A dropout recloser is capable of in accordance with its operating programming after a predetermined number of fault interrupting operations, e.g., 1, 2, 3 or more but typically 3, to drop out of a cutout and hang freely in a hinge contact of the cutout providing sectionalization with an observable visible gap. The recloser includes fault interrupting and reclosing components, a drop out mechanism and a controller. The drop out mechanism may include a bi-stable actuator to affect fault interrupting operation and dropout operation. The device may include motion limiting structures. The recloser may have a number of operating modes or sequences.

A bistable electromagnetic actuator is described. The actuator includes a mobile assembly and a fixed assembly. The mobile assembly includes at least one pair of ferromagnetic plunger-cores, a frame integrally connecting the plunger-cores, and a guiding element. The fixed assembly includes a ferromagnetic core having cavities defined on each of its two sides configured to receive a corresponding one of the plunger-cores, at least one magnet positioned between the cavities in the core and being able to create a first magnetic flux, at least one coil operable via an excitation current to create a second magnetic flux, and a guiding element adapted to cooperate with the guiding element of the mobile assembly to allow the mobile assembly to move between a first and a second stable position. Methods for actuating the bistable electromagnetic actuator are also described.

A circuit breaker includes a pole unit with a first and second electrodes. A linkage also extends from the pole unit. A linear actuator is operably connected to the pole unit. A Thomson coil or other high-speed actuator is also operably connected to the linkage. When the circuit breaker is closed, no gap is provided between them. To open the electrodes, the high-speed actuator first acts on the linkage by moving the linkage at a speed that is greater than a speed by which the linear actuator can move the linkage. The linear actuator can then actuate and increase a distance between the electrodes. A gap is provided between the pole unit and at least one of the actuators when the breaker is closed. This gap is reduced or eliminated when the breaker is open.

A drive unit is provided for a moving contact of a vacuum tube. The drive unit has a tube pin which is conductively connected to the moving contact, a drive which is connected to the tube pin, and a conductor bridge. The drive moves the tube pin. The conductor bridge is directly conductively connected to the tube pin and a stationary conductor and bridges a travel of the tube pin between a conductive switching state of the vacuum tube and a non-conductive switching state. A magnet drive is provided, which contains a first magnet element, which is connected to the tube pin, and a second magnet element. The two magnet elements are configured to build up a magnetic force between them when current is flowing through the vacuum tube and in this way generates a contact-pressure force of the moving contact onto a fixed contact of the vacuum tube.

A self-powered recloser includes a circuit breaker, an electrical actuator, an electrical generator, a capacitor, and a lever. When in an on state, the circuit breaker harvests power from a medium voltage line required to actuate its movable contact to interrupt current flow in the medium voltage line, and when in an off state, it does not harvest power from the medium voltage line. The electrical actuator is configured to transition the circuit breaker from the off state to the on state. The capacitor when charged is configured to provide the electrical actuator with the electrical power required to transition the circuit breaker from the off state to the on state. The lever is configured to be moved by an operative. Movement of the lever is configured to charge the capacitor via the electrical generator.

An assembly for engaging an electromagnetic actuator comprising a first shaft having a first link and a second shaft having a second link connected by a biasing assembly configured to rotate between an initial and a final position. A contact arm of the second shaft advances a sliding armature of the electromagnetic actuator from an activated state to a deactivated state such that the assembly prevents the electromagnetic actuator from returning to the activated state. The biasing assembly has a toggle-over position in which a biasing force rotates the contact arm from the toggle-over position to the final position.

A driver circuit for driving a solenoid, and related method, are described. A power supply charges one or more capacitors to a high voltage level sufficient to over-drive the solenoid. A switch is connected to the one or more capacitors and the solenoid. When the switch is on, the switch connects the one or more capacitors to the solenoid. When the switch is off, the switch disconnects the one or more capacitors from the solenoid. Control circuitry turns the switch on, and turns the switch off in response to sensing current through the solenoid reaches a defined maximum current.

A transformer assembly including a transformer that is part of an underground residential power distribution circuit and that provides fault isolation and restoration. The transformer assembly includes an enclosure enclosing a primary winding and a secondary winding. The transformer assembly also includes first and second switching devices mounted to a panel of the enclosure, where each switching device includes an outer housing, a transformer interface electrically coupled to the primary winding, a connector interface electrically coupled to a first connector and a vacuum interrupter having a fixed contact and a movable contact. The fixed contact is electrically coupled to the connector interface or the transformer interface and the movable terminal is electrically coupled to the other connector interface or the transformer interface.

A circuit breaker includes a frame and first, second and third single-phase vacuum interrupters and first, second and third magnetic actuators connected to respective single-phase vacuum interrupters. Each of said magnetic actuators is configured to receive an open or close signal and in response, actuate the respective vacuum interrupter connected thereto into an open or closed circuit condition. Each magnetic actuator includes a fixed core, a plurality of permanent magnets surrounding the fixed core, and a movable core received within the fixed core. A controller is connected to each of the first, second and third magnetic actuators and generates the open or close signal to a respective magnetic actuator to open or close one or more of the first, second and third single phase interrupters.

A circuit breaker includes a frame having an interior compartment and an outer surface and a bushing opening. A circuit interrupter is mounted within the interior compartment. A terminal bushing is received within the bushing opening and has a lower terminal end extending into the housing and electrically connected to the circuit interrupter. An outer flange forms a bushing seat positioned adjacent the outer surface. An upper gasket is received against the outer flange. A seal pocket is formed by a bushing opening, upper gasket and outer surface of the terminal bushing. A dynamic seal is contained within the seal pocket and compressed an amount sufficient to provide elasticity and a compression height for dynamic loading of the upper gasket.