Contactor having a z-shaped current path for blow-out force reduction

Abstract

The electromagnetic forces tending to force open the contacts of an electromagnetic contactor are reduced by providing a current flow path having a geometry that tends to minimize the magnetically produced forces acting upon the movable contact of an electromagnetic contactor. A contactor has a frame, a stationary contact attached to the frame, a first conductor supplying the stationary contact, an armature rotatably mounted in the frame, a movable contact attached to the armature, and a second conductor supplying the movable contact. An arm has a first arm end supporting the movable contact and a second arm end attached to the armature. A rod conductor is attached to the frame at a point near to the movable contact when the movable contact is in an open position, a flexible link having a first link end is attached to the arm near the second arm end, and is attached at a second link end to the rod conductor located near the movable contact so that current flow through the arm is substantially anti-parallel to current flow through the flexible link thereby permitting at least a partial cancellation of magnetic forces generated by current flow from the arm, through the flexible link, and through the rod conductor.