Electrical switching device with separable contacts and circuit breaker comprising such a device

Abstract

Electrical switching device, including separable electrical contacts, a switching mechanism and a control lever. This switching mechanism is designed to move the separable contacts reversibly and selectively between a stable closed state and a stable open state. The control lever can be moved between a closing position and an opening position. The switching mechanism is configured to move the separable contacts from their closed state to their open state when the lever is moved from its closing position to its opening position, and to this end includes a spring which, between the closing position of the lever and a first intermediate position referred to as the 'dead point', exerts a force that opposes the movement of the lever and which, between the dead-point position and the opening position of the lever, exerts a force that drives the contacts towards the open position. The switching mechanism comprises a holding device which is configured to prevent the switching mechanism from moving the contacts towards their open position when the lever is moved from the closing position to the opening position and when the lever has not passed a second intermediate position located between the dead-point position and the opening position.