[01] The present invention relates to a slider switch, a smart switch system comprising a slider switch and a multimeter with a control unit, and a smart circuit breaker comprising a smart switch system and a current path with a fuse link for breaking an electric contact and/or an electric circuit.

Background

[02] Excess currents in electric circuits can be prevented by operating a switch that breaks an electrical contact. When current is interrupted by a switch, an arc may occur which may cause damage to the switch and/or other part of the electric circuit. The power of the arc depends on the amount and type of voltage and current. The higher the voltage and the current are, the larger is the power of the arc and thus the damage to the switch and the contact wear. The damage to the switch also depends on the duration of the arc. Therefore, it is important to break the circuit as soon and as fast as possible. The interruption of the arc in combination with a direct voltage is particularly problematic.

[03] DE 10 2011 016 933 Al describes a circuit breaker circuit which may break a circuit by means of a release which opens a switching contact of a main current path via a plunger or striking pin in the event of a fault, so that current will only flow in a secondary current path and its contact point. The opening of the contact point in the main current path takes place without the formation of an arc since the contact point is short-circuited by the bypass circuit.

[04] WO 2019 / 114 983 Al describes a circuit breaker comprising a current sensor for sensing a current value and two parallel current paths, which are connected, as a main and a secondary current path, in series with a coil of a magnetic tripping device via a contact device, wherein in the event of a fault, a switching lock for opening and fixing the contact device is tripped in order to open a common switching contact of the contact device, in order to interrupt the main and secondary current paths and in the event of a short circuit, the magnetic tripping device opens another switching contact of the contact device in order to interrupt only the main current path. [05] EP 3 248 204 Bl describes a circuit breaker with two current paths routed in parallel, each with a contact point, namely a main and a secondary current path.

[06] The known circuit breakers however require switches that can reduce the time of interruption of the arc to a minimum to reduce or even avoid contact wear and to protect the electric circuit from damage. Existing switches and circuit breakers can still be improved to achieve shorter terms of interruption caused by an arc or to even avoid the occurrence of an arc.

Summary of the invention

[07] It is therefore a problem to provide a switch that is configured to reduce the time of interruption during which the arc occurs to a minimum. It is a further problem to quickly and/or safely break an electrical contact and/or an electric circuit when excess current values occur. It is another problem to protect elements of the circuit from damage when an excess current and/or an overload occurs and/or when the circuit is broken. It is a further problem to avoid the occurrence of an arc when an electrical contact breaks. Another problem is providing a switch that allows breaking an electric circuit multiple times when excess current values occur. It is a further problem to provide a slider switch and/or a smart switch system comprising a slider switch and/or a smart circuit breaker which can be easily and/or quickly integrated or implemented in an electric circuit.

[08] At least one of the above-described problems is solved by the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are covered by the dependent claims.

[09] According to an aspect, a slider switch for breaking an electrical contact and achieving a non-operational state comprises: a rotatable switching contact element comprising a first arm, a second arm and being pivot-mounted about a rotary axis for a certain range of rotation; a fixed contact element configured to form the electrical contact with the first arm in an operational state such that a current may flow through the contact elements; a switch actuator for generating an actuator force to cause and/or trigger a rotation or a portion of a rotation of the rotatable switching contact element about the rotary axis; and a slider element connected to the switch actuator, the slider element comprising: a tip for applying the actuator force to the first arm of the rotatable switching contact element to trigger and/or cause and/or initiate performance of a first portion of the rotation; and a notch for applying the actuator force on the second arm to trigger and/or cause and/or initiate performance of a second portion of the rotation; wherein the rotation is configured to achieve breaking of the electrical contact, interruption of an arc, if an arc occurs and transfer the operational state into the non-operational state.

[10] The slider element has the technical effect that by sliding the slider element and thereby opening the electrical contact, the slider tip intersects the arc which occurs between the rotatable switching contact element and the fixed contact element. The tip of the slider can be received by a groove (or pocket) formed by a device base and/or a cover, when the non-operational state is achieved in order to cut the way between the rotatable switching contact element and the fixed contact element. In other words, the slider element can cut the electrical arc in two separate portions. The groove or pocket may be open for example on the back side for allowing gases caused by the arc to be released and to facilitate the extinguishing of the arc.

[11] This slider switch therefore allows to quickly and safely break an electric circuit when excess current values occur, wherein the risk of an occurring arc can be reduced or even avoided. The slider switch is configured to reduce the time of interruption during which the arc occurs to a minimum. Further, the slider switch allows protecting elements of an electrical circuit from damage when an excess current, an overload and/or a short circuit occurs and/or when the circuit is broken. The slider switch also allows avoiding the occurrence of an arc when an electrical contact breaks. Moreover, the slider switch allows breaking an electric circuit multiple times when excess current values occur.

[12] The slider switch can also be easily and quickly integrated in a smart switch system and/or a smart circuit breaker and/or an electric circuit.

[13] The operational state may be considered a state in which the electrical contact is closed such that a current may flow through the electrical contact and particularly through an electric circuit.

[14] The non-operational state may be considered a stable state in which the electrical contact is broken, i.e., open and the first arm of the rotatable switching contact element is secured from contacting the fixed contact element and particularly when the rotation is terminated and a stable state is achieved.

[15] A state between the operational state and the non-operational state may be considered a transitional state in which the rotation is not terminated and the state is not yet stable.

[16] The rotatable switching contact element is configured to rotate about the rotary axis at least between the stable positions which respectively allow to operate in the operational state and to secure the rotatable switching contact element in the non-operational state such that no electrical contact can occur, and the electric circuit is reliably and safely broken. The angular position of the rotatable switching contact element in the operational state is defined and limited by the very contact between the first arm and the fixed contact element. This position may be defined as 0°. The non-operational state may be limited by a fixed element and/or latching elements in the cover and/or a base element of the slider switch, for example a stud, that helps achieving a stable state and that prevents the rotatable switching contact element to rotate further. The range of rotation may for example be between approximately 0° in the closed situation, i.e., the operational state and approximately 90° in the secured open situation, i.e., the non- operational state, preferably the range of rotation is between approximately 0° and 60°. A bistable point of the rotation caused by the direction of a securing force of a securing element may be in the range between approximately 1,5° and 15°.

