Abstract: Disclosed is a switching device for a tap changer comprising an input lever and an output lever rotatably attached to a shaft. The output lever is provided for making contact with a selected one of a first tap and a second tap. The output lever has a cammed surface at its base for securing a position of the output lever to make contact with the first tap and for preventing the output lever from rotating about the shaft. The device also includes a spring for pulling the output lever toward the input lever, and a clutch, rotatably attached to the shaft, which has a slot. A latching apparatus engages the clutch. The device further includes a pin which is fixedly attached to the input lever and disposed within the slot. The pin drives the clutch to engage the latching apparatus. In operation, after the input lever has been pulled away from the output lever by a predetermined angle, the pin drives the clutch to engage the latching apparatus, thereby freeing the cammed surface from the latching apparatus.

Abstract: A release mechanism for a high speed circuit breaker comprises a roller rotatably supported on an axle in a mobile contact bridge. A jack is acting in the circuit closing direction on the roller, and the frontal side of the jack is in the form of a slide. The force of a disconnecting spring acts on the contact bridge in a disconnecting direction. The release mechanism to be provided with the connected contact bridge is capable of very rapid release, so that high short circuit currents may be interrupted very rapidly. This is obtained by the slide having a configuration such that in the connected state of the contact bridge the frictional forces acting on the roller are compensated.