EP3152777A1

EP3152777A1 - Electrical interruption switch, in particular for interrupting high currents at high voltages

Info

Publication number: EP3152777A1
Application number: EP15742175.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Lell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-06-04
Filing date: 2015-06-02
Publication date: 2017-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 2035-06-02
Also published as: US20170213676A1; US9911560B2; EP3152777B1; DE102014107853B4; WO2015185038A1; JP2017517134A; DE102014107853A1; KR20170007855A

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical interruption switch, in particular for interrupting high currents at high voltages, having a casing which surrounds a contact unit which defines the path of the current through the interruption switch, and having a propellant charge comprising a gas-generating activatable material, wherein the contact unit comprises a first and a second connection contacts, an upsetting region, a separation region and a sabot, the propellant charge and the contact unit are designed in such a way that a current to be interrupted can be supplied thereto via the first connection contact and discharged therefrom via the second connection contact, and a gas pressure produced by the gas-generating activatable material is applied to the sabot when the propellant charge is ignited, in such a way that the sabot is moved in the casing in a direction of movement from a starting position to an end position, plastically deforming the upsetting region, completely separating the separation region and creating an isolating distance between the separated ends of the separation region in the end position of the sabot. According to the invention, an extinguishing agent is provided in such a way that the motion of the sabot and/or the upsetting of the upsetting region reduces the volume for receiving the extinguishing agent in such a way that the extinguishing agent is injected through at least one discharge channel that connects the volume for receiving the extinguishing agent to the chamber in which the separation region is located, in order to extinguish or to prevent the formation of an electric arc between the ends of the separation region.

Description

Electric circuit breaker, in particular for

Interrupting high currents at high voltages

The invention relates to an electrical interrupting switching element, in particular for interrupting high currents at high voltages, having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such switching elements are used, for example, in power plant and motor vehicle technology for the defined and rapid disconnection of electrical power circuits in an emergency. There is a requirement for such a switching element that its triggering and interruption function must be reliably guaranteed even without maintenance even after up to 20 years. Furthermore, such a switching element must not pose any additional danger potential due to hot gas, particles, pieces of throw, plasma or high voltages induced in the switched-off circuit.

A possible field of application in motor vehicle technology is the defined irreversible disconnection of the on-board cabling from the car battery or drive battery shortly after an accident, in order to avoid sources of ignition by sparks and plasma, which are caused, for example, by cable insulation being chafed by loose body panels during the accident or loose Press cable ends against each other or against sheet metal parts and scrub. If gasoline runs out in an accident at the same time, such ignition sources can ignite flammable gasoline-air mixtures that collect under the bonnet, for example. Further applications are the electrical separation of an assembly from the electrical system in the event of a short circuit in the relevant module, for example in an electric auxiliary heater or in an electric brake, as well as the emergency shutdown of a lithium battery, such as today in electric and hybrid vehicles, and in aircraft Application come. These batteries have a high clamping voltage of up to 1200V with an extremely low internal resistance in a small volume. Both result in a possible short-circuit current of up to 5000A, without the source voltage being strong would break. Even for emergency shutdown of individual solar cell modules or whole solar panels in an emergency, the interruption switch presented here is very well suited because it can be formed controllable or remotely controllable. In addition, it may additionally or instead be designed so that it triggers passively, so like a conventional fuse.

In the prior art pyrotechnic fuses are known, which are actively driven to trigger. For example, DE 2 103 565 describes a circuit breaker which comprises a metallic housing, which is connected to two mutually projecting connection areas, each having a conductor end of a conductor to be protected. The current path runs over the housing. In the housing, a pyrotechnic element is provided, which is formed by an explosive charge. The explosive charge can be activated by an electric igniter, which comprises an ignition element which is vaporized by a feed current. The housing is filled with an insulating liquid. The axially extending housing has a circumferential groove along which the housing ruptures when the explosive charge is ignited. The housing is thereby broken into two electrically separate parts, so that the relevant circuit is separated. The resulting in the separation of a circuit with a very high current plasma is extinguished in this circuit breaker by the atomized insulating liquid. The triggering can be done in a car, for example, by the signal of a shock sensor.

A self-triggering for the separation of the circuit in an overload of the conductor to be protected is not provided in this known device, because the entire sleeve would have to be heated to the triggering temperature and then a detonati- ve implementation would not be reached safely. Because an explosive can hardly be ignited by simply heating the sleeve, i. be brought to the detonative implementation. However, this would be e.g. necessary in the housing shape described in DE 2 103 565.

It should be mentioned that in pyrotechnics worldwide is spoken of a detonative implementation when flame front velocities of more than 2000 m / s by definition are achieved. Another disadvantage of this known device is the problem of approval for devices having filled with explosives or even detonators assemblies. For this reason, such devices find no commercial use so far. They are only used very occasionally in research institutes for special experiments. The causes for this are in addition the very low handling safety and the extremely high danger potential, which can only be limited very severely.

Furthermore, in many cases there is the demand for a self-tripping function of such a switch or a safety device, for example to protect a cable against overload without additional effort for overload sensors or failure of the trigger sensor or trip circuit. A corresponding switching element should therefore not only have a triggerable triggering possibility, but also have the function of a conventional high-current fuse in the form of a fuse, which can be handled safely by anyone, as is the case with conventional fuses.

Such high-current fuses have the disadvantage of fluctuating within a wide bandwidth turn-off after reaching the rated current level of the fuse. A cable secured therewith can therefore only with regard to its current carrying capacity to a very small extent, e.g. 30% are utilized, since in case of overload otherwise, for example, a cable fire can occur.

