Direct current electromagnetic contactor

Abstract

A direct current electromagnetic contactor has three pairs of separable contacts each comprised of stationary and movable contacts. An electromagnetic device effects movement of the movable contacts between open and closed positions relative to the stationary contacts. An arc-extinguishing device includes at least one pair of permanent magnets having mutually opposing magnetic pole faces. The permanent magnets are positioned proximate the separable contact pairs with their pole faces of opposite magnetic polarities facing each other and defining therebetween an air gap. One of the three separable contact pairs is disposed within the air gap such that the magnetic flux lines between the two opposing permanent magnets extend perpendicular to the direction of movement of the movable contact or an electric arc between the separated contacts. The two other separable contact pairs are disposed within a space defined between planes including each magnetic pole face of each permanent magnet such that the magnetic flux lines extending through the separated contact pairs extend perpendicular to electric arcs established therebetween.