A double-contact switch has first and second tubular vacuum switching chambers; a stationary electrode, between the first and second vacuum switching chamber, having a first stationary contact protruding into the first chamber and a second stationary contact protruding into the second chamber; a first electrode, arranged in the first chamber, moveable axially therein, having a contact support region and sealed off from the first chamber exterior; a second electrode, arranged in the second chamber, moveable axially therein, having a contact support region and scaled off from the second chamber exterior; a first contact compression spring applying a first spring force to the first movable electrode so the first electrode contact presses onto the contact protruding into the first chamber; and a second contact compression spring applying a greater, second spring force to the second movable electrode so the second electrode contact presses onto the contact protruding into the second chamber.

A two terminal arc suppressor for protecting switch, relay or contactor contacts and the like comprises a two terminal module adapted to be attached in parallel with the contacts to be protected and including a circuit for deriving an operating voltage upon the transitioning of the switch, relay or contactor contacts from a closed to an open disposition, the power being rectified arid the resulting DC signal used to trigger a power triac switch via an optoisolator circuit whereby arc suppression pulses are generated for short predetermined intervals only at a transition of the mechanical switch, relay or contactor contacts from an closed to an open transition and, again, at an open to a close transition during contact bounce conditions.

A circuit breaker with a switching path has at least one line interruption apparatus, wherein the circuit breaker has a disconnection unit and a connection unit which are each connected to the line interruption apparatus. The switching device has at least one measuring arrangement for measuring at least one electrical variable on the at least one switching path. The disconnection unit further has a comparison and decision unit, which comparison and decision unit is connected to the measuring arrangement and to the line interruption apparatus. The circuit breaker has a first data interface, which first data interface is designed to receive at least one connection command and/or one disconnection command, and wherein the first data interface is connected to the disconnection unit and the connection unit.

A switching apparatus for electric power distribution grids including: a withdrawable first switching unit having one or more first electric poles; a withdrawable second switching unit having one or more second electric poles and electrically connected ins series with said first switching unit; and a controller implementing control strategies directed to increase the safety of the withdrawal manoeuvres of said first and second switching units.

A hybrid circuit interrupter can be used for medium voltage direct current applications, among other applications. The circuit breaker includes a vacuum circuit interrupter and an electronic power interrupter that are electrically connected in parallel. The vacuum circuit interrupter is normally closed and the electronic power interrupter is normally off, so that current passes through the vacuum circuit interrupter in a non-interrupt mode. When an interrupt condition is detected, the electronic interrupter will turn on, and current will pass through the electronic interrupter as the vacuum interrupter is opened. A current injector may draw current from the vacuum interrupter to the electronic power interrupter. An isolation switch may maintain the system in a non-conducting state when interruption is complete.

A disconnecting device for interrupting a direct current between a direct current source and an electric apparatus, having a current-conducting mechanical switch, a power electronics unit connected thereto, and an energy store which is charged by an arcing voltage generated on the switch by an arc as the switch is being disconnected. A pulse generator that is connected to the energy store triggers at least one semiconductor switch of the power electronics unit in such a way that the power electronics unit short-circuits the switch and the arc is extinguished.

An AC switching arrangement is provided with an energy transfer arrangement connected in parallel with a switching mechanism. The energy transfer arrangement comprises a capacitance arrangement and a diode arrangement. The switching mechanism normally closed in a first state, and on reception of a signal indicating the second state, the switching mechanism is arranged to open. When the switching mechanism is in the second state, the diode arrangement is arranged in each AC half cycle to enable energy (source energy, stored inductance energy, etc.) to transfer from the grid to the capacitance arrangement but to prevent energy transfer from the capacitance arrangement back to the grid.

Hazardous location compliant solid state circuit protection devices include safety lockout components ensuring disconnection as a safeguard in the completion of power system maintenance and service tasks by responsible personnel. The safety lockout components may include a mechanical lockout interfacing with a physical lock element, an electrical lockout implemented through the controls of the solid state circuit breaker device, and combinations thereof. Visual device feedback and confirmation may be provided to personnel that the lockouts have been successfully activated, as well as successfully deactivated to reconnect and restore operation of the load side circuitry.

A direct-current circuit includes: a breaker that is inserted into the direct-current line and becomes a path for direct current when in a steady state; a resonance circuit connected in parallel with the breaker and superimposing resonance current on the direct current; and a first disconnector and a second disconnector connected to first and second connection points of the breaker and the resonance circuit, respectively, and forming a path for the direct current together with the breaker. The resonance circuit includes a series circuit that includes a capacitor and a reactor and generates the resonance current, a charging resistor for charging the capacitor with a direct-current potential of the direct-current line, a high-speed switch connected in series with the series circuit on the capacitor side and superimposing the resonance current on the direct current, and an arrester connected in parallel with the capacitor and the high-speed switch.

An electrical circuit includes a contact with a pair of switchable electrodes, the contact configured to cycle through make and break transitions while conducting current. The electrical circuit further includes an arc suppressor, at least one sensor, and a controller circuit. The arc suppressor is coupled across the pair of switchable electrodes and is to extinguish an arc formed across the pair of switchable electrodes during the make and break transitions of the contact. The at least one sensor is coupled to the pair of switchable electrodes and is configured to generate sensor data. The controller circuit includes a plurality of registers and is configured to detect a fault condition associated with the contact based on the sensor data. The controller circuit further sequences contact opening of the contact based on the detected fault condition and a timing value stored in at least one register of the plurality of registers.