H
SECTION H — ELECTRICITY
 H

Note(s)

These Notes cover the basic principles and general instructions for use of section H.

  1. Section H covers:
    1. basic electric elements, which cover all electric units and the general mechanical structure of apparatus and circuits, including the assembly of various basic elements into what are called printed circuits and also cover to a certain extent the manufacture of these elements (when not covered elsewhere);
    2. generation of electricity, which covers the generation, conversion and distribution of electricity together with the controlling of the corresponding gear;
    3. applied electricity, which covers:
      1. general utilisation techniques, viz. those of electric heating and electric lighting circuits;
      2. some special utilisation techniques, either electric or electronic in the strict sense, which are not covered by other sections of the Classification, including:
        1. electric light sources, including lasers;
        2. electric X-ray technique;
        3. electric plasma technique and the generation and acceleration of electrically charged particles or neutrons;
    4. basic electronic circuits and their control;
    5. radio or electric communication technique;
    6. the use of a specified material for the manufacture of the article or element described. In this connection, paragraphs 88 to 90 of the Guide should be referred to.
  2. In this section, the following general rules apply:
    1. Subject to the exceptions stated in I(c), above, any electric aspect or part peculiar to a particular operation, process, apparatus, object or article, classified in one of the sections of the Classification other than section H, is always classified in the subclass for that operation, process, apparatus, object or article. Where common characteristics concerning technical subjects of similar nature have been brought out at class level, the electric aspect or part is classified, in conjunction with the operation, process, apparatus, object or article, in a subclass which covers entirely the general electrical applications for the technical subject in question;
    2. The electrical applications referred to under (a), above, either general or particular, include:
      1. the therapeutic processes and apparatus, in class A61;
      2. the electric processes and apparatus used in various laboratory or industrial operations, in classes B01 and B03 and in subclass B23K;
      3. the electricity supply, electric propulsion and electric lighting of vehicles in general and of particular vehicles, in the subsection "Transporting" of section B;
      4. the electric ignition systems of internal-combustion engines, in subclass F02P, and of combustion apparatus in general, in subclass F23Q;
      5. the whole electrical part of section G, i.e. measuring devices including apparatus for measuring electric variables, checking, signalling and calculating. Electricity in that section is generally dealt with as a means and not as an end in itself;
    3. All electrical applications, both general and particular, presuppose that the "basic electricity" aspect appears in section H (see I(a) above) as regards the electric "basic elements" which they comprise. This rule is also valid for applied electricity, referred to in I(c), above, which appears in section H itself.
  3. In this section, the following special cases occur:
    1. Among the general applications covered by sections other than section H, it is worth noting that electric heating in general is covered by subclasses F24D or F24H or class F27, and that electric lighting in general is partly covered by class F21, since in section H (see I(c), above) there are places in H05B which cover the same technical subjects;
    2. In the two cases referred to under (a), above, the subclasses of section F, which deal with the respective subjects, essentially cover in the first place the whole mechanical aspect of the apparatus or devices, whereas the electrical aspect, as such, is covered by subclass H05B;
    3. In the case of lighting, this mechanical aspect should be taken to cover the material arrangement of the various electric elements, i.e., their geometrical or physical position in relation to one another; this aspect is covered by subclass F21V, the elements themselves and the primary circuits remaining in section H. The same applies to electric light sources, when combined with light sources of a different kind. These are covered by subclass H05B, whereas the physical arrangement which their combination constitutes is covered by the various subclasses of class F21;
    4. As regards heating, not only the electric elements and circuitry designs, as such, are covered by subclass H05B, but also the electric aspects of their arrangement, where these concern cases of general application; electric furnaces being considered as such. The physical disposition of the electric elements in furnaces is covered by section F. If a comparison is made with electric welding circuits, which are covered by subclass B23K in connection with welding, it can be seen that electric heating is not covered by the general rule stated in II, above.

