Switchgear

A switchgear comprising:

• a movable part capable of reciprocating movement including movement in a first direction and movement in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
• a movable contact coupled to the movable part on a side of the first direction, the movable contact being capable of reciprocating movement including movement in the first direction and movement in the second direction relative to the movable part;
• a first biasing member to bias the movable contact in the first direction relative to the movable part;
• a latch part capable of switching between a first state in which movement of the movable contact in the first direction is restricted and a second state in which movement of the movable contact in the first direction is permitted;
• and
• a fixed contact provided on a side of the first direction with respect to the movable contact, wherein
• the movable part and the movable contact move in the first direction from initial positions at which the movable contact is away from the fixed contact to closed positions at which the movable contact is in contact with the fixed contact,
• in a process in which the movable part and the movable contact move from the initial positions to the closed positions, after the movable part and the movable contact have moved a predetermined distance, the movement of the movable contact is restricted by the latch part in the first state, and when the movable part has moved further in the first direction against biasing force of the first biasing member after the movement of the movable contact was restricted, the latch part is switched to the second state in which the movement of the movable contact in the first direction is permitted,
• the latch part includes a magnet, and a metallic member, the metallic member being attracted by the magnet from a side of the first direction when the movable part and the movable contact are at the initial positions,
• the movable contact includes an abutment portion to come into contact with part of the metallic member avoiding the magnet from a side of the second direction when the movement of the movable contact in the first direction is restricted by the latch part,
• the switchgear further comprises a partition wall to divide a space surrounding the movable contact into a first space containing the fixed contact, the magnet, and the metallic member, and a second space containing the movable part,
• the movable contact has a distal end passing through the partition wall and entering the first space, the distal end being an end on a side of the first direction,
• the movable contact is provided with a linear seal enabling reciprocating movement of the movable contact while ensuring airtightness between the first space and the second space, the linear seal being provided on a part, which passes through the partition wall, of the movable contact, and
• a pressure in the first space is higher than that in the second space.