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 switching apparatus including one or more electric poles. For each electric pole, the switching apparatus includes a first pole terminal, a second pole terminal, a ground terminal, and a plurality of fixed contacts spaced apart one from another. For each electric pole, the switching apparatus further includes a movable contact and a vacuum interrupter. The vacuum interrupter includes a fixed arc contact and a movable arc contact reversibly movable along a corresponding translation axis between a coupled position with the fixed arc contact and an uncoupled position from the fixed arc contact. For each electric pole, the switching apparatus further includes a motion transmission mechanism operatively coupled to a contact shaft coupled to the movable arc contact. The motion transmission mechanism is actuatable by the movable contact to cause a movement of said movable arc contact along said translation axis, when said movable contact moves about said rotation axis.

A method for assembling a switching apparatus for medium voltage electric systems is provided. The method includes, for each electric pole of the switching apparatus, providing a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a support structure, a vacuum interrupter, a motion transmission mechanism, and an auxiliary contact. The method further includes providing a first semi-finished structure of the switching apparatus, where the first semi-finished structure includes, for each electric pole of the switching apparatus, a first pole terminal and a first fixed contact electrically connected to the first pole terminal. The method further includes, for each electric pole of the switching apparatus, installing the mounting assembly on the first semi-finished structure.

A novel electric power interrupter is provided, the interrupter comprising concentric springs and interlocking hooks for opening and closing the interrupter. The electric power interrupter further comprises a housing over a vacuum chamber and an electrically insulating layer around the vacuum chamber, a fixed section and a moving section. The butt contact of the fixed section is stationary, while the butt contact of the movable section moves towards and away from the fixed section. A toggle mechanism is provided for operating the movable section to open or close the interrupter. The present invention provides a better voltage dissipation and reduces the risk of electrical arcs forming outside the interrupter.

A vacuum circuit breaker includes: a vacuum valve that is insulated and supported inside a grounded tank; a movable-side frame connecting a lower end of a movable-side external conductor to a movable conductor; a stationary-side frame connecting a lower end of a stationary-side external conductor to a stationary conductor; a movable-side insulating support tube that supports the movable-side frame and insulates thereof from the grounded tank; a stationary-side insulating support tube that supports the stationary-side frame and insulates thereof from the grounded tank; a movable-side flange covering a movable-side end of the grounded tank; and a rubber piece on an inner peripheral surface of the movable-side flange. The movable-side insulating support tube is supported, at an end opposite from an end connected to the movable-side frame, by the movable-side flange via the rubber piece and is movable along an axis and a radius of an arc-extinguishing chamber.

A circuit breaker for connecting at least two line sections in an interruptible manner has at least one pair of vacuum tubes, each with a stationary switching contact and a movable switching contact. The switching contacts of the vacuum tubes are electrically connected in series. The movable switching contacts of the vacuum tubes are coupled to a common actuator and can be simultaneously switched by a movement of the actuator.

A rotary switch includes a housing having an interior and an exterior, a plurality of moving contacts entirely disposed within the interior of the housing, a plurality of stationary contacts disposed partially within the interior of the housing and extending to an exterior of the housing, and a rotary element coupled to the plurality of moving contacts and being structured to rotate between a closed state where at least one of the plurality moving contacts contact a corresponding one of the plurality of stationary contacts and an open state where the plurality of moving contacts and the plurality of stationary contacts are separated.

A rotary switch includes a housing having an interior and an exterior, a plurality of moving contacts entirely disposed within the interior of the housing, a plurality of stationary contacts disposed partially within the interior of the housing and extending to an exterior of the housing, and a rotary element coupled to the plurality of moving contacts and being structured to rotate between a closed state where at least one of the plurality moving contacts contact a corresponding one of the plurality of stationary contacts and an open state where the plurality of moving contacts and the plurality of stationary contacts are separated.

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.