摘要 |
A current limiter which is electrically arranged in series with a circuit breaker, the current limiter having contacts which are movable with respect to one another in an axial direction. A spring having a nonlinear characteristic is provided for producing a force which tends to counteract the motion of the contacts away from one another. While the contacts are in a closed position, the spring exerts a small closing force, thereby permitting the contacts to open by the force of overcurrent. Such opening produces an arc which causes a wall of arcing chamber to emit gas, thereby pressurizing the arcing chamber and causing further opening of the contacts. As the contacts are opened, the nonlinear spring characteristic increasingly tends to prevent the motion of the contacts, thereby reducing mechanical stress within the limiter.
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