A high speed arc suppressor and method include a first phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across contacts of the power contactor in a positive domain and a second phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across the contacts in a negative domain. First and second high speed switches are configured to enable and disable operation of an associated one of the first and second phase-specific arc suppressors. First and second drivers are configured to drive the first and second high speed switches.

A sliding power contact and method includes a mobile load device connector and a socket. The mobile load device connector includes a non-current power pin having a first length, a current power pin having a second length less than the first length, a neutral pin, and a ground pin. The socket includes a non-current power contact configured to electrically couple with the non-current power pin, a current power contact configured to electrically couple with the current power pin, a neutral contact configured to electrically couple with the neutral pin, and a ground pin configured to electrically couple with the ground pin. An arc suppressor is directly coupled to at least one of the non-current power pin and the non-current power contact, wherein the arc suppressor, the non-current power pin and the non-current power contact form a current path between the current power pin and the current power contact.

A circuit breaker for interrupting a direct current, in particular in a power supply system in a vehicle having a main current path that includes a switch, and having a reed relay for detecting an electric current flow across the main current path. The switch is coupled to the reed relay. Also, a use of a circuit breaker is provided.

Electromechanical relay constructions comprise an external housing, a pair of switchable electrical contacts disposed within the housing, an element for activating the pair of electrical contacts, and a temperature sensing element disposed within the housing adjacent the electrical contracts. The temperature sensing element provides a signal for determining the temperature within the relay housing. The relay may comprise two or more temperature sensing elements disposed within the housing a desired distance from one another. The temperature sensing element may be attached to a member or substrate disposed within the housing, may be attached to an existing internal structure of the housing, or may be attached to one of the contacts. The temperature sensing element may be selected from the group consisting of resistance temperature detectors, negative temperature coefficient thermistors, thermopile sensors, thermocouples, and combinations thereof.

A sliding power contact and method includes a mobile load device connector and a socket. The mobile load device connector includes a non-current power pin having a first length, a current power pin having a second length less than the first length, a neutral pin, and a ground pin. The socket includes a non-current power contact configured to electrically couple with the non-current power pin, a current power contact configured to electrically couple with the current power pin, a neutral contact configured to electrically couple with the neutral pin, and a ground pin configured to electrically couple with the ground pin. An arc suppressor is directly coupled to at least one of the non-current power pin and the non-current power contact, wherein the arc suppressor, the non-current power pin and the non-current power contact form a current path between the current power pin and the current power contact.

An arc suppressing circuit configured to suppress arcing across a power contactor coupled to an alternating current (AC) power source having a predetermined number of phases, each contact of the power contactor corresponding to one of the predetermined number of phases includes a number of dual unidirectional arc suppressors equal to the predetermined number of phases of the AC power source. Each dual unidirectional arc suppressor includes a first phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across the associated contacts in a positive domain, a a second phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across the associated contacts in a negative domain, and a coil lock controller, configured to be coupled between a contact coil driver of the power contactor, configured to detect an output condition from the contact coil driver and inhibit operation of the first and second phase-specific arc suppressors over a predetermined time.

An integrated electromechanical device is described, including a support body, a first and a second fixed contact, a first, second, third, and fourth variable position contact, a first and a second control circuit, and a first, second, third, and fourth signal conductive terminal. A first control conductive terminal is connected to the first control circuit, and a second control conductive terminal is connected to the second control circuit. The first, second, third, and fourth variable position contacts and the first and second fixed contacts are arranged such that, in any positioning configuration of the first and second and third and fourth variable position contacts, the first and second fixed contacts are in a condition of electrical isolation therebetween. Connection end regions of the first and second control conductive terminal are on a first connection plane, and connection end regions of each signal conductive terminal are on a second connection plane.

A relay includes: a housing, a base plate, and a driving device, connected to the base. At least one stationary contact group is provided on the housing. The stationary contact group includes two stationary contacts insulated from each other. At least one stationary contact in the stationary contact group includes an upper terminal and a lower contact are included. The upper terminal and the lower contact are isolated from each other and electrically connected by a fuse. The base plate is provided in the housing and can switch between on and off positions. The base plate, when being in the on position, contacts the stationary contact group for the electrical conduction of the two stationary contacts in the stationary contact group, and, when being in the off position, is isolated from the stationary contact group for disconnecting the electrical conduction of the two stationary contacts in the stationary contact group.

A circuit breaker for interrupting a direct current, in particular in a power supply system in a vehicle having a main current path that includes a switch, and having a reed relay for detecting an electric current flow across the main current path. The switch is coupled to the reed relay. Also, a use of a circuit breaker is provided.

Provided is a relay having a relatively small dimension in an alignment direction of contacts, having an easily assembled structure, and capable of extinguishing arcs generated at each contact. The relay comprises: a first terminal having a pair of first contacts; a second terminal having a pair of second contacts which are opposed to the pair of first contacts so as to contact and separate from the respective first contacts; and a first magnet positioned on a side opposed to the pair of first contacts of the first terminal and between the pair of first contacts so that the first magnet does not contact the first terminal, wherein the first magnet is magnetized in a direction along which the pair of first contacts and the pair of second contacts are opposed.