A new high-current switch for electrolytic and electrothermal applications

THE marked increase in electrolytic cell-operating currents in the past decade has emphasized the need for a simple, dependable, and inexpensive high-current switch for use as a cell short-circuiting switch. In the electrothermal field, the magnitude of furnace currents has also been increasing as it has become evident that higher furnace currents lead to better operating economies. Earlier types of switches become cumbersome and expensive when built in ratings of higher than about 6,000 amperes. This paper traces the development of a new type of switch and illustrates how the new switch is applicable to both a-c and d-c low-voltage circuits.