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.

Systems and methods for improving control of an internal arc fault in equipment. The equipment includes a bus configured to provide three-phase power from an incoming line. Furthermore, the equipment includes a current loop formed from a first conductor and a second conductor, where current is received from the bus. The current loop uses electromagnetic forces of a short-circuit current caused by an internal arcing fault of the equipment to move the first and second conductors relative to each other. In response to the movement of the first and second conductors, the current loop creates a gap between the first and second conductors where a new arc ignites at the gap. In this manner, the loop design takes advantage of the natural electromagnetic force to reduce the arc energy at the point of initiation and relocates the energy release point to an exhaust vent of the equipment.

Systems and methods for improving control of an internal arc fault in equipment. The equipment includes a bus configured to provide three-phase power from an incoming line. Furthermore, the equipment includes a current loop formed from a first conductor and a second conductor, where current is received from the bus. The current loop uses electromagnetic forces of a short-circuit current caused by an internal arcing fault of the equipment to move the first and second conductors relative to each other. In response to the movement of the first and second conductors, the current loop creates a gap between the first and second conductors where a new arc ignites at the gap. In this manner, the loop design takes advantage of the natural electromagnetic force to reduce the arc energy at the point of initiation and relocates the energy release point to an exhaust vent of the equipment.

A system for isolating a fault in a direct current (DC) grid using thermionic arc extinction. The system includes a DC grid that includes a transmission line. The DC grid also includes a plurality of current interrupters disposed on the transmission line. Each of the plurality of current interrupters on the transmission line are electrically coupled to one another in series. At least one of the current interrupters includes a fixed terminal end and a moveable terminal end. Further, at least one of the current interrupters has an arc shield housing at least two arcing contacts. At least one of the arcing contacts comprises a first conducting material that has a first vaporizing point.

The invention relates to a center break switch having a contact system for electrical current conduction and bus transfer switching. The contact system includes two moving contacts. One of the two moving contacts includes a finger contact and the other moving contact includes a first contact. Each moving contact includes a contact for bus transfer switching, wherein one of the two contacts includes a spherical contacting element, and the other contact includes a rectangular contacting element. The spherical contacting element and the rectangular contacting element engage during switching for the bus transfer, and stay in contact when the finger contact is engaged with the first contact for electrical current conduction.

The invention relates to a center break switch having a contact system for electrical current conduction and bus transfer switching. The contact system includes two moving contacts. One of the two moving contacts includes a finger contact and the other moving contact includes a first contact. Each moving contact includes a contact for bus transfer switching, wherein one of the two contacts includes a spherical contacting element, and the other contact includes a rectangular contacting element. The spherical contacting element and the rectangular contacting element engage during switching for the bus transfer, and stay in contact when the finger contact is engaged with the first contact for electrical current conduction.

A breaker includes a stationary contact, a movable contact, an operation device including a link portion liked to the movable contact and including an output lever rotatably supported, the operation device operating rotation of the output lever in accordance with a first control signal for a command for pulling out the movable contact and a second control signal for a command for inserting the movable contact, and an auxiliary contact to switch between turn-on and turn-off of an input of the first control signal and the second control signal to the operation device in conjunction with operation of the output lever, the auxiliary contact being able to be used in a circuit configuration to monitor a state of the operation device. The output lever rotates so as to operate a first link portion on a side toward a first direction with respect to a rotational center of the output lever.

A breaker includes a stationary contact, a movable contact, an operation device including a link portion liked to the movable contact and including an output lever rotatably supported, the operation device operating rotation of the output lever in accordance with a first control signal for a command for pulling out the movable contact and a second control signal for a command for inserting the movable contact, and an auxiliary contact to switch between turn-on and turn-off of an input of the first control signal and the second control signal to the operation device in conjunction with operation of the output lever, the auxiliary contact being able to be used in a circuit configuration to monitor a state of the operation device. The output lever rotates so as to operate a first link portion on a side toward a first direction with respect to a rotational center of the output lever.

A system including ruggedized optic fiber cable assembly for use with an arc detection relay to protect electrical components from faults resulting in an arc flash. The cable assembly includes a pair of ruggedized ST connectors located at opposite ends of a ruggedized optical fiber cable. The cable includes an optical fiber core surrounded by a transparent gel layer and a transparent jacket surrounding the gel layer. Each ST connector includes a boot formed of a resilient material to provide shock absorption for the portion of the optical fiber cable extending through it. An accessory electronic cable is also provided, as are couplers, adapters for mounting the couplers onto walls, and sleeves with air pockets to enhance the ruggedness of the cable at points of stress, e.g., bends.

A high- or medium-voltage circuit breaker, in which a movable contact (1) is moved in sliding in order to separate stationary contacts (11, 12) from its sliding surface (2). In accordance with the invention, the stationary contacts (11, 12) have switching portions (9) that separate from the movable contact more or less simultaneously as a result of a setback (19) in the movable contact (1), thereby causing two simultaneous switching arcs to appear (14, 15), which arcs are extinguished much more quickly than a single arc, before the current is transferred to the conventional arcing contacts (5). This disposition enables the stationary contacts (11, 12) and their environment to be less exposed to damage.