Abstract: An electric switch with a set of stationary contacts and a set of movable contacts situated on a contact bridge (30) between an IN-position and an OUT-position includes a forcibly guiding mechanism (32) for manual handling of the contact bridge (30) and an ejector mechanism (56) and a trip device (74) co-operating with the ejector mechanism, whereby the contact bridge (30) is automatically longitudinally displaced from its IN-position to its OUT-position when an overloading, a fault or a signal current is present. The forcibly guiding mechanism (32) and the contact bridge (30) are interconnected by means of a releasably blocking device in such a manner that the ejector mechanism (56) in the releasing state need only overcome frictional forces between the stationary and the movable contacts as the blocking device is released by means of the trip device (74).

Abstract: An electric switch apparatus for protecting an electric circuit, said apparatus comprising a case, a pivoting drawer connected to the case and adapted to be manually pivoted from a closed position to an open position and reversely, a switch having a fixed and a movable contact, the movable contact being mechanically linked to the drawer for simultaneous opening therewith and a breaking member for automatically breaking an electric circuit connected across two terminals of the case, the said breaking member operating in case of an overflow of current in the said circuit, the movable contact being able to be separated from the fixed contact under the action of an actuation member comprising a spring and a magnetizable member, said actuating member cooperating with a coil placed in the circuit and being reset during a manual opening and closing movement of the drawer.