A switch-off device includes a current conductor for forming a load current path, a pyrotechnically activatable separating unit for interrupting the load current path in the event of a fault, including a separating element for detaching the current conductor and a pyrotechnic element for accelerating the separating element in the direction of the current conductor, and an arc extinguishing unit for extinguishing an arc, including a melting conductor which is not normally incorporated into the load current path and an extinguishing device for extinguishing the melting conductor.

This disclosure describes a hybrid circuit breaker for an industrial automation system. The hybrid circuit breaker may include a mechanical switch and solid-state switches. The hybrid circuit breaker may receive control signals to open and close a current path based on moving a spanner of the mechanical switch. In some cases, moving the spanner of the mechanical switch may generate electrical arcs when the hybrid circuit breaker is conducting electrical current. In such cases, the hybrid circuit breaker may remove the electrical arcs by drawing the electrical arcs to a conductive bar and away from the spanner. Moreover, the hybrid circuit breaker may dissipate the electrical arcs on the conductive bar by opening one or multiple solid-state switches disposed on the conductive bar. In some cases, one or multiple voltage suppressors may receive (e.g., suppress or ground) an electrical power of the electrical arcs when the solid-state switches are opened.

This disclosure describes a hybrid circuit breaker for an industrial automation system. The hybrid circuit breaker may include a mechanical switch and solid-state switches. The hybrid circuit breaker may receive control signals to open and close a current path based on moving a spanner of the mechanical switch. In some cases, moving the spanner of the mechanical switch may generate electrical arcs when the hybrid circuit breaker is conducting electrical current. In such cases, the hybrid circuit breaker may remove the electrical arcs by drawing the electrical arcs to a conductive bar and away from the spanner. Moreover, the hybrid circuit breaker may dissipate the electrical arcs on the conductive bar by opening one or multiple solid-state switches disposed on the conductive bar. In some cases, one or multiple voltage suppressors may receive (e.g., suppress or ground) an electrical power of the electrical arcs when the solid-state switches are opened.

A switch-off device includes a current conductor for forming a load current path, a pyrotechnically activatable separating unit for interrupting the load current path in the event of a fault, including a separating element for detaching the current conductor and a pyrotechnic element for accelerating the separating element in the direction of the current conductor, and an arc extinguishing unit for extinguishing an arc, including a melting conductor which is not normally incorporated into the load current path and an extinguishing device for extinguishing the melting conductor.