Patent ID: 8330564
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. An electrical switching device comprising: a base terminal extending substantially in an axial direction and having a base contact; a movable terminal extending substantially in the axial direction and having a movable contact, the movable and base terminals extending generally parallel to each other and being separated by a field spacing, the movable terminal being selectively movable to and from the base terminal to electrically connect the base and movable contacts at a contact interface, wherein current flows in opposite directions through the base and movable terminals during operation of the switching device thereby generating an Ampere's separation force that acts to separate the movable and base terminals; and a magnetic shield located between the movable and base terminals within the field spacing, the magnetic shield comprising a magnetic material that reduces the separation force experienced by the movable terminal during operation of the switching device to facilitate maintaining the contact interface between the base and movable contacts.