EP2729952B1

EP2729952B1 - Electrical switch adapted for efficient contact replacement

Info

Publication number: EP2729952B1
Application number: EP11797233.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Prashant KUBAL; Noah Ramrajkar
Original assignee: Siemens AG
Current assignee: Siemens AG
Priority date: 2011-12-14
Filing date: 2011-12-14
Publication date: 2016-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-14
Also published as: BR112014014047A2; WO2013087097A1; CN103858198A; CN103858198B; EP2729952A1

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical switch used for opening and closing an electrically conductive path between an electric supply and an electric load. In particular, the present invention relates to an electrical switch adapted for facilitating efficient contact replacement.
In conventional electrical switches, such as electrical contactors, a set of movable contacts is displaced relative to a set of stationary contacts to establish or interrupt an electrically-conductive path between supply-side and load-side stationary contacts. Typically, each movable contact includes an electrically conductive elongated rigid sheet with contact pads mounted on opposite ends thereof such that each movable contact may engage a corresponding set of stationary contacts in a bridge-like manner. The supply-side and load-side stationary contacts are connected to an electrical supply and an electrical load respectively. Such electrical switches may be either manually or electrically actuated. In case of electrically-actuated electrical switches, an actuating assembly is provided to cause displacement of the movable contacts from a normal position to an actuated position.
When a movable contact is not in contact with a corresponding pair of stationary contacts, the electrically conductive path between the electrical, supply and the electrical load is interrupted. This position is known as "open position". On the other hand, when the movable contact comes in contacts with the corresponding pair of stationary contacts, the electrically conductive path between the electrical supply and the electrical load is established. This position is known as "closed position".
Accordingly, the electrical switches may be classified as normally-open and normally-closed type electrical switches. In case of normally-open electrical switches, the actuating assembly displaces the movable contacts from an open position to a closed position. When an actuating force is removed, various biasing means return the movable contacts back to an open position, and thereby, interrupting the electrically conductive path. The operation is reversed in case of a normally-closed electrical switch.
In the conventional electrical switches as described above, a movable contact assembly includes a movable contact suitable mounted in an insulating carrier using a holder element in conjunction with suitable biasing means. The biasing means are such that not only the movable contact is efficiently retained in the insulating carrier but sufficient contact pressure between the movable contact and the corresponding pair of stationary contacts is also generated in the closed position.
One such electrical contactor is known from US 3,602,850 . The patent discloses a contactor, which includes, in addition to various conventional parts, a bridging contact structure, an insulating contact carrier, and contact support means including a spring support, a contact-pressure spring, and a damping spring. The contact-pressure spring is disposed on one side of said bridging contact structure to bias said spring support against said damping spring, and thereby, to bias said damping spring on the opposite side of said bridging contact structure and hence, bias said bridging contact structure against said contact carrier, and thereby supporting said bridging contact structure on said contact carrier. During an operation of the contactor, said insulating contact carrier is displaced from an open position to a closed position. During this displacement, after said bridging contact structure engages corresponding spaced stationary contacts, said contact carrier moves an additional distance whereby said contact pressure spring is charged to operate through said spring support and damping spring to provide contact pressure between said spaced stationary contacts and said bridging contact structure.
It is well known in the art that due to various mechanical and electrical factors, such as contact bounce, electrical arc formation, and so on, a movable contact is prone to mechanical wear, and hence, it is required to replace the movable contacts from time-to-time during routine maintenance of the electrical switch.
One important consideration with regard to replacement of movable contacts is the size of the electrical switch, as will be readily apparent from the explanation provided hereinafter.
The size of the electrical switch is based on an electrical rating of the electrical switch, that is, magnitude of an operating current and/or an operating voltage that the electrical switch is anticipated to be subjected to during its operation. This follows from the fact that an increase in the current carrying capacity of an electrical switch requires a corresponding increase in the cross-sectional area of various current carrying parts of the electrical switch. Hence, as the operating current and/or the operating voltage increases, the size of the electrical switch also has to be increased accordingly. Various constituent elements included in an electrical switch, such as the stationary and movable contacts, the movable contact assembly, and so on, have to be proportionately scaled up according to the increase in size of the electrical switch.
