An alternative gas current pause circuit interrupter with an internally switched resistor-varistor impedance. The varistor limits the voltage rise across the main contactor limiting restrikes, while the resistor limits the current through the interrupter. The values of the resistor and varistor are selected to creates a current pause in the current. In a representative embodiment, the current pause performance is less than 10% of the rated line current for at least 15% of the half-cycle period allowing a plain break butt impedance contactor to be utilized without excessive arcing. For another embodiment the current pause performance is less than 5% of the rated line current for at least 20% of the half-cycle period. SF6 free alternative gas current pause circuit interrupters using a 60% CO2 blend can achieve similar or improved transient voltage performance compared to similarly sized conventional SF6 gas interrupters operating at the same voltage rating.

To improve cooling performances of quenching gas in a gas blast switch comprising a gas channel connecting an arcing region to a gas storage chamber delimited by radially opposite inner and outer walls and axially opposite first and second end walls, a flow guiding radial wall extends in the gas storage chamber spaced from each wall delimiting the chamber, an opening of the gas channel into the gas storage chamber through the first end wall faces a space between the flow guiding radial wall and the inner wall, the outer wall includes a deflecting portion protruding in the gas storage chamber and facing the second end wall, and at least part of the deflecting portion is offset from the flow guiding radial wall in an axial direction oriented from the gas channel towards the gas storage chamber.

To improve cooling performances of quenching gas in a gas blast switch comprising a gas channel connecting an arcing region to a gas storage chamber delimited by radially opposite inner and outer walls and axially opposite first and second end walls, a flow guiding radial wall extends in the gas storage chamber spaced from each wall delimiting the chamber, an opening of the gas channel into the gas storage chamber through the first end wall faces a space between the flow guiding radial wall and the inner wall, the outer wall includes a deflecting portion protruding in the gas storage chamber and facing the second end wall, and at least part of the deflecting portion is offset from the flow guiding radial wall in an axial direction oriented from the gas channel towards the gas storage chamber.

An ultrafast electromechanical switch having a drive mechanism comprising two non-movable contacts connected to electrical feedthroughs, one actuator and one movable contact. The provided ultrafast electrical (e.g., transfer, disconnect, etc.) switch is simple, compact, clean, exhibits ultralow loss, does not require high energy to operate and is capable of being automatically reset.

An ultrafast electromechanical switch having a drive mechanism comprising three non-movable contacts, an actuator and two movable contacts. The switch further including a switching chamber to provide a self-contained environment that may consist of a high-pressure gas or a vacuum and one or more precision adjustment screws coupled to the non-movable contacts for adjusting the contact pressure. The provided ultrafast electrical (e.g., transfer, disconnect, etc.) switch is simple, compact, clean, exhibits ultralow loss, does not require high energy to operate and is capable of being automatically reset.

An ultrafast electromechanical switch having a drive mechanism comprising three non-movable contacts, an actuator and two movable contacts. The switch further including one or more precision adjustment screws coupled to the non-movable contacts for adjusting the contact pressure. The provided ultrafast electrical (e.g., transfer, disconnect, etc.) switch is simple, compact, clean, exhibits ultralow loss, does not require high energy to operate and is capable of being automatically reset.

An ultrafast electromechanical switch having a drive mechanism comprising three non-movable contacts, an actuator, two movable contacts and a first and second mounting plate forming an elliptical shell configuration about said actuator. The switch further including a switching chamber to provide a self-contained environment that may consist of a high-pressure gas or a vacuum and one or more precision adjustment screws coupled to the non-movable contacts for adjusting the contact pressure. The provided ultrafast electrical (e.g., transfer, disconnect, etc.) switch is simple, compact, clean, exhibits ultralow loss, does not require high energy to operate and is capable of being automatically reset.

A pulse power device based on an annular ceramic solid state line. The pulse power device comprises several pulse forming lines (2), two charging inductors (1), and several gas switches that are connected as a whole based on Marx voltage superposition. The pulse forming lines (2) are annular pulse forming lines (2), and the annular surface of each annular pulse forming line (2) is provided with one gas switch. The annular pulse forming lines (2) are successively superposed together to form a column structure through the gas switches. Each charging inductor (1) passes through the inner ring of each annular pulse forming line (2) to be disposed inside the column structure. An annular insulation plate (3) is disposed between every two annular pulse forming lines (2).

A pulse power device based on an annular ceramic solid state line. The pulse power device comprises several pulse forming lines (2), two charging inductors (1), and several gas switches that are connected as a whole based on Marx voltage superposition. The pulse forming lines (2) are annular pulse forming lines (2), and the annular surface of each annular pulse forming line (2) is provided with one gas switch. The annular pulse forming lines (2) are successively superposed together to form a column structure through the gas switches. Each charging inductor (1) passes through the inner ring of each annular pulse forming line (2) to be disposed inside the column structure. An annular insulation plate (3) is disposed between every two annular pulse forming lines (2).

An ultrafast electromechanical switch having a drive mechanism comprising two non-movable contacts connected to electrical feedthroughs, one actuator and one movable contact. The provided ultrafast electrical (e.g., transfer, disconnect, etc.) switch is simple, compact, clean, exhibits ultralow loss, does not require high energy to operate and is capable of being automatically reset.