A disc member is for a Thomson coil actuator of an electrical switching apparatus. The Thomson coil actuator has at least one generally planar coil. The disc member includes at least one annular-shaped conductive member structured to be driven by the coil, and a structural support member directly coupled to the conductive member.

A circuit breaker includes at least one moveable contact. The moveable electrode is operably connected to a Thomson coil actuator that can separate and open the contacts of the circuit breaker. A sensor senses current or voltage in the circuit breaker. When a condition exists that triggers an opening action, a controller will use select a current level to apply to the Thomson coil actuator. The selected current level will vary based on the sensed current or voltage level. The controller will cause a driver to apply the selected current level to the Thomson coil actuator, and it will cause the contacts to separate and open. If the circuit breaker is a vacuum interrupter, the vacuum interrupter may employ a multi-section bellows in which each section has unique structural characteristics as compared to the other sections, so that different sections will dominate as the Thomson coil's speed of operation varies.

Embodiments provide a switch, including a control system, first and second manipulating mechanisms. The control system emits an operating instruction to the second manipulating mechanism when the wire works normally, the operating instruction instructing the second manipulating mechanism to perform an opening action or a closing action; the control system emits a first and second action instructions to the first and second manipulating mechanisms, respectively, when the wire fails, the first action instruction instructing the first manipulating mechanism to perform a first action, and the second action instruction instructing the second manipulating mechanism to perform a second action, the cooperative action between the first manipulating mechanism and the second manipulating mechanism implements redundancy of the switch operating; and the time taken by the first manipulating mechanism to implement the first action is different from the time taken by the second manipulating mechanism to implement the second action.

A circuit breaker includes a pole unit with a first and second electrodes. A linkage also extends from the pole unit. A linear actuator is operably connected to the pole unit. A Thomson coil or other high-speed actuator is also operably connected to the linkage. When the circuit breaker is closed, no gap is provided between them. To open the electrodes, the high-speed actuator first acts on the linkage by moving the linkage at a speed that is greater than a speed by which the linear actuator can move the linkage. The linear actuator can then actuate and increase a distance between the electrodes. A gap is provided between the pole unit and at least one of the actuators when the breaker is closed. This gap is reduced or eliminated when the breaker is open.

A damping and latching mechanism for a Thomson coil-based actuator used to open and close the separable contacts of circuit interrupters in circuit breakers uses magnetorheological fluid to actively control the damping of opening and closing strokes in a circuit breaker in order to decrease wear and tear on components that can result from contact-based damping mechanisms and to maintain the open and closed states of separable contacts in the circuit breaker.

Coil-based actuators for use in opening and closing the separable contacts of circuit interrupters provide increased initial velocity for opening strokes and damping at the end of opening strokes. Electronics for adjusting the current profile of current supplied to coil-based actuators additionally provide increased initial velocity for opening strokes and damping at the conclusion of opening strokes.

Coil-based actuators for use in opening and closing the separable contacts of circuit interrupters provide increased initial velocity for opening strokes and damping at the end of opening strokes. Electronics for adjusting the current profile of current supplied to coil-based actuators additionally provide increased initial velocity for opening strokes and damping at the conclusion of opening strokes.

Coil-based actuators for use in opening and closing the separable contacts of circuit interrupters provide increased initial velocity for opening strokes and damping at the end of opening strokes. Electronics for adjusting the current profile of current supplied to coil-based actuators additionally provide increased initial velocity for opening strokes and damping at the conclusion of opening strokes.

A circuit breaker comprises a switch and an actuator comprising a displaceable shaft mechanically connected to a movable contact in the switch. A Thomson coil is adapted to displace the shaft in a first direction, and a disconnecting device is connected in series with the switch and that is adapted to open during an interval when current is extinguished. An energy storage is provided being a separate part from the shaft and being adapted to store energy when the shaft moves in the first direction and to release energy to displace the shaft in a second direction, comprising a mass-spring arrangement with a body, a first spring between the shaft and one end portion of the body at a side facing the shaft and a second spring at a first end portion connected to a side of the body facing from the shaft and at second end portion being fixed. The movement of the body continues undisturbed to achieve a time interval wherein a current is extinguished. A current-interrupting arrangement for a circuit breaker is provided that has a simple mechanical construction and which can handle the problem at closing-in into a permanent fault in an adequate way.

An automatic transfer switch includes a first conduction bar selectively coupled with a first power source and a load conduction bar; a second conduction bar selectively coupled with a second power source and the load conduction bar; a first blade assembly electrically coupled to the first conduction bar; and a second blade assembly electrically coupled to the second conduction bar. The first blade assembly is electrically coupled to a first source conduction bar in a closed position, and a first electromagnetic force induced by a first current flowing through the first blade assembly and the first conduction bar repulses the first blade assembly. The second blade assembly is electrically coupled to a second source conduction bar in a closed position, and a second electromagnetic force induced by a second current flowing through the second blade assembly and the second conduction bar repulses the second blade assembly.