Patent ID: 7872552
Filing Date: 2011-01-18
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. A method for the safe operation of a switching device including at least one main contact, the at least one main contact being switchable on and off and including a movable contact link, a further switching element arranged in series with and upstream of the at least one main contact, and the switching device further including at least one control magnet with a movable armature, the armature acting on the contact link during switching-on and switching-off such that the corresponding main contact is closed and opened, the method comprising: identifying whether the movable contact link of the at least one main contact has exceeded an opening point after the switching-off; and interrupting continued operation of the further switching element if, after a period of time, the opening point has not been exceeded, by activating a force stored in an energy store mechanism to mechanically impact on the further switching element with a result of opening said further switching element and interrupting continued operation of said further switching element.