 H01
BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
 H01

Note(s)

  1. Processes involving only a single technical art, e.g. drying, coating, for which provision exists elsewhere are classified in the relevant class for that art.
  2. Attention is drawn to the Notes following the titles of class B81 and subclass B81B relating to "micro-structural devices" and "micro-structural systems". [7]
 H01H
ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B 7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G 9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K 17/00)
 H01H

Note(s)

  1. This subclass covers (in groups H01H 69/00-H01H 87/00) devices for the protection of electric lines or electric machines or apparatus in the event of undesired change from normal electric working conditions, the electrical condition serving directly as the input to the device.
  2. This subclass does not cover bases, casings, or covers accommodating two or more switching devices or for accommodating a switching device as well as another electric component, e.g. bus-bar, line connector. Those bases, casings or covers are covered by group H02B 1/00.
  3. In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meanings indicated:
    • "relay" means a switching device having contacts which are operated from electric inputs which supply, directly or indirectly, all the mechanical energy necessary to cause both the closure and the opening of the contacts;
    • "driving mechanism" refers to the means by which an operating force applied to the switch is transmitted to the moving contact or contacts;
    • "operating" is used in a broader sense than "actuating" which is reserved for those parts not touched by hand to effect switching;
    • "acting" or "action" means a self-induced movements of parts at one stage of the switching. These connotations apply to all parts of the verbs "to operate"; "to actuate", and "to act", and to words derived therefrom, e.g. to "actuation".
  4. In this subclass, details are classified as follows:
    However, mechanical details directly producing electronic effects are classified in group H03K 17/94.  [4]
 H01H
Subclass index
ELECTRIC SWITCHES
Characterised by the principle of control
mechanical
rectilinearly movable: one direction; two directions 13/00; 15/00
with angular displacement: unlimited angle; limited angle 19/00; 21/00
by pulling; by tumbling 17/00; 23/00
with compound movements 25/00
by removable members 27/00
physical
general; electric or magnetic field; heat; explosion 35/00; 36/00; 37/00; 39/00
Characterised by the contacts
liquid 29/00
Characterised by the voltage or the intensity
without arc-extinguishing means; with such means 31/00; 33/00
Characterised by the actuation duration
manual; programme 41/00; 43/00
Manufacture 11/00
RELAYS
Electromagnetic; dynamo-electric; magnetostrictive 51/00; 53/00; 55/00
Electrostrictive or piezo-electric; electrostatic; electrothermal 57/00; 59/00; 61/00
Details
general; electromechanical; circuits 45/00; 50/00; 47/00
Manufacture 49/00
SELECTORS
Types 67/00
Details 63/00
Manufacture 65/00
SECTIONALISERS
low-tension with blade-type contact 21/00
for high tension 31/00
combined with fuses 85/00
PROTECTIVE DEVICES
Circuit-breaking switches
with resetting: manual; by motor; separate 73/00; 75/00; 77/00
Protective switches
by short-circuit; opening and closing; particular 79/00; 81/00; 83/00
Fuses; evaporation devices 85/00; 87/00
Details of protective switches and relays 71/00
Manufacture 69/00
COMBINATIONS 89/00
GENERAL DETAILS
Contacts 1/00
Mechanisms
operating contacts in general; snap-action; delay 3/00; 5/00; 7/00
Other details 9/00
 H01H 1/00 - 
H01H 43/00
Electric switches
P:410 H01H 1/00
Contacts (liquid contacts H01H 29/00)
 H01H 1/02
·  characterised by the material thereof
 H01H 1/06
·  characterised by the shape or structure of the contact-making surface, e.g. grooved
 H01H 1/12
·  characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
P:400 H01H 3/00
Mechanisms for operating contacts (thermal actuating or release means H01H 37/00)
 H01H 3/02
·  Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
 H01H 3/16
·  ·  adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. for a door switch, a limit switch, a floor-levelling switch of a lift
 H01H 3/32
·  Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts (snap-action arrangements H01H 5/00; introducing a predetermined time delay H01H 7/00)
 H01H 3/54
·  Mechanisms for coupling or uncoupling operating parts, driving mechanisms, or contacts
P:390 H01H 5/00
Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
P:380 H01H 7/00
Devices for introducing a predetermined time delay between the initiation of the switching operation and the opening or closing of the contacts (time or time-programme switches H01H 43/00)
P:420 H01H 9/00
Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H 1/00-H01H 7/00
 H01H 9/02
·  Bases, casings, or covers (accommodating more than one switch or a switch and another electrical component H02B 1/00)
 H01H 9/04
·  ·  Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings
 H01H 9/16
·  Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off"
 H01H 9/18
·  Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks
 H01H 9/20
·  Interlocking, locking, or latching mechanisms
 H01H 9/30
·  Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
 H01H 9/54
·  Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the switching device and for which no provision exists elsewhere
P:460 H01H 11/00
Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches (processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H 13/70)  [1,8]
 H01H 11/04
·  of switch contacts
P:370 H01H 13/00
Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch (wherein the operating part is flexible H01H 17/00)
 H01H 13/02
·  Details  [1,8]
 H01H 13/04
·  ·  Cases; Covers
 H01H 13/12
·  ·  Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
 H01H 13/14
·  ·  ·  Operating parts, e.g. push-button
 H01H 13/16
·  ·  ·  ·  adapted for operation by a part of the human body other than the hand, e.g. by foot
 H01H 13/18
·  ·  ·  ·  adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. door switch, limit switch, floor-levelling switch of a lift
 H01H 13/26
·  ·  Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
 H01H 13/50
·  having a single operating member
 H01H 13/52
·  ·  the contact returning to its original state immediately upon removal of operating force, e.g. bell push switch
 H01H 13/68
·  having two operating members, one for opening and one for closing the same set of contacts (single operating member protruding from different sides of switch casing for alternate pushing upon opposite ends H01H 15/00)
 H01H 13/70
·  having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard (mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B)
P:360 H01H 15/00
Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for actuation in opposite directions, e.g. slide switch
P:350 H01H 17/00
Switches having flexible operating part adapted only for pulling, e.g. cord, chain
P:330 H01H 19/00
Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand  [1,8]
P:340 H01H 21/00
Switches operated by an operating part in the form of a pivotable member acted upon directly by a solid body, e.g. by a hand (tumbler or rocker switches H01H 23/00; switches having an operating part movable angularly in more than one plane H01H 25/04)  [1,8]
P:320 H01H 23/00
Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
 H01H 23/00

