Changes

In the preceding sections a multitude of possibilities for the attachment ofcontact materials to their carriers was described. A correlation of thesemethods to the switching current of electromechanical devices is illustrated inTable 3.2. it shows that for the same switching load multiple attachmentmethods can be applied. Which method to chose depends on a variety ofparameters such as contact material, material combination of contact andcarrier, shape of the contact, required number of switching operations and lastbut not least the required volume of parts to be manufactured.

Based on the end application the following can be stated as general rules:Electroplated contact surfaces are limited to switching without or underextremely low electrical loads. In the lower and medium load range contactrivets and welded contacts are used. For high switching loads brazing,especially resistance and induction methods, are utilized. For extremely highloads, for example in high voltage switchgear, percussion welding, electronbeam welding, and copper cast-on processes are preferred.