A circuit breaker characteristic monitoring device monitors the operation of a circuit breaker to estimate the amount of consumption of a movable contact and fixed contacts included in the circuit breaker. The device includes an operating time measurement unit to measure at least one of closing time, which is the time required for the circuit breaker to be closed after starting a closing operation, and opening time, which is the time required for the circuit breaker to be open after starting an opening operation, and a contact consumption amount estimation unit to estimate the amount of consumption of the movable contact and the fixed contacts on the basis of the result of measurement performed by the operating time measurement unit and travel speed of the movable contact during the closing operation or the opening operation for which the measurement result is obtained.

A switching device has a first switching path having first switching contacts and has a second switching path having second switching contacts, wherein the first switching path has a first electromagnetic tripping apparatus having a first coil winding, wherein the first coil winding has a first winding direction, wherein the second switching path has a second electromagnetic tripping apparatus having a second coil winding, and wherein the second coil winding has a second winding direction. The first switching contacts and the second switching contacts are coupled for substantially simultaneous actuation. The first switching path and the second switching path are arranged adjacent to each other in the switching device. The first winding direction is opposite the second winding direction.

A switching device has a first switching path having first switching contacts and has a second switching path having second switching contacts, wherein the first switching path has a first electromagnetic tripping apparatus having a first coil winding, wherein the first coil winding has a first winding direction, wherein the second switching path has a second electromagnetic tripping apparatus having a second coil winding, and wherein the second coil winding has a second winding direction. The first switching contacts and the second switching contacts are coupled for substantially simultaneous actuation. The first switching path and the second switching path are arranged adjacent to each other in the switching device. The first winding direction is opposite the second winding direction.

Disclosed embodiments include an instant trip mechanism for a molded case circuit breaker. In some embodiments, the mechanism includes an adjustment dial to set a current for an instant trip operation; an instant bar provided with an upper portion contactable with the adjustment dial, a shaft portion serving as a rotation shaft, and a lower extending portion downwardly extending from the shaft portion; an electromagnet unit to generate a magnetic attraction force that is proportional to an amount of current flowing on the circuit; an armature rotatable with a lower end portion supported by a shaft, and attracted toward the electromagnet unit by the magnetic attraction force; and a spring for applying to the armature a load varying in a direction of the armature getting away from the electromagnet unit.

A circuit breaker with quick response and separation and a quick response and separation method for the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker comprises a breaking contact group and a joint contact group. The breaking contact group comprises a movable breaking contact. The joint contact group comprises a movable joint contact. A movable contact limiting device used for limiting moving positions of the breaking contact and/or the joint contact is arranged between the breaking contact group and the joint contact group. The quick response and separation method for the circuit breaker comprises a breaking and opening step, wherein the breaking contact moves in a reverse direction and is separated independently ahead of the joint contact, or the breaking contact and the joint contact both move in a reverse direction and are separated at the same time.

A circuit breaker with quick response and separation and a quick response and separation method for the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker comprises a breaking contact group and a joint contact group. The breaking contact group comprises a movable breaking contact. The joint contact group comprises a movable joint contact. A movable contact limiting device used for limiting moving positions of the breaking contact and/or the joint contact is arranged between the breaking contact group and the joint contact group. The quick response and separation method for the circuit breaker comprises a breaking and opening step, wherein the breaking contact moves in a reverse direction and is separated independently ahead of the joint contact, or the breaking contact and the joint contact both move in a reverse direction and are separated at the same time.

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.

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 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 force amplification module is disclosed for an electrical switching device, in particular a circuit-breaker, that is designed to amplify the release force of a shunt release which is designed to switch off the electrical switching device. A unit including a shunt release and the force amplification module for an electrical switching device is also disclosed, as well as an electrical switching device.