An electromagnetic relay includes a contactor including a fixed contact and a movable contact, and an electromagnet device for moving the movable contact. The electromagnet device includes a coil generating a first magnetic flux by energization, a tubular body including a permanent magnet generating a second magnetic flux in a direction identical to a direction of the first magnetic flux and having a hollow extending in a center axis direction, a movable element disposed in the hollow of the tubular body and reciprocating in the center axis direction, and a yoke forming a magnetic circuit passing together with the movable element and the tubular body. The magnetic circuit allows at least one of the first and second magnetic fluxes to pass through the magnetic circuit. The electromagnet device is configured to, when the coil is energized, move the movable contact to a first position by attracting the movable element with the first magnetic flux and the second magnetic flux. The electromagnet device is configured to, when energization of the coil is suspended, move the movable contact to a second position different from the first position. This electromagnetic relay is easily designed and reduces power consumption at a low cost.

Disclosed embodiments relate to an auxiliary relay of an electronic contactor. In some embodiments, an auxiliary relay has its conducting state controlled by a plurality of lead switches, in a non-exposed state of contact parts to the outside. This may prevent dust or foreign materials from clinging to the contact parts.

Disclosed herein are efficient mechanical fuse devices that are capable of functioning at high current levels. These devices comprise mechanical features configured such that the fuse devices have a non-triggered state, which allows current to flow through the device, and a triggered state, which does not allow current to flow through the device. In some embodiments, the devices are configured such that a certain pre-determined current level flowing through the device will generate a sufficient electromagnetic field to cause the mechanical elements to transition the fuse device into the triggered state and thus interrupt a connected electrical circuit, device or system. In some embodiments, these devices can also comprise hermetically sealed components. In some embodiments, the fuse devices can comprise pyrotechnic features.

An electromagnetic drive unit for a switching device includes: a magnetic core with a first, a second, and a third magnetic path each arranged transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic drive unit and coupled to longitudinal magnetic struts at respective ends to form a magnetic frame structure; an armature movable along the longitudinal axis between a first and a second state; and a first and a second magnetic coil for moving the armature based on excitation of the first and/or the second magnetic coil. The first magnetic coil is arranged between the first and the second magnetic path and the second magnetic coil is arranged between the second and the third magnetic path with respect to the longitudinal axis. The magnetic core and the magnetic coils are arranged such that a magnetic flux that flows through the magnetic paths to move the armature is adjustable.

An electromagnetic drive unit for a switching device includes: a magnetic core with a first, a second, and a third magnetic path each arranged transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic drive unit and coupled to longitudinal magnetic struts at respective ends to form a magnetic frame structure; an armature movable along the longitudinal axis between a first and a second state; and a first and a second magnetic coil for moving the armature based on excitation of the first and/or the second magnetic coil. The first magnetic coil is arranged between the first and the second magnetic path and the second magnetic coil is arranged between the second and the third magnetic path with respect to the longitudinal axis. The magnetic core and the magnetic coils are arranged such that a magnetic flux that flows through the magnetic paths to move the armature is adjustable.

A method for controlling an electromagnetic actuator including: applying a first control strategy in which first and third switches are kept in a closed state, whereas a second switch is switched between its open and closed states; detecting an occurrence of overconsumption of current in a coil of the actuator, by detecting that voltage measured on a control bus has exceeded a predefined voltage limit or by detecting that a duty cycle of the second switch has dropped below a threshold value; and in response, applying a second control strategy, instead of the first control strategy, in which the third switch is periodically opened in order to decrease the current supplied to the coil.

A method for controlling an electromagnetic actuator including: applying a first control strategy in which first and third switches are kept in a closed state, whereas a second switch is switched between its open and closed states; detecting an occurrence of overconsumption of current in a coil of the actuator, by detecting that voltage measured on a control bus has exceeded a predefined voltage limit or by detecting that a duty cycle of the second switch has dropped below a threshold value; and in response, applying a second control strategy, instead of the first control strategy, in which the third switch is periodically opened in order to decrease the current supplied to the coil.

Contact assemblies are described herein having certain components, or portions thereof, that are formed integral to one another to reduce the complexity of manufacturing, improve the operation characteristics, and increase operational reliability of devices using the contact assemblies. New shapes to features and components of the contact assemblies are also disclosed, with the shapes providing the desired operational characteristics. Embodiments of the invention are also directed contactors or fuses (i.e., electrical switching devices) utilizing the contactor assemblies according to the present invention, and to electrical circuits and systems utilizing the electrical switching devices according to the present invention.

An electromagnet device moves two moving contacts from one of a closed position or an open position to the other position when an electric current flows through a coil. A regenerative current coming from the coil flows through a regeneration unit when the coil makes a transition from an energized state where the coil is supplied with an electric current from a power supply to a non-energized state where the coil is supplied with no electric current from the power supply. The control unit causes the regenerative current to flow through a load by controlling a switch when the coil makes the transition from the energized state to the non-energized state.

An electromagnet device moves two moving contacts from one of a closed position or an open position to the other position when an electric current flows through a coil. A regenerative current coming from the coil flows through a regeneration unit when the coil makes a transition from an energized state where the coil is supplied with an electric current from a power supply to a non-energized state where the coil is supplied with no electric current from the power supply. The control unit causes the regenerative current to flow through a load by controlling a switch when the coil makes the transition from the energized state to the non-energized state.