Note(s)

In this group, the term "rocking" is defined as pivotal motion in one plane about an axis parallel to the switch faceplate and located substantially centrally between the ends of the rocker button. [8]

P:310 H01H 25/00
Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part
 H01H 25/04
·  Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick
P:300 H01H 27/00
Switches operated by a removable member, e.g. key, plug or plate; Switches operated by setting members according to a single predetermined combination out of several possible settings (combined with plug-and-socket connectors H01R 13/70; with current-carrying plug H01R 31/00)
P:50 H01H 29/00
Switches having at least one liquid contact (solid contacts wetted or soaked with mercury H01H 1/06)
P:30 H01H 31/00
Air-break switches for high tension without arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means (in combination with high tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means H01H 33/00)  [3]
P:20 H01H 33/00
High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
 H01H 33/02
·  Details
 H01H 33/04
·  ·  Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
 H01H 33/28
·  ·  Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism
 H01H 33/42
·  ·  Driving mechanisms
 H01H 33/59
·  ·  Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the switch and not otherwise provided for, e.g. for ensuring operation of the switch at a predetermined point in the ac cycle
 H01H 33/60
·  Switches wherein the means for extinguishing or preventing the arc do not include separate means for obtaining or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
 H01H 33/66
·  ·  Vacuum switches
 H01H 33/70
·  Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
 H01H 33/88
·  ·  the flow of arc-extinguishing fluid being produced or increased by movement of pistons or other pressure-producing parts
P:280 H01H 35/00
Switches operated by change of a physical condition (operated by change of magnetic or electric field H01H 36/00; thermally-actuated switches H01H 37/00)
 H01H 35/00

Note(s)

A switching device is classified according to that physical condition which when changed acts as input to the device, e.g. external explosion causing pressure wave to act upon switch is classified in group H01H 35/24, an explosion produced within the switch in group H01H 37/00 if initiated by heat, in group H01H 39/00 if initiated electrically, and in group H01H 35/14 if initiated by an external blow.

