The present invention relates to a residual current circuit breaker, RCCB, (100) for an electrical circuit (300). The RCCB comprises a first switching device (106) and a second switching device (140) coupled in series with each other between the power supply (302) and the load (304). The first switching device (106) is configured to switch into an OFF mode, in which no current is fed to the load (304), upon detecting that a value of a current i fed to the load (304) is larger than a switching current is of the first switching device (106). The second switching device (140) is configured to switch into an ON mode, in which the load (304) is short cut, upon detecting a leakage of the current i fed to the load (304). Thereby, a novel RCCB architecture is provided. When a current leakage is detected a short cut is introduced which means that the voltage will be zero over the load and no person will be harmed by the current in the circuit. Flowever, when the load is short cut there will be a current rush in the circuit which will trigger the first switching device to break the circuit and no current will thereafter flow in the circuit. The invention also relates to a circuit comprising such a residual current circuit breaker and a corresponding method.

A switching device is for a low-voltage electric circuit having a plurality of conductors. In an embodiment, the switching device includes a housing having connection contacts arranged on the housing for connection of conductors of the low-voltage electric circuit; and a mechanical unit situated in the housing having an isolating function and an OFF or IN position, the mechanical unit including isolating contacts for galvanically interrupting the conductors of the low-voltage electric circuit. An electronic unit is provided which is connected to the mechanical unit in series on the current flow side; an auxiliary switch connected to the mechanical unit is provided and is connected in turn to the electronic unit; and the auxiliary switch and the electronic unit are designed in such a way that the electronic unit is highly resistive during an opening process of the mechanical unit.

A low-voltage protection switch unit, such as a motor protection switch, includes: at least an external conductor line, from an external line supply terminal of the low-voltage protection switch unit to an external line load terminal of the low-voltage protection switch unit; a neutral conductor line, from a neutral conductor terminal of the low-voltage protection switch unit to a neutral conductor load terminal of the low-voltage protection switch unit; a mechanical bypass switch arranged in the external conductor line; a semiconductor circuit arrangement connected in parallel with the mechanical bypass switch; an electronic control unit for actuating the mechanical bypass switch and the semiconductor circuit arrangement in a specifiable manner; and a current measurement arrangement connected to the electronic control unit, the current measurement arrangement being arranged at least in the external conductor line. The electronic control unit switches the semiconductor circuit arrangement on/off in a specifiable clocked manner.

An electrified vehicle electrical system includes, among other things, a contactor enclosure, and contactor contacts housed within the contactor enclosure. A resistor is housed within the contactor enclosure or is housed within a relay enclosure outside the contactor enclosure.

Compliant electrical circuit protection devices are described for use in hazardous environments without presenting ignition risks for potentially explosive environmental conditions. Sensing features and systems may evaluate wiring limits and user selected settings for compatibility, detect loose connections and operating parameters to ensure safe operation of the device, and to intelligently diagnose and manage issues of concern for the circuit protection devices as well as the larger electrical power system.

The present invention is provided with: a first contact in a first relay connected to a circuit to be grounded; a resistor which is connected between the first contact and the earth, and which suppresses the flow of electric current to the first contact when the first contact is closed; a second contact in a second relay connected in parallel to the resistor; and an interlocking control means which inhibits opening of the first contact in a closed state when the second contact is opened, and which inhibits closing of the first contact in an open state when the second contact is closed.

A switch system includes a mechanical switch for switching electrical currents, the mechanical switch operating in one of a closed state and an open state; the system further including an actuator configured to change the state of the mechanical switch, wherein the actuator comprises a Thomson-coil system including a Thomson coil, and wherein the mechanical switch and the Thomson coil are electrically connected in series.

A switching arrangement for reducing contactor wear of an energy storage system having a plurality of battery packs arranged in parallel for powering a load. The switching arrangement includes a contactor for each battery pack, the contactors being configured to connect and disconnect the battery packs relative the load by closing and opening, respectively, an electric arc reducing circuitry associated to one of the contactors, wherein the switching arrangement is configured to electrically disconnect the battery packs from the load by means of the contactors such that the contactor being associated with the electric arc reducing circuitry is opened last.

An actuator, which is a part of a combination that includes a pair of circuit interrupters, advantageously employs a plurality of Thomson coils that are electrically connected in parallel and that interact with a corresponding set of Thomson plates of a rotatable armature in order to perform useful work in a rapid fashion. In one embodiment, the useful work is to commutate current from one circuit interrupter to the other.

A method of operating a Fault Current Limiter Circuit Breaker including a plurality of FLCB modules connected in series, including at least a first module and a second module. Each module includes a plurality of parallel component legs including a mechanical switch leg including a mechanical switch, a semiconductor switch leg including a semiconductor switch, and a Metal Oxide Varistor leg including a MOV. The method includes, when the FLBC is in an open configuration, obtaining an indication that the FLCB should be closed; in response to the obtained indication, closing the semiconductor switch of each of the modules; and, after the closing of the semiconductor switches and while the mechanical switch of the second module remains open, closing the mechanical switch of the first module.