[17] The slider element may be a bar, a rod, a piston, or the like having a long rigid structure to transfer the actuator force in a more or less inelastic manner on the two mechanical contact areas with the rotatable switching contact element, namely the tip and the notch. The notch may in case of a backlash comprise two mechanical/physical contact points, namely at an inner surface which is closest to the tip, i.e., a physical front contact point, and at the inner surface, which is furthest away from the tip, i.e., a physical rear contact point. The notch may comprise a clearance or tolerance such that the notch is wider than the width of the second arm. In other words, the physical front and rear contact points at the inner surface of the notch do not physically contact the two sides of the second arm at the same time. [18] During the performance of the first portion of the rotation when the tip of the slider element pushes the first arm and initiates the rotation, the front side of the second arm facing in the direction towards the tip may be in physical contact with the physical front contact point of the notch. During the performance of the first portion of the rotation, the bistable point of the rotation caused by the securing element, particularly a spring member may be crossed. This has the technical effect that an actuator force conveyed by the slider element and a securing force caused by the securing element add up and an acceleration occurs during the first portion of rotation and/or during the second portion of rotation. During the second portion of the rotation, the physical rear contact point of the notch may contact the rear side of the second arm facing in the direction away from the tip. The transition between the first and the second portions of the rotation may be immediate, i.e., with no delay or time period in between, such that the physical rear contact point of the notch will contact the rear side of the second arm as soon as the tip does not contact the first arm anymore.

[19] Alternatively, the transition between the first and the second portions of the rotation may not be an immediate transition and there may be a range of angles in the rotation during the transition between the first and the second portions of the rotation, namely a transitional portion of the rotation, in which neither the tip contacts the first arm nor does the notch or the physical rear contact point of the notch contact the second arm. The rotatable switching contact element is accelerated during the first portion of the rotation such that the rotation proceeds in the range of angles in the rotation during the transition between the first and the second portions of the rotation until the second portion of the rotation takes place being initiated by contact between notch and second arm and further pushing the rotatable switching contact element into the rotation.

[20] The slider switch may further comprise: a securing element, i.e., the previously described securing element for generating a securing force in a first direction and for securing the electrical contact in the operational state, and wherein the actuator force generated by the switch actuator may be configured to exceed the securing force. The securing force in the first direction may be configured to secure the two stable states, the operational and the non-operational state. Further, the securing force may cause the rotation to (further) accelerate, once the bistable point has been crossed, as it adds up with the actuator force. [21] The securing element hence allows generating stable states. The operational state and the non-operational state are therefore stable and secured states which are not changed by mistake without intentionally applying forces. Only a defined trigger signal and trigger force exceeding the securing force of the securing element can release the according state and initiate a rotation to transfer between operational and non-operational states in one or both directions. In other words, the non-operational state is a secured and safe state wherein the securing force does not allow the electrical contact to take place unless a transition is explicitly triggered. The same applies to the operational state, as the securing element secures the electrical contact with the securing force during operation.

[22] The securing element may be a bistable securing element which causes the rotation to have the bistable point and wherein the rotation, particularly the first portion may be configured to cross the bistable point. The securing force and/or the actuator force in the first direction may be configured to trigger performance of an optional third portion of the rotation if only the securing force is applied to secure the broken electrical contact in the non-operational state. In other words, the bistable point or bistable axis is preferably already crossed in the first portion of rotation when the tip contacts the first arm and applies the actuator force. The securing element which may be a spring member being mounted at a spring mounting point on a fixing element of the rotatable switching contact element rotates the rotatable spring member when the line of the bistable point or bistable axis or neutral axis (point) is crossed. In this case, the securing force (further) accelerates the rotation towards the non-operational state. The operational and the non- operational states are two stable states wherein the corresponding positions of the rotatable switching contact element are stable. The first arm may for example be pushed by the securing force against the fixed contact element in the operational state. In the non-operational state, the first arm may for example be pushed by the securing force against the latching element. In the non-operational state, the rotatable switching contact element cannot rotate any further due to the latching element(s) at the base and/or the case which stop the rotatable switching contact element from further rotating.

[23] A bistable securing element is configured to secure the operational and the non- operational state to achieve a very safe and reliable slider switch. Two energetic minima define these states. Only a force that exceeds the securing force can cause the rotation in the direction from operational state to non-operational state or vice versa.

[24] If the securing force also contributes to the rotation, particularly during the first portion of rotation in the transition between operational state and non-operational state, the transition can be further accelerated. In addition, the slider element may still transfer a force when the bistable point is crossed. Alternatively, but not preferred, the slider element may stop transferring a force as soon as the bistable point is crossed, as the securing element initiates a last portion of the rotation until the rotatable switching contact element is secured in the non-operational state, namely the securing portion of the rotation.

[25] Overall, the rotation comprises the first and the second portion of the rotation. During the first and the second portions of the rotation the actuator force applied by the slider element and the securing force caused by the securing element contribute in causing the rotation. Optionally, the rotation may comprise a third portion during which no actuator force but only a securing force is applied.

[26] The tip may comprise an acute shape. The acute shape allows to provide an insulation efficiently and quickly between the first arm of the rotatable switching contact element and the fixed contact element when the electrical contact is broken, particularly in a transition state between the operational state and the non-operational state. Further, the acute shape allows to quickly break the electrical contact and cover the area between the fixed and the rotatable switching contact element. In the transition between the operational state and the non- operational state, the tip is pushed between the rotatable switching contact element and the fixed contact element to intersect and/or divide an arc between the two contact elements.

[27] The length of the first arm may be longer than the length of the second arm. The length of the second arm is defined by the distance from the rotary axis to the end/ tip of the second arm and the length of the first arm is defined by the distance from the rotary axis to the end/ tip of the first arm. When the second arm is shorter, the second portion of the rotation accelerates the rotation even further to achieve a fast transition from the operational state to the non-operational state. [28] The first arm may comprise a surface on an end having a flat or a convex shape and/or the fixed contact element may comprise a surface on an end having a flat or a convex shape. The first arm and/or the fixed contact element may comprise electrically conductive materials to provide the electrical contact in the operational state and to allow a current to flow through the electrical contact and the electric circuit. A flat and particularly a convex shape on one or both contact elements allows to quickly break the electrical contact, wherein a good electrical contact is allowed in the operational state.

[29] The notch may have a backlash, preferably, wherein the backlash is configured to trigger a delayed application of the actuator force to the second arm after the actuator force is applied to the first arm, such that the performance of the first portion of the rotation is followed by the performance of the second portion of the rotation. The points of contact between the notch and the second arm are described further above.

[30] The slider element may comprise or may consist of a non-conducting material, such as a polymer or another non-conducting material and/or the rotatable switching contact element and/or the fixed contact element may both comprise or consist of a conductive material for allowing a current to flow through the electrical contact in the operational state. The electrical contact may therefore be provided with or without contact chips. The material of the slider element preferably has a good capability of insulating electric fields between the fixed contact element and the rotatable switching contact element. The material of the slider element is preferably robust against the mechanical impact when pushing the rotatable switching contact element multiple times. Moreover, the material of the slider element is preferably robust against strong electrical fields, heat and arcs which may occur when breaking the electrical contact.

