In an embodiment a switching device includes at least one stationary contact in a switching chamber containing a gas comprising H.sub.2 and one movable contact in the switching chamber, wherein the switching chamber has a switching chamber wall and a switching chamber base, and wherein the switching chamber at least partially comprises a polymer material configured to release hydrogen when heated.

In an embodiment a switching device includes at least one stationary contact in a switching chamber containing a gas comprising H.sub.2 and one movable contact in the switching chamber, wherein the switching chamber has a switching chamber wall and a switching chamber base, and wherein the switching chamber at least partially comprises a polymer material configured to release hydrogen when heated.

A switching element (100) that comprises a switching unit (30), a first and a second coil unit (10, 20) for closing and opening the switching unit (30), wherein the first coil unit (10) comprises a first coil (12) and wherein the second coil unit (20) comprises a second coil (22). According to the invention, the first coil unit (10) comprises a first controllable delay circuit (14) that is connected in series with the first coil (12). The invention further relates to a switching device (200) that comprises a switching element (100) according to the invention. The invention further relates to a first and a second method for the operation of the switching device (200) according to the invention.

A switching element (100) that comprises a switching unit (30), a first and a second coil unit (10, 20) for closing and opening the switching unit (30), wherein the first coil unit (10) comprises a first coil (12) and wherein the second coil unit (20) comprises a second coil (22). According to the invention, the first coil unit (10) comprises a first controllable delay circuit (14) that is connected in series with the first coil (12). The invention further relates to a switching device (200) that comprises a switching element (100) according to the invention. The invention further relates to a first and a second method for the operation of the switching device (200) according to the invention.

A circuit breaker includes a pole unit with a first and second electrodes. A linkage also extends from the pole unit. A linear actuator is operably connected to the pole unit. A Thomson coil or other high-speed actuator is also operably connected to the linkage. When the circuit breaker is closed, no gap is provided between them. To open the electrodes, the high-speed actuator first acts on the linkage by moving the linkage at a speed that is greater than a speed by which the linear actuator can move the linkage. The linear actuator can then actuate and increase a distance between the electrodes. A gap is provided between the pole unit and at least one of the actuators when the breaker is closed. This gap is reduced or eliminated when the breaker is open.

A mechanical latching accessory kit for a Medium Voltage contactor including one or more movable contacts connected through a mechanical link to a contact actuator moving the one or more movable contacts between a contact open position and a contact closed position. The mechanical latching accessory kit includes: a supporting interface adapted to be fixed to and removed from the Medium Voltage contactor; a latching element movable between a first operating position and a second resting position; a latching actuating system moving the latching element between the first, operating, position and the second, resting, position; the latching element being adapted, when it is in the first operating position, to cooperate with the mechanical link of the Medium Voltage contactor to latch the one or more movable contacts, and, when it is in the second resting position, to release the one or more movable contacts.

A mechanical latching accessory kit for a Medium Voltage contactor including one or more movable contacts connected through a mechanical link to a contact actuator moving the one or more movable contacts between a contact open position and a contact closed position. The mechanical latching accessory kit includes: a supporting interface adapted to be fixed to and removed from the Medium Voltage contactor; a latching element movable between a first operating position and a second resting position; a latching actuating system moving the latching element between the first, operating, position and the second, resting, position; the latching element being adapted, when it is in the first operating position, to cooperate with the mechanical link of the Medium Voltage contactor to latch the one or more movable contacts, and, when it is in the second resting position, to release the one or more movable contacts.

A contactor (1) comprising: one or more electric poles (3); for each electric pole, a fixed contact (31) and a corresponding movable contact (32), the one or more movable contacts (32) of said contactor being reversibly movable, along corresponding displacement axes (33) mutually parallel and lying on a common displacement plane (34), between a first position (A), at which said movable contacts are decoupled from the corresponding fixed contacts, and a second position (B), at which said movable contacts are coupled with the corresponding fixed contacts; a movable armature (7) reversibly movable, along a corresponding displacement direction parallel to the displacement axes (33) of said movable contacts, between a third position (C) and a fourth position (D); for each electric pole, a first plunger (8) coupled with said movable armature (7) and with a corresponding movable contact (32), each first plunger extending along a corresponding main longitudinal axis parallel or coinciding with the displacement axis (33) of a corresponding movable contact (32); an electromagnetic actuator (4) comprising a magnetic yoke (41, 42) having a fixed yoke member (41) and a movable yoke member (42), said movable yoke member being reversibly movable, along a corresponding displacement direction parallel to the displacement axes (33) of said movable contacts (32), between a fifth position (E), at which it is decoupled from said fixed yoke member, and a sixth position (F), at which it is coupled with said fixed yoke member, said electromagnetic actuator further comprising a coil (44) wound around said fixed yoke member (41) and adapted to be fed by a coil current (IC) to make said fixed yoke member (41) to magnetically interact with said movable yoke member (42) and generate a force to move said movable yoke member from said fifth position (E) to said sixth position (F) or maintain said movable yoke member in said sixth position (F); one or more opening springs (6) coupled with said fixed yoke member (41) and said movable yoke member (42), said opening springs being adapted to provide a force to move said movable yoke member from said sixth position (F) to said fifth position (E); one or more second plungers (5) coupled with said movable yoke member (42) and said movable armature (7), each second plunger extending along a corresponding main longitudinal axis parallel with the displacement axes (33) of said movable contacts (32).

An electromagnetic repulsion actuator for a circuit breaker is provided. The actuator can include a housing; a first fixed electrode having therein an operating space open at both sides; a pair of movable electrodes capable of reciprocally moving and being electrically connected to the first fixed electrode; second fixed electrodes selectively contacting the pair of movable electrodes to be electrically connected thereto, thereby transferring power supplied from a first side to a second side; and actuating coils selectively moving the movable electrodes in a direction of being separated from the second fixed electrodes by generating electromagnetic force from induced current. In the present invention as above, the structure of a circuit breaker is simplified and moving speeds of the movable electrodes are increased since the movable electrodes move by using induced current generated by a close coil and open coils to perform an open operation.

An electromagnetic repulsion actuator for a circuit breaker is provided. The actuator can include a housing; a first fixed electrode having therein an operating space open at both sides; a pair of movable electrodes capable of reciprocally moving and being electrically connected to the first fixed electrode; second fixed electrodes selectively contacting the pair of movable electrodes to be electrically connected thereto, thereby transferring power supplied from a first side to a second side; and actuating coils selectively moving the movable electrodes in a direction of being separated from the second fixed electrodes by generating electromagnetic force from induced current. In the present invention as above, the structure of a circuit breaker is simplified and moving speeds of the movable electrodes are increased since the movable electrodes move by using induced current generated by a close coil and open coils to perform an open operation.