MV Switchgear Moving Contact

The moving contact is the moving-side contact element in MV breakers, contactors, and disconnector mechanisms, the part that travels under operator-driven motion to engage or disengage the static contact. This SKU covers general-purpose moving contacts in copper with optional silver plating, for normal MV switchgear duty without severe arc exposure.

For arc-exposed moving contacts (vacuum interrupter applications), see CuW Moving Arc Contact. For the conductor segment that connects the moving contact to the operating mechanism, see Moving Contact Conductor.

Specifications

Property	Value
Material	ETP copper C11000 (default); aluminum bronze C95400 on request
Form	Machined moving contact (per drawing)
Dimensions	Per drawing
Tolerance	Per drawing
Surface Treatment	Silver-plated contact face; bare-machined body
Mechanical Interface	Bolt, braze, or weld to operating shaft per drawing
Contact Face	Bare, silver-plated, or pre-brazed CuW tip
Conductivity	100% IACS (C11000); 10–15% IACS (C95400)
Working Voltage	Common MV ratings: 12 / 24 / 40.5 kV
Working Current	Sized per design rated current

Exact certified properties for your lot are available with material documentation on request.

Applications

• Moving contact in MV breaker mechanisms at 12 / 24 / 40.5 kV
• Disconnector and isolator moving contacts in MV switchgear
• General-purpose moving contact for refurbishment programs
• Sub-supply to MV switchgear OEMs assembling complete contact systems

Technical Notes

A moving contact handles two duty cycles simultaneously: electrical (continuous current during normal operation plus make-and-break current during switching) and mechanical (impact, motion, and operator-driven force). Material choice for normal MV duty is copper with silver-plated contact face, best electrical performance for applications that don't see severe arc exposure.

For moving contacts in vacuum interrupters or high-cycle arc-switching, the arc erosion duty justifies CuW; see CuW Moving Arc Contact. For moving contacts in disconnector mechanisms where sliding wear dominates, aluminum bronze C95400 is an option, harder than copper, more wear-resistant, at the cost of lower conductivity.

For complete moving contact sub-assemblies (contact face + conductor rod brazed together), order both drawings and we'll supply as a single assembly.

Sourcing & OEM

Custom MV moving contacts to your drawing are routine. Specify material, dimensions, plating, mechanical interface, and any pre-brazed CuW tip; contact us for a project-specific quote.