BI-DIRECTIONAL DIRECT CURRENT ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS INCLUDING SMALL PERMANENT MAGNETS ON FERROMAGNETIC SIDE MEMBERS AND ONE SET OF ARC SPLITTER PLATES

摘要

An electrical switching apparatus for bi-directional direct current switching and interruption includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism to open and close the contacts, and an arc chute. The arc chute includes two ferromagnetic side members each having a first side and an opposite second side, the first side of a second ferromagnetic side member facing the first side of a first ferromagnetic side member, a first permanent magnet disposed on the first side of the first side member, a second permanent magnet disposed on the first side of the second side member, and a single set of a plurality of arc splitter plates disposed between the permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are substantially smaller in size than each of the side members. The arc chute is divided into two arc chambers each of which is for a corresponding direction of DC flow through the contacts.

主权项

1. An electrical switching apparatus for bi-directional direct current switching and interruption, said electrical switching apparatus comprising:
separable contacts; an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts; and an arc chute comprising:
a first ferromagnetic side member having a first side and an opposite second side,a second ferromagnetic side member having a first side and an opposite second side, the first side of said second ferromagnetic side member facing the first side of said first ferromagnetic side member,a first permanent magnet disposed on the first side of said first ferromagnetic side member,a second permanent magnet disposed on the first side of said second ferromagnetic side member, anda single set of a plurality of arc splitter plates disposed between said first and second permanent magnets, wherein said first and second permanent magnets are substantially smaller in size than each of said first and second ferromagnetic side members, wherein said arc chute is divided into two arc chambers, and wherein each of the two arc chambers is for a corresponding direction of direct current flow through said separable contacts.