Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a switching system (1) for breaking a current, comprising: a contact arrangement (3) having a first terminal (3a) and a second terminal (3b), a resonance circuit (5) connectable across the contact arrangement (3), a first switch (S1) connected to the resonance circuit (5) and to the first terminal (3a), wherein the first switch (S1) is switchable between an open state and a closed state, wherein in the closed state the first switch (S1) is arranged to enable current to flow through the resonance circuit (5) in a first flow direction and into the contact arrangement (3) in a direction opposite to a contact arrangement arc current flow direction, a second switch (S2) connected to the resonance circuit (5) and to the second terminal (3b) of the contact arrangement (3), wherein the second switch (S2) is switchable between an open state and a closed state, wherein in the closed state the second switch is arranged to enable current to flow through the resonance circuit (5) in a second flow direction opposite to the first flow direction, and a control system (7), wherein the control system (7) is arranged to alternatingly first set the first switch (S1), and then the second switch (S2), first in the closed state and then in the open state upon a current breaking operation, until a current pulse, emanating from energy supplied by a contact arrangement arc current, flowing through the resonance circuit (5) and into the contact arrangement (3) reaches an amplitude which is equal to or greater than a magnitude of a contact arrangement arc current. This disclosure also relates to a method of performing a current breaking operation.
Abstract:
A circuit breaker includes a shielding component having an external portion which defines a space external to the circuit breaker housing and covers a vent in the circuit breaker housing to direct gasses and debris from the vent to an outlet. The external portion also prevents insertion of the circuit breaker into a breaker box closer than the distances defining the space. This can have the advantage of preventing arcing from the breaker contacts to the breaker box. The external portion may also prevent insertion of the circuit breaker into a breaker box such that a vent in the circuit breaker housing is blocked. In some implementations, the shielding component contains an internal portion which extends into the circuit breaker housing and is disposed to impede debris generated by contact arcing, or other debris, from entering the mechanism of the circuit breaker.
Abstract:
A device (13) to break an electrical current flowing through a power transmission or distribution line (14) comprises a parallel connection of a main breaker (8) and a non-linear resistor (11), where the main breaker (8) comprises at least one power semiconductor switch of a first current direction. The device (13) further comprises a series connection of a high speed switch (10) comprising at least one mechanical switch and of an auxiliary breaker (9), the auxiliary breaker having a smaller on-resistance than the main breaker (8) and comprising at least one power semiconductor switch of the first current direction. The series connection is connected in parallel to the parallel connection. In a method to use the device (13) first the auxiliary breaker (9) is opened, thereby commutating the current to the main breaker (8), afterwards the high speed switch (10) is opened and afterwards the main breaker (8) is opened thereby commutating the current to the non-linear resistor (11). The device (13) can further be used in a current limiting arrangement.
Abstract:
A current control device is disclosed. The current control device includes control circuitry integrally arranged with a current path and at least one micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch (20) disposed in the current path. The current control device further includes a hybrid arcless limiting technology (HALT) circuit connected in parallel with the at least one MEMS switch facilitating arcless opening of the at least one MEMS switch, and a pulse assisted turn on (PATO) circuit (52) connected in parallel with the at least one MEMS switch facilitating arcless closing of the at least one MEMS switch.
Abstract:
It is presented a bypass switch for providing a bypass path between a first terminal and a second terminal. The bypass switch comprises: a first contact device; a second contact device; and a plunger being moveable from an initial state, via a first state, to a second state, wherein in the initial state the first terminal and second terminal are conductively separated; in the first state a movement of the plunger causes the first contact device to close a first conductive connection between the first terminal and the second terminal; and in the second state the plunger mechanically forces the second contact device to close a second conductive connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.