From DE 197 49 133 A1 an emergency switch for electrical circuits is known, which allows both a self-triggering and a triggerable triggering. For this purpose, an electrical conductor is used, which has a pyrotechnic soul. This can for example consist of a propellant charge powder. On the one hand, the pyrotechnic core can be ignited by the heating of the electrical conductor when an admissible current intensity (nominal current intensity) is exceeded. On the other hand, it is provided to ignite the pyrotechnic soul by a controllable ignition device, for example in the form of a filament. DE 197 49 133 A1, however, merely represents the principle of such a device, but does not give any indication of possible structurally advantageously executable embodiments. Because that Making a conductor with such a pyrotechnic soul requires a considerable effort. In addition, a safe, rapid separation of the conductor can be ensured only with the use of a detonative explosive even with such an emergency shutdown. In the case of deflagrating substances, ie non-detonating substances such as thermite or nitrocellulose powder, the conductor only bursts open and the remaining gas escapes without the conductor being completely separated. The complete separation is then achieved at best by the melting of the conductor as a result of the current flowing through the fuse. However, this would necessarily lead to higher voltages, especially at switching voltages of more than 100V, forcibly ion generation and thus plasma formation in the fuse and thus prevent the interruption of the circuit with great probability.

From DE 100 28 168 A1 of the applicant is an electrical switching element, in particular for switching high currents, known, which can be activated both actively, ie by means of a controllable ignition device, as well as passive, ie on the current strength of the current to be disconnected. The switching element has a housing, which comprises a contact unit, wherein the contact unit has two fixedly connected to the housing or integrally formed terminal contacts for supplying and discharging an electrical current to be switched and wherein the two terminal contacts in the initial state of the switching element within the housing electrically are conductively connected. In the housing an activatable material is provided, which generates after activating a gas pressure for acting on the contact unit, wherein the electrically conductive connection is separated by the application of the gas pressure. The contact unit comprises a relative to the fixed terminal contacts under the action of the gas pressure generated movable contact element which is moved by the application of the generated gas pressure in the direction of the axis of the contact unit from its initial position to an end position in which interrupted the electrical connection via the contact unit is. This switching element is designed so that no movement of parts occurs to the outside. In addition, no hazardous gases or fractions escape when activated.

However, it has been found that this switching unit is only limitedly suitable for switching off higher voltages, since then there is the danger that an arc will be drawn by the interruption of the separation area as a result of the moving apart of the torn ends of the separation area. Attempts to use an extinguishing agent which surrounds the separation area in the initial state before activation, have shown that this does not achieve the desired success, namely to avoid the emergence of an arc or to extinguish an existing arc safely.

Based on this prior art, the present invention seeks to provide a pyrotechnic interruption switch, in particular for interrupting high currents at high voltages, in which also the switching off of high currents at high voltages by avoiding a current maintained by an arc sure is guaranteed. In addition, a switching element to be created, which is completely safe and safe to produce in a simple and cost-effective manner.

The invention solves this problem with the features of patent claim 1.

In the case of the electrical interrupting switching element according to the invention, as in the case of the switching element according to the Applicant's DE 100 28 168 A1, an activatable material can be used for carrying out the switching operation, which only generates a sufficiently high gas pressure without detonations, as in a detonative reaction Shock waves would have to be generated, which are not acceptable for safety reasons in the manufacture of the switching element or its handling.

The electrical interruption switching element according to the invention has a housing which surrounds a contact unit defining the current path through the interruption switching element. A propellant charge is provided which is a gas-generating, activatable material includes. The contact unit has a first and a second terminal contact, an upsetting area, a separation area and a sabot. The propellant charge and the contact unit are designed such that a current to be interrupted can be supplied via the first connection contact and can be dissipated therefrom via the second connection contact and that upon ignition of the propellant charge the propellant is subjected to a gas pressure generated by the gas-generating activatable material in that the sabot in the housing moves in a direction of movement from a starting position to an end position and plastically deforms the swaged area, the separating area being completely separated and in the end position of the sabot reaching an isolation distance between the severed ends of the separating area. The isolation distance is chosen so that it is sufficient for each voltage to be switched.

According to the invention an extinguishing agent is provided such that the volume for receiving the extinguishing agent is reduced by the movement of the sabot and / or by the compression process of the compression area such that the extinguishing agent through at least one discharge channel connecting the volume for receiving the extinguishing agent with the space in which the separation area is located, for extinguishing or for avoiding the generation of an arc is injected between the ends of the separation area.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the volume may be provided for receiving the extinguishing agent within the compression area. In this case, the volume for receiving the extinguishing agent is reduced by the compression process and the extinguishing agent is injected through the at least one discharge channel in the space between the separated ends of the separation region of the contact unit. An arc can be extinguished or prevented from its formation.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the swage area can be designed with regard to the material and the geometry such that the wall of the swaged area is folded, preferably meander-shaped, as a result of the swaging movement. For this purpose, the swaged region can be hollow-cylindrical and preferably annular in cross-section. Inside the hollow cylinder so the extinguishing agent can be introduced. An annular cross-section favors, over the circumference, uniform folding of the hollow cylinder wall during the upsetting process. The expulsion of the extinguishing agent from the receiving volume can be carried out unhindered by the entry of wall parts in the discharge path.

The extinguishing agent may be provided in at least one closed, preferably flexible shell which can be destroyed by the swaging operation within the swage region. It is not absolutely necessary to close the at least one discharge channel and to open it only during the switching process. In addition, the extinguishing agent can be very easily introduced into the receiving volume. It is also possible to use a plurality of destructible shells in the form of microspheres, the shell of which is destroyed under the pressure generated by the volume reduction (and possibly that of the gas generated by the activatable material), so that the extinguishing agent is released.

It is also possible to use a rigid container, such as a glass or plastic container, which may be formed as a glass or plastic tube, as a destructible shell, wherein preferably a certain area of the glass container is provided with a predetermined breaking point, which provided in the region of the discharge channel can be.

The at least one discharge channel may be formed like a nozzle at least in an area in front of the discharge opening. In this way, a favorable for the deletion process delivery in terms of the direction, the cross-section and the speed of the extinguishing agent to be dispensed can be achieved. In particular, the discharge channel can be designed so that the jet of extinguishing agent is directed to the stationary separated end of the separation region.

However, it is also possible to introduce the extinguishing agent into a receiving volume lying outside the swage area, in order then to move the extinguishing agent through the movement of the sabot through one or more channels in the sabot into the combustion chamber. to inject space. The one or more channels have at least one inlet opening for the extinguishing agent, through which the extinguishing agent from the receiving volume in the channel or channels, and at least one discharge opening, from which the extinguishing agent is discharged. The at least one dispensing opening can here also be positioned and the course of the relevant channel can be formed, at least in a sufficiently long area in front of the dispensing opening, such that a dispensing jet for the extinguishing agent with the desired parameters, such as dispensing speed, diameter, direction, etc. , results.

