Abstract: A high voltage switch has a molded plastic support base which carries contact terminals at its opposite ends and on the front surface of the base. Switch contacts are connected to the terminals. The support base is hollow and its interior and exterior surfaces are slotted or projections are added to increase electrical creepage from the switch support to the switch contacts. The support base has openings for receiving elongated bus terminals to allow rear connection of the switch terminals rather than front connection to the front switch terminals. A rotatable operating shaft is mounted at the rear of the base and connected to the switch blade by insulation operating links. A suitable operating mechanism is fixed to the operating shaft at one end thereof.

Abstract: A high voltage grounding switch adapted to ground high voltage power lines or other electrical equipment is provided with a two-part blade having toggle type action, with the toggle joint placed near the hinge pivot. The blade is then rotated from a fully opened position toward a closed position in which the blade end engages an overhead jaw type contact. The engagement of the blade end with a stop which is adjacent the jaw contact straightens the toggle and forces sliding engagement between the blade end and the jaw contact in an axial direction relative to the blade axis. A counterbalancing spring is connected from the switch support to the blade in order to at least partly balance the blade mass and to maintain the blade in a toggle-collapsed condition. The telescoping action of the blade in its stationary jaw contact provides a mechanical stop against blowout forces produced by fault currents.