A MEMS device comprises an electro mechanical element in a sealed chamber containing a gas comprising a reactive gas selected to react with any contaminants that may be present or formed on the operating surfaces of the device in a manner to maximize the electrical conductivity of the surfaces during operation of the device. The MEMS device may comprise a MEMS switch having electrical contacts as the operating surfaces. The reactive gas may comprise hydrogen or an azane, optionally mixed with an inert gas, or any combination of the gases. The corresponding process provides a means to substantially reduce or eliminate contaminants present or formed on the operating surfaces of MEMS devices in a manner to maximize the electrical conductivity of the surfaces during operation of the devices.

A reed switch including a cylindrical enclosure with two ends, a first blade and a second blade is disclosed. The first blade has a first lead, a first web, and a first contact, and the first web is bent at a first angle as compared to the first lead. The second blade has a second lead, a second web, and a second contact, and the second web is bent at a second angle as compared to the second lead. The first contact is disposed adjacent to the second contact with a gap between them.

A reed switch including a cylindrical enclosure with two ends, a first blade and a second blade is disclosed. The first blade has a first lead, a first web, and a first contact, and the first web is bent at a first angle as compared to the first lead. The second blade has a second lead, a second web, and a second contact, and the second web is bent at a second angle as compared to the second lead. The first contact is disposed adjacent to the second contact with a gap between them.

A ceramic reed switch includes a ceramic tube, and a first end cover and a second end cover, a first pin is disposed on an outer side of the first end cover, a first magnetic reed is disposed on an inner side of the first end cover, the first magnetic reed forms a cantilever beam structure on the first end cover, a second pin is disposed on an outer side of the second end cover, a second magnetic reed is disposed on an inner side of the second end cover, the second magnetic reed forms a cantilever beam structure on the second end cover, free ends of the first magnetic reed and the second magnetic reed are overlapped in the ceramic tube and form an air gap, and a contact is disposed on an overlapped end of the first magnetic reed and the second magnetic reed.

A ceramic reed switch includes a ceramic tube, and a first end cover and a second end cover, a first pin is disposed on an outer side of the first end cover, a first magnetic reed is disposed on an inner side of the first end cover, the first magnetic reed forms a cantilever beam structure on the first end cover, a second pin is disposed on an outer side of the second end cover, a second magnetic reed is disposed on an inner side of the second end cover, the second magnetic reed forms a cantilever beam structure on the second end cover, free ends of the first magnetic reed and the second magnetic reed are overlapped in the ceramic tube and form an air gap, and a contact is disposed on an overlapped end of the first magnetic reed and the second magnetic reed.

A circuit breaker includes a vacuum interrupter. The interrupter includes a first movable electrode to which a first contact is connected and a second movable electrode to which a second contact is connected. The interrupter is operable between an open state and a closed state. In the open state, the first contact and the second contact are separated by a contact gap distance. In the closed state, the first contact and the second contact touch each other. The circuit breaker includes an ultrafast actuator operatively connected to each of the first and second movable electrodes. The ultrafast actuator is configured to change the vacuum interrupter from the closed state to the open state by simultaneously moving the first contact in a first direction along a first distance portion of the contact gap, and the second contact in a second direction along a second distance portion of the contact gap.

A contact device includes a fixed contact, a movable contact, a housing, and an arc extinguishing member. The movable contact moves between a closed position where the movable contact contacts the fixed contact and an open position where the movable contact is separate from fixed contact. The housing houses the fixed contact and the movable contact. The arc extinguishing member is disposed in the housing and discharges an arc extinguishing gas. The arc extinguishing member is disposed facing a gap between the fixed contact and the movable contact when the movable contact is in the open position. The arc extinguishing member has a shape that tapers toward the gap.

A group-operated switching system for multi-phase electrical transmission lines including a number of inline axial switches for opening and closing circuits to control electrical flow through the transmission lines. The switches include axially mounted load break vacuum interrupters and are mechanically and electrically isolated from each other and from a control box. The control box communicates with the inline switches via RF communications. Power for the switch electronics and operations can be provided from line power, a battery, or a capacitive source.

A group-operated switching system for multi-phase electrical transmission lines including a number of inline axial switches for opening and closing circuits to control electrical flow through the transmission lines. The switches include axially mounted load break vacuum interrupters and are mechanically and electrically isolated from each other and from a control box. The control box communicates with the inline switches via RF communications. Power for the switch electronics and operations can be provided from line power, a battery, or a capacitive source.

In an embodiment a switching device includes at least two fixed contacts and one movable contact in a switching chamber and at least two auxiliary contacts, two spring contacts and a contact plate in the switching chamber, wherein each of the spring contacts contacts one of the auxiliary contacts with a first contact region and has a second contact region, wherein the contact plate is movable together with the movable contact, and wherein the contact plate is configured to contact the second contact regions of the spring contacts in a first switching state of the switching device and is configured to be arranged at a distance from the second contact regions of the spring contacts in a second switching state.