A circuit breaker having a movable tulip contact and a vacuum interrupter together connecting a first terminal to a second terminal of the circuit breaker. The tulip contact has a first end having contact fingers removably attached to a stationary contact of the first terminal, and a second end that is electrically connected to the second terminal. The vacuum interrupter has a first electrode assembly that is electrically connected to the first terminal, and a second electrode assembly that is electrically connected to the second terminal. The tulip contact and stationary contact provide a first conductive path from the first terminal to the second terminal when the tulip contact is connected to the stationary contact. The vacuum interrupter provides a second conductive path from the first terminal to the second terminal when the vacuum interrupter is in a closed position.

A switching apparatus includes: a body including: a sidewall that extends from a first end to a second end, the sidewall defining an interior space; and a plurality of electrically insulating sheds that extend radially outward from an exterior surface of the sidewall; a circuit interrupter in the interior space of the body; a first terminal electrically connected to the circuit interrupter;

and a second terminal electrically connected to the circuit interrupter. The switching apparatus is configured to be mechanically connected to at least two different types of mounting structures.

A three-pole polymeric switch with command and protection electronics integrated into a standalone device, wherein the medium voltage interruption element, the command, control and power supply circuits are self-powered by the primary network and installed in the potential. Protection, sectioning, fault indication and communication functions are integrated into the standalone device for use both as an automation device integrated into control centers, and as a protection device against transient currents from short-circuits. The device makes it possible to either reduce the interruption time of electric circuits, thus reducing interruptions during transient events, or isolate stretches when permanent events occur. The device contains a long-range communication radio, allowing long-distance communication by sending its status to control centers, reducing the time required for identifying problematic overhead distribution sections. The device's low cost, low weight and easy installation enables the expansion of automatic control and supervision solutions of overhead electric power distribution lines.

A three-pole polymeric switch with command and protection electronics integrated into a standalone device, wherein the medium voltage interruption element, the command, control and power supply circuits are self-powered by the primary network and installed in the potential. Protection, sectioning, fault indication and communication functions are integrated into the standalone device for use both as an automation device integrated into control centers, and as a protection device against transient currents from short-circuits. The device makes it possible to either reduce the interruption time of electric circuits, thus reducing interruptions during transient events, or isolate stretches when permanent events occur. The device contains a long-range communication radio, allowing long-distance communication by sending its status to control centers, reducing the time required for identifying problematic overhead distribution sections. The device's low cost, low weight and easy installation enables the expansion of automatic control and supervision solutions of overhead electric power distribution lines.

A system for actuating a vacuum bottle of an electrical device, the vacuum bottle being connected in a circuit shunting a main circuit of a phase of the electrical device and comprising a movable electrode and a fixed electrode. The actuating system comprises a shunt contact which is connected to a movable contact of the main circuit during a movement of opening the electrical device, and an electromagnet whose coil is connected between the movable electrode and the shunt contact, and whose core is mechanically linked with the movable electrode, such that the core drives the movable electrode to the open position only when the value of the current which passes through the coil reaches a predetermined threshold.

A switch assembly for high voltage applications, where the switch assembly includes a traditional mechanical switch and a triggered gap device electrically coupled in parallel. The mechanical switch includes a first switch contact and a second switch contact, where one or both of the first switch contact and the second switch contact are movable to engage and disengage the first and second switch contacts to allow or prevent current flow therethrough. The triggered gap device includes a vacuum enclosure, a first stationary contact positioned within the enclosure and a second stationary contact positioned within the enclosure, where a gap is defined between the first and second stationary contacts. The triggered gap device further includes a plasma control device that allows creation of a plasma in the gap that causes an arc between the stationary contacts on the order of micro-seconds that allows current flow between the contacts.

A DC circuit breaker includes: a mechanical switch provided on an electrical path through which a direct current flows; and a semiconductor switch connected in parallel with the mechanical switch. The mechanical switch includes a gas disconnector and a vacuum circuit breaker connected in series. Normally, the direct current flows through the mechanical switch. When interrupting the direct current, the vacuum circuit breaker is made nonconductive to allow the direct current to be commutated to the semiconductor switch, and subsequently the gas disconnector and the semiconductor switch are made nonconductive. A vacuum circuit breaker having a low withstand voltage can be used.

A circuit breaker having a movable tulip contact and a vacuum interrupter together connecting a first terminal to a second terminal of the circuit breaker. The tulip contact has a first end having contact fingers removably attached to a stationary contact of the first terminal, and a second end that is electrically connected to the second terminal. The vacuum interrupter has a first electrode assembly that is electrically connected to the first terminal, and a second electrode assembly that is electrically connected to the second terminal. The tulip contact and stationary contact provide a first conductive path from the first terminal to the second terminal when the tulip contact is connected to the stationary contact. The vacuum interrupter provides a second conductive path from the first terminal to the second terminal when the vacuum interrupter is in a closed position.

A system for actuating a vacuum bottle of an electrical device, the vacuum bottle comprising a fixed electrode and a moving electrode that is mobile along a longitudinal axis between a closed position and an open position. The actuating system comprises an adjusting nut that is rotatably mobile about the longitudinal axis and driven by a drive device to perform an opening movement of the moving electrode, and an adjusting screw engaging with the adjusting nut in order to vary the moment when the drive device drives the moving electrode. The moving electrode is constrained to translate along the longitudinal axis with the adjusting screw, but is free to rotate relative to the adjusting screw, and the rotation of the adjusting screw is limited by blocking means.

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.