As substances in the combustion chamber are preferably explosives, in particular nitrocellulose suitable, which are ignited by lighters or brought to implementation. However, flammable gases, in particular liquefied gases or other fuels, may also be used together with liquid, solid or gaseous oxidizers which are reacted by lighters, electrical discharges, heat wires or explosion wires.

In general terms, the term "propellant charge" in the sense of the present description is understood to include below all substances or substance mixtures which, after activation, generate gases or vapors which exert the desired pressure on the sabot in any manner.

Suitable extinguishing agent is any medium that can be expelled from the receiving volume in a suitable manner under the pressure in question. In particular, it can be designed as an extinguishing fluid, as a gaseous, gelatinous, foamy or even multiphase medium.

The at least one discharge channel may be closed, preferably in the region of the at least one discharge opening, by a membrane which can be destroyed during the triggering operation of the interruption switching element. This is at least necessary if the extinguishing agent is such that it can already emerge from the receiving volume in the initial state of the switching element. According to one embodiment of the invention, the one or more discharge channels are provided in the sabot so that the one or more discharge openings of the discharge channels in the region of the cross section of a, at least in the unseparated state, subsequent to the sabot separating region are formed. As a result, the extinguishing agent is discharged from the moving during the triggering part of the contact unit within the cross section, in which an arc can form, whereby this can be safely deleted or prevented from its formation.

The contact unit may have a straight longitudinal axis, along which the sabot is displaceable. The separation area can then be provided adjacent to the sabot and lying in the longitudinal axis and then lie a discharge opening in the longitudinal axis. Thus, an extinguishing jet of extinguishing agent can be generated, which lies exactly in the axis, in which most likely will form an arc.

However, switching elements are also conceivable in which the sabot of the contact unit can move in a more or less curved housing, so that switching elements are manufacturable, in which both power connections are at an angle between 1 ° and 360 °, preferably less than 45 ° , 90 ° or 180 °. The sabot would thus move in a 180 ° bent housing after triggering and breaking the land area in a semicircle in the housing, so that both power connections come to rest on the same side.

In one embodiment, the sabot may be formed in two parts, wherein a second sabot portion consisting of an insulating material surrounds and urges a first sabot portion fixed to or integrally formed with the contact unit, and wherein the second sabot portion is preferably sealed against the first sabot portion and the housing is. This variant allows the use of a conductive material, in particular a metal, at least for the inner wall of the housing, whereby, due to the strength of the metal, a small construction of the switching element is possible. The separation region and the propellant charge can be designed so that the separation area is torn open during ignition of the propellant charge or at least partially ruptured and completely separated by a displacement movement of the sabot. For example, the propellant can be arranged at least partially within the separation area. When igniting the propellant, the separation area is torn over the circumference completely or at least partially. In a partial rupture the complete separation takes place by the sliding movement of the sabot and thus still connected after the separation part of the separation area, whereby the compression area is upset.

However, the separation area can also be designed so that when igniting the propellant charge two non-destructively separable parts of the separation area are pushed apart by a sliding movement of the sabot.

In order to create an interruption switching element which realizes a serial multiple interruption, the contact unit can have at least two partial contact units, each of which has an upsetting area, a separating area and a sabot. The partial contact units can then each be designed such that upon ignition of the propellant each sabot is acted upon by a gas pressure generated by the gas generating material gas pressure that moves the respective sabot in the housing in a direction of movement from an initial position to an end position and thereby the associated compression area is plastically deformed, wherein the respective separation area is completely separated and in the end position of the respective sabot an isolation distance between the separated ends of the respective separation area is reached. The extinguishing agent is provided such that the volume for receiving the extinguishing agent is reduced by the movement of one, several or all sabot and / or by the compression process of one or more or all compression areas such that the extinguishing agent by a respective discharge channel, the volume for receiving the extinguishing agent connects to the space in which there is an associated separation area, for extinguishing or to avoid the emergence of an arc between the ends of the respective separation area is injected. Such a serial multiple interruption has the advantage that during a simultaneous interruption process only a proportionate voltage between the aufzutrennenden ends of the separation areas is applied and so the risk of an arc is reduced.

In a preferred embodiment, two partial contact units are provided and the contact unit and the housing are mirror-symmetrical with respect to a central plane, wherein the separation areas and the sabot are preferably provided outside of the upsetting areas arranged therebetween. In addition to the serial separation, there is the advantage here that the mechanical movements run in opposite directions and thus at least largely compensate outwards.

The motions of the sabot and the associated upsetting of the swaged areas may act on a single, common volume for an extinguishing agent, but with dispensing channels provided for each of the subcontact units. The common volume for receiving the extinguishing agent can be provided within the mutually facing compression areas of the partial contact units.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each partial contact unit can be assigned a separate partial propellant charge and a controllable device for the active and substantially simultaneous ignition of the separate partial propellant charges can be provided. In this way, it can be ensured in a simple manner that the advantage of the serially arranged separating regions, namely the occurrence of the only half voltage at the ends of the separating regions during the switching-off process, can also be utilized.

Outwardly the interruption switching element according to the invention is free of feedback. There are no exhaust fumes, no light and no plasma, the tripping noise can only be heard as a soft click and the two electrical connections of the interruption switch can be firmly clamped, since no movement of one or the other connection is necessary for the function of the switching element. The housing itself may be provided as a tube with screwed or crimped on both sides lids, preferably from a cup-like part into which a lid is screwed together with the entire contact unit. The housing may also be formed in one piece, provided that its material is well formed, for example by crimping or bending. The housing can also be made of several parts to a one-piece housing, for example by gluing or welding of the individual parts.

An integral arrangement of one or more contact units in a higher-level collecting housing or in a higher-level payload module is also possible.

Further embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawing. In the drawing show:

1 shows a longitudinal section through a first embodiment of a breaker circuit according to the invention in the initial state.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the embodiment in Fig. 1 in the triggered

Status;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through a second embodiment of a breaker circuit according to the invention in the initial state;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the embodiment in Fig. 2 triggered

Status;

5 shows a longitudinal section through a third embodiment of a disconnection switching element according to the invention in the form of a multi-interrupting switching element in the initial state;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through the embodiment in Fig. 5 triggered

Status; 7 shows a longitudinal section through a further embodiment of a multiple interruption switching element in the initial state; and

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section through the embodiment in Fig. 7 in the triggered

Status.

