An electrical switching device and related methods, for use in aerospace applications include a first static contact assembly, a second static contact assembly, a movable contact assembly for making an electrical connection between the first and second static contact assemblies. The first contact assembly, the second contact assembly and the movable contact assembly each include a silver contact that is percussion welded to the aluminum substrate. Before percussion welding, the silver contact includes a projection for focusing an arc during percussion welding.

An electrical switching device and related methods, for use in aerospace applications include a first static contact assembly, a second static contact assembly, a movable contact assembly for making an electrical connection between the first and second static contact assemblies. The first contact assembly, the second contact assembly and the movable contact assembly each include a silver contact that is percussion welded to the aluminum substrate. Before percussion welding, the silver contact includes a projection for focusing an arc during percussion welding.

Switching devices having a contact point, and an arc extinguishing chamber are used to blow switch arcs. The arc extinguishing chamber may have an exit opening through which plasma, generated inside the switching device by a switch arc developing when the contact point opens, exits out of the switching device. Inside the extinguish chamber a first arc guide plate may be provided that extends from the contact point toward the exit opening and which guides and stretches the switch arc. The switch arc may be initially stretched beyond the dimensions of the exit opening by the first arc guide plate and then the stretching may be reduced to be within the dimensions of the exit opening by an arc guide pin projecting from the first arc guide plate.

Switching devices having a contact point, and an arc extinguishing chamber are used to blow switch arcs. The arc extinguishing chamber may have an exit opening through which plasma, generated inside the switching device by a switch arc developing when the contact point opens, exits out of the switching device. Inside the extinguish chamber a first arc guide plate may be provided that extends from the contact point toward the exit opening and which guides and stretches the switch arc. The switch arc may be initially stretched beyond the dimensions of the exit opening by the first arc guide plate and then the stretching may be reduced to be within the dimensions of the exit opening by an arc guide pin projecting from the first arc guide plate.

A low-voltage multipolar circuit breaker includes a moulded housing including a main body that is divided into interior compartments, each associated with one pole of the circuit breaker, and a cover that is mounted on the main body covering a main face of the body. The circuit breaker includes, for each pole, electrical contacts that can be separated by a device of a switching mechanism and an arc-extinguishing chamber. For at least two of the poles, the main face includes an additional aperture, each placed directly above the spark guard of the corresponding pole and placing the arc-extinguishing chamber of this pole in communication with the interior volume delimited by the cover and the main face, and the cover is attached to the main body while leaving a peripheral opening between the cover and the main body, placing the interior volume in communication with the exterior of the housing.

A low-voltage multipolar circuit breaker includes a moulded housing including a main body that is divided into interior compartments, each associated with one pole of the circuit breaker, and a cover that is mounted on the main body covering a main face of the body. The circuit breaker includes, for each pole, electrical contacts that can be separated by a device of a switching mechanism and an arc-extinguishing chamber. For at least two of the poles, the main face includes an additional aperture, each placed directly above the spark guard of the corresponding pole and placing the arc-extinguishing chamber of this pole in communication with the interior volume delimited by the cover and the main face, and the cover is attached to the main body while leaving a peripheral opening between the cover and the main body, placing the interior volume in communication with the exterior of the housing.

Disclosed examples include enclosures with segregated or divided cooling paths and improved arc flash resistance. In one example, a TYPE 12, 50 DEGREE C. ambient common bus power conversion enclosure design provides enhanced arc flash protection & segregated cooling for high reliability of imbedded electronics. Example enclosures and systems can be used in association with AC/DC converters for motor drives or motor control centers, and/or for electroplating or painting systems with modular anode control (MAC) systems to implement an anodic DC electroplating for workpieces and other end use applications.

Disclosed examples include enclosures with segregated or divided cooling paths and improved arc flash resistance. In one example, a TYPE 12, 50 DEGREE C. ambient common bus power conversion enclosure design provides enhanced arc flash protection & segregated cooling for high reliability of imbedded electronics. Example enclosures and systems can be used in association with AC/DC converters for motor drives or motor control centers, and/or for electroplating or painting systems with modular anode control (MAC) systems to implement an anodic DC electroplating for workpieces and other end use applications.

A switchgear includes a circuit breaking section having a moveable contact bridging element and at least one first arc chutes adjacent the contact bridging element, each arc chute including a base plate for connecting to the contact bridging element and a group of splitter plates placed adjacent the base plate, where the splitter plates of the groups are separated from the base plate and each other via air gaps and resistors interconnect at least some of the plates in at least a first of the arc chutes for bypassing corresponding air gaps, wherein the resistors have values in the range 5 k-1 M, current ratings below 100 mA and power ratings below 1 W.

A switchgear includes a circuit breaking section having a moveable contact bridging element and at least one first arc chutes adjacent the contact bridging element, each arc chute including a base plate for connecting to the contact bridging element and a group of splitter plates placed adjacent the base plate, where the splitter plates of the groups are separated from the base plate and each other via air gaps and resistors interconnect at least some of the plates in at least a first of the arc chutes for bypassing corresponding air gaps, wherein the resistors have values in the range 5 k-1 M, current ratings below 100 mA and power ratings below 1 W.