ES344861A3 - Improvements in electric switches activated in vacuum. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Improvements in vacuum-operated electric switches, characterized by the use in alternating current of: (a) a first electrode; (b) a second electrode spaced from the first during the interruptions to leave a space, through which a primary arc can be established; (c) a vacuum compartment enclosing said electrodes; (d) means for inducing in said space a magnetic field of transverse lines relative to a possible arc; (e) means including an auxiliary electrode electrically connected to said first electrode, to obtain a secondary arc space up to which an arc originating in said primary arc space can be moved; (f) said secondary space arranged so that its magnetic field lines in the area of any arc in said secondary arc space extend generally parallel to said arc; (g) means for controlling said magnetic field so that its induction in the area of an arc in said secondary space during the passage of instantaneous currents exceeding 20,000 amperes, is high enough to considerably reduce the arc voltage compared with the voltage arc normally caused by an arc of intensity equal to that ignited through said secondary space, without the presence of said magnetic field; (h) and means for substantially eliminating said magnetic field through said secondary space during the period just prior to the zero of the current, after passing an instantaneous arc current greater than 20,000 amperes. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)