THOMSON COIL DRIVEN SWITCH ASSEMBLY WITH LIGHTWIGHT PLUNGER

An electrical switch assembly (10) comprises a contact element (14, 18) to be moved towards a further contact element (14, 18) for generating an electrical connection; and a drive (16) for moving the contact element (14, 18); wherein the drive (16) comprises a plunger (26) with a connection member (30) interconnected with the contact element (14); wherein the plunger (26) comprises a mechanical structure (34) with a top side (36) to which the connection member (30) is connected, and a bottom side (38) opposite to the top side (36); wherein the drive (16) comprises a Thomson coil (52) for moving the plunger (26) via an electrically conducting top face (48), which is provided on the top side (36) and an electrically conducting bottom face (50), which is provided on the bottom side (38). The mechanical structure (34) comprises at least one channel between the top side (36) and the bottom side (38), the at least one channel extending transverse to a movement direction (D) of the plunger (26). Furthermore, the mechanical structure (34) fills less than 50% of a volume between the top side (36) and the bottom side (38).