[31] The actuator and the slider element may be configured to operate bidirectionally, preferably, wherein the actuator force may be a first actuator force and/or wherein the switch actuator may be further configured to generate a second actuator force in a direction opposite the first actuator force to trigger performance of a counter rotation of the rotatable switching contact element about the rotary axis in the opposite direction of the rotation and to transfer the non- operational state into the operational state, preferably, wherein the notch may be configured to apply the second actuator force to the second arm and to trigger performance of the counter rotation for crossing the bistable point such that the stable operational state can be achieved or reestablished. In other words, the slider switch may not be made for a single use but may be configured to operate as a switch to repeatedly open and close an electric contact and potentially switch or turn an electric circuit on and off.

[32] The slider element may further comprise a handle for manually transferring the operational state into the non-operational state and/or the non-operational state into the operational state, wherein the handle is configured to allow manually causing the performance of the rotation when applying a first manual force which corresponds to the first actuator force and/or the counter rotation when applying a second manual force which corresponds to the second actuator force. The manual force may therefore be applied instead of the first actuator force and/or the counter rotation.

[33] It may be required to test the slider switch whether it operates properly and therefore, it may be operated manually, for example before it will be integrated in an electric circuit. A handle makes it easy to operate the slider switch manually. It may also be required to operate the slider switch manually when it is integrated in a smart switch system, a smart circuit breaker and/or an electric circuit. It may be sufficient to push the handle such that the rotation crosses the bistable point from which the securing force causes the residual portion(s) of the rotation to be performed.

[34] The bistable securing element may comprise a spring member which may be connected to a fixing element of the rotatable switching contact element. The fixing element may comprise a third arm, a hole, a groove, a pin and/or a bolt.

[35] A bistable securing element can be easily implemented my means of a spring member. A spring member is configured to provide the securing force which is suited for securing the operational state and/or the non-operational state. Further, the spring member can be easily replaced and is cheap and simple to produce. The securing force provided by the spring is substantially linearly dependent from the extension in the (typical) range in which it is used. [36] The switch actuator may comprise a magnet solenoid, a pneumatic member, a hydraulic member and/or a spring element/member.

[37] The switch actuator may preferably be realized using a magnet solenoid. The magnet solenoid may be electrically connected to an external circuit or in serial to the rotatable switching contact element and the fixed contact element.

[38] A magnet solenoid which is electrically connected to an external circuit does not consume energy in the electric circuit through which the current to be interrupted by the slider switch flows. Therefore, the voltage does not drop due to this consumer.

[39] A magnet solenoid which is integrated in the electric circuit of the electrical contact that may be broken by the slider switch can easily trigger the breaking when exceeding currents flow as such a current itself causes strong magnetic fields to occur in a coil of the magnet solenoid. In this case, the system is self-regulating in case very strong currents occur and might damage the user elements in the electric circuit. Alternatively, or additionally, other principles may be applied for realizing the switch actuator, being based for example on a pneumatic member, a hydraulic member and/or a spring member. All the principles including the magnet solenoid are simple and easy to implement for generating a quick response, such that the slider switch quickly breaks an electrical contact once exceeding currents occur. Therefore, user elements in an electric circuit can be efficiently protected from damage.

[40] The magnet solenoid of the switch actuator may comprise a first coil which may be part of an external circuit, and/or a second coil which may be electrically connected in series with the rotatable switching contact element. The first coil may be a coil of a switch solenoid which triggers the performance of breaking an electrical contact when an excess current is detected. The switch solenoid may in this case only comprise one coil. The first coil may alternatively be a coil of a trigger- and short circuit solenoid which triggers the performance of breaking an electrical contact when an excess current is detected. The trigger- and short circuit solenoid may then have a second coil which triggers the performance of breaking an electrical contact when an even higher current is detected, which exceeds a certain predetermined value. In other words, the magnet solenoid may have one or two coils. It is preferred that at least one of the coils in the magnet solenoid is connected to an external circuit.

[41] The slider switch may further comprise a receiving pocket which may be configured to receive and preferably to secure the tip in the non-operational. In other words, the tip of the slider may enter in the non-operational state or position a groove or pocket formed by a base, a housing and/or a cover which may be part of the slider switch, in order to secure the slider properly in the non-operational state and to safely and efficiently break and/or cut the electric field between the rotatable switching contact element and the fixed contact element with the effect of cutting the electrical arc in two separate portions. The receiving pocket may comprise an opening which allows a gas to escape if an arc occurs which generates the gas.

[42] The slider switch for breaking the electrical contact according to any one of the described embodiments may be configured to perform a method of breaking the electrical contact as described in the following.

[43] According to an aspect, a method for breaking an electrical contact and achieving a non- operational state comprises the following steps: providing an electrical contact in an operational state between a first arm of a rotatable switching contact element which is pivot-mounted about a rotary axis and a fixed contact element; generating an actuator force to cause a rotation of the rotatable switching contact element about the rotary axis using a switch actuator; applying the actuator force to the first arm to trigger performance of a first portion of the rotation by means of a tip of a slider element; and applying the actuator force on a second arm of the rotatable switching contact element to trigger performance of a second portion of the rotation by means of a notch of the slider element, such that the rotation achieves the breaking of the electrical contact and the transfer of the operational state into the non-operational state. Other steps which are described herein may be included as further optional method steps.

[44] According to an aspect, a smart switch system for breaking an electric circuit in an overload operation mode comprises: the slider switch according to any one of the embodiments described herein; a shunt configured to detect a current in the electric circuit; and a control device configured to receive current data from the shunt and to trigger performance of an overload op- eration mode by controlling the switch actuator of transferring the operational state into the non- operational state when the current exceeds a predetermined overload value.

[45] The smart switch system can be easily and quickly integrated in a smart circuit breaker and/or an electric circuit. The smart switch system comprising the slider switch has all the advantages and technical effects of the according slider switch, particularly those which are mentioned herein.

[46] The switch actuator may comprise a magnet solenoid with a first coil which may be part of an external circuit and/or which may be electrically connected to the control device, particularly a multimeter. A switch which is externally controlled via a coil, wherein the coil is not part of the electric circuit has the advantage that the electric circuit loses less energy as compared to an electric circuit in which the coil is integrated. The control device may be connected to a sensor, i.e., the shunt that senses the current. Based on a predetermined value at which the current is considered as being an excess current, the control device may control the magnet solenoid to trigger the switch to open an electric contact when such a predetermined value is exceeded. This first coil of the magnet solenoid may be used in the switch solenoid or in the trigger coil of the trigger- and short circuit solenoid.

[47] The shunt may be arranged in series with the rotatable switching contact element and the fixed contact element, both being configured to form the electrical contact in the operational state. The shunt may particularly be positioned in front of or before the rotatable switching contact element such that the current may be sensed in front or near the rotatable switching contact element, particularly in a DC circuit in which a general direction of the current flow is defined.

