Abstract: This invention relates to a silver/metal oxide material for electrical contacts containing no Cd which essentially consists of Ag and 5 to 30% by weight of at least one of oxides of Sb, Sn, Zn, In, Cu, Mn, Bi and Pb, and further, if necessary, 0.05 to 2% by weight of at least one of oxides of Mg, Al, Fe, Ni, Co, Si, Ga, Ge, Te, Ca and Li, the total amount of said metal oxides being 5 to 32% by weight, wherein fine particles of said metal oxides are substantially uniformly distributed in a matrix whose main component is Ag in a sintered state, and wherein there are no grain boundaries formed by agglomerations or agglomerated layers of said metal oxides.

Abstract: By articulating the neutral-pole switching element in a multi-pole circuit breaker, providing spring biasing to urge the two elements into a pre-determined position approximating alignment, advancing the neutral pole switching element with respect to the other switching elements and providing fixed contact elements which frictionally engage opposite sides of the neutral-pole switching contact in the closed position, the closing of the neutral circuit precedes the closing of the live circuits and the opening of the neutral circuit lags the opening of the live circuits, thus preventing arcing and transient damage to loads on the circuit.