The illustrated in Fig. 1 the first embodiment of an interrupting switching element 1 comprises a housing 3, in which a contact unit 5 is arranged. The housing 3 is designed such that it withstands a pressure generated within the housing, which is generated during a pyrotechnic activation of the interruption switching element 1, without the risk of damage or even bursting. The housing may in particular consist of a suitable metal. In this case, an insulating layer 7 may be provided on the inner wall of the housing, which consists of a suitable insulating material, for example a plastic. As a result, at higher voltages flashovers or electrical contact between the contact unit 5, which of course consists of a conductive metal, such as copper, and the housing 3 avoided, in particular during and after the release of the interruption switching element. 1 For even higher voltages, for example, more than 2000 V, the housing can be made entirely of an insulating material, in particular a suitable plastic. In this case, the wall thickness of the housing 3 will usually be thicker than in the case of a metallic housing at low voltages.

The contact unit 5 is formed in the illustrated embodiment as a continuous switching tube 9. The switching tube 9 has in the illustrated embodiment, a first terminal contact 1 1 with a larger diameter and a second terminal contact 13 with a smaller diameter. To the first terminal contact 1 1, a radially outwardly extending flange 15 connects, which is supported on an annular insulator member 17, which consists of an insulating material, such as a plastic, such that the switching tube 9 is not in the axial direction the housing 3 can be moved out. For this purpose, the insulator element 17 has an annular shoulder on which the flange 15 of the switching tube 9 is supported. In addition, the insulator element 17 insulates the housing against over the switching tube 9. The annular insulator element 17 has an inner diameter in an axially outer region, which essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of the switching tube 9 in the region of the first connection contact 11. As a result, a sealing effect is achieved which is reinforced by an additional, annular sealing element 19, for example an O-ring. The insulator element 17 may also be connected to the switching tube 9 via a press fit or be sprayed onto this. The insulator element 17 and thus the switching tube 9 or the contact unit 5 is held on the relevant end face of the interrupting switching element 1 by means of a lock nut 21 in the housing 3 or fixed in this way in the housing 3. The lock nut 21 may be made of metal. This also ensures that the switching tube can not escape from the housing in a softening or burning of the plastic parts of the interrupting switching element 1, even if in this state still triggering of the interrupting switching element 1 is effected. Because the outer diameter of the flange 15 is selected to be larger than the inner diameter of the closure nut 21st

Of course, however, the housing 3 can also be formed on the left side shown in Fig. 1 in the assembly of the interruption switching member 1 such that a radially inwardly extending part of the housing, the insulator element 17 is fixed. If the housing is made of plastic, the insulator element 17 can also be dispensed with.

The switching tube 9 has an adjoining the flange 15 in the axis of the switching tube 9 compression region 23. The wall thickness of the switching tube 9 is in

Upset region 23, which has a predetermined axial extent, chosen and matched to the material that results in a triggering of the interruption switching element 1 due to a plastic deformation of the switching tube 9 in the swage region 23, a shortening of the swaged portion in the axial direction by a predetermined distance.

Adjoining the compression region 23 in the axial direction of the switching tube 9 to a sabot 25, which is formed in two parts in the illustrated embodiment. A first sabot part 25a is formed integrally with the switching tube 9 and extends radially to almost the inner wall of the housing 3 to the outside. A second sabot portion 25b, which in the illustrated embodiment consists of an insulating material, for example a suitable plastic, surrounds the switching tube with the first sabot portion 25a such that between the outer periphery of the first sabot portion 25a and the inner wall of the housing 3, an insulating region of the second sabot portion 25b engages. Furthermore, the sabot portions 25a, 25b are formed so that the second sabot portion transmits the respective force in the axial direction to the first sabot portion 25a when pressure is applied from the side facing away from the crush portion 23. This force is chosen so that during the triggering operation of the interruption switching member 1 results in a compression of the swage area, the sabot 25 is moved from its initial position (status before the release of the interruption switch 1) in an end position (after completion of the switching operation).

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the second sabot portion can be selected such that its outer diameter substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of the housing 3, so that an axial guidance of the second sabot portion 25 b and thus also an axially guided compression movement during the switching operation is achieved.

The second sabot part 25b can also have an annular region extending into the compression region 23 in the axial direction, which cooperates with a corresponding annular region of the insulator element 17, which likewise extends into the compression region 23 in the axial direction. The annular region of the insulator element 17 can define an annular gap between its axial outer wall and the axial inner wall of the housing 3, in which the annular region of the second blowing mirror part 25b which bears against the inner wall of the housing 3 is moved in axially. If the annular gap defined by the annular region of the insulator element 17 is selected to be slightly smaller than the wall thickness of the annular region of the second sabot part 25b, a secure fixation of the sabot 25 results in the triggered state, ie in the end position of the sabot 25b. To the sabot 25 of the switching tube 9 and the contact unit 5, a separation region 27 connects, which in turn is adjacent in the axial direction of a flange 29 of the switching tube 9. The second connection contact 13 of the switching tube 9 then adjoins the flange 29. The flange 29 in turn serves to securely fix the switching tube 9 or the contact unit 5 in the axial direction in the housing 3. This purpose is served by a radially inwardly extending annular region 3a of the housing 3 and an insulator element 31 which is provided between a corresponding abutment surface of the flange 29, the inner wall of the frontal ring portion 3a of the housing 3 and the axial inner wall of the housing 3 and which the second terminal contact of the switching tube 9 engages annularly.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second sabot portion 25 b is pushed in the assembly of the interruption switching member from the side of the terminal 13 forth on the switching tube 9 and must therefore be dimensioned so that its inner diameter is greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the flange 29. Since the annular second sabot portion 25b can not be made arbitrarily thin and also the insulator element 31 in the region of the axial inner wall of the annular portion housing wall 3a of the housing 3 must have a predetermined minimum thickness, in this embodiment, a metal plate 32 on the switching tube 9 to the flange 29 pushed, which has a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the annular portion 3 a of the housing 3. The metal disc can, for example made of titanium and prevented in case of fire, i. when softening or destroying the insulator member 31, the switching tube 9 leaks out of the housing 3 even if the interruption switch member 1 is released in this state.