[48] The control device may comprise a multimeter. A multimeter can receive data from the shunt which senses the current in the electric circuit.

[49] According to an aspect, a smart circuit breaker for breaking an AC electric circuit in an overload operation mode and in a short circuit operation mode comprises: the smart switch system according to any one of the embodiments described herein for breaking the electric circuit in a first overload regime of the overload operation mode, wherein the smart switch system has a slider switch which may be considered a first switching element; a fuse trigger system for breaking the electric circuit in a second overload regime of the overload operation mode and in the short circuit operation mode, the fuse trigger system comprising: a switch, which may be considered a second switching element or a part of a second switching element, configured to break a main current path in the second overload regime of the overload operation mode and in the short circuit operation mode; a fuse being arranged in a secondary current path in parallel to the switch, the fuse being configured to blow in the second overload regime of the overload operation mode and in the short circuit operation mode; and a trigger- and short circuit switch actuator configured to trigger the breaking of the main current path by the switch in the second overload regime of the overload operation mode and in the short circuit operation mode.

[50] The smart circuit breaker can be easily and quickly integrated in an electric circuit. The smart circuit breaker comprising the smart switch system with the slider switch has all the advantages and technical effects of the according slider switch and/or smart switch system, particularly those which are mentioned herein.

[51] The switch together with the trigger- and short circuit switch actuator may comprise or be the herein described slider switch according to any one of the embodiments and wherein the trigger- and short circuit switch actuator corresponds to the herein described switch actuator of the slider switch. In other words, a unit comprising the switch and the trigger- and short circuit switch actuator may correspond to the slider switch of any of the herein described embodiments.

[52] Therefore, the smart circuit breaker may comprise two slider switches, namely a first slider switch which exclusively breaks the electric circuit in an overload mode when the current does not exceed a predetermined threshold value and a second slider switch, i.e. the switch, which breaks the electric circuit in the overload operation when the current exceeds the predetermined threshold value but stays below a short circuit value and in the short circuit operation mode when the current exceeds the short circuit value. In this case, the electric circuit can be protected efficiently in different current regimes. The energy loss in the electric circuit can thereby be reduced as some of the coils are integrated in an external electric circuit. [53] The switch may hence comprise the above-described embodiment of the slider switch (denoted second slider switch) which comprises the first coil and the second coil, wherein the first coil may be controlled by the control device and may be configured to cause the breaking of the electric circuit in the second overload regime of the overload operation mode; and/or the second coil may be configured to cause the breaking of the electric circuit in the short circuit operation mode. The first coil may be a coil of the switch solenoid or may be the trigger coil of the trigger- and short circuit solenoid. The second coil may be the short cut coil of the trigger- and short circuit solenoid.

[54] The first overload regime of the overload operation mode may be a voltage regime between a first voltage value and a second voltage value in which the slider switch of the smart switch system is configured to break the electrical contact without being damaged; and/or the second overload regime of the overload operation mode may be a voltage regime between the second voltage value and a third voltage value, in which the fuse trigger system may be configured to break the electric circuit while the fuse and the switch remain intact. In both cases, the control device controls the breaking of the electrical contact, respectively, via the first coil, i.e., the coil of the first slider switch or via the trigger coil of the trigger- and short circuit solenoid, i.e., the coil of the second slider switch. The regime of current below the first voltage value may be considered a normal mode, in which all electrical contacts are closed by the switching elements. The regime of current above the third voltage value may be considered a short circuit mode, in which the fuse trigger system may be configured to break the electric circuit by means of the fuse. The fuse is triggered by the trigger coil of the magnet solenoid being integrated in the electric circuit.

[55] According to an aspect, a smart circuit breaker for breaking a DC electric circuit in a normal mode, an overload operation mode and in a short circuit operation mode, comprises: the smart switch system of any one of described embodiments for breaking the electric circuit in a first normal mode regime of the normal operation mode; a fuse trigger system for breaking the electric circuit in a second normal mode regime of the normal operation mode, in the overload operation mode and in the short circuit operation mode, the fuse trigger system comprising: a switch configured to break a main current path in the second normal mode regime of the normal operation mode and in the overload operation mode; a fuse being arranged in a secondary current path in parallel to the switch, the fuse being configured to blow in the second normal mode regime of the normal operation mode, in the overload operation mode and in the short circuit operation mode; and a trigger- and short circuit switch actuator configured to trigger the breaking of the main current path by the switch in the second normal mode regime of the normal operation mode, in the overload operation mode and in the short circuit operation mode.

[56] The smart circuit breaker for breaking the DC electric circuit may have all the same advantages which are already mentioned for the smart circuit breaker for breaking the AC electric circuit. Further, all the described embodiments of the smart circuit breaker for breaking the AC electric circuit may be applied and/or adapted to match the smart circuit breaker for breaking the DC electric circuit. In other words, the features of the embodiments of the smart circuit breaker for breaking the AC electric circuit may accordingly be implemented in the smart circuit breaker for breaking the DC electric circuit.

Detailed description of the drawings

[57] In the following, unless otherwise noted, the same reference signs are used for identical and similarly acting elements. A redundant description of recurring features is avoided. The various embodiments and features of the figures described below can be expressly combined and are not to be understood as self-contained embodiments.

Fig. la to Id are front view schemes of slider switches in the operational state (Fig. la and Fig. lb), in the transitional state (Fig. 1c) and in the non-operational state (Fig. Id) according to an embodiment;

Fig. 2a to 2c are perspective schemes of a slider switch in the operational state according to an embodiment;

Fig. 3a and 3b are sectional side view schemes of the slider switch which is shown as front view scheme in Fig. 3c according to an embodiment; Fig. 4 is a scheme of a smart switch system having a slider switch according to an embodiment;

Fig. 5 is a scheme of a smart circuit breaker having a smart switch system comprising a slider switch according to an embodiment operated in an AC electrical circuit;

Fig. 6 is a scheme of a smart circuit breaker having a smart switch system having a slider switch according to an embodiment operated in a DC electrical circuit;

Fig. 7 is a scheme of the current regimes for normal operation mode, overload operation mode and short circuit operation mode of the smart circuit breaker of Fig. 5 operated in a AC circuit; and

Fig. 8 is a scheme of the current regimes for normal operation mode, overload operation mode and short circuit operation mode of the smart circuit breaker of Fig. 6 operated in a DC circuit.

