An improved connection apparatus that meets these and other needs includes, in one embodiment, an approximately J-shaped flexible conductor having at its end an opening that receives therethrough a portion of the shank for mechanical and electrical connection therebetween. The conductor further includes a hole formed therein at approximately its midpoint that receives therein, in a movable and non-contacting fashion, another portion of the elongated shank. In another pair of embodiments, another connection apparatus includes a flexible conductor that is co-formed with a rigid conductor to form a single piece unitary element. The free end of the flexible conductor is connected with the movable shank, and the rigid conductor is connectable with the primary conductor of the circuit. By providing the flexible conductor and the rigid conductor as a co-formed unit, a detachable fastener need not be employed to provide a connection therebetween, which reduces heat generation.

An improved connection apparatus that meets these and other needs includes, in one embodiment, an approximately J-shaped flexible conductor having at its end an opening that receives therethrough a portion of the shank for mechanical and electrical connection therebetween. The conductor further includes a hole formed therein at approximately its midpoint that receives therein, in a movable and non-contacting fashion, another portion of the elongated shank. In another pair of embodiments, another connection apparatus includes a flexible conductor that is co-formed with a rigid conductor to form a single piece unitary element. The free end of the flexible conductor is connected with the movable shank, and the rigid conductor is connectable with the primary conductor of the circuit. By providing the flexible conductor and the rigid conductor as a co-formed unit, a detachable fastener need not be employed to provide a connection therebetween, which reduces heat generation.

An electrical contact is for a vacuum switching apparatus. The vacuum switching apparatus includes a second electrical contact. The electrical contact includes a body having a center point and a periphery, the body including a plurality of arcing surfaces structured to face in a first direction toward the second electrical contact and structured to move into and out of engagement with the second electrical contact, and a plurality of arc spinning portions each defining a slot extending inwardly from the periphery generally toward the center point, the plurality of arc spinning portions generally separating the plurality of arcing surfaces from one another. At least one arc spinning portion narrows from a corresponding pair of adjacent arcing surfaces of the body to an interior thereof in a second direction opposite the first direction.

A switch may include a first electrical terminal, the first electrical terminal including a blade configured to move between an open position and a closed position, and a rod extending from the first electrical terminal, wherein the rod includes a rod receiving portion, and wherein the rod is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The switch may include a second electrical terminal configured to receive the blade when in the closed position, the second electrical terminal including a vacuum interrupter, and a vacuum interrupter rod, wherein, during a closing of the switch, while the blade moves from the open position to the closed position, the rod receiving portion engages the vacuum interrupter rod, thereby moving the rod receiving portion from the first position to the second position.

A switching apparatus including one or more electric poles. For each electric pole, the switching apparatus includes a first pole terminal, a second pole terminal, and a ground terminal. The switching apparatus further includes a plurality of fixed contacts spaced apart one from another, a movable contact, which is reversibly movable about a corresponding rotation axis according to opposite first and second rotation directions, so that said movable contact can be coupled to or uncoupled from one or more of the above-mentioned fixed contacts, a vacuum interrupter including a vacuum chamber, in which a fixed arc contact and a movable arc contact are enclosed and can be coupled or separated, and a motion transmission mechanism operatively coupled to the movable arc contact of said vacuum interrupter.

A high-voltage device has an encapsulation housing and at least one bushing for at least one conductor, through which a current flows, into the encapsulation housing and/or out of the encapsulation housing. At least one electrode at free potential is surrounded by the bushing. The at least one electrode at free potential increases the dielectric strength in the high-voltage device, especially in the region of the bushing.

An electrical circuit device is particularly configured for the wiring in high-voltage switching devices for the high-voltage energy transfer using RC arrangements. Vacuum switching devices are thereby made suitable for use in inductor switching applications in the high-voltage range greater than or equal to 72.5 kilovolts.