Abstract: An electrical disconnect includes a housing having a recess defined therein extending from an opening toward a base. The disconnect also includes a vacuum envelope defined within the housing near the base; a fixed contact assembly including a fixed contact structured to be in electrical communication with a voltage source disposed partially within the vacuum envelope; and a movable contact assembly including a movable contact having a first end disposed within the vacuum envelope and a second end disposed in the recess near the base and movable between a closed position in electrical contact with the fixed contact and an open position spaced apart from the fixed contact a separation distance. The housing includes a dynamic shield electrically connected to the movable contact, the dynamic shield being disposed about the recess within the housing and extending from the base toward the opening thereof.

Abstract: An electrical disconnect includes a housing having a recess defined therein extending from an opening toward a base. The disconnect also includes a vacuum envelope defined within the housing near the base; a fixed contact assembly including a fixed contact structured to be in electrical communication with a voltage source disposed partially within the vacuum envelope; and a movable contact assembly including a movable contact having a first end disposed within the vacuum envelope and a second end disposed in the recess near the base and movable between a closed position in electrical contact with the fixed contact and an open position spaced apart from the fixed contact a separation distance. The housing includes a dynamic shield electrically connected to the movable contact, the dynamic shield being disposed about the recess within the housing and extending from the base toward the opening thereof.

Abstract: An energy storage and release control mechanism is provided for a stored energy assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The stored energy assembly includes a shaft, a stored energy mechanism, and a charging mechanism, such as a charging cam. The charging cam is movable to pivot upon the shaft, thereby charging the stored energy mechanism. The energy storage and release control mechanism includes a ratchet coupled to the charging cam and including a plurality of teeth, a mounting assembly, and a plurality of pawl assemblies. Each pawl assembly includes a pawl pivoting between an engaged position corresponding to the pawl engaging the teeth of the ratchet to resist inappropriate movement of the charging handle, and a disengaged position corresponding to the pawl not engaging the teeth of the ratchet. Preferably, first and second pawl assemblies include first and second pawls, respectively, wherein only one of the first and second pawls engages the teeth of the ratchet at a time.

Abstract: An energy storage and release control mechanism is provided for a stored energy assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The stored energy assembly includes a shaft, a stored energy mechanism, and a charging mechanism, such as a charging cam. The charging cam is movable to pivot upon the shaft, thereby charging the stored energy mechanism. The energy storage and release control mechanism includes a ratchet coupled to the charging cam and including a plurality of teeth, a mounting assembly, and a plurality of pawl assemblies. Each pawl assembly includes a pawl pivoting between an engaged position corresponding to the pawl engaging the teeth of the ratchet to resist inappropriate movement of the charging handle, and a disengaged position corresponding to the pawl not engaging the teeth of the ratchet. Preferably, first and second pawl assemblies include first and second pawls, respectively, wherein only one of the first and second pawls engages the teeth of the ratchet at a time.

Abstract: A shutter assembly is provided for an electrical system including at least one electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, and a plurality of electrical bus members, and a plurality of electrical cable members, and a ground member with a plurality of contacts. Each of the conductors of the circuit breaker is removably coupled to a corresponding primary contact to electrically connect the circuit breaker to the electrical bus members and to electrically connect the circuit breaker to the electrical cable members and to electrically connect the circuit breaker to the ground members. The shutter assembly includes a flexible insulating member movably disposed between the conductors and the primary contacts.

Abstract: A shutter assembly is provided for an electrical system including at least one electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, and a plurality of electrical bus members, and a plurality of electrical cable members, and a ground member with a plurality of contacts. Each of the conductors of the circuit breaker is removably coupled to a corresponding primary contact to electrically connect the circuit breaker to the electrical bus members and to electrically connect the circuit breaker to the electrical cable members and to electrically connect the circuit breaker to the ground members. The shutter assembly includes a flexible insulating member movably disposed between the conductors and the primary contacts.