A system including an arc flash sensor that detects an arc flash event and an arc flash mitigation device in communication with the sensor. The mitigation device includes a path of least resistance having a path input and a path output. The arc flash sensor is located downstream the output. The mitigation device includes an electro-mechanical switch between the input and the output and an actuator. The mitigation device also includes a bypass power switch device that includes a solid-state circuit interrupter and that conduct current between the input and the output in response to an open-circuit condition of the switch. A system controller is provided to generate a trigger to activate the actuator to generate the open-circuit condition of the switch, which causes the power switch device to interrupt a fault current associated with a fault event in response to detection of the arc flash event.

A system including an arc flash sensor that detects an arc flash event and an arc flash mitigation device in communication with the sensor. The mitigation device includes a path of least resistance having a path input and a path output. The arc flash sensor is located downstream the output. The mitigation device includes an electro-mechanical switch between the input and the output and an actuator. The mitigation device also includes a bypass power switch device that includes a solid-state circuit interrupter and that conduct current between the input and the output in response to an open-circuit condition of the switch. A system controller is provided to generate a trigger to activate the actuator to generate the open-circuit condition of the switch, which causes the power switch device to interrupt a fault current associated with a fault event in response to detection of the arc flash event.

A power contact electrode plasma therapy circuit includes a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a set of switchable contact electrodes of a power contact. A plasma ignition detector is configured to detect an electrical parameter over the switchable contact electrodes indicative of the formation of plasma between the switchable contact electrodes and output a plasma ignition signal based on the electrical parameter as detected. A plasma burn memory is configured to receive and store the plasma ignition signal. A controller circuit is configured to receive from the plasma burn memory the plasma ignition signal, start a time based on receipt of the plasma ignition signal, and upon the timer meeting a time requirement, output a plasma extinguish command. A plasma extinguishing circuit, configured to bypass the pair of terminals upon receiving the trigger signal to extinguish the plasma between the switchable contact electrodes.

A power contact electrode plasma therapy circuit includes a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a set of switchable contact electrodes of a power contact. A plasma ignition detector is configured to detect an electrical parameter over the switchable contact electrodes indicative of the formation of plasma between the switchable contact electrodes and output a plasma ignition signal based on the electrical parameter as detected. A plasma burn memory is configured to receive and store the plasma ignition signal. A controller circuit is configured to receive from the plasma burn memory the plasma ignition signal, start a time based on receipt of the plasma ignition signal, and upon the timer meeting a time requirement, output a plasma extinguish command. A plasma extinguishing circuit, configured to bypass the pair of terminals upon receiving the trigger signal to extinguish the plasma between the switchable contact electrodes.

An arrangement for detecting arcs in a low-voltage circuit has at least one voltage sensor for periodically determining voltage values of the low-voltage circuit and at least one current sensor for periodically determining current values of the low-voltage circuit. A first control unit is connected to the voltage sensor and the current sensor, has a processor, and is configured in such a way that the presence of a switch arc is determined on the basis of the determined voltage values and current values. A switch arc detection signal is output if a switch arc is determined to be present.

An electronic device (10) includes: a power supply (11); a first switch (12) that is connected at least to one pole of the power supply (11) and interrupts power supplied from the power supply (11) to a load (13); a second switch (14) that is positioned on a load (13) side with reference to the first switch (12) and interrupts power supplied from the power supply (11) to the load (13); a first power line (L11) that is connected to one end portion of an electric contact of the second switch (14), the one end portion being located on a first-switch (12) side; a second power line (L12) that is connected to another end portion of the electric contact of the second switch (14); a third power line (L13) that is connected to another pole of the power supply (11); and an electric element (resistor 15) that is connected between the first and second power lines (L11, L12) in parallel to the electric contact or connected between the first and third power lines (L11, L13), such that the electric contact of the second switch (14) is not charged when the first and second switches (12, 14) interrupt power.

An electronic device (10) includes: a power supply (11); a first switch (12) that is connected at least to one pole of the power supply (11) and interrupts power supplied from the power supply (11) to a load (13); a second switch (14) that is positioned on a load (13) side with reference to the first switch (12) and interrupts power supplied from the power supply (11) to the load (13); a first power line (L11) that is connected to one end portion of an electric contact of the second switch (14), the one end portion being located on a first-switch (12) side; a second power line (L12) that is connected to another end portion of the electric contact of the second switch (14); a third power line (L13) that is connected to another pole of the power supply (11); and an electric element (resistor 15) that is connected between the first and second power lines (L11, L12) in parallel to the electric contact or connected between the first and third power lines (L11, L13), such that the electric contact of the second switch (14) is not charged when the first and second switches (12, 14) interrupt power.

A circuit breaker includes a capacitive voltage sensor located within its insulating casing. The voltage sensor includes a capacitor located between the terminals of the circuit breaker adjacent a low potential surface provided by a coil of a current sensor. The capacitor is dome shaped. The voltage sensor does not appreciably increase the size or weight of the circuit breaker and is reliable and accurate.

An electrical installation includes: a switchgear cabinet; a protective switch arranged in the switchgear cabinet; at least one optical triggering device which is operatively connected to the protective switch and for triggering or switching off the protective switch upon optical detection of an arc; a detection device for detecting an access or an access request to a secured area of the electrical installation by detecting a presence of the at least one optical triggering device in a danger area of the electrical installation; and an electronic circuit which is connected to the detection device and allows, and otherwise prevents, a triggering or switching off of the protective switch by the at least one optical triggering device upon detection of the access or the access request, when the at least one optical triggering device is present in the danger area.

A circuit interrupter including a line conductor, a neutral conductor, a printed-circuit board coil, and a test circuit. The printed-circuit board coil has an aperture configured to receive the line conductor. The test circuit is electrically connected to the printed-circuit board coil. The test circuit is configured to determine an arc fault condition based on a signal of the printed-circuit board coil.