Electric current switching apparatus with arc extinguishing mechanism

摘要

A contactor (10) for switching electric current has a stationary contact (64) and a movable contact (54) which when driven by a solenoid (30) moves into and away from abutment with the stationary contact (64). An arc chute (90) includes a plurality of splitter plates (92) which extend radially from a center point in a geometric arc around the stationary contact (64) on a side that is opposite to the movable contact (54). A curved arc runner (68) is connected to the stationary contact (64) to guide an electrical arc travelling between the stationary contact (64) and each of the splitter plates (90). An elongated arc runner (57) is connected to the movable contact (54) to guide the electrical arc between the movable contact (54) and splitter plates (90) at the ends of the geometric arc. <IMAGE>