[58] Fig. la to Id are front view schemes of slider switches 1 in the operational state O (Fig. la and Fig. lb), in the transitional state TS (Fig. 1c) and in the non-operational state NO (Fig. Id) according to an embodiment. A rotatable switching contact element 3 which comprises a first arm 4 and a second arm 5 is shown. In the operational state O (Fig. la and Fig. lb), the electrical contact 2 between the first arm 4 of the rotatable switching contact element 3 and the fixed contact element 7 is closed, whereas in the transitional state TS (Fig. 1c) and in the non- operational state NO (Fig. Id), the electrical contact 2’ is open or broken.

[59] Starting from the operational state O (Fig. la and Fig. lb), in which the electrical contact 2 is closed, to the transitional state TS (Fig. 1c) and to the non-operational state NO (Fig. Id), the rotatable switching contact element 3 is rotated clockwise about the rotary axis 6 along the indicated (first) rotation R1 to achieve a broken electrical contact 2’. The mechanism of breaking an electrical contact 2 may alternatively be configured to be based on an anti -clockwise rotation of the rotatable switching contact element 3. In the present embodiment, the transition from the non-operational state NO to the operational state O may be achieved by rotating the rotatable switching contact element 3 in the opposite direction indicted by the (second) rotation R2. Therefore, the present embodiment is configured to act like a switch which can open and close the electrical contact 2, 2’.

[60] The process of opening or breaking the electrical contact 2 is physically or mechanically initiated by the switch actuator 9, 22. In the present embodiment, the switch actuator 9 comprises a magnet solenoid which has one or more coils 9a, 24a, 24b. The magnet solenoid can have one coil 9a which is electrically connected to an external circuit. For example, the coil 9a, 24a may be triggered by a control device which comprises a multimeter. The magnet solenoid can also have a second coil 24b which is electrically connected to the circuit such that the electrical contact 2 is in series with the coil 24b in the operational state O. The magnetic fields which are generated when excess currents flow through the coil may then trigger the process of opening the electrical contact 2.

[61] The switch actuator 9 transfers the actuator force CF1 which is generated by the magnetic field inside the coil(s) 9a, 24a, 24b to the slider element 11. The slider element 11 may be a rod or a piston or some other comparable stiff element. The slider element 11 comprises a tip 12 and a notch 13 to respectively convey the actuator force CF1 to the first and the second arms 4, 5. The notch 13 has a backlash with respect to the second arm 5. In other words, as can be seen in Fig. la- Id, the notch 13 has a clearance or tolerance such that the notch 13 is wider than the width of the second arm 5, when fully inserted (see for example Fig. Id) and the physical front and rear contact points on the inner side of the notch 13 do not physically contact the second arm 5 on both sides at the same time.

[62] As shown in Fig. la, the tip 12 is close but not in contact with the end portion of the first arm 4 to not disturb the electrical contact 2 in the operational state O before triggering the process of breaking the closed electrical contact 2. The notch 13 comprises two mechanical or physical contact points, namely at an inner surface which is closest to the tip, i.e., a physical front contact point, and at the inner surface which is furthest away from the tip, i.e. a physical rear contact point. In the situation of Fig. la, the inner surface of the notch 13 which is closest to the tip 12 contacts the second arm 5 on its surface that is closest to the tip 12. [63] The complete rotation R1 indicated in Fig. la and required to transfer the slider switch 1 from the operational state O to the non-operational state NO, comprises three portions Pl, P2, P3. In the situation of Fig. lb, the tip 12 for applying the actuator force CF1 to the first arm 4 triggers performance of the first portion Pl of the rotation Rl. The actuator force CF1 is required to exceed the force F of the securing element 8 in the direction in which the force F is directed (not shown in Fig. la- Id but in Fig. 2a-2c). The securing element 8 may be positioned on the backside of the slider switch 1 of Fig. la- Id, which show the frontside of the slider switch 1. Further, the securing element 8 may be connected or attached with one end to a fixing element 14 of the rotatable switching contact element 3 and with the other end to a fixed element 27 (not shown in Fig. la- Id but in Fig. 2b and 2c).

[64] After triggering the process of breaking the closed electrical contact 2, the tip 12 is pushed towards the end portion of the first arm 4 to come into physical contact therewith. In the situation of Fig. lb, the contact between the inner surface of the notch 13 which is closest to the tip 12 and the second arm 5 on its surface that is closest to the tip 12 is released upon pushing the slider element 11 with a first actuator force CF1, that is an actuator force CF1 which is applied during a first portion Pl of rotation Rl towards the first arm 12 to initiate the (first) rotation Rl. Therefore, during the performance of the first portion Pl of the rotation Rl when the tip 12 of the slider element 11 pushes the first arm 4 and initiates the rotation Rl, the front side of the second arm 5 in the direction towards the tip 12 is in physical contact with the physical front contact point of the notch 13. At the stage when tip 12 contacts the first arm 4, the actuator force CF1 needs to be sufficient to not only initiate the rotation of the rotatable switching contact element 3 but to also cross the bistable point BP. The bistable point BP is crossed during the first portion Pl of the rotation Rl such that the securing force F of the securing element 8 contributes to the performance of the rotation Rl .

[65] In Fig. 1c, the transitional state TS is shown in which the electrical contact 2’ is already broken. Further, the physical contact between the tip 12 of the slider element 11 and the first arm 4 is released. The second portion P2 of the rotation Rl is initiated. During the second portion P2 of the rotation Rl, the physical rear contact point of the notch 13 contacts the rear side of the second arm 5 facing in the direction away from the tip 12. The transition between the first and the second portions Pl, P2 of the rotation Rl may be immediate, such that the physical rear con- tact point of the notch 13 will contact the rear side of the second arm 5 as soon as the tip 12 does not contact the first arm 4 anymore.

[66] The second portion P2 of rotation R1 is caused by transfer of the actuator force CF2 from the slider element 11 via the notch 13 to the second arm 5. The angular momentum which is applied during the second portion P2 of rotation R1 exceeds the angular momentum which is applied during the first portion Pl of rotation Rl, due to the difference in length of the arms, namely the second arm 5 being shorter than the first arm 4.

[67] The securing element 8 is a bistable securing element in the present embodiment, namely a spring member which causes the rotation Rl of the rotatable switching contact element 3 to have a bistable point BP and wherein the rotation Rl, particularly the first portion Pl may be configured to cross the bistable point BP. When the bistable point BP is crossed, the rotation Rl receives a (further) acceleration due to the addition of forces, namely the actuator force CF1 and the securing force F of the securing element 8, for example the spring member.

[68] The securing force F in the first direction D may be configured to trigger performance of an optional third portion P3 of the rotation Rl when the actuator force is not applied any more. The third portion P3, that is the last portion of the rotation Rl before the non-operational state NO is reached and secured, is shown in Fig. Id. The third portion P3 of the rotation Rl is hence not triggered by the actuator force CF1, CF2 but by the securing force F of the securing element 8, as the securing force F forces the rotation Rl to further proceed until a stable state, namely the non-operational state NO is achieved, in which the electrical contact 2’ is permanently and safely broken unless a counter rotation R2 is triggered by an actuator force in the opposite direction to the actuator force CF1, CF2.

