Apparatus for interrupting an electrical circuit
US6665157B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 16, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2033/163
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrical circuit interrupter includes a primary or normal current carrying path and a transient or alternative current carrying path. The normal current carrying path is established by a movable spanner extending between stationary contacts during normal operation. The transient current carrying path includes at least one variable resistance element which transitions from a lower resistance to a higher resistance during interruption. The transient current carrying path forms an open circuit in parallel with the normal current carrying path during normal operation. Upon interruption, the transient current carrying path is favored for the fault current, completely interrupting the normal current carrying path. The variable resistance elements increase their resistivity during this phase of operation to aid in providing high levels of back-EMF for complete interruption of fault current through the device and limitation of let-through energy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.