In the interior of the housing between an end face of the second sabot portion 25b facing away from the swage region 23 and an end wall of the insulating element 31 facing the swage region 23, an annular filling piece 33 is provided, which has an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of the housing 3, and an inner diameter which substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the flange 29. The filling piece 33 serves to reduce the volume of the interior space between the compression region 23. th end face of the sabot 25, the inner wall of the housing 3, the insulator member 31 and the outer wall of the separation region 27 to reduce, to allow a faster pressure build-up.

In the axial end of the contact tube 9 in the region of the second connection contact 13, an ignition device 35 is provided. The outer circumference of the ignition device 35 is sealed with respect to the inner wall of the switching tube 9 and the second terminal 13 with a sealing element 37, for example, an O-ring. For axial fixation of the ignition device 35, a small shoulder may be provided in the inner wall of the switching tube 9 or of the second connection contact 13, the ignition device being pushed into the switching tube 9 as far as the assembly of the interruption switching element 1 up to the shoulder. For axial fixing of the ignition device 35, a closure element 39 is then screwed into the second connection contact 13. Through an opening of the annular closure element 33, the electrical connection lines of the ignition devices 35 can be led to the outside. For complete sealing and fixing, the interior of the closure element 39 may be potted, in particular with a suitable epoxy resin. This then serves at the same time to strain relief of the connecting lines 41st

The interior of the switching tube 9 in the region of the separating region 27 between the sabot 25 and the ignition device 35 is filled with a propellant charge, for example in powder form. The propellant charge can be activated by the ignition device 35 and, when activated, generates a gas which fills the interior space within the separation region 27.

The separation area is dimensioned so that it at least partially ruptures due to the generated gas pressure, so that the gas also penetrates into the surrounding annular space and the gap between the sabot 25 and the filling piece 33. To facilitate the tearing, the wall of the switching tube 9 in the separation region 27 may also have one or more openings. In addition, propellant charge material can also be provided in the annular space which surrounds the separation region 27. The ignition device may consist of a simple, quickly heatable filament. In the immediate vicinity or applied to the ignition device 35, a primer mixture or a corresponding material may be provided.

The activation of the ignition device can be done by a corresponding electrical control.

Of course, however, the ignition device 35 may be formed in any other way that causes activation of the propellant charge.

Additionally or instead, a passive activation of the interruption switching element 1 may be provided. For this purpose, the temperature increase of the material of the switching tube 9 in the separation region 27 is utilized. In this case, the most direct possible contact between the propellant and the inner wall and / or outer wall of the switching tube 9 should be given in the separation region 27. In addition, it is also possible to provide an easily activatable material, in particular a priming mixture, in the immediate vicinity or applied to the inner wall and / or outer wall of the separating region.

Fig. 1 shows such a layer of an igniting mixture 43, which is pasty applied to the outer wall of the separation area. In this case, a propellant charge should also be provided in the annular space which surrounds the separation region 27, if possible in direct contact with the igniting mixture 43.

The electrical resistance, and thus also the thermal behavior of the separation region, can be improved by providing apertures in the wall of the separation region 27 (of course in conjunction with the wall thickness of the separation region and the radii sizing at the junctions of the separation region, which substantially remove heat from the separation region and determine its tearing behavior). As a result, the rated current can be defined at which the interruption switching element 1 triggers passively. The inertia can also be determined by such a dimensioning. Upon activation of the interruption switching element 1 by means of the ignition device 35 or by means of passive activation, a gas pressure is thus generated on the side of the slosh mirror 25 facing away from the dust region 23, whereby the sabot is subjected to a corresponding axial force. This force is chosen by a suitable dimensioning of the propellant charge so that the switching tube 9 plastically deformed in the compression region 23 and consequently the sabot is moved in the direction of the first terminal contact 1 1. The propellant charge is dimensioned so that the movement of the sabot 25 takes place in the end position shown in FIG.

Immediately after activating the propellant so the separation region 27 is at least partially torn. If the rupture does not occur even before the axial movement of the slosh mirror 25 over the entire circumference of the separation region 27, then a remaining remainder of the separation region, which still causes an electrical contact, is completely ruptured by the axial movement of the sabot 25.

Depending on the dimensioning of the separation area and the propellant charge, it is also conceivable that the separation area initially does not rupture after activation, but the gas pressure is generated only by corresponding openings in the wall of the separation area in the annular area surrounding the separation area 27. The tearing of the separation region 27 can then take place substantially only by the axial force on the sabot 25, which also leads to its axial movement.

By appropriate choice of the propellant charge and, if appropriate, the igniter mixture comprised by this, the disruption behavior can be further controlled. Thus, the combustion temperatures of about 1000 ° C generating nitrocellulose powder tears the separation area only, while, for example, thermite at combustion temperatures of up to 3400 ° C, the material of the separation region even melt and gas additionally.

In particular, the gas pressure generated by the burnup can be achieved by introducing readily gasifiable liquids or solids into the space in which the propellant charge is contained or in which the generated hot gases penetrate are well controlled. In particular, water, for example bound in nitrocellulose or in the form of microcapsules, gels etc., increases the gas pressure considerably. An increase in the gas pressure caused in this way can be even more extreme if the water introduced in the combustion chamber is brought to bumping, in particular because the strongly heated water experiences a pressure fall when the separating region breaks open.

As shown in FIG. 1, the interior of the swage region 23 and optionally also a channel-like region of the interior of the switching tube 9 can be filled with an extinguishing agent 45 in the area of the sabot 25. Of course, only a portion of the apt volume may be filled with an extinguishing agent 45. The extinguishing agent may be formed as a liquid, gaseous, gel-like, foam-like or as a multi-phase extinguishing agent. A multiphase extinguishing agent could be, for example, a gas-containing liquid or a solid-containing liquid, such as sand. The extinguishing agent must in any case be such that it can be discharged from a discharge opening into the separation area between the separated ends of the separation region 27 with a reduction of the receiving volume 47 within the contact unit, which is reduced by the swaging process.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the extinguishing agent is introduced directly into the receiving volume 47, which includes a corresponding space within the swaged portion 23 and a centrally and axially provided in the sabot 25 discharge channel 49.

