Patent ID: 7692522
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. A method for safe operation of a switching device including at least one connectable/disconnectable main contact, a moving contact link, and at least one control magnet including a moving armature, the armature acting on the contact link during connection and disconnection such that the corresponding main contact is closed and opened, the method comprising: identifying whether the moving contact link of the at least one main contact has passed beyond an opening point after disconnection; and interrupting further operation of the switching device if the moving contact link has not passed beyond the opening point after disconnection after a time period, where the interrupting includes opening the main contacts beyond the opening point, wherein when the control magnet is in the connected state, a release device is actively held in an energized state to prevent the initiation of a contact breaking-open device, and during disconnection, the release device and the control magnet are de-energized with an armature or a component of the control magnet which is mechanically operatively connected to the armature, preventing the initiation of the release device.