An electrical breaking contact, in particular a radial-magnetic-field electrical breaking contact, is provided for a medium-voltage vacuum interrupter, the contact including: a rod extending along a longitudinal axis, said rod being configured to be passed through by an electrical current, a contact body extending transversely to the longitudinal axis and including a first fastening surface, the contact body and the rod being coaxial, wherein the rod includes: a second fastening surface securely fastened to the first fastening surface, an abutment surface radially exterior to the first fastening surface (4), the abutment surface being distant from the contact body along the longitudinal axis and turned toward the contact body.

A vacuum interrupter includes: an insulation cylinder; a fixed-side flange; a movable-side flange; a fixed-side electrode rod fixed to the fixed-side flange at one end and having a fixed-side electrode fitting shaft on a fixed-side end surface at another end; a movable-side electrode rod connected to the movable-side flange via a bellows at one end and having a movable-side electrode fitting shaft on a movable-side end surface at another end; a fixed-side windmill-shaped electrode fixed to the fixed-side electrode fitting shaft; and a movable-side windmill-shaped electrode fixed to the movable-side electrode fitting shaft. A fixed-side support member having a fixed-side spacer portion and a fixed-side planar portion is provided between the fixed-side end surface and the fixed-side windmill-shaped electrode, and a movable-side support member having a movable-side spacer portion and a movable-side planar portion is provided between the movable-side end surface and the movable-side windmill-shaped electrode.

A vacuum interrupter includes: an insulation cylinder; a fixed-side flange; a movable-side flange; a fixed-side electrode rod fixed to the fixed-side flange at one end and having a fixed-side electrode fitting shaft on a fixed-side end surface at another end; a movable-side electrode rod connected to the movable-side flange via a bellows at one end and having a movable-side electrode fitting shaft on a movable-side end surface at another end; a fixed-side windmill-shaped electrode fixed to the fixed-side electrode fitting shaft; and a movable-side windmill-shaped electrode fixed to the movable-side electrode fitting shaft. A fixed-side support member having a fixed-side spacer portion and a fixed-side planar portion is provided between the fixed-side end surface and the fixed-side windmill-shaped electrode, and a movable-side support member having a movable-side spacer portion and a movable-side planar portion is provided between the movable-side end surface and the movable-side windmill-shaped electrode.

The invention relates to a universal vacuum interrupter (UVI) (30) for an air disconnect switch (100) comprising a rotatable actuating arm (21) arranged for engagement by a corresponding contact (16), such as a roller, attached to the main blade (12) of an air disconnect switch (100). In particular, the actuating arm (21) comprises two rods (22) extending next to each other and adapted for receiving the corresponding contact (16) of the main blade (12) between them. The two rods (22) are movable to alter the distance between them but are biased together by biasing means (24), e.g. helical springs. As the corresponding contact (16) of a main blade (12) will be in engagement with both rods (22) during disconnection and reconnection of the air disconnect switch (100), arcing is thereby prevented. Preferably, the two rods (22) of the UVI (30) are made of aluminium.

The invention relates to a universal vacuum interrupter (UVI) (30) for an air disconnect switch (100) comprising a rotatable actuating arm (21) arranged for engagement by a corresponding contact (16), such as a roller, attached to the main blade (12) of an air disconnect switch (100). In particular, the actuating arm (21) comprises two rods (22) extending next to each other and adapted for receiving the corresponding contact (16) of the main blade (12) between them. The two rods (22) are movable to alter the distance between them but are biased together by biasing means (24), e.g. helical springs. As the corresponding contact (16) of a main blade (12) will be in engagement with both rods (22) during disconnection and reconnection of the air disconnect switch (100), arcing is thereby prevented. Preferably, the two rods (22) of the UVI (30) are made of aluminium.

Embodiment herein provide a vacuum Load break switch comprising a tank (Metallic or non-metallic) (1), an interruption system (2) enclosed in the tank (1), a drive lever (3) connected to the interruption system (2), a leak proof system (4) with multiple O-Rings connected to the interruption system (2), and a source side connector (5) and a load side connector (6) connected to the interruption system (2). During an open operation, a current inside the vacuum interruption system (2) is interrupted to move the interruption system (2) and create an isolation distance. Further, during a close operation, the vacuum interruption system (2) moves to make the isolation distance zero and then the current flow is started inside vacuum interruption system (2).

Embodiment herein provide a vacuum Load break switch comprising a tank (Metallic or non-metallic) (1), an interruption system (2) enclosed in the tank (1), a drive lever (3) connected to the interruption system (2), a leak proof system (4) with multiple O-Rings connected to the interruption system (2), and a source side connector (5) and a load side connector (6) connected to the interruption system (2). During an open operation, a current inside the vacuum interruption system (2) is interrupted to move the interruption system (2) and create an isolation distance. Further, during a close operation, the vacuum interruption system (2) moves to make the isolation distance zero and then the current flow is started inside vacuum interruption system (2).

An underarm gang operated vacuum break switch (underarm switch) has an electrically live portion under a mounting arm, which provides advantages over the standard vacuum break switch, which have the electrically live portion above the mounting arm. Because the non-electrified mounting arm is above the electrified portion, the underarm switch is safer for perching birds and other wildlife. The nature of the underarm switch also provides other benefits including a disconnect blade that when opened creates a visual gap to ensure electrical discontinuity along with a safety locking arm tied to deactivating the underarm switch. Adding to the safety measures is a visual indicator that shows an electrician when the switch is live and safe to open the disconnect blade. Other safety measures include a shock absorber assembly and inertia slowing mass protecting electrical contacts within the vacuum break switch from failing.

A switching apparatus is provided herein. The switching apparatus includes: (i) a first pole terminal, a second pole terminal and a ground terminal, (ii) a first contact arrangement including a first fixed contact member and a first movable contact member, (iii) a second contact arrangement including a second fixed contact member and a second movable contact member, (iv) a vacuum chamber wherein the second fixed contact and the second movable contact are enclosed and can be coupled or decoupled, and (v) an electrically conductive coupling lever pivoted on the second movable contact member and reversibly movable about a second rotation axis.

A switching apparatus is provided herein. The switching apparatus includes: (i) a first pole terminal, a second pole terminal and a ground terminal, (ii) a first contact arrangement including a first fixed contact member and a first movable contact member, (iii) a second contact arrangement including a second fixed contact member and a second movable contact member, (iv) a vacuum chamber wherein the second fixed contact and the second movable contact are enclosed and can be coupled or decoupled, and (v) an electrically conductive coupling lever pivoted on the second movable contact member and reversibly movable about a second rotation axis.