With increasing electrical ratings, the movable contact assembly as well as various components included therein tend to become quite large. Thus, as the electrical rating of the electrical switch progressively increases, the resilient means, such as compression springs, used in the movable contact assembly must be progressively configured to provide the increased contact force between abutting movable and stationary contacts.
As already mentioned, during routine maintenance activities, the movable contacts are inspected for mechanical wear and when necessary, are replaced.
In case of small-sized electrical switches, the replacement of movable contacts may be accomplished with minimum difficulty. However, in relatively larger-sized electrical switches, the forces exerted by the resilient means make the replacement of the movable contacts very difficult.
In the prior art, various designs and techniques have been proposed to overcome this problem. Although, a large number of electrical switches commercially available in the market still require an operator to perform the replacement of movable contacts using bare hands, a few techniques employing various tools have also been proposed.
One such tool-based solution is known from US 3,646,491 . The patent discloses a movable contact structure for a large-sized electrical switch. The contact structure includes a movable contact retainer that has apertured ears and the base of the switch which supports the stationary contacts includes support posts, which, when the switch is disassembled to inspect the contacts, are available to act as a fulcrum for the shank of a screwdriver when the tip of the screwdriver is inserted into the apertures. The screwdriver thus may be used as a tool to overcome the spring forces holding the movable contact retainer and thus facilitate the removal and replacement of the movable contacts from its position on the movable contact carrier. The disclosed electrical switch provides means for facilitating movable contact replacement. However, it fails to provide desired ease and efficiency.
Thus, in practice, various known techniques do not provide satisfactory ease of performance, and the replacement of movable contacts in an efficient manner still remains an important challenge.
US-A-3602850 discloses an electrical switch according to the preamble of claim 1.
In light of the foregoing, there is a need to provide an electrical switch adapted for efficient replacement of movable contacts therein.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical switch, such as an electrical contactor, adapted for facilitating efficient contact replacement.
The object of the present invention is achieved by an electrical switch according to claim 1 and an electrical assembly according to claims 5,6. Further embodiments of the present invention are addressed in the dependent claims.
In accordance with the foregoing object of the present invention, an electrical switch adapted for facilitating contact replacement is provided. The electrical switch comprises at least one pair of stationary contacts and at least one movable contact assembly. The at least one movable contact assembly is displaceable relative to the at least one pair of stationary contacts to interrupt and establish an electrically-conductive path between the pair of stationary contacts- The at least one movable contact assembly comprises a movable contact, a carrier, a holder element, and biasing means. The carrier is an elongated insulating structure which comprises a head-end, a base-end, a first socket extending from the base-end along a substantially longitudinal axis, and a second socket along a substantially transverse axis intermediate the head and the base ends such that the first socket is in continuum with the second socket. The holder element is adapted for being movably inserted inside the first socket through the base-end, and further adapted for receiving the movable contact through the second socket. The biasing means bias the holder element, towards the base-end of the carrier such that the movable contact is supported inside the carrier. The carrier comprises carrier coupling means adapted for coupling to an actuator device in such a manner that the holder element is displaceable relative to the carrier along a direction extending from the base-end towards the head-end against a biasing force exerted by the biasing means.
Thus, the present invention greatly facilitates replacement of movable contacts in electrical switches. During a replacement procedure, the actuator device is operated to overcome the biasing force exerted by the biasing means and hence, release an existing movable contact and install a new movable contact therein.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier is provided with retaining means for retaining a first end of the biasing means. The holder element comprises a head-end and a base-end. The head-end is adapted to pass through the retaining means. The base-end is adapted to engage a second end of the biasing means. These technical features facilitate biasing the holder element towards the base-end of the carrier such that the movable contact is firmly supported inside the carrier.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the electrical switch further comprises resilient means. The resilient means are disposed intermediate the head-end of the holder element and the movable contact such that the head-end of the holder is biased against the resilient means, the resilient means are biased against the movable contact, and the movable contact is biased against the carrier. These technical features facilitate that the biasing force provided by the biasing means is evenly distributed through length of the movable contact, especially nearer to the ends thereof to ensure strong abutment with the at least one pair of stationary contacts.