[69] In the final state, i.e., the non-operational state NO, the first arm 4 may be pushed against a latching member in a base plate, a housing, a case and/or a cover of the slider switch 1 and the second arm 5 is again in contact with the physical front contact point and pushes the slider element 11 towards a receiving pocket 26 which may also be used for securing the mechanism and particularly the slider element 11. The receiving pocket 26 may have an opening which allows gases to escape, such as gases which are produced by an arc. [70] In the present embodiment, the first arm 4 is longer than the second arm 5 which leads to different angular momentum at the first and the second arms 4, 5. When pushing the second arm 5 using the notch 13, the rotation R1 can even be accelerated as the rotation R1 is driven by the actuator force FC2 but being applied at a position of smaller radius. Therefore, the process of breaking the electrical contact 2 may be fast and accelerated during the second portion of the rotation.

[71] Fig. 2a to 2c are perspective schemes of a slider switch 1 in the operational state O according to an embodiment. The slider switch 1 of Fig. 2a to 2c may be identical with the slider switch 1 of Fig. la- Id. Fig. 2a is a front side view whereas Fig. 2b and 2c are backside views. In Fig. 2b, a cover 23 mainly protects the slider element 11 and parts of the rotatable switching contact element 3. In Fig. 2c, the cover 23 is removed to reveal the elements underneath. In Fig. 2a to 2c the securing element 8 is visible in the operational state O. One end of the securing element 8 is attached to the fixed element 27 and the other end is attached to the fixing element 14 of the rotatable switching contact element 3. The slider element 11 has a toggle or handle 25 for the manual use which reaches through the cover 23 in Fig. 2b such that a user may operate the slider element 11.

[72] Fig. 3a and 3b are sectional side view schemes of the slider switch 1 which is shown as front view scheme in Fig. 3 c according to an embodiment. The slider switch 1 may be identical with the slider switch of Fig. la-ld and Fig. 2a-2c. Fig. 3a is a sectional cut through the slider switch 1 of Fig. 3c along the line A - A. Fig. 3b is a sectional cut through the slider switch 1 of Fig. 3c along the line B - B. Therefore, the corresponding reference numbers used in the Fig. la to Fig. 3b refer to identical or similar elements.

[73] The speed of the slider switch 1 according to the above-described embodiment(s) is improved in comparison to existing switches mainly due to the addition of forces in the first portion Pl of the rotation R1 when the bistable point is crossed and later in the second portion P2 of the rotation Rl, namely the actuator force CF1 and the securing force F. Further acceleration is achieved in the second portion P2 of the rotation Rl as the second arm 5 on which the actuator force F is applied during the second portion P2 is shorter than the first arm 4. Good results for a quick process of breaking the electrical contact 2 can be achieved by providing a magnetic solenoid or other fast-acting triggers.

[74] The slider switch 1 according to the above embodiment(s) is configured to open or break the electrical contact 2 and to separate the contact elements 3, 7, such that an arc which may occur upon breaking the electrical contact 2 is guided around the slider tip 12 and thus significantly lengthen the arc, while rotating rotatable switching contact element 3 further increases the distance between the contacts.

[75] The opening of the electrical contact 2 is first initiated by the slope of the slider element 11, which rotates the rotatable switching contact element 3, so that the securing element 8, i.e., a spring member in this case, is also rotated and/or extended and the rotation R1 crosses the bistable point BP or neutral line and thus helps to open (rotate) the rotatable switching contact element 3. The bistable point BP is the position of rotation when the radius of the spring member is r = 0. The force F of the securing element 8 has a direction through the center of the rotary axis 6.

[76] Fig. 4 is a scheme of a smart switch system 10 having a slider switch 1 according to an embodiment described herein. The slider switch 1 of Fig. 4 may therefore be the slider switch 1 which is shown in one of the previous figures. The smart switch system 10 is connected to an electric circuit EC (not fully shown) and shown in the non-operational state NO in which the electrical contact 2’ between the contact elements 3, 7 is broken.

[77] The slider switch 1 of the smart switch system 10 comprises a magnetic solenoid as a switch actuator 9, wherein the magnetic solenoid has coil 9a which is connected to an external circuit having a control device 16. The control device 16 may comprise a multimeter. The control device 16 is connected to a shunt 15 which is a sensor having a very low resistance and being integrated in the electrical circuit EC to detect the electrical current therein. If the electrical current exceeds a certain value at which the electrical circuit should be broken, the control device 16 controls the electrical contact to break via a signal, i.e., a magnetic field generated by the coil 9a. As the coil 9a is not integrated in the electrical circuit EC, energy losses therein can be avoided. A very precise and reliable control over the process of breaking the electrical circuit EC can be achieved and user elements in the electrical circuit EC can be protected.

[78] Fig. 5 shows a smart circuit breaker (SCB) 100 for AC circuits. In more detail, Fig. 5 is a scheme of a smart circuit breaker 100 having a smart switch system 10 with a slider switch 1 according to an embodiment and being operated in AC operation. The slider switch 1 comprises a first switch actuator 9 which is a first switch solenoid with a first rotatable switching contact element 3 and a coil 9a of the first switch solenoid. The smart circuit breaker 100 comprises a control device 16 which comprises a multimeter that is connected to a shunt 15 to sense the current I in the electrical circuit EC. The coil 9a of the first switch solenoid is connected to the multimeter and powered by an input on the left side of the electrical circuit. This may be considered an external circuit and the coil 9a is not in series with the first rotatable switching contact element 3. The coil 9a of the first switch solenoid may therefore be controlled by the control device 16 to trigger the slider switch 1 such that a circuit can be broken by opening the electrical contact 2 between the two contact elements 3, 7 when a predetermined first current value is exceeded by the measured current value. The electrical contact 2’ is shown in an open state, in Fig. 5. On the right side, the electrical circuit has an output, where consumer elements which should be protected from high currents may be connected to.

