A vacuum circuit breaker includes a ground tank, first and second vacuum interrupters, a link mechanism for opening and closing the vacuum interrupters and a link mechanism case housing the link mechanism and supported by an insulating support tube. An insulating operation rod for operating the link mechanism is provided through the insulating support tube and a side portion of the ground tank. An operation room is provided around the portion of the ground tank through which the insulating operation rod is inserted. A conversion mechanism for driving the insulating operation rod is arranged in the operation room. A space communicating with inner sides of bellows of the vacuum interrupters (including the inside of the link mechanism case and the inside of the insulating support tube) is filled with insulating gas of 0.3 MPa or lower. The other space is filled with insulating gas of higher pressure.

An object is to provide a DC power supply connector that can suppress occurrence of an arc discharge at DC power off with a small-scale configuration without reducing power efficiency during DC power supply and can reduce heat generation.

The connector includes, on at least any of a positive-electrode-side electrode side and a negative-electrode-side electrode side, a movable contact piece (20c) that touches a first contact (25) in a state where a terminal (11) on a power receiving side has been inserted and to touch a second contact (24) in a state where the terminal has not been inserted, and a current limiting circuit (30) including a switching element (T1). The current limiting circuit (30) does not flow a current to the switching element (T1) in the case where the movable contact piece (20c) is touching the first contact (25), and flows a current to the terminal (11) through the movable contact piece (20c) until the movable contact piece (20c) is linked to the second contact (24) after separation from the first contact (25), and gradually decreases the flowing current.

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 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 switching device includes: a first terminal contact; a first fixed contact arranged at the first terminal contact; a contact bridge; a contact bridge carrier arranged at the contact bridge and having a barrier; a first movable contact arranged at the contact bridge; a second terminal contact; a second fixed contact arranged at the second terminal contact; a second movable contact arranged at the contact bridge; and a magnetic drive assembly including a coil and an armature, the armature being coupled to the contact bridge. The first fixed contact is in contact with the first movable contact in a switched-on state of the switching device. The first fixed contact is free of contact with the first movable contact in a switched-off state of the switching device. The second fixed contact is in contact with the second movable contact in the switched-on state of the switching device.

A high voltage, direct current circuit protection system includes a number n of weakened circuit conductors connected in series to one another and being fabricated in a manner to avoid metal fatigue in response to cyclic current loads. The system also includes a corresponding number n of cutting elements operable to sever the respective weakened circuit conductors, at least one energy storage element acting upon one of the cutting elements, a control element causing a release of stored energy in the at least one energy storage element and causing a displacement of at least one of the cutting elements to sever the respective weakened circuit conductor, and a corresponding number n of arc chambers arranged proximate each respective one of the weakened circuit conductors, wherein n is an integer greater than 1 and wherein no circuit protector coordination with the weakened circuit protectors is required.

An arc bypass assembly for use in a circuit breaker includes: an arc chute including a base, two arc sides extending from the base, and a plurality of arc plates arranged within the two arc sides, the arc chute structured to dissipate an arc upon opening of primary contacts of the circuit breaker during a high current event; an arc horn extending outwardly from a first edge of the base of the arc chute toward a primary stationary contact coupled to a line-in conductor, the arc horn structured to attract the arc; and an arc bypass wire coupled to the base of the arc chute at one end and to a secondary stationary arm of the circuit breaker at another end, where the arc bypass assembly is structured to redirect a portion of current generated during the high current event to the load.

An arc bypass assembly for use in a circuit breaker includes: an arc chute including a base, two arc sides extending from the base, and a plurality of arc plates arranged within the two arc sides, the arc chute structured to dissipate an arc upon opening of primary contacts of the circuit breaker during a high current event; an arc horn extending outwardly from a first edge of the base of the arc chute toward a primary stationary contact coupled to a line-in conductor, the arc horn structured to attract the arc; and an arc bypass wire coupled to the base of the arc chute at one end and to a secondary stationary arm of the circuit breaker at another end, where the arc bypass assembly is structured to redirect a portion of current generated during the high current event to the load.

A double-contact switch has first and second tubular vacuum switching chambers; a stationary electrode, between the first and second vacuum switching chamber, having a first stationary contact protruding into the first chamber and a second stationary contact protruding into the second chamber; a first electrode, arranged in the first chamber, moveable axially therein, having a contact support region and sealed off from the first chamber exterior; a second electrode, arranged in the second chamber, moveable axially therein, having a contact support region and scaled off from the second chamber exterior; a first contact compression spring applying a first spring force to the first movable electrode so the first electrode contact presses onto the contact protruding into the first chamber; and a second contact compression spring applying a greater, second spring force to the second movable electrode so the second electrode contact presses onto the contact protruding into the second chamber.

A double-contact switch has first and second tubular vacuum switching chambers; a stationary electrode, between the first and second vacuum switching chamber, having a first stationary contact protruding into the first chamber and a second stationary contact protruding into the second chamber; a first electrode, arranged in the first chamber, moveable axially therein, having a contact support region and sealed off from the first chamber exterior; a second electrode, arranged in the second chamber, moveable axially therein, having a contact support region and scaled off from the second chamber exterior; a first contact compression spring applying a first spring force to the first movable electrode so the first electrode contact presses onto the contact protruding into the first chamber; and a second contact compression spring applying a greater, second spring force to the second movable electrode so the second electrode contact presses onto the contact protruding into the second chamber.