Device, circuit, system, and method for arc suppression. A contact separation detector is configured to output an indication of a separation state of a pair of electrical contacts. A contact bypass circuit, coupled to the contact separation detector, is configured to provide an electrical bypass between the pair of contacts based on the indication.

A circuit breaker includes a current entry which conducts an electrical current via a wound coil conductor strip of a first coil to a first fixed contact, and includes a contact rocker which can be moved between two switching positions. The contact rocker includes mutually connected contact limbs. A first switching position of the contact rocker, electrically connects the first fixed contact with a second fixed contact which is connected via a wound coil conductor strip of a second coil to a current exit for dissipating an electrical current flowing through the contact limbs of the contact rocker and the coil conductor strips of the coils to a current exit of the circuit breaker. A high electrical current which flows through the wound coil conductor strips of the coils and through the contact limbs of the contact rocker produces a magnetic field which generates a switching force which moves the contact rocker from the first switching position into a second switching position in which the two fixed contacts are electrically separated to interrupt the electrical current.

In an embodiment a state detection circuit includes a Hall sensor circuit with a Hall sensor, a voltage regulator and an output switch, wherein the Hall sensor circuit is connected between the voltage regulator and the output switch.

In an embodiment, a switching device includes at least one stationary contact, a movable contact, an armature, a permanent magnet and a magnetically-operated switch, wherein the movable contact is movable by the armature, wherein the permanent magnet is attached to the armature, and wherein the magnetically-operated switch is a Hall switch.

An actuator for a medium voltage circuit breaker or recloser includes: at least one movable contact with a contact stem, driven by an electromagnetic drive or a motor drive; and a spring, the spring being positioned in a kinematic chain between the drive and the at least one movable contact or contact stem. An arrangement of the at least one movable contact and the electromagnetic drive or motor drive is coupled to a detection unit for detecting a micromotion activation in order to register an actual movability and availability of the electromagnetic drive or motor drive of the at least one movable contact without changing an actual switch position itself.

The status monitoring system for a circuit breaker (100) includes a movable handle (110) with a magnet (112), a magnetic sensor (140) and a processor (150). The magnet is movable with the handle. The magnetic sensor is arranged in proximity to the handle, and is used to sense a magnetic field produced from the magnet of the handle. The processor receives information of the sensed magnetic field from the magnetic sensor and determines a status of the circuit breaker based on the sensed magnetic field which relates to a position of the handle. The status of the circuit breaker may include a handle position (e.g., ON, OFF or TRIPPED position), a handle velocity or a handle acceleration. A diagnosis of breaker functionality may then be reported.

A switching device includes: a triggering unit; an actuator coupled to the triggering unit; a switching mechanism coupled to the actuator; and an interface module. The interface module includes: a signal processing unit coupled to the triggering unit; an interface circuit coupled to a transmitting and receiving circuit of the signal processing unit; a power supply input for feeding a first supply voltage; and a voltage converter connected on an input side to the power supply input and a power outlet for issuing a second supply voltage. The power outlet is coupled to the signal processing unit and to the triggering unit.

A diagnostic system for monitoring a mechanical trip mechanism of a circuit interrupter provides advanced diagnostics. The trip mechanism comprises a D-shaft that is actuated by the trip unit, an operating mechanism that is actuated by the D-shaft, and a pole shaft that is actuated by the operating mechanism to physically separate the separable contacts. During every opening operation, the diagnostic system determines how much time elapses between the D-shaft beginning to move to its open position and the pole shaft reaching its open position, in order to detect degradation of the trip mechanism as early as possible. This ensures that suboptimal performance is detected even if the trip mechanism is meeting the minimum requirements for acceptable performance. A user is notified once the performance has degraded to a level that is considered concerning before the trip mechanism fails altogether, saving significant time and resources and preventing more widespread damage.

An electrical protection system has a housing, connecting terminals, separable electrical contacts, a switching mechanism and at least one power switch connected in series with the separable electrical contacts. The system further includes an electronic control circuit coupled to the at least one power switch, the or each power switch has a metallic heat dissipation plate connected to an electrode of the power switch, the heat dissipation plate being thermally connected to the body of the power switch. The or each power switch is connected in series with the separable electrical contacts between the connecting terminals via a conductive plate connected to the heat dissipation plate of the respective power switch.

A relay is disclosed. In an embodiment a relay includes a magnet armature including a magnetic core and a permanent magnet secured to the magnet armature for identifying a position of the magnet armature.