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the electric switch is provided with the actuator device which comprises an actuator arm and actuator coupling means. The actuator arm is linearly displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the carrier. The actuator coupling means facilitate mounting the actuator device on the carrier such that the actuator arm is operable to engage the holder element. These technical features ensure that the actuator device is operable to displace the holder element against the biasing force of the biasing means.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the electric switch is provided with the actuator device which comprises a base structure, an actuator arm, and actuator coupling means. The actuator arm is rotatably engaged in the base structure such that the actuator arm is linearly displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the carrier through rotation of the actuator arm about the longitudinal axis of the carrier. The actuator coupling means facilitate mounting the actuator device relative on the carrier such that the actuator arm is operable to engage the holder element. These technical features provide a simple embodiment of the actuator device operable to displace the holder element against the biasing force of the biasing means.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the carrier coupling means are one of a groove, a ridge, lateral projections, internal threads, external threads. The actuator coupling means correspond to the carrier coupling means such that the actuator coupling means are suitable for removably engaging the carrier coupling means. Thus, these technical features ensure that the actuator device is fixedly mounted on the carrier.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the actuator device is one of a mechanical actuator device, an electromechanical actuator device, a hydraulic actuator device, and a pneumatic actuator device. This technical feature ensures that the present invention is implementable using a variety of actuator devices capable of providing linear displacement.
The present invention is further described hereinafter with reference to illustrated embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS 1A-1B: illustrate a three-phase electrical switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
FIGS 2A-2D: illustrate a perspective view, a first partially exploded view, a second partially-exploded view, and a cross-sectional view respectively of a set of movable contact assemblies in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and
FIGS 3A-3E: illustrate a perspective view, a side-view, a front view, a first cross-sectional view, and a second cross-sectional view of a set of movable contact assemblies and an actuator device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Various embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident that such embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.
FIGS 1A and 1B illustrate a three-phase electrical switch 100 in accordance with the present invention. In particular, FIG 1A illustrates a perspective view of the electrical switch 100 and FIG 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the electrical switch. 100 along I-I'. The electrical switch 100 includes a housing structure 102, three pairs of stationary contacts 104, and corresponding three movable contact assemblies 106. Each movable contact assembly 106 includes a movable contact 108. Each stationary contact 104 is connected to a terminal plate 110.
The housing structure 102 encloses the stationary contacts 104 and a part of the movable contact assembly 106. The housing structure 102 has a box-like construction. The housing structure 102 provides insulating partitions (not shown) between the pair of stationary contacts 104 and the terminal plates 110 corresponding to different phases.
Each pair of stationary contacts 104 includes supply-side stationary contacts such as stationary contact 104a and load-side stationary contacts, such as stationary contact 104a'. The supply-side and the load-side stationary contacts 104a-a' are disposed on either side of the movable contact assembly 106. The supply-side and the load-side stationary contacts 104a-a' are connected to the input and output terminal plates 110, which are, in turn connected to an electrical supply and an electrical load respectively.
Each movable contact assembly 106 is displaceable relative to the corresponding pair of stationary contacts 104 such that when the movable contact 108 is in contact with the pair of stationary contacts 104, an electrically conductive path is established between the electrical supply and the electrical load; and when the movable contact 108 is not in contact with the pair of stationary contacts 104, an electrically conductive path is interrupted between the electrical supply and the electrical load.
It should be noted that the present invention is being described with reference to a three-phase electrical switch. However, various embodiments of the present invention as described hereinafter are equally applicable to a single-phase electrical switch.
FIGS 2A-2D illustrate a perspective view, a first partially exploded view, a second partially-exploded view, and a cross-sectional view respectively of the movable contact assemblies 106 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
FIGS 2A through 2D show three movable assemblies 106 which are integrally connected. Each movable contact assembly 106 includes a movable contact 202, a carrier 204, a holder element 206, biasing means 208, and resilient means 210. The carrier 204 includes a first socket 212, a second socket 214, retaining means 216, carrier coupling means 218. As shown in the figure, one or more movable contact assemblies also includes engaging means 220.
The movable contact 202 is same as the movable contact 108. Each movable contact 202 includes an elongated flat conductor with a pair of contact pads attached to ends thereof, such that the movable contact 202 establishes an electrically conductive path between stationary contacts 104 in a bridge-like manner in a closed position of the electrical switch 100. The movable contact 202 is provided with resilient means 210, on the side opposite to the side containing the contact pads, as shown in the adjoining figures. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the adjoining figures, the resilient means 210 are embodied in a leaf-spring.
