A high speed switch comprises an interrupter unit connected to a main circuit and including a movable electrode and a driving electrode for opening or closing the main circuit; a driving unit including a repulsion coil for providing a driving force for moving the movable electrode of the interrupter unit, and a repulsion plate disposed opposite to the repulsion coil; a guide rod part connecting the movable electrode of the interrupter unit to the repulsion plate, having a latch groove formed therein, and reciprocating vertically according to movements of the repulsion plate; and a state-holding unit for regulating the movement of the guide rod part, wherein the state-holding unit comprises: a latch; a latch elastic member; and a latch coil.

A switching device for an electric circuit, the switching device comprising: at least one phase having a movable contact which can be coupled to/separated from a corresponding fixed contact; a kinematic chain operatively associated to the movable contact; driving means adapted to move the kinematic chain between a first position and a second position for actuating the movable contact; and control means adapted to control the driving means. The kinematic chain is adapted to reach the second position from the first position before reaching a dead-point position, and the control means are adapted to: detect a loss condition of a power supply associable to and suitable for operating the switching device, while the kinematic chain is in the second position; and control the driving means to move the kinematic chain away from the second position when the loss condition is detected, in such a way that the kinematic chain passes through the dead-point position and reaches a third position between the dead-point position and corresponding blocking means of the switching device.

A snap-action drive for a switching device has an energy store, a swinging movable part and a securing device for the movable part. The securing device secures a position of the swinging movable part by a force effect, wherein a reversal of direction of the movable part takes place counter to the force effect.

A snap-action drive for a switching device has an energy store, a swinging movable part and a securing device for the movable part. The securing device secures a position of the swinging movable part by a force effect, wherein a reversal of direction of the movable part takes place counter to the force effect.

The invention concerns a double-motion circuit breaker comprising primary and secondary movable contacts slidingly mounted within primary and secondary holders, wherein the primary movable contact comprises a tulip and a contact cylinder attached thereto, and the secondary movable contact comprises a pin for engaging the tulip but no counter-contact for engaging the contact cylinder. The circuit breaker also has a non-linear linkage mechanism with a pin and slot mechanism, and a fixed dielectric shield provided on the secondary holder. During disconnection, the linkage mechanism is preferably arranged to move the pin more than the tulip, proportionally to their maximum stroke, so as to quickly bring the pin tip within the fixed dielectric shield, whereafter the tulip moves more than the pin. This circuit breaker is cheaper, lighter and can be disconnected more quickly.

The invention concerns a double-motion circuit breaker comprising primary and secondary movable contacts slidingly mounted within primary and secondary holders, wherein the primary movable contact comprises a tulip and a contact cylinder attached thereto, and the secondary movable contact comprises a pin for engaging the tulip but no counter-contact for engaging the contact cylinder. The circuit breaker also has a non-linear linkage mechanism with a pin and slot mechanism, and a fixed dielectric shield provided on the secondary holder. During disconnection, the linkage mechanism is preferably arranged to move the pin more than the tulip, proportionally to their maximum stroke, so as to quickly bring the pin tip within the fixed dielectric shield, whereafter the tulip moves more than the pin. This circuit breaker is cheaper, lighter and can be disconnected more quickly.

A vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) assembly includes a single motor configured to rotate at least one rotor, a VCB having a breaking mechanism configured to control current flow through the VCB and a first electromagnetic clutch configured to selectively engage the at least one rotor with the breaking mechanism to charge the breaking mechanism. The VCB assembly also includes an undercarriage configured to support the VCB assembly and to move the VCB assembly from a first position to a second position and a second electromagnetic clutch configured to selectively engage the at least one rotor with the undercarriage to drive the undercarriage.

A vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) assembly includes a single motor configured to rotate at least one rotor, a VCB having a breaking mechanism configured to control current flow through the VCB and a first electromagnetic clutch configured to selectively engage the at least one rotor with the breaking mechanism to charge the breaking mechanism. The VCB assembly also includes an undercarriage configured to support the VCB assembly and to move the VCB assembly from a first position to a second position and a second electromagnetic clutch configured to selectively engage the at least one rotor with the undercarriage to drive the undercarriage.

A snap-action drive for a switching device has an energy store, a swinging movable part and a securing device for the movable part. The securing device secures a position of the swinging movable part by a force effect, wherein a reversal of direction of the movable part takes place counter to the force effect.

A snap-action drive for a switching device has an energy store, a swinging movable part and a securing device for the movable part. The securing device secures a position of the swinging movable part by a force effect, wherein a reversal of direction of the movable part takes place counter to the force effect.