An on-load tap-changer for switching, without interruption, between winding taps of a tap-changing transformer, including a diverter switch for performing a switch-over from a first to a second fixed contact, a selector for preselecting, without power, the first and second fixed contact, and a first controller, wherein the diverter switch has a plurality of semiconductor and mechanical switching elements, the selector has a first and second selector arm, which are actuatable independently of one another and can contact each of the fixed contacts, and the first controller is configured to trigger a switch command and to actuate the first and second selector arm and the plurality of mechanical switching elements by a motor drive, wherein the on-load tap changer includes a second controller to actuate the plurality of semiconductor switching elements, and wherein during the switch-over the first controller actuates the motor drive depending on the second controller.

A circuit breaker has line-side terminals and load-side terminals for conductors of a low-voltage circuit. A mechanical break contact system is connected to the line-side terminals for indirect-coupling of the low-voltage circuit, and the other end of the break contact system is connected to an electronic interruption unit which has, by use of semiconductor-based switching elements, a high-impedance state of the switching elements to prevent current from flowing and a low-impedance state of the switching elements to allow current to flow in the low-voltage circuit. The electronic interruption unit is connected to the load-side terminals at the other end. The mechanical break contact system can be manually actuated such that contacts of the mechanical break contact system can be manually closed to allow current to flow and be manually opened to interrupt the flow of current in the low-voltage circuit.

A circuit breaker includes an electromechanical switch, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a processor. The electromechanical switch is serially connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker, and configured to be placed in a switched-closed state or a switched-open state. The current sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of current flowing in a path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a current sense signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of voltage at a point on the path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a voltage sense signal. The processor is configured to receive and process the current sense signal and the voltage sense signal to determine operational status information of the circuit breaker and determine power usage information of a load connected to the load output terminal.

A circuit breaker having, in a current path, a switching device having a thermal and/or magnetic tripping device for interruption of a current circuit having the current path comprehensive in an event of overcurrent or short-circuit, wherein a functional component of the switching device connected into the current path is bridged by means of a bypass which carries the load current detected by means of a current sensor when the current is below a current threshold, and is shut off when the current threshold is exceeded.

A device for switching a direct current in a pole of a direct current network includes two connecting terminals to be connected in series with the pole, an operating current path extending between the connecting terminals, at least one mechanical switch in the operating current path, a disconnection branch including a power switching unit for shutting down high short-circuit currents having power semiconductor switches that can be switched on and off, and a commutation device for commutating a current from the operating current path to the disconnection branch. In order to provide such a device which is economical, generates fewer losses and at the same time is able to switch high short-circuit currents quickly, the commutation device is provided with at least one inductive component.

An interlock switch is turned on to close a power supply line when a cover is closed, and turned off to open the power supply line when the cover is opened. A time constant circuit is connected to a node side of the interlock switch in the power supply line. A switch control unit determines that a user is intentionally turning on and off the interlock switch and turns off a switch Q1 when a smoothed voltage obtained by smoothing a voltage difference between voltage dividing nodes becomes larger than a threshold value.

Disclosed herein is a current circuit breaker that protects a semiconductor module by using fast switches to block a current. The current circuit breaker includes: a first switch configured to be opened upon a fault current being generated; a second switch connected to the first switch and configured to be opened after a predetermined period of time elapses since the first switch has been opened; a semiconductor module having an end connected to the first switch and another end connected to the second switch; a capacitor having a terminal connected to the second switch and the other terminal connected to the semiconductor module; and a surge arrester connected across the capacitor and configured to change its resistance according to a voltage across the capacitor to block the fault current.

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.

A switching apparatus for electric power distribution grids including: a first switching unit having one or more first electric poles, each first electric pole being electrically connectable with a corresponding first line conductor of an electric line and including one or more solid-state switches adapted to operate in a conduction state or in an interdiction state to allow or interrupt a current flow, wherein said second switching unit is adapted to switch reversibly between a closed condition, in which said solid-state switches are in a conduction state, and an open condition, in which said solid-state switches are in an interdiction state; a second switching unit having one or more second electric poles, each second electric pole being electrically connectable with a corresponding second line conductor of said electric line and electrically connected in series with a corresponding first electric pole of said first switching unit, each second electric pole including electric contacts adapted to operate in a coupled state or on an uncoupled state to allow or interrupt a current flow along said second electric pole, wherein said second switching unit is adapted to switch reversibly between a closed condition, in which said electric contacts are in a coupled state, and an open condition, in which said electric contacts are in an uncoupled state; and a controller implementing a robust control logic to the operation of said first and second switching units.

A switching apparatus for electric power distribution grids including: a withdrawable first switching unit having one or more first electric poles; a withdrawable second switching unit having one or more second electric poles and electrically connected ins series with said first switching unit; a controller implementing control strategies directed to increase the safety of the withdrawal manoeuvres of said first and second switching units.