Vacuum switch

摘要

A vacuum switch of the type having contact electrodes which are coaxially movable with respect to each other for interrupting large currents. In one embodiment where a substantially cylindrical housing is arranged around the contacts, a radially inward bulge of metallic material is arranged near a center plane intermediate of the contacts. Such a bulge may be formed by inserting a metallic, annular insert within the housing, or producing an annular bulge in the housing itself. The bulge produces an inclination which is selected so that a plasma which flows from the arc which is produced upon interruption of the current is deflected in the axial direction. Such deflection reduces the stress on the vapor shield and is particularly advantageous with single-pulse switches which experience relatively long arcing times.