The carrier 204 is an elongated insulating structure. The carrier 204 includes a head-end 204a and a base-end 204b. The first socket 212 extends from the base-end 204b along a substantially longitudinal axis towards head-end 204a. The second socket 214 extends along a substantially transverse axis intermediate the head and the base ends 204a and 204b. The first socket 212 is in continuum with the second socket 214.
In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS 2A through 2D, as particular depicted in FIG 2D, the carrier 204 includes three distinct potions - a first (I) portion, a second (II) portion, and an optional third (III) portion. The first portion is tubular with a rectangular cross-section. The second portion is substantially inverted U-shaped such that the two arms thereof are interface with the first portion. The third portion extends from the base of the inverted U-shaped second portion, and is provided with the engaging means 220 at an end thereof. In this case, the tubular cavity within the first portion forms the first socket 212, the inverted U-shaped second portion along with an interfacing region of the first portion form the second socket 214. As will be readily evident, the first and the second sockets 212, 214 are in continuum. It should be noted that this example has been provided only for exemplary purpose and in various embodiments of the present invention, any suitable design and construction of the carrier 204 may be used.
The first socket 212 is provided with retaining means 216 for engaging a first end of the biasing means 208. In various embodiments of the present invention, the retaining means 216 may be embodied in any form of inward projections so long as a head-end 206a of the holder element 206 may pass through the retaining means 216 while the biasing means 208 are engaged therewith (as will be further understood in explanation provided hereinafter). In one example of the present invention, the retaining means 216 are formed as horizontal ledges projecting inwards in opposite directions from inner walls of the first socket 212 while maintaining such space there-between that the head-end 206a of the holder 206 may pass there-through.
The holder element 206 is adapted for being movably inserted inside the first socket 212 through the base-end 204b. The head-end 206a of the holder element 206 is adapted for receiving the movable contact 202 through the second socket 214. The holder element 206 is configured for engaging, at the base-end 206b, a second end of the biasing means 208.
The biasing means 208 provide a biasing force to bias the holder element 206 towards the base-end 204b of the carrier 204. In one example of the present invention, the biasing means 208 are embodied in a compression spring.
While assembling the movable contact assembly 106, the biasing means 208, such as a compression spring, is installed inside the holder element 206 such that the first end of the biasing means 208 engages the head-end 206a and the second end of the biasing means 208 engages the base-end 206b. Subsequently, a driving force is applied on the holder element 206 to insert the holder element 206 inside the first socket 212. During movement of the holder element 206 towards the head-end 204a, as the head-end 206a moves beyond the retaining means 216, the first end of the biasing means 208 is engaged in the retaining means 216. As the holder element 206 is forced to move further, against a biasing force provided by the biasing means 208, the head-end 206a moves beyond the retaining means 216 and eventually reaches the second portion in the carrier 204. When the holder element 206 has moved sufficiently inside the first and the second sockets 212, 214, the movable contact 202, along with the resilient means 210, is installed inside the holder element 206, as best depicted in FIG 2B. Finally, the driving force inserting the holder element 206 inside the carrier 204 is removed.
The biasing force provided by the biasing means 208 bias the holder element 206 towards the base-end 204b of the carrier 204. The head-end 206a of the holder 206 acts on the resilient means 210 disposed intermediate the head-end 206a of the holder element 206 and the movable contact 202 such that the head-end 206a of the holder 206 is biased against the resilient means 210. In turn, the resilient means 210 are biased against the movable contact 202; and the movable contact 202 is biased against the carrier 204. Thus, the movable contact 202 is supported inside the carrier 204.
At least one carrier 209 also includes engaging means 220 for engaging the carrier 204 with an actuating assembly (not shown) for displacing the movable contact assembly 106 to a first and a second position to respectively interrupt and establish an electrically conductive path between the stationary contacts 104. This is achieved using any suitable technique known in the art and hence, not being described in detail herein.
As will now be understood, in order to perform a replacement procedure, whereby a worn-out movable contact 202 may be replaced by a new movable contact 202, it is important to be able to overcome the biasing force exerted by the biasing means 208. Towards this end, the carrier 204 includes carrier coupling means 218 for coupling to an actuator device (not shown) substantially near the base-end 204b. This will now be described in detail in conjunction with FIGS 3A through 3C.
