Triggered gap switching device

A switch assembly for high voltage applications, the switch assembly comprising:

• a first electrical connection that is responsive to an AC power signal;
• a second electrical connection;
• a mechanical switch including a first switch contact electrically coupled to the first electrical connection and a second switch contact electrically coupled to the second electrical connection, where one or both of the first switch contact and the second switch contact are movable to engage and disengage the first and second switch contacts to make and break an electrical connection therebetween for allowing or preventing current flow between the first and second electrical connections;
• and
• a triggered gap device including a vacuum enclosure, a first stationary contact positioned within the enclosure and being electrically coupled to the first electrical connection and a second stationary contact positioned within the enclosure and being electrically coupled to the second electrical connection, where a gap is defined between the first and second stationary contacts, the triggered gap device further including a plasma control device that is operable to energizes a small cathode spot on one or both of the stationary contacts that emits a metal vapor into the gap to allow creation of a plasma that causes an arc across the gap that allows current flow between the first and second electrical connections, wherein the plasma control device is triggered at a particular angle of the AC power signal and the plasma is naturally extinguished at a next zero crossing of the AC power signal.

A switch assembly comprising:

• a first electrical connection that is responsive to an AC power signal;
• a second electrical connection;
• and
• a triggered gap device including a vacuum enclosure, a first stationary contact positioned within the enclosure and being electrically coupled to the first electrical connection and a second stationary contact positioned within the enclosure and being electrically coupled to the second electrical connection, where a gap is defined between the first and second stationary contacts, the triggered gap device further including a plasma control device that is operable to energizes a small cathode spot on one or both of the stationary contacts that emits a metal vapor into the gap to allow creation of a plasma that causes an arc across the gap that allows current flow between the first and second electrical connections, wherein the plasma control device is triggered at a particular angle of the AC power signal and the plasma is naturally extinguished at a next zero crossing of the AC power signal.