Knife switch assembly, an electric power distribution switchgear and a method for preventing electric discharges

1. A knife switch assembly comprising a pair of hinged contact knives, arranged parallel to each other and connected to each other at a first respective end, and moveable between at least two positions, a first electric contact element comprising a current carrying conductor, said contact knives being made of an electrically conductive material and being electrically connected at said first end to a first electric conductor, an operator device for moving said pair of contact knives between the at least two positions, of which a first position is an open position in which a respective second end of the contact knives is disconnected from any electrical contact, and of which a second position is a first contact position in which said respective second end of the contact knives is in electrical contact with the first electric contact element and, a guide member located between the two contact knives, said guide member having two projecting side parts the, projecting side parts extending along at least part of respective sides of contact knives, wherein each side faces one another, and said guide member is made of a non-conductive material and has a shape adapted to receive the first electric contact element between the two projecting side parts.

2. The knife switch assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the guide member is configured to press the two contact knives apart when inserted between the two contact knives.

3. The knife switch assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the guide member is detachably inserted between the two contact knives and is configured to fall off when the respective second end of the contact knives enters into contact with the first electric contact element during movement of the contact knives from an open position to the first contact position, in which first contact position the respective second end of the contact knives is in electrical contact with the first electric contact element.

4. The knife switch assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the guide member is provided with at least one stop member configured to stop the movement of the contact knives, from the open position to the first contact position, when the contact knives have entered into electric contact with the first electric contact element.

5. The knife switch assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first electric conductor, to which the respective first end of the contact knives is electrically connected, is connected to ground.

6. An electric power distribution switchgear, comprising a sealed encapsulation inside which is located at least one three-phase module, the at least one three-phase module comprising a knife switch assembly as defined in claim 1 , one for each phase, and at least one current carrying conductor, one for each phase, forming the first electric contact element of the knife switch assembly.

7. The electric power distribution switchgear according to claim 6 , wherein the knife switch assembly performs the function of an arc suppressor switch.

8. The electric power distribution switchgear according to claim 6 , wherein the knife switch assembly performs the function of an earthing switch.

9. The electric power distribution switchgear according to claim 6 , wherein the sealed encapsulation is filled with an insulation medium or a mixture of dielectric insulation medias.

10. The electric power distribution switchgear according to claim 6 , wherein the sealed encapsulation is filled with a gas that is dry air, or a gas that comprises air mixed with another gas.