The discharge channel 49 is closed at its side facing away from the swage region 23 by means of a destructible membrane 51. At the first connection contact 1 1 facing axial side of the receiving volume 47 is closed by means of a filler 53, which is formed as a cylindrical part. The cylindrical filler 53 is pressed into the hollow cylindrical first terminal contact 1 1. The filler may also be made of metal, such as copper. In addition, another sealing element 55 can seal between the axial Außenwan- tion of the filler 53 and the inner wall of the first terminal 1 1 effect.

In a tripping operation of the interruption switching member 1 thus not only an electrical separation of the separation region 27 of the switching tube 9 and the contact unit 5 is effected, but by the compression process of the switching tube 9 in the separation region 27 and the receiving volume 47 is reduced for the extinguishing agent 45, so that Extinguishing agent is discharged through the discharge channel 49 in the sabot 25 in the direction of the stationary separated end of the separation region 27. The dispensing takes place under high pressure, so that a powerful jet of the extinguishing agent 45 is sprayed in the direction of the stationary separated end of the separation region 27.

Due to the central delivery of the extinguishing agent in the axis of the switching tube 9 and the contact unit 5, the extinguishing agent is given immediately at the beginning of the triggering operation (or at the beginning of the axial movement of the sabot 25) exactly in that area or exactly in that volume, in which an arc can form. The arc is thus safely deleted or prevented from its formation.

Instead of at least partially filling the receiving volume 47 with the extinguishing agent 45, the extinguishing agent in a container (not shown) are introduced into the receiving volume 47. The container may be rigid and be inserted into the receiving volume during assembly of the interrupting switching element 1, before the filler 53 is introduced into the first terminal contact 1 1. A rigid container for the extinguishing agent 45 may be formed, for example, as a glass tube, which has a shape corresponding to the receiving volume 47. In this case, the container can also additionally engage in the discharge channel 49 and aligned with its end face with the discharge opening of the discharge channel 49. The end face of the container may be designed such that it is destroyed by the pressure of the gas generated when the interruption switching element 1 is triggered. However, the destruction can only be effected by the actual upsetting process. By the destruction of the shell at least in the region of the front side ensures that the extinguishing agent 45 is pressed out during the compression process through the discharge channel 49. Instead of a rigid shell, the extinguishing agent 45 may also be provided in a flexible sheath, which is introduced during assembly of the interruption switching element 1 in the receiving volume 47. The shell is also designed such that it is destroyed by the pressure of the gas and / or by the actual compression process (ie by mechanical forces), whereby the extinguishing agent is released.

Instead of in a single envelope, flexible or rigid, the extinguishing agent 45 can of course also be introduced into the receiving volume 47 in a plurality of closed shells. It is also possible to use microspheres, each microbead consisting of a rigid or flexible shell, for example a plastic, in which a corresponding quantity of extinguishing agent 45 is provided.

In order to be able to use the entire upsetting process for squeezing out the extinguishing agent 45 as far as possible, it is advantageous if as far as possible the entire receiving volume 47 (possibly except for the volume of the discharge channel 49) is filled with the extinguishing agent or the corresponding shells or containers.

When using containers that are so large that they no longer fit through the discharge channel 49 without having to be destroyed, of course, the membrane 51 for sealing the discharge channel 49 and the discharge opening of the discharge channel 49 can be omitted.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, which represents the final state of the contact unit 5 after a tripping of the interrupting switching element 1, the swage region 23 of the contact unit 5 is preferably formed such that the wall of the contact tube 9 is folded in a meandering manner in the swage region 23. The meandering fold should preferably take place predominantly outside the dispensing volume in order to avoid that a folded area lies in front of the inlet opening of the dispensing channel 49 and prevents the extinguishing agent 45 from being pressed out. However, folding in an area outside the receiving volume is anyway preferred by the internal pressure of the extinguishing agent 45 resulting from the compression of the switching tube 9, without that additional measures, such as predetermined kinks or the like, must be provided for this purpose. Of course, however, by such additional measures, the desired folding properties can be generated or optimized. In particular, predetermined bending points can be generated by corresponding structuring of the compression area on the outer and / or inner wall. The axially interlocking axial projections of the insulator element 17 and the second sabot portion 25b are also designed with respect to their axial length that they during the compression operation and in the final state, a touching of the radially outer parts of the folded portion of the wall of the switching tube 9 with the inner wall of the housing 3 is prevented. As a result, damage to the insulating layer 7 is connected when such is provided on the inner wall of the housing 3.

In variants without such an insulating layer 7, this prevents a metallic housing 3 from being at the same electrical potential as the first terminal contact 11.

The illustrated in Fig. 3 further embodiment of an interrupting switching member 100 differs from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that instead of a one-piece switching tube 9, a two-part switching tube 109 is used. A first part 109a of the switching tube 109 is identical to the corresponding part of the switching tube 9, which comprises the first terminal contact 1 1, the flange 15, the swaging area 23 and the sabot 25. A second part 109b of the switching tube 109 comprises the separation region 27, which is received with an end facing the sabot 25 in a receiving recess 160 in the end face of the sabot 25 facing away from the crush area. Furthermore, the second part 109b of the switching tube 109 comprises the flange 29 and the second connection contact 13.

Except for the two-part design of the switching tube 109, the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 with the embodiment in Figs. 1 and 2 is virtually identical. Corresponding parts, areas and components are therefore provided with identical reference numerals. In principle, the electrical contact required between the parts 109a and 109b of the switching tube 109 can also be achieved by a simple insertion or pressing in of the end region of the separating region 27 into the receiving recess 16 of FIG

Sealing mirror 25 are produced. However, there is the danger that a permanent electrical contract is not produced or maintained with the desired quality by corrosion, mechanical vibration or other influences.