[79] Further, to protect consumer elements from a current I that exceeds a higher predetermined second current value at which the first switch actuator 9 may not be operated safely anymore, the smart circuit breaker 100 comprises a fuse trigger system 17 with a second switch actuator 22 also denoted a trigger- and short circuit switch actuator. The second switch actuator 22 is a second solenoid having a switch 18 which corresponds to the second rotatable switching contact element 3 and the fixed contact element 7 described herein and having two coils 24a, 24b. The first coil 24a of the second switch actuator 22 is similarly as the coil 9a of the first switch actuator 9 connected to the control device 16 to trigger the switch 18 such that the circuit can be broken by opening the electrical contact 2 between the two contact elements 3, 7 of the switch 18 when a predetermined second current value is exceeded by the measured current value. The second coil 24b of the second switch actuator 22 is integrated in the electrical circuit EC such that it is in series with the two contact elements 3, 7 of the switch 18 when the electrical contact 2 is closed. In Fig. 5, the electrical contact 2’ is shown in the broken, i.e., the non- operational state. The second coil 24b triggers the breaking of the circuit when the current I exceeds a short circuit value which is higher than the first and the second predetermined current value. The combination of elements 24a and 18, i.e., 24a, 3 and 7 may equal a slider switch 1 as described herein. The combination of elements 24a, 24b and 18 equals a slider switch 1 with two coils as described herein. Therefore, the combination of elements 24a, 24b (=22) and 18 may be considered a second slider switch 1.

[80] The switch 18 is in a main current path 19 though which most of the electrical current flows when the electrical circuit EC is closed and operated in a normal mode NM. Between the switch 18 and the two coils, a secondary current path 21 with a fuse 20 is branched off to guide the electrical current around the switch 18 when the switch 18 is triggered to break the circuit EC, regardless of whether being triggered by the first or the second coil 24a, 24b, i.e. regardless whether the electrical current exceeds the second predetermined current value or the short circuit current value. The fuse 20 will blow when the current is guided through the secondary current path 21. The secondary current path 21 with the fuse 20 protects the switch 18 from damage. The switch 18 may comprise exactly the same two contact elements 3, 7 as the first slider switch 1 and therefore, it would be damaged at the same current values as the first slider switch 1. Only the secondary current path 21 with the fuse 20 can prevent this damage to occur in the switch 18. The switch 18 may be secured via a toggle 28 which creates a barrier that prevents the switch 18 from being switched on, i.e., having a closed electrical contact 2 between the two contact elements 3, 7 if the fuse 20 is not inserted or not working properly.

[81] The exact mechanism of how the smart circuit breaker 100 is operated in an AC circuit, is described as follows also in view of Fig. 7 which is a scheme of the current regimes a, b, bl, b2, and c respectively for normal operation mode NM, overload operation mode OM and short circuit operation mode SCM of the smart circuit breaker of Fig. 5 operated in the AC circuit.

[82] Normal operation mode NM of the smart circuit breaker 100 operated in an AC circuit (current regime a):

[83] In the normal operation regime, a of the current defining the normal operation mode NM, the electrical current flows through the shunt 15, the two contact elements 3, 7 of the slider switch 1, the second coil 24b, and through the switch 18. Only a small portion of the total current flows through the fuse 20 in the parallel secondary current path 21. The multimeter of the control device 16 permanently receives from the shunt 15 data on voltage, current, power, energy, and current direction. The accuracy class is 0,5 for current and voltage and class 1 for power. The switching-off of the first slider switch 1 is possible under load, i.e., in the normal operation mode a, but only when the current does not exceed a predetermined second current value y. In this case the current may not exceed the predetermined second current value y which depends on the voltage (for example the value y may be approximately 500A at approximately 250V in an AC circuit). Switching off the AC circuit via the first slider switch 1 with currents exceeding the predetermined second current value y would or might destroy the slider switch 1.

[84] However, if the current exceeds the predetermined second current value y when the switch-off should take place, then the switch-off of the electrical circuit EC is carried out by means of the second switch actuator 22, i.e., the trigger- and short circuit switch actuator together with the switch 18 such that the fuse 20 is blown. In this case, after the electrical circuit EC has been broken, the first slider switch 1 might be switched off via the first switch actuator 9 or by means of a handle 25 for manual use (not shown in these figures for the first slider switch 1). This is the case for the current regimes b2 and c which are described further below.

[85] Overload operation mode OM of the smart circuit breaker 100 operated in an AC circuit (current regime b):

[86] In the overload operation regime b of the current defining the overload operation mode OM, the switch-off is also multimeter-driven. The overload operation regime b of currents can be divided into two regimes, namely bl at which the first slider switch 1 can be triggered to safely switch off the electrical circuit EC and b2 at which the second slider switch of the fuse trigger system 17 must be triggered to safely switch off the electrical circuit EC without destroying or damaging the first slider switch 1.

[87] Overload operation regime bl : As soon as the current in the circuit exceeds a predetermined first current value x, the multimeter of the control device 16 will start calculating the energy integral. If the excess current remains stable over the predetermined first current value x until the calculated value reaches a TCC value, the multimeter will activate the breaking of the electrical circuit EC via the coil 9a of the switch actuator 9 of the first slider switch 1, which will open the bistable electrical contact 2 in the first slider switch 1 and the current will be interrupted.

[88] Overload operation regime b2: If the overload current will exceed a predetermined first current value y (as already mentioned before, the value y may for example be approximately 500A at approximately 250V in an AC circuit) the multimeter will activate the breaking of the electrical circuit EC via the first coil 24a of the second switch actuator to open the bistable contact 2 in the switch 18 of the second slider switch (of the fuse trigger system 17) and the full current will flow through the secondary current path 21 with the fuse 20. The inserted fuse 20 will blow. The fuse 20 is configured to melt quickly if most of the current (particularly current which exceeds the predetermined second current value y) is guided through the secondary current path 21 because the fuse 20 is of low rated value. Its function is to turn off the arc at current interruption in case of overload values exceeding the predetermined second current value y. It is then possible to open the electrical contact 2 in the first slider switch 1 either by the control device 16 or manually.

[89] The following table resumes the above. IN corresponds to the nominal rating current for example 6A, 10 A, 63 A, 100 A, 250 A. The value of bl depends on the type and value of the voltage and the dimensions of the slider switch. The higher the voltage, the lower currents can be switched off directly by means of the slider switch. The short-circuit capacity C is equal to the short-circuit that can be switched off by the inserted fuse 20 in the secondary current path 21. Normally, these currents are greater than 50 kA.

[90]

Table 1

[91] Short circuit operation mode SCM of the smart circuit breaker 100 operated in an AC circuit (current regime c):

[92] In the short circuit operation regime c of the current defining the short circuit operation mode SCM, the switch-off is not multimeter-driven but driven by the short circuit current through the second coil 24b of the second switch actuator 22 exceeding a short circuit current value z which generates strong magnetic fields in the second coil 24b. When a short-circuit failure occurs, the second coil 24b immediately triggers the breaking of the bistable contact in the switch 18 and directs all current through the fuse 20, which melts, turns off the arc and interrupts the current.

