A hybrid interrupter member for an electrical circuit, the interrupter member including a static interrupter component and an electromechanical interrupter component. The static component is mounted on a support carrying electrical contacts for the static component, the support being configured, on receiving a command to interrupt, to move in such a manner as to withdraw at least one of the electrical contacts from its respective pin, thereby forming the electromechanical interrupter component.

A DC circuit breaker according to various embodiments may comprise: a first terminal unit connected to a power source; and a second terminal unit connected to the first terminal unit and connected to a load, wherein the first terminal unit includes at least a pair of first terminals connected to each other in parallel and connected to the power source, and the second terminal unit includes at least a pair of second terminals corresponding respectively to the first terminals and connected to each other in parallel so as to be connected to the load.

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.

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.

A DC circuit breaker capable of blocking a fault current flowing through a DC line when a fault occurs in the DC line is proposed. The DC circuit breaker includes a main switch connected to a first DC line at one end and connected to a second line at the other end; a first circuit unit connected in parallel to the main switch; and n second circuit units each connected in parallel to the main switch, wherein the first circuit unit is composed of a series connection of an inductor, a first capacitor and a first switch, the inductor or the first capacitor being connected to the first DC line and the first switch being connected to the second DC line.

A DC circuit breaker includes a gas discharge tube (GDT) coupled in parallel with an extinguishing path. The GDT conducts and interrupts a load current through a normal current path. The GDT includes a thermionic cathode, an anode, and a control grid. The control grid is configured to regulate opening and closing of the normal current path. The extinguishing path is configured to lengthen a break time for the DC circuit breaker.

A configuration for generating a zero current pulse for generating a zero current crossing in an electrical component through which a direct current flows, in particular a vacuum interrupter, includes a switch and an electrical energy storage device or store having two poles through which the electrical energy storage device can be charged by a voltage source. A loop can be formed by the energy storage device, the electrical component through which the direct current flows and the switch, so that the energy storage device can be discharged by closing the switch while generating a zero current pulse counter to the direct current across the electrical component. The energy storage device has a plurality of energy storage elements for mutual generation of a zero current pulse.

An arrangement includes: a direct current power network with a plus pole and a minus pole; two series capacitors, a first outer tap being connected to the plus pole via a first power line, a second outer tap being connected to the minus pole via a second power line and a middle tap is connected to ground; a circuit switch arranged in at least one of the first and the second power line; a circuit switch control unit for opening the circuit switch upon overcurrent and/or upon manual intervention; a switchable high ohmic path in at least one of the first and the second power line, which bypasses a) a switchable low ohmic path in the least one of the first and the second power line or b) the circuit switch; and a load control unit for measuring a total voltage of the two series capacitors.

Disclosed embodiments relate to an improved switching or contactor device with high arc extinguishing capabilities industrial and railways applications where a high current must be switched on and off. The switching or contactor device includes, in a casing, a switch base portion including electrical switching means of a low voltage driving portion active on moving contacts; a high voltage portion including the moving contacts driven towards and away from each other with respect to a mutual contact position, said moving contacts being mounted at respective contact ends of a toggle mechanism which is movable by a low voltage driving portion, and a top arc chute extinguishing portion covering the high voltage portion. Hardware is provided in the proximity of the moving contacts to influence an electric arc occurring when currents are switched on and off by the moving contacts moving towards and away from each other.