A switch system includes a mechanical switch for switching electrical currents, the mechanical switch operating in one of a closed state and an open state; the system further including an actuator configured to change the state of the mechanical switch, wherein the actuator comprises a Thomson-coil system including a Thomson coil, and wherein the mechanical switch and the Thomson coil are electrically connected in series.

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.

Disclosed is a fast switch device including: a reactor that moves to an open position where the switch is opened and a close position where the switch is closed; an open coil portion that drives the reactor to the open position by virtue of an eddy current component; a close coil portion that drives the reactor the close position by virtue of an eddy current component; and a controller that performs control such that an electric current is applied to the close coil portion oppositely to a direction of an electric current flowing through the open coil portion in order to brake the reactor during an open operation for driving the reactor to the open position, and an electric current is applied to the open coil portion oppositely to a direction of an electric current flowing through the close coil portion.

Disclosed is a fast switch device including: a reactor that moves to an open position where the switch is opened and a close position where the switch is closed; an open coil portion that drives the reactor to the open position by virtue of an eddy current component; a close coil portion that drives the reactor the close position by virtue of an eddy current component; and a controller that performs control such that an electric current is applied to the close coil portion oppositely to a direction of an electric current flowing through the open coil portion in order to brake the reactor during an open operation for driving the reactor to the open position, and an electric current is applied to the open coil portion oppositely to a direction of an electric current flowing through the close coil portion.

A circuit interrupter includes a fixed terminal, a movable contactor, a moving mechanism, a squib, and accommodation. The fixed terminal includes a fixed contact. The movable contactor includes a movable contact connected to the fixed contact. The moving mechanism is configured to move the movable contactor from a closed position where the movable contact is connected to the fixed contact to an open position where the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact. The squib is configured to generate gas by combustion. The accommodation is for accommodating the fixed contact and the movable contactor. In the circuit interrupter, the gas is introduced into the accommodation.

A circuit interrupter includes a fixed terminal, a movable contactor, a moving mechanism, a squib, and accommodation. The fixed terminal includes a fixed contact. The movable contactor includes a movable contact connected to the fixed contact. The moving mechanism is configured to move the movable contactor from a closed position where the movable contact is connected to the fixed contact to an open position where the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact. The squib is configured to generate gas by combustion. The accommodation is for accommodating the fixed contact and the movable contactor. In the circuit interrupter, the gas is introduced into the accommodation.

A vacuum circuit breaker comprises a vacuum interrupter operable between a closed state and an open state, and an actuator. The actuator comprises a piezoelectric driving element that is expandable and contractable along an expansion axis in response to an electrical input signal. The actuator further comprises a mechanical amplifying structure extendable along an actuation axis and being mechanically coupled to the piezoelectric driver such that expansion or contraction of said piezoelectric driving element causes the amplifying structure to extend or retract along the actuation axis. The mechanical amplifying structure is coupled to the vacuum interrupter for operating the vacuum interrupter between said closed and open states.

A vacuum circuit breaker comprises a vacuum interrupter operable between a closed state and an open state, and an actuator. The actuator comprises a piezoelectric driving element that is expandable and contractable along an expansion axis in response to an electrical input signal. The actuator further comprises a mechanical amplifying structure extendable along an actuation axis and being mechanically coupled to the piezoelectric driver such that expansion or contraction of said piezoelectric driving element causes the amplifying structure to extend or retract along the actuation axis. The mechanical amplifying structure is coupled to the vacuum interrupter for operating the vacuum interrupter between said closed and open states.

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.