FIGS 3A-3E illustrate a perspective view, a side-view, a front view, a first cross-sectional view, and a second cross-sectional view of a set of movable contact assemblies 106 and an actuator device 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the FIG 3A through 3C, an actuator device 300 is used along with the movable contact assemblies 106. The actuator device 300 includes a base structure 302, an actuator arm 304, and actuator coupling means 306.
In various embodiments of the present invention, the actuator device 300 is adapted to be coupled to the movable contact assembly 106 through engagement of the carrier coupling means 218 and the actuator coupling means 306. Thus, the base structure 302 is firmly held in a fixed spatial relationship with respect to the carrier 204 such that the actuator arm 304 is operable to engage the holder element 206. The actuator arm 304 is linearly displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the carrier 204.
Various examples of the actuator devices 300 that may be used in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, a mechanical actuator device, an electromechanical actuator device, a hydraulic actuator device, and a pneumatic actuator device. Each of these actuator devices 300 is characterised by its ability to cause linear displacement. Such actuator devices are well known in the art and hence, a detailed description is not being provided.
In accordance with a specific example of the present invention, the actuator device 300 is a mechanical actuator. Thus, the actuator arm 304 is rotatably engaged in the base structure 302 such that the actuator arm 304 is linearly displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the carrier 204 through rotation of the actuator arm 304 about the longitudinal axis of the carrier 204. In this example, the actuator arm may be a simple screw or an L-shaped device with external threads on one leg engaging the base structure 302 and the second leg assisting in rotating the actuator arm 304 about the longitudinal axis of the carrier 204.
The carrier coupling means 218 may be implemented in any suitable manner such as a groove, a ridge, lateral projections, internal threads, external threads. The actuator coupling means 306 provided on the actuator device 300 correspond to the carrier coupling means 218 such that the actuator coupling means 306 are suitable for removably engaging the carrier coupling means 218 so that the actuator device 300 may be fixedly mounted on the carrier 204.
During a replacement procedure, the actuator device 300 is mounted on the movable contact assembly 106 in the manner depicted in FIG 3D. The actuator arm 304 is operated to engage the base-end 206b of the holder element 206. The actuator arm 304 is operated further to displace the holder element 206 relative to the carrier 204 along a direction extending from the base-end 204b towards the head-end 204a against the biasing force exerted by the biasing means 208, as depicted in FIG 3E. In this position, the holder element 206 is moved to such position towards the head-end 204a of the carrier 204 that the movable contact 202 is easily released. Thereafter, a new movable contact 202 is transversely inserted through the second socket 214 and finally, the actuator device 300 is released. In order to release the actuator device 300, the actuator arm 304 is rotated in reverse direction and the carrier coupling means 218 and the actuator coupling means 306 are disengaged. Accordingly, the holder element 206 moves towards the base-end 204b of the carrier 204 due to the biasing force exerted by the biasing means 208 such that the new movable contact 202 is firmly supported inside the carrier 204.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an actuator device 300 is detachably coupled to a movable contact assembly 106 wherein replacement of a movable contact is desired. Therefore, only a single actuator device 300 may be used to carry out maintenance activities for multiple electrical switches. In an alternative embodiment, an individual actuator device 300 is mounted on each movable contact assembly 106 as an integral component thereof.
It should be noted that the design and construction of the movable contact assembly, as described hereinabove is exemplary in nature and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention is equally applicable to various different designs of the movable contact assembly. Thus, for example, the actuator device 300 is required to generate a 'push' force in case of the movable contact assembly 106 described above. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, with a different design and construction of the movable contact assembly 106, the actuator device 300 may produce a 'pull' force to achieve the same effect in terms of releasing the existing movable contact 108 and installing a new movable contact 108 therein.
Although in general, the techniques of the present invention are most useful when working with large-sized electrical switches, it should be noted that the present invention may be employed in electrical switches of any size whatsoever as may be required.
Thus, the electrical switch in accordance with the present invention is advantageously adapted for contact replacement. The present invention obviates the difficulties arising due to application of force on the holder element with bare hands. The actuator device used in conjunction with the movable contact assembly, as described hereinabove, greatly facilitates contact replacement procedure. The techniques of the present invention are highly efficient and convenient as compared to various clumsy and cumbersome procedures prevalent in the state of the art.
While the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those embodiments. In view of the present disclosure, many modifications and variations would present themselves, to those of skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. The scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes, modifications, and variations coming within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be considered within their scope.

