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.

A slot motor for use with secondary contacts in a circuit breaker includes a top slot motor component structured to be attached to a moving arm of the secondary contacts; and a U-shaped bottom slot motor component including a base and a pair of legs extending upward from the base, the U-shaped bottom slot motor component structured to be separated from the top slot motor component by vertical gaps between the top slot motor component and ends of the pair of legs, wherein the slot motor is structured to generate a magnetic field producing a force to maintain the secondary contacts in closed position upon passing high current through the moving arm.

A DC electrical circuit breaker includes first and second movable electrical contacts. The circuit breaker includes a magnetic circuit including a magnet and generating a magnetic field able to guide an electrical arc in the direction of a quenching chamber, and having for this purpose curved field lines extending perpendicularly to opposite lateral walls of an electrical arc formation chamber, these field lines converging, in a central region of the arc formation chamber containing the contact zones, toward the quenching chamber while extending parallel to the longitudinal plane.

A DC electrical circuit breaker includes first and second movable electrical contacts. The circuit breaker includes a magnetic circuit including a magnet and generating a magnetic field able to guide an electrical arc in the direction of a quenching chamber, and having for this purpose curved field lines extending perpendicularly to opposite lateral walls of an electrical arc formation chamber, these field lines converging, in a central region of the arc formation chamber containing the contact zones, toward the quenching chamber while extending parallel to the longitudinal plane.

A debris barrier is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes separable contacts and an arc chute. The separable contacts generate debris when tripping open in response to an electrical fault. The arc chute has a plurality of splitter plates each having an edge portion and a distal portion located opposite and distal the edge portion. The debris barrier includes a first leg, a second leg, and a middle portion connecting the first leg and the second leg. The middle portion is coupled to one of the separable contacts. At least one of the first leg and the second leg has a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion extending therefrom. The first barrier portion is located proximate the distal portion. The second barrier portion extends from the first barrier portion toward the edge portion in order to redirect the debris toward the edge portion.

A switch disconnector comprises an electrical contact system for breaking a circuit connectable to the switch and a ferromagnetic plate being positioned in a predefined distance to the electric contact system, wherein the predefined distance is selected such that the magnetizing force of the ferromagnetic plate on an electric arc occurring between separated contacts of the electric contact system pulls the arc onto the ferromagnetic plate for interruption of the arc.

An enclosure is for a slot motor of an electrical switching apparatus. The slot motor includes a number of U-shaped laminations. The enclosure includes a first member and a second member coupled to the first member to form a U-shaped enclosed region for the U-shaped laminations.

A modular slot motor assembly and arc plate assembly combination for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The modular slot motor assembly is positioned proximate the arc plate assembly by lockingly securing it to a subcomponent housing in order to better provide an enhanced separation of the contact arms. During a short circuit event the modular slot motor assembly provides added acceleration to a moving contact arm. To protect the modular slot motor assembly from damage, an insulating casing is applied to at least a portion of the modular slot motor assembly.

A slot motor is for an electrical switching apparatus. The slot motor includes: a support apparatus including a support element having a first leg and a second leg located opposite the first leg, the first leg having a first inner surface, the second leg having a second inner surface facing the first inner surface; a plurality of permanent magnets including a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet, the first permanent magnet being located on the first leg, the second permanent magnet being located on the second leg; and a number of U-shaped plates coupled to the support element. The first inner surface and the second inner surface are located between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet.

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.