3 therefore shows a special means for producing a long-term stable and secure electrical contact between the two parts 109a and 109b of the switching tube 109. This is a contact spring insert which is provided on the axial inner wall of the receiving recess 16. The contact spring insert may, for example, have axial grooves, in each of which a contact spring is contained, which rises radially inwards beyond the axial inner wall of the receiving recess 16 or of the contact spring insert 162. The contact springs are compressed when inserting the front portion of the separation region 27 into the receiving recess 1 16 resiliently radially outward. The large number of electrically conductive, resilient elements therefore ensures long-term stable and reliable electrical contact, via which even high currents can be conducted.

The basic operation of the breaker switch 100 of Fig. 3 is largely similar to the above-described operation of the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2. It differs, however, in that the breaker portion 27 is no longer destroyed but only the front end, i. that the sabot 25 facing the end of the separation region 27 is pulled out of the receiving recess 1 16 of the sabot 25.

The final state of the breaker 100 after tripping is shown in FIG. In order to ensure that after activation of the gas-generating material of the propellant charge the pressure can act immediately on the entire end face of the sabot 25, it is in the embodiment according to FIGS. 3 and 4 required that the separation area breakthroughs in the wall of the switching tube 109 and of the second part 109b of the switching tube 109. In this variant too, the discharge channel 49 for the extinguishing agent 45 should be designed such that the jet of the extinguishing agent 45 is directed onto the fixed end of the second part 109b of the switching tube 109. Since the arc will form between the annular wall or the end face of the annular wall of the stationary part of the separating region 27 and an opposite part of the end face of the first part 109a of the switching tube 109, the jet of extinguishing agent 45 should be designed so that this directed to the end face of the wall of the separation area 27.

As explained above, the shape of the jet of extinguishing agent 45 can be achieved by a corresponding design of the discharge channel 49, preferably by a corresponding nozzle-like design, whereby the diameter of the extinguishing agent jet can be influenced depending on the distance from the discharge opening.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of a breaker switch 200 having a switching tube 209 and a contact unit 205, respectively, which enables a substantially simultaneous two-fold disconnection of the current path at two serial breakpoints.

The breaker switch 200 has a housing 203, which may be composed of two housings 3 of the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 and 2 or 3 and 4. The two housing parts 3 are aligned axially against each other, that face the end faces, in which in the variant according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lock nut 21 is screwed. Instead of the lock nut 21, a connecting element 221 can be screwed in here, or the housing parts 3 can be screwed onto the connecting element 221.

Instead of a switching tube with a single separation region, a switching tube 209 with two separation regions 27 is provided in the variant according to FIG. 5. The switching tube 209 substantially corresponds to two switching tubes 9 according to FIG. 1, which are integrally connected to one another with a shortened first connection contact 1 1. Instead of an integrally formed contact tube 209, as in the embodiment of FIG. 5 is used, of course, a two-part contact tube can be used, which is made of two contact tubes 9 of FIG. For this purpose, an optionally too long trained first terminal contact 1 1 shortened, for example sawn be. For connecting the two contact tubes, a filler 53 may be used, which is formed so long that it can be pressed or screwed with one end in the respective (shortened) first terminal contact 1 1 of the respective switching tube 9.

5, a receiving volume 247 is provided for the extinguishing agent 45, which is formed in the entire first and second swaged region 23 and also in the intervening interior of the switching tube 209, ie in the portion of the switching tube 209, which of the connecting element 221 and corresponding insulator elements 217 is encompassed.

The outer regions of the interrupting switching element 200 are identical in each case to the partial region of the switching element 1 shown on the right in FIG. 1, both in terms of structure and in terms of components and functionality. It can thus be made to the corresponding preceding explanations in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2.

The switching element 200 has on both sides a connection contact 21 1 or 213, in which an ignition device 35 is provided.

Although in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, a passive activation by means of a heating of the separation regions 27 is provided, but this does not ensure in every case that without special additional measures a substantially simultaneous ignition of the propellant charges is guaranteed. However, such simultaneous activation is required to achieve the desired simultaneous disconnection of the current path at two serially interconnected points. Due to the simultaneous interruption, only half of the voltage will occur as a voltage drop during the switch-off operation over each path to be separated or separated, which voltage is applied to the connection contacts 21 1, 213. An electrically activatable activation facilitates such a simultaneous shutdown. Incidentally, the tripping operation of the embodiment according to FIG. 5 essentially corresponds to the embodiment according to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 6, upon activation of the igniter devices 35, the respective sabot 25 is pressurized and moved in the direction of the center plane E (plane of symmetry of the interrupt switch element 200 which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis). As a result, the two compression regions 23 in turn act like a pump, with which the extinguishing agent 45 exits through the two discharge channels 49 and fills the space between the two separated ends of the separation region 27.

The variant of an interrupting switching element 300 shown in FIG. 7 also largely corresponds to this function. The essential difference between the breaker switch 300 of FIG. 7 and the breaker switch 200 of FIG. 5 is that the breaker switch 300 has a housing 303 integrally formed. The switching element 309, which defines terminal contacts 31 1, 313, is also integrally formed, wherein instead of the connecting element 221 and the insulator elements 217 in the embodiment of FIG. 5, a stabilizer element 317 is provided. The stabilizer element 317 is also made of an insulating material and essentially serves to fix the switching tube radially and axially in the housing. The slightly differently shaped flanges 29 of the switching tube 309 define here a circumferential groove in which the annular stabilizer element 317 engages with its radially inner region.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, projections which extend axially outwards in the direction of the swaging regions 23 have been dispensed with, which cooperate with the protrusions of the sabot 25.

Also in the embodiment of FIG. 7, a receiving volume for the extinguishing agent 45 is provided, which extends in the entire interior of the switching tube 309 between the discharge openings of the two discharge channels 49. Of course, again in each case instead of a single receiving volume 47, a first receiving volume in the left swaging area 23 and a second receiving volume in the right swaging area 23 may be provided. As described above in connection with the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, the extinguishing agent may be incorporated as such or included in at least one rigid or flexible sheath in the receiving volume.

The mode of operation of the embodiment according to FIG. 7 corresponds practically identical to the mode of operation of the embodiment according to FIG. 5. The relevant end state after completion of the switching operation is shown in FIG.