[93] Fig. 6 is a scheme of a smart circuit breaker 200 having a smart switch system 10 with a slider switch 1 according to an embodiment operated in a DC circuit. The power supply for the multimeter, the coil 9a of the first switch actuator 9 of the slider switch 1 and the first coil 24a of the second switch actuator 22 is external and not part of the DC voltage input of the electrical circuit EC.

[94] The exact mechanism of how the smart circuit breaker 200 is operated in a DC circuit, is described as follows also in view of Fig. 8 which is a scheme of the current regimes a, al, a2, b, and c respectively for normal operation mode NM, overload operation mode OM and short circuit operation mode SCM of the smart circuit breaker of Fig. 6 operated in the DC circuit.

[95] Normal operation mode NM of the smart circuit breaker 200 operated in a DC circuit (current regime a):

[96] The normal operation regime a of the current defining the normal operation mode NM may be split into two sections, namely section al and a2. [97] Normal operation regime al : In general, in the normal mode NM the electrical current flows through the shunt 15, the two contact elements 3, 7 of the slider switch 1, the second coil 24b, and through the switch 18 and a2. Only a small portion of the total current flows through the fuse 20 in the parallel secondary current path 21. The multimeter of the control device 16 permanently receives from the shunt 15 data on voltage, current, power, energy, and current direction. The accuracy class is 0,5 for current and voltage and class 1 for power. The switching off of the first slider switch 1 is possible under load, i.e., in the normal operation mode a, but only when the current does not exceed a predetermined first current value x. In this case the current may not exceed the predetermined first current value x which depends on the voltage (for example the value x may be approximately 20A at approximately 1000V in a DC circuit). At lower DC voltages and at AC, the current can be significantly higher.

[98] Normal operation regime a2: Switching off the DC circuit via the first slider switch 1 with currents exceeding the predetermined first current value x would or might destroy the slider switch 1. If the current I exceeds the predetermined first current value x at the desired switchoff, then the switch-off is carried out by means of the first coil 24a of the second switch actuator 22 and the fuse 20 will be blown. Then the first slider switch 1 can be switched off via the first switch actuator 9. The condition for switching off the electrical circuit EC using merely the first slider switch 1 via the first switch actuator 9 is that the current I is less than the predetermined first current value x at a certain voltage (for example the value x may be approximately 20A at approximately 1000V in a DC circuit, as mentioned above). Further, the first slider switch 1 can open the contact in case that the switch 18 is already open and the fuse 20 has blown, which can for example be done manually and/or by means of a toggle. The first slider switch 1 could also be installed in a parallel circuit in series with a fuse 20.

[99] Overload operation mode NM of the smart circuit breaker 200 operated in a DC circuit:

[100] As soon as the current I in the electrical circuit EC exceeds a predetermined second current value y, the multimeter will start calculating the energy integral. If the excess current I remains above the predetermined second current value y until the calculated value reaches the TCC value, the multimeter will activate the breaking of the electrical circuit EC via the first coil 24a of the second switch actuator 22, which will open the bistable contact in the switch 18 and the full current I will flow through the secondary current path 21. The inserted fuse 20 will blow, i.e., melt quickly because the fuse 20 is of low rated value and its function is only to turn off the arc at current interruption in case of overload or in case of a short circuit. It is then possible to open the contact 2 in the first slider switch 1 by means of the control device 16 and the coil 9a of the switch actuator 9 of the first slider switch 1.

[101] Short circuit operation mode SCM of the smart circuit breaker 200 operated in a DC circuit (current regime c):

[102] In the short circuit operation regime c of the current defining the short circuit operation mode SCM, the switch-off is not multimeter-driven but driven by the short circuit current through the second coil 24b of the second switch actuator 22 exceeding a short circuit current value z which generates strong magnetic fields in the second coil 24b. When a short-circuit failure occurs, the second coil 24b immediately triggers the breaking of the bistable contact in the switch 18 and directs all current through the fuse 20, which melts, turns off the arc and interrupts the current.

[103] The following table resumes the above:

Table 2

[104] The herein described smart circuit breakers 100, 200 have advantages over already existing smart circuit breakers, such as: Suitability for use in smart grids and electric vehicles; Innovative compact and cost-effective systems; IMCS multi-meter measures voltage, current, power, energy, current direction in accuracy class 0.5 for current and voltage, class 1 for power; The short circuit breaking is independent of the operation of the electronics; The fuse is the same for all circuit breakers and is small, for example CH14x51; The fuse does not blow by switching under load up to a certain value which depends on voltage; The TCC is configurable; The TCC switch-off is independent of the ambient temperature; No fuse aging due to cyclic loads; Low energy dissipation.

[105] Herein, it is referred to the electrical contact 2 between the first arm 4 and the fixed contact element 7 and to several physical contacts, such as the contact between the tip 12 of the slider element 11 and the end portion of the first arm 4. These contacts should not be confused. The electrical contact 2 in the operation state O requires an electrically conductive portion of the first arm 4 to be in a physical or mechanical contact with an electrically conductive portion of the fixed contact element 7 such that an electrical current may flow. The physical contacts, such as the contact between the tip 12 of the slider element 11 and the end portion of the first arm 4 merely requires respective portions of their surfaces to be in contact with each other such that a pressure may be transferred among them.

Reference signs

1 slider switch 2, 2‘ electrical contact and broken electrical contact 3 (first) rotatable switching contact element 4 first arm 5 second arm 6 rotary axis 7 fixed contact element 8 securing element 9 switch actuator 9a coil of switch actuator 10 smart switch system 11 slider element 12 tip 13 notch 14 fixing element 15 shunt 16 control device 17 fuse trigger system 18 Switch, particularly (second) rotatable switching contact element 19 main current path 20 fuse 21 secondary current path 22 second switch actuator, particularly trigger- and short circuit switch actuator

23 cover 24a, 24b first and second coil of trigger- and short circuit switch actuator 25 toggle/ handle for manual use 26 receiving pocket 27 fixed element 28 toggle 100 smart circuit breaker for AC circuits 200 smart circuit breaker for DC circuits a normal operation regime al first overload regime in the normal operation mode a2 second overload regime in the normal operation mode b overload operation regime (multimeter-driven switch off) bl first overload regime in the overload operation regime b2 second overload regime in the overload operation regime BP bistable point of the securing element c short circuit operation regime (short circuit solenoid-driven switch off)

CF1, CF2 first and second actuator force/ counter force

D first direction

(AC)EC/ (DC)EC (accellerated/direct current) electric circuit

F force

NO non-operational state

NM normal operation mode

O operational state

OM overload operation mode

Pl, P2, P3 first, second and optional third portion of the rotation

R1, R2 rotation (first rotation) and counter rotation (second rotation)

SCM short circuit operation mode

TS transition state between operational and non-operational state

VI, V2, V3 first, second and third voltage values x predetermined second current value y predetermined second current value z short circuit current value