SEALED CONTACT DEVICE

PURPOSE:To enhance the efficiency of a magnetomotive force for an arc by exerting a magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of movement of a movable contact in the space inside a sealed container where fixed and movable contacts both exist, and providing a magnetic converging element to hold both of the contacts. CONSTITUTION:An electrically insulating gas G is sealed in a sealed container 1 which forms an airtight space in conjunction with a bellows 3. A fixed contact 12 secured to a fixed contactor 11 and a movable contact 18 secured to a movable contactor 16 are disposed opposite to each other therein. The movable contactor 16 is moved vertically by a pressure contact spring 16D and by an electromagnetic force (not shown in Figure) via a slide shaft piece 16B secured to the bellows 3 so as to connect and disconnect the contacts 12, 18. A magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of movement of the movable contact 18 is exerted between the contacts 12, 18. In the sealed contact device, a magnetic converging element 28 is disposed on the inner surface of the sealed container 1 to hold the contacts 12, 18. An arc generated when the contacts are separated can thus efficiently be extinguished by cooling of the gas G and by the magnetomotive force of the magnetic field.