A circuit breaker includes a compact pole unit with an encapsulated body having ring(s) and conducting terminals that each extend from the encapsulated body. The body includes a vacuum interrupter and a coupler assembly that may be integrated into the pole unit. The coupler assembly includes a contact spring positioned an end of the compact pole unit, as well as a plunger that may be biased by the contact spring. The circuit breaker also includes an actuator positioned at the end of the pole unit that is opposite the coupler assembly. The circuit breaker also may include a second actuator that is will be connected to the contact spring of the coupler assembly via the plunger, and if so the breaker may be operated via either actuator.

A vacuum circuit breaker comprising a vacuum interrupter (12) coupled between upper (18) and lower (20) terminals and being operable to make or break an electrical connection between the upper and lower terminals. The circuit breaker has a body 22 formed from electrically insulating material, the vacuum interrupter being located in an internal chamber of the body. The circuit breaker body is arranged to provide an isosceles triangle between the upper (C) and lower (A) terminal connection interfaces. This allows the same design of both upper and lower external connectors 80, 82. A pulling rod (16) coupled to the vacuum interrupter comprises a core (70) of heat-resistant plastic co-moulded with a shell (72) formed from impact resistant plastic.

A vacuum circuit breaker 10 comprising a vacuum interrupter 12 coupled between upper 18 and lower 20 terminals and being operable to make or break an electrical connection between the upper and lower terminals. The circuit breaker has a body 22 formed from electrically insulating material, the vacuum interrupter being located in an internal chamber of the body. The lower terminal 20 comprises a hollow body 26 that forms part of the internal chamber and which is shaped and dimensioned to allow the vacuum interrupter 12 to pass through it. An electrical connector device 50 has a movable part 52 that is connected to the movable contact and an annular fixed part 54 that is connected to the lower terminal 20. The movable part 52 is connected to the first part 54 by flexible connectors 56, and has a socket (58) for engaging an electrical connector 60 of the vacuum interrupter 12. A pulling rod 16 is coupled to the movable contact via the electrical connector 60.

A vacuum interrupter has a toroidal portion at one or both ends that achieves higher dielectric levels and hence higher interruption levels.

An electric terminal for an electric pole unit of a switching device, the electric terminal being adapted to be electrically connected to a current breaking unit of the electric pole unit and to an external conductor and being adapted to be inserted in a corresponding shaped port of an insulating housing of the electric pole unit. The electric terminal comprises one or more first coupling surfaces mating with one or more second coupling surfaces of the insulating housing, the first coupling surfaces abutting against the second coupling surfaces when the electric terminal is inserted in the corresponding shaped port of the insulating housing in such a way to obtain a mechanical coupling by friction between the electric terminal and the insulating housing.

A switching module for use in a high voltage switch includes: a vacuum interrupter (VI), an elastomeric insulating sleeve disposed around the VI; an insulating housing molded around the VI and the sleeve; and a pair of grading capacitors. Each grading capacitor includes an inner and an outer electrode while insulation between the electrodes is solid insulation of the housing molded at the time when the housing is molded. One of the electrodes is galvanically connected to the fixed contact through a first terminal in the switching module and the other electrode is galvanically connected to the moving contact through a second terminal in the switching module. The capacitance of the first grading capacitor is substantially equal to the capacitance of the second grading capacitor.

An electric power disconnect switch and associated vacuum circuit interrupter with a modular, removable contactor unit housing a modular, removable vacuum bottle unit. The vacuum circuit interrupter may be mounted on a bracket adjacent to the jaws of a disconnect switch, where the blade of the disconnect switch moves the actuator arm of the vacuum circuit interrupter during operation of the disconnect switch. A technician carries a spare contactor unit to the disconnect switch location, where the technician removes and replaces the contactor unit. The vacuum circuit interrupter includes a separable connection between the drive unit housing and a contactor unit housing, which allows the contactor unit to be rotated with respect to the drive unit to unscrew the connecting rod of the contactor unit from the drive shaft of the drive unit. A replacement contactor unit is then installed and the circuit interrupter is returned to service.

A pole part for a medium or high voltage circuit breaker includes: an insert in an insulating housing; and a compensation layer between the insert and the insulating housing. The compensation layer includes a potting material on an epoxy or polyurethane basis, with a shore hardness of 12 to 90 shore A.

A vacuum switch includes two mutually spaced apart bases and a vacuum interrupter disposed between the bases and connected to the bases. A first switching element is disposed in the vacuum interrupter. A second switching element is movable between a first switching position, in which the second switching element galvanically or electrically conductively contacts the first switching element, and a second switching position, in which the second switching element is separated from the first switching element. Each of a plurality of rod-shaped supporting elements has a first end section connected to the first base and a second end section connected to the second base. The bases and the support elements form a support cage which surrounds and supports the vacuum interrupter.

A vacuum interrupter for interrupting a voltage. The vacuum interrupter including a vacuum bottle, a hi-stable mechanism, and a bellows assembly. The vacuum bottle having axially separable contacts, wherein at least one of the contacts is a moveable contact. The bi-stable mechanism including an actuator, and a cam pivotable by the actuator, the cam moving the moveable contact. The bellows assembly reciprocating the moveable contact to prevent arcing between the contacts. The bellows assembly including a spring biasing the contacts apart from each other.