Of course, also in the dual-break switching elements 200 and 300 of FIGS. 5 and 6 or 7 and 8, a multi-part switching tube according to the principle of the embodiment in Figures 3 and 4 may be used. For this purpose, only the area of the switching tube 209 or 309 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 or 7 and 8 or the respective sabot and the respective separating region need be configured as described in connection with the embodiment according to FIGS. 3 and 4 is described. The end region of the respective separating region then engages in the respective receiving recess of the sabot and establishes an electrical contact between the parts of the switching tube 209 or 309. With regard to the function or the shutdown can be made to the above embodiments in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4.

In all variants of the invention it is achieved that as a result of the moving in a switching operation sabot a subsequent to the sabot compression portion of the contact unit 5 is deformed such that a therein befindliches receiving volume for the extinguishing agent is reduced, whereby the extinguishing agent through at least one discharge opening in the Space between the separated parts of the separation area occurs and avoids the occurrence of an arc between these two ends or deletes an already existing arc. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 interruption switch

3 housing

5 contact element

7 insulating layer

9 switching tube

1 1 first connection contact

13 second connection contact

15 flange

17 insulator element

19 sealing element (O-ring)

21 locknut

23 swell area

25 sabot

25a first sabot

25b second sabot

27 separation area

29 flange

31 insulator element

33 filler

35 ignition device

37 sealing element

39 closure element

41 electrical connection lines

43 ignition mix

45 extinguishing agents

47 recording volume

49 delivery channel

51 membrane

53 filler

55 sealing element

100 interruption switch switching tube

a first part of the switching tube 109b second part of the switching tube 109th

receiving recess

Contact spring insert

Interruption switching element

casing

Contact unit

switching tube

connection contact

insulator element

connecting element

receiving volume

Interruption switching element

casing

switching element

connection contact

stabilizer element

Claims

Electric circuit breaker, in particular for interrupting high currents at high voltages,

(A) with a housing which surrounds a current path defining the interruption switching element contact unit and

(b) a propellant charge comprising a gas-generating, activatable material,

(c) wherein the contact unit has first and second terminal contacts, an upset area, a separation area and a sabot,

(d) wherein the propellant charge and the contact unit are formed

(i) that a current to be interrupted can be supplied to it via the first connection contact and can be dissipated from it via the second connection contact, and

(ii) that when igniting the propellant charge of the sabot is so applied to a generated by the gas-generating activatable material gas pressure that the sabot in the housing moves in a direction of movement from an initial position to an end position and thereby the compression area is plastically deformed, wherein the separation area is completely separated and in the end position of the sabot an insulation distance between the separated ends of the separation area is reached, characterized (E) that an extinguishing agent is provided such that the volume for receiving the extinguishing agent is reduced by the movement of the sabot and / or by the upsetting operation of the compression area such that the extinguishing agent through at least one discharge channel, the volume for receiving the extinguishing agent connects the space in which the separation area is located, for extinguishing or to avoid the occurrence of an arc between the ends of the separation area is injected.

2. Electrical circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that the volume is provided for receiving the extinguishing agent within the compression area.

3. Electrical circuit breaker according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the compression region is designed with respect to the material and the geometry so that the wall of the compression region folded as a result of the compression movement, preferably folded meander-shaped.

4. Electrical circuit breaker according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the compression region is hollow cylindrical and in cross-section preferably annular.

5. Electrical circuit breaker according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the extinguishing agent is provided in at least one closed, preferably flexible, destructible by the upsetting shell within the compression area.

6. Electrical circuit breaker according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the at least one discharge channel is formed like a nozzle.

7. An electrical circuit breaker according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the at least one discharge channel, vorzugswei- se in the region of at least one discharge opening, is closed by a destructible during the triggering operation of the interruption switching member membrane.

8. Electrical circuit breaker according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that one or more discharge channels are provided in the sabot so that the one or more discharge openings of the discharge channels in the region of the cross section of a, at least in the unseparated state, subsequent to the sabot Separation area are formed.

9. Electrical circuit breaker according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact unit has a straight longitudinal axis, along which the sabot is displaceable, that the separation area is provided adjacent to the sabot and lying in the longitudinal axis and that a discharge opening is located in the longitudinal axis ,

10. Electrical circuit breaker according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sabot is formed in two parts, wherein an existing of an insulating material second sabot portion fixedly connected to the contact unit or integrally formed therewith first sabot member engages and this applied, and wherein the second Sealing mirror part is preferably sealed with respect to the first sabot portion and the housing.

1 1. Electric circuit breaker according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separation region and the propellant charge are formed

(A) that the separation area is torn when igniting the propellant charge or at least partially ruptured and completely separated by a sliding movement of the sabot, or (B) that the separation area when igniting the propellant charge two non-destructively separable parts of the separation area are pushed apart by a sliding movement of the sabot.

12. An electrical circuit breaker according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact unit has at least two partial contact units, each having a compression region, a separation region and a sabot,

(a) wherein the partial contact units are each designed

(i) that upon ignition of the propellant charge each sabot is acted upon in such a way by the gas-generating activatable material gas pressure that moves the respective sabot in the housing in a direction of movement from an initial position to an end position and thereby the associated compression region is plastically deformed the separation area in question is completely separated and in the end position of the relevant sabot an insulation distance between the separated ends of the respective separation area is reached, and

(ii) that the extinguishing agent is provided in such a way that the volume for receiving the extinguishing agent is reduced by the movement of one, several or all sabot and / or by the compression process of one or more or all compression regions such that the extinguishing agent is separated by a respective discharge channel, which connects the volume for receiving the extinguishing agent with the space in which there is an associated separation area, for extinguishing or for avoiding the emergence of an arc between the ends of the respective separation area is injected.

13. An electrical circuit breaker according to claim 12, characterized in that two partial contact units are provided and the Kontaktin- unit and the housing are formed mirror-symmetrically with respect to a central plane, wherein the separation areas and the sabot are preferably provided outside of the upsetting areas arranged therebetween.

14. An electrical circuit breaker according to claim 13, characterized in that the partial contact units are formed so that the two compression areas facing each other, and that a common volume for receiving the extinguishing agent is provided within the compression areas.

15. Electrical circuit breaker according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that each sub-contact unit is assigned a separate partial propellant charge and that a controllable device for the active and substantially simultaneous ignition of the separate partial propellant charges is provided.