Electrical interrupter switching element having passive interruption tripping, in particular for interrupting high currents at high voltages

Abstract

An example interruption switch includes a casing surrounding a contact unit, defining a current path through the switch, which has two connection contacts, a separation region and a sabot. A current supplied to the contact unit may be interrupted via the one of the connection contacts and discharged via the other connection contact. At least one chamber in the switch, delimited by the separation region, is substantially filled with a vaporizable medium in contact with the separation region. The separation region is separable into at least two parts through the supplied current when a threshold amperage is exceeded. An electric arc forming between the two parts at least partially vaporizes the vaporizable medium, and a gas pressure to which the sabot is exposed forms. The sabot moves, in the casing, from a starting to an end position, achieving an insulation spacing between the connection contacts.