of switchable electrodes and is to extinguish an arc formed across the pair of switchable electrodes during the make and break transitions of the contact. The at least one sensor is coupled to the pair of switchable electrodes and is configured to generate sensor data. The controller circuit includes a plurality of registers and is configured to detect a fault condition associated with the contact based on the sensor data. The controller circuit further sequences contact opening of the contact based on the detected fault condition and a timing value stored in at least one register of the plurality of registers.

A two terminal arc suppressor for protecting switch, relay or contactor contacts and the like comprises a two terminal module adapted to be attached in parallel with the contacts to be protected and including a circuit for deriving an operating voltage upon the transitioning of the switch, relay or contactor contacts from a closed to an open disposition, the power being rectified and the resulting DC signal used to trigger a power triac switch via an optoisolator circuit whereby arc suppression pulses are generated for short predetermined intervals only at a transition of the mechanical switch, relay or contactor contacts from an closed to an open transition and, again, at an open to a close transition during contact bounce conditions.

A power contact fault clearing device includes a first pair of terminals adapted to be connected across a first set of switchable contacts, and a second pair of terminals adapted to be connected across a second set of switchable contacts. The second set of switchable contacts coupled to an arc suppressor. A current sensor is adapted to be connected between a power load and the second set of switchable contacts. The current sensor is configured to measure a power load current associated with the power load. A controller circuit is operatively coupled to the current sensor and the first and second pairs of terminals. The controller circuit is configured to detect a fault condition based at least on the power load current, and sequence deactivation of the first set of switchable contacts and the second set of switchable contacts based on the detected fault condition.

A switching device for low or medium voltage electric power distribution network, the switching device including one or more electric poles, each electric pole including: an insulating housing extending along a longitudinal axis and fixed to a main support structure of the switching device; a first pole terminal and a second pole terminal electrically connectable with a corresponding phase conductor of an electric power source and with a corresponding load conductor of an electric load, respectively; a movable contact and a fixed contact, which are electrically coupleable or decoupleable one with or from another upon a movement of the movable contact towards or away from the fixed contact, the fixed contact being electrically connected with the first pole terminal, the movable contact being electrically connectable with the second pole terminal; a movable circuit assembly including a plurality of semiconductor devices adapted to switch in a conduction state or in an interdiction state depending on the voltage applied thereto, the semiconductor devices being electrically connected in series one to another in such a way that a current can flow according to a predefined conduction direction when the semiconductor devices are in a conduction state, the movable circuit assembly including first and second assembly terminals for the plurality of semiconductor devices. The movable circuit assembly is operatively coupled with the movable contact and moves together with the movable contact during a movement of the movable contact towards or away from the fixed contact, the semiconductor devices switching in a conduction on state or in an interdiction state depending on the position of the movable contact.