A circuit breaker includes a mechanical switch circuit, and the mechanical switch circuit includes a busbar, a power module, and a drive module. The power module includes a movable contact and a stationary contact that is electrically connected to the busbar. When the movable contact is connected to the stationary contact, the mechanical switch circuit is connected. The drive module includes a switch circuit, a movable coil, and a stationary coil. The movable coil and the stationary coil are disposed adjacently, the switch circuit is configured to control a current direction of the movable coil and a current direction of the stationary coil, and the movable coil and the stationary coil attract or repel each other based on whether the current directions are the same to enable the movable coil to drive the movable contact to be connected to or disconnected from the stationary contact.

A circuit breaker includes a mechanical switch circuit, and the mechanical switch circuit includes a busbar, a power module, and a drive module. The power module includes a movable contact and a stationary contact that is electrically connected to the busbar. When the movable contact is connected to the stationary contact, the mechanical switch circuit is connected. The drive module includes a switch circuit, a movable coil, and a stationary coil. The movable coil and the stationary coil are disposed adjacently, the switch circuit is configured to control a current direction of the movable coil and a current direction of the stationary coil, and the movable coil and the stationary coil attract or repel each other based on whether the current directions are the same to enable the movable coil to drive the movable contact to be connected to or disconnected from the stationary contact.

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.

A circuit breaker design allows for the circuit breaker to have an overall width (i.e., measured along the circuit breaker's exposed outwardly-facing surface of its housing) that is narrower than achievable with known typical configurations, while at the same time still providing robust arc interruption capabilities. This is achieved in large part by providing a specific orientation of a moveable contact arm assembly and/or by providing a specific configuration of a current path within the housing.

A circuit breaker design allows for the circuit breaker to have an overall width (i.e., measured along the circuit breaker's exposed outwardly-facing surface of its housing) that is narrower than achievable with known typical configurations, while at the same time still providing robust arc interruption capabilities. This is achieved in large part by providing a specific orientation of a moveable contact arm assembly and/or by providing a specific configuration of a current path within the housing.

A control system is designed to control an interrupter. The interrupter is started by a startup current to interrupt a main electric circuit. The startup current flows through an auxiliary electric circuit and has a current valve equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The control system includes a driving unit and a driven unit. The driving unit includes an intermediate electrical path to be connected to the main electric circuit. The driven unit is to be connected to the auxiliary electric circuit. When an abnormal current having a current value equal to or greater than a prescribed value flows through the intermediate electrical path, the driving unit uses, as a drive source for driving the driven unit, the abnormal current flowing through the intermediate electrical path. The driven unit supplies the auxiliary electric circuit with the startup current by being driven by the driving unit.

A control system is designed to control an interrupter. The interrupter is started by a startup current to interrupt a main electric circuit. The startup current flows through an auxiliary electric circuit and has a current valve equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The control system includes a driving unit and a driven unit. The driving unit includes an intermediate electrical path to be connected to the main electric circuit. The driven unit is to be connected to the auxiliary electric circuit. When an abnormal current having a current value equal to or greater than a prescribed value flows through the intermediate electrical path, the driving unit uses, as a drive source for driving the driven unit, the abnormal current flowing through the intermediate electrical path. The driven unit supplies the auxiliary electric circuit with the startup current by being driven by the driving unit.

An electromagnetic contactor is disclosed. An electromagnetic contactor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an arc extinguishing unit. The air extinguishing unit is configured to surround a position where a fixed contactor and a movable contactor are in contact with each other. Accordingly, an arc generated between the fixed contactor and the movable contactor can extend toward a grid without arbitrarily flowing in an inner space of the electromagnetic contactor. Further included is an arc box unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An arc outlet is formed passing through the arc box unit. An arc that is extinguished while passing through the grid can be discharged to the outside of the electromagnetic contactor through the arc outlet. Accordingly, the arc can be extinguished and discharged quickly and effectively. As a result, components of the electromagnetic contactor are not damaged by the generated arc.

An electromagnetic contactor is disclosed. An electromagnetic contactor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an arc extinguishing unit. The air extinguishing unit is configured to surround a position where a fixed contactor and a movable contactor are in contact with each other. Accordingly, an arc generated between the fixed contactor and the movable contactor can extend toward a grid without arbitrarily flowing in an inner space of the electromagnetic contactor. Further included is an arc box unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An arc outlet is formed passing through the arc box unit. An arc that is extinguished while passing through the grid can be discharged to the outside of the electromagnetic contactor through the arc outlet. Accordingly, the arc can be extinguished and discharged quickly and effectively. As a result, components of the electromagnetic contactor are not damaged by the generated arc.

A multi-finger electrical contact assembly having unequal electrical resistance in current paths through each finger providing relatively high current withstand capability. The multi-finger electrical contact assembly includes three or more fingers each with a coupled conductor, wherein one or more outer fingers and coupled conductor of the assembly have greater electrical resistance than an inner finger and coupled conductor. Multi-phase circuit breakers including the multi-finger electrical contact assembly and methods are provided, as are other aspects.