Switching apparatus for carrying and disconnecting electric currents, and switchgear having a switching apparatus of this kind

US11114258B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Eaton Intelligent Power Limited · IE

Inventors

• Johannes Meissner · Bonn, DE
• Gerd Schmitz · Niederkassel, DE
• Kai Schroeder · Niederkassel, DE
• Michael Wohlang · Bornheim, DE
• Oliver Kreft · Bonn, DE
• Marcel Uedelhoven · Kall, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 20, 2018
• Grant date: Sep 7, 2021
• Expiry date: Nov 20, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01H2009/546
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A switching apparatus for carrying and disconnecting electric currents includes: a first mechanical contact arrangement; a second mechanical contact arrangement which is connected in series with the first mechanical contact arrangement; a semiconductor switch which is connected in parallel to the first mechanical contact arrangement; a switching electronics system for switching on and switching off the semiconductor switch; and a control circuit for ascertaining a voltage across the first mechanical contact arrangement as an ascertained voltage and generating an actuation signal for the switching electronics system, which actuation signal switches on the semiconductor switch, depending on the ascertained voltage. During a switching process, the switching apparatus closes the two mechanical contact arrangements with a time delay in relation to one another.