An extinguishing chamber of magnetic blow-out type for a breaking device includes a field source, a magnetic carcass and a breaking region, in which an electric arc is liable to form when a breaking pole belonging to the breaking device is opened. The field source is arranged to generate a magnetic field intended to move the electric arc in order to stretch it and accelerate its cooling and its extinguishing. The carcass is arranged to channel the magnetic field. The carcass is stood up against the field source and closes in front thereof so as to create an air gap in the magnetic circuit formed by the field source and the carcass and to thus maximize the magnetic field that passes through the breaking region.

An arc path forming unit and a direct current relay including same are illustrated. The arc path forming unit according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises multiple magnets. Each of the magnets is configured to form a magnetic field at a point where each stationary contact is located. Each of the magnets located adjacent to each stationary contact is configured such that the opposite surfaces thereof have different polarities. A current flowing through a stationary contact and a movable contact and a magnetic field formed by each of the magnets generate an electromagnetic force. The electromagnetic force travels in a direction away from the center of the direct current relay. Therefore, a generated arc travels in the direction of the electromagnetic force and is thus moved in a direction away from the center of the direct current relay. Accordingly, the direct current relay can be prevented from being damaged.

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 contact unit for a switching device includes: a first fixed contact; a second fixed contact; a contact bridge; a first movable contact and a second movable contact that are arranged at the contact bridge; a first arc extinguishing chamber, a second arc extinguishing chamber, and a third arc extinguishing chamber; and an arc guiding system. The first fixed contact is in contact with the first movable contact and the second fixed contact is in contact with the second movable contact in a switched-on state of the contact unit. The first fixed contact is free of contact with the first movable contact and the second fixed contact is free of contact with the second movable contact in a switched-off state of the contact unit. The first and the second arc extinguishing chamber and the arc guiding system in coordination with each other extinguish a first arc.

An electrical contactor has an arc extinguishing component. The electrical contactor includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact that, when the contactor is open, define a gap therebetween. The arc extinguishing component includes a magnet adjacent a first side of the gap and an electrically non-conductive shutter adjacent an opposing second side of the gap. The electrically non-conductive shutter capable of reciprocating from a first position to a second position wherein the first position is outside of the gap and the second position is within the gap.

An air circuit breaker is disclosed. The air circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cover magnet unit. The cover magnet unit is directly coupled to an upper cover which forms the outer appearance of the air circuit breaker. The cover magnet unit is positioned adjacent to a fixed contact and forms a magnetic field. Due to the formed magnetic field, an electromagnetic force in a direction toward an arc extinguishing unit is applied to a generated arc. Accordingly, the generated arc may be rapidly moved and extinguished. The cover magnet unit is inserted into a surface of the upper cover and is not exposed to the outside. Therefore, the generated arc is not in contact with the cover magnet unit. As a result, the cover magnet unit is not damaged by the generated arc.

An electromechanical switching device for breaking an electric current, the switching device including a stationary main contact; a movable main contact; a stationary arcing contact; a movable arcing contact, the stationary arcing contact and the movable arcing contact being arranged in parallel with the stationary main contact and the movable main contact; an actuating arrangement configured to move the movable main contact and the movable arcing contact; and a magnetic member arranged to generate a magnetic holding force in response to an electric current flow through the movable arcing contact when the movable arcing contact is in the closed position, the magnetic holding force acting on the movable arcing contact in a direction against the stationary arcing contact.

An extinguishing chamber of magnetic blow-out type for a breaking device includes a field source, a magnetic carcass and a breaking region, in which an electric arc is liable to form when a breaking pole belonging to the breaking device is opened. The field source is arranged to generate a magnetic field intended to move the electric arc in order to stretch it and accelerate its cooling and its extinguishing. The carcass is arranged to channel the magnetic field. The carcass is stood up against the field source and closes in front thereof so as to create an air gap in the magnetic circuit formed by the field source and the carcass and to thus maximize the magnetic field that passes through the breaking region.

An arc extinguishing unit and an air circuit breaker comprising same are disclosed. An arc extinguishing unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, comprises an extinguishing magnet unit that forms a magnetic field inside the arc extinguishing unit. Accordingly, a generated arc receives an electromagnetic force in the direction facing the exterior of the air circuit breaker, and thus can be rapidly moved and extinguished. The extinguishing magnet unit is accommodated in a magnet case. The magnet case can seal the extinguishing magnet unit. Therefore, the extinguishing magnet unit is not damaged by the generated arc.

A circuit interrupter has first and second contacts that are actuatable relative to each other between a closed position wherein a power source and a load are in electrical communication and an open position wherein the power source and the load are not in electrical communication. An arc extinguisher is also provided for extinguishing an arc that develops in the vicinity of the contacts. An electromagnetic coil, when energized, generates a magnetic field that permeates an area where the arc develops, the magnetic field urging the arc toward the arc extinguisher regardless of a polarity of the contacts. An auxiliary switch is operably connected to the contacts, such that upon movement of the contacts relative to each other from the closed position toward the open position, the auxiliary switch is activated so as to energize a circuit feeding power to the electromagnetic coil, thereby generating the magnetic field.