High-voltage disconnect switch

摘要

A disconnect switch for high-voltage installations is disclosed. The switch includes a pair of hollow contacts, one of which is movable, disposed in a grounded metallic housing filled with compressed gas. A spring-loaded contact-breaking pin is provided in one of the hollow contacts. The pin is provided at its free end with a recess which is engaged in the "on" position of the switch by a ratchet device pivotally disposed in the other contact. During movement of the movable contact toward the "off" position of the switch, the contact-breaking pin remains in contact with the ratchet device. The mechanically controlled ratchet device releases the contact-breaking pin at a given position of the movable contact. The contact-breaking pin is then returned by its spring into its hollow contact with a velocity greater than that of the movable contact. Any arc which may be generated between the ratchet device and the contact-breaking pin is thereby quickly quenched even though the disconnect switch is driven at a slow speed.