Switchgear and power converter

Abstract

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a switchgear that reduces a cost of periodic replacement of a drive unit and ensures reliability. A switchgear of the present disclosure includes a fixed electrode, a movable electrode provided to face the fixed electrode, the movable electrode being contactable with and separable from the fixed electrode, a piston provided opposite to the fixed electrode to drive the movable electrode via a movable shaft connected to the movable electrode, a container to accommodate the piston, and an arc generation mechanism bridging including metal and provided in the container at a position opposite to the fixed electrode, the arc generation mechanism bridging a terminal unit connected to an external circuit, the arc generation mechanism bridging opening a circuit with the terminal unit when energized to generate an arc at an opened portion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.