 H01H 35/02
·  Switches operated by change of position, inclination, or orientation of the switch itself in relation to gravitational field (tilting mercury container H01H 29/00; change of position due to change of liquid level H01H 35/18)
 H01H 35/06
·  Switches operated by change of speed (operated by change of fluid flow H01H 35/24)
 H01H 35/14
·  Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch
 H01H 35/18
·  Switches operated by change of liquid level or of liquid density, e.g. float switch (by magnet carried on a float H01H 36/00)
 H01H 35/24
·  Switches operated by change of fluid pressure, by fluid pressure waves, or by change of fluid flow (wherein the change of pressure is caused by change of temperature H01H 37/00)
 H01H 35/42
·  Switches operated by change of humidity
P:270 H01H 36/00
Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding
P:260 H01H 37/00
Thermally-actuated switches
P:40 H01H 39/00
Switching devices actuated by an explosion produced within the device and initiated by an electric current
P:290 H01H 41/00
Switches providing a selected number of consecutive operations of the contacts by a single manual actuation of the operating part
P:10 H01H 43/00
Time or time-programme switches providing a choice of time-intervals for executing one or more switching actions and automatically terminating their operation after the programme is completed
 H01H 45/00 - 
H01H 61/00
Relays
P:250 H01H 45/00
Details of relays (electric circuit arrangements H01H 47/00; of electromagnetic relays H01H 50/00; details of electrically-operated selector switches H01H 63/00)
P:240 H01H 47/00
Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the relay and designed to obtain desired operating characteristics or to provide energising current
 H01H 47/22
·  for supplying energising current for relay coil
P:450 H01H 49/00
Apparatus or processes specially adapted to the manufacture of relays or parts thereof
P:230 H01H 50/00
Details of electromagnetic relays (electric circuit arrangements H01H 47/00; details of electrically-operated selector switches H01H 63/00)
 H01H 50/02
·  Bases; Casings; Covers (frames for mounting two or more relays or for mounting a relay and another electric component H02B 1/00, H04Q 1/02, H05K)
 H01H 50/16
·  Magnetic circuit arrangements
 H01H 50/54
·  Contact arrangements
P:220 H01H 51/00
Electromagnetic relays (relays using the dynamo-electric effect H01H 53/00)
 H01H 51/22
·  Polarised relays
P:180 H01H 53/00
Relays using the dynamo-electric effect, i.e. relays in which contacts are opened or closed due to relative movement of current-carrying conductor and magnetic field caused by force of interaction between them
P:210 H01H 55/00
Magnetostrictive relays
P:190 H01H 57/00
Electrostrictive relays; Piezo-electric relays
P:200 H01H 59/00
Electrostatic relays; Electro-adhesion relays
P:170 H01H 61/00
Electrothermal relays (thermal switches not operated by electrical input, thermal switches with anticipating electrical input H01H 37/00; thermally-sensitive members H01H 37/00)
 H01H 63/00 - 
H01H 67/00
Selectors  [3]
P:160 H01H 63/00
Details of electrically-operated selector switches
P:440 H01H 65/00
Apparatus or processes specially adapted to the manufacture of selector switches or parts thereof
P:150 H01H 67/00
Electrically-operated selector switches
 H01H 69/00 - 
H01H 87/00
Emergency protective devices
P:430 H01H 69/00
Apparatus or processes for the manufacture of emergency protective devices
P:140 H01H 71/00
Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H 73/00-H01H 83/00
 H01H 71/02
·  Housings; Casings; Bases; Mountings
 H01H 71/04
·  Means for indicating condition of the switching device
 H01H 71/06
·  Distinguishing marks, e.g. colour coding
 H01H 71/08
·  Terminals; Connections
 H01H 71/10
·  Operating or release mechanisms
 H01H 71/12
·  ·  Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
P:120 H01H 73/00
Protective overload circuit-breaking switches in which excess current opens the contacts by automatic release of mechanical energy stored by previous operation of a hand reset mechanism
P:110 H01H 75/00
Protective overload circuit-breaking switches in which excess current opens the contacts by automatic release of mechanical energy stored by previous operation of power reset mechanism
P:130 H01H 77/00
Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting (H01H 73/00, H01H 75/00 take precedence)
P:100 H01H 79/00
Protective switches in which excess current causes the closing of contacts, e.g. for short-circuiting the apparatus to be protected
P:90 H01H 81/00
Protective switches in which contacts are normally closed but are repeatedly opened and reclosed as long as a condition causing excess current persists, e.g. for current limiting
P:80 H01H 83/00
Protective switches, e.g. circuit-breaking switches, or protective relays operated by abnormal electrical conditions otherwise than solely by excess current
P:60 H01H 85/00
Protective devices in which the current flows through a part of fusible material and this current is interrupted by displacement of the fusible material when this current becomes excessive (switches actuated by melting of fusible material H01H 37/00; disposition or arrangement of fuses on boards H02B 1/00)
P:70 H01H 87/00
Protective devices in which a current flowing through a liquid or solid is interrupted by the evaporation of the liquid or by the melting and evaporation of the solid when the current becomes excessive, the circuit continuity being reestablished on cooling  [3]
P:0 H01H 89/00
Combinations of two or more different basic types of electric switches, relays, selectors and emergency protective devices, not covered by any single one of the other main groups of this subclass  [8]
 H01H 89/02
·  Combination of a key operated switch with a manually operated switch, e.g. ignition and lighting switches  [8]
 H01H 89/04
·  Combination of a thermally actuated switch with a manually operated switch  [8]
 H01H 89/06
·  Combination of a manual reset circuit with a contactor, i.e. the same circuit controlled by both a protective and a remote control device  [8]