List of References

100: ELECTRIC CONTACTOR
102: HOUSING STRUCTURE
104: STATIONARY CONTACTS
106: MOVABLE CONTACT ASSEMBLY
108: MOVABLE CONTACT
110: TERMINAL PLATES

202: MOVABLE CONTACT
204: CARRIER
206: HOLDER ELEMENT
208: BIASING MEANS
210: RESILIENT MEANS
212: FIRST SOCKET
214: SECOND SOCKET
216: RETAINING MEANS
218: CARRIER COUPLING MEANS
220: ENGAGING MEANS

300: ACTUATOR DEVICE
302: BASE STRUCTURE
304: ACTUATOR ARM
306: ACTUATOR COUPLING MEANS

Claims

An electrical switch (100) adapted for facilitating contact (108, 202) replacement, the electrical switch (100) comprising at least one pair of stationary contacts (104), and at least one movable contact assembly (106), the at least one movable contact assembly (106) being displaceable relative to the at least one pair of stationary contacts (104) to interrupt and establish an electrically-conductive path between the pair of stationary contacts (104), wherein the at least one movable contact assembly (106) comprises:
- a movable contact (108, 202),

- a carrier (204), the carrier (204) being an elongated insulating structure comprising a head-end (204a), a base-end (204b), a first socket (212) extending from the base-end (204b) along a substantially longitudinal axis, and a second socket (214) along a substantially transverse axis intermediate the head and the base ends such that the first socket (212) is in continuum with the second socket (214),

- a holder element (206), the holder element (206) adapted for moveably inserting inside the first socket (212) through the base-end (204b), and further adapted for receiving the movable contact (108, 202) through the second socket (214), and

- biasing means (208) for biasing the holder element (206) towards the base-end (204b) of the carrier (204) such that the movable contact (108, 202) is supported inside the carrier (204), characterized in that the carrier (204) comprises carrier coupling means (218) and is adapted for coupling to an actuator device (300) in such a manner that the holder element (206) is displaceable relative to the carrier (204) along a direction extending from the base-end (204b) towards the head-end (204a) against a biasing force exerted by the biasing means (208).
The electrical switch (100) according to claim 1, wherein the carrier (204) is provided with retaining means (216) for retaining a first end of the biasing means (208).
The electrical switch (100) according to claim 2, wherein the holder element (206) comprises a head-end (206a) and a base-end (206b), the head-end (206a) being adapted to pass through the retaining means (216), and the base-end (206b) being adapted to engage a second end of the biasing means (208).
The electrical switch (100) according to claim 3 further comprising resilient means (210), the resilient means (210) being disposed intermediate the head-end of the holder element (206) and the movable contact (108, 202) such that the head-end of the holder is biased against the resilient means (210), the resilient means (210) are biased against, the movable contact (108, 202), and the movable contact (108, 202) is biased against the carrier (204).
An electrical assembly comprising the electrical switch (100) of claims 1 to 4 and an actuator device (300) characterized in that the actuator device comprises an actuator arm (304), the actuator arm (304) being linearly displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the carrier (204), and actuator coupling means (306) for fixedly mounting the actuator device (300) relative to the carrier (204) such that the actuator arm (304) is operable to engage the holder elements (206).
An electrical assembly comprising the electrical switch (100) of claims 1 to 4 and an actuator device (300) characterized in that the actuator device comprises a base structure (302), an actuator arm (304) rotatably engaged in the base structure (302) such that the actuator arm (304) is linearly displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the carrier (204) through rotation of the actuator arm (304) about the longitudinal axis of the carrier (204), and actuator coupling means (306) for fixedly mounting the actuator device (300) relative to the carrier (204) such that the actuator arm (304) is operable to engage the holder element (206).
The electrical assembly according to any of claims 5 or 6, wherein the carrier coupling means (218) are one of a groove, a ridge, lateral projections, internal threads, external threads, and wherein the actuator coupling means (306) correspond to the carrier coupling means (218) such that the actuator coupling means (306) are suitable for removably coupling the carrier coupling means (218).
The electrical assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the actuator device (300) is one of a mechanical actuator device, an electromechanical actuator device, a hydraulic actuator device, and a pneumatic actuator device.