Patent ID: 11936176
Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA
Field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC H | IPC H

Claim 0:
1. A contactor comprising:
a first power terminal;
a second power terminal;
a sub-circuit electrically connected between the first power terminal and the second power terminal, and comprising at least the following three elements connected in series: an electrical conductor portion, a primary switch and a fuse;
the primary switch comprising a movable part driven by an actuator;
a magnetic sensor configured for measuring a primary current flowing through the electrical conductor portion;
a controller communicatively connected to said magnetic sensor for measuring said primary current flowing through the electrical conductor portion using said magnetic sensor, and operatively connected to said actuator for selectively opening and closing said primary switch;
wherein the contactor further comprises detection means other than the magnetic sensor for detecting whether the primary switch is actually open or closed;
wherein the controller is configured for:
i) measuring the primary current using the magnetic sensor, and detecting if an overcurrent condition occurs; and if an overcurrent condition is detected, continuing with step ii);
ii) operating the actuator to open the primary switch;
iii) detecting if the primary switch is effectively open; and if it is detected that the primary switch is still closed, blowing the fuse.