Patent ID: 6034860
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: H01H,H01R,Y10T

Abstract:
An electrical switch for interrupting current in a load circuit, comprising:(a) a pair of separable contacts, comprising:(a.1) a fixed contact, and(a.2) a moveable contact for closing against the fixed contact to provide a total current flow through the electrical switch from a source to a load and for opening away from said fixed contact to interrupt said total current flow;one of the fixed contact and the moveable contact having a contact surface comprising a plurality of contact points and a layer of dielectric material on said contact surface forming a dielectric well around each contact point, said contact points contacting the other of said fixed contact and moveable contact with said pair of separable contacts closed so that each contact point conducts a portion of the total current flow through the electrical switch, said plurality of contact points being such that said portion of the total current flow through each contact point is less than a minimum arcing current for materials of which said fixed contact and moving contact are comprised.