Passive triggering mechanisms for use with switching devices incorporating pyrotechnic features

An electrical switching device, comprising:

• a housing;
• internal components within said housing, said internal components configured to change the state of said switching device from a closed state allowing current flow through said switching device to an open state which interrupts current flow through said switching device;
• a pyrotechnic feature configured to interact with said internal components to transition said switching device from said closed state to said open state when said pyrotechnic features are activated;
• a passive trigger switch structure configured to activate said pyrotechnic features when triggered, said passive trigger switch structure configured to trigger in response to elevated current signal flowing through said switching device, said passive trigger switch arranged to use said elevated current signal to activate said pyrotechnic feature further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), wherein said passive trigger switch is connected to the PCB, wherein said PCB comprises a plurality of passive trigger switch mounting features and wherein said plurality of passive trigger switch mounting features are configured at positions of different distances from at least one of said power terminals such that said positions correspond to different desired triggering thresholds based upon different magnetic field threshold strengths.

An electrical system, comprising:

• an operating power circuit comprising an operating power source coupled to an operating load by a current path, with a contactor between said power source and load;
• a pyrotechnic trigger circuit comprising a passive trigger/switch arranged to sense elevated current in said operating power circuit;
• and
• a pyrotechnic actuator, said trigger/switch closing in response to said elevated current in said operating power circuit and conducting said elevated current to activate said pyrotechnic actuator to operate on said contactor to interrupt said current path in said operating power circuit.