A panel device includes a protective cover that has an insertion hole for an ON/OFF knob of a molded case circuit breaker and is formed to cover an exposed live part of the molded case circuit breaker and provided with an engaging part at a predetermined portion thereof; a cover support member that openably and closably supports this protective cover; and a cover locking member that engages with the engaging part when the protective cover is closed and restricts turning of the protective cover; wherein any one of the protective cover, the cover support member and the cover locking member is movably provided in conjunction with movement of the ON/OFF knob, and the engaging part and the cover locking member are engaged with each other or released from each other by the movement of the any one of those.

A protection unit, including a power switching device, with a mechanical switch. To improve the multipurpose nature of the power switching while making lockout easier and more reliable, provision is made for the power switching device to include an electrical actuator actuating the mechanical switch and being controlled by an electronic control unit, which is itself powered via an auxiliary switching device. A lockout system with a lock is provided, which, in a lockout configuration, mechanically keeps the mechanical switch and the auxiliary switching device in an isolation configuration, and, in operating configuration, allows the mechanical switch and the auxiliary switching device to move between the conduction configuration and the isolation configuration.

A protection unit, including a power switching device, with a mechanical switch. To improve the multipurpose nature of the power switching while making lockout easier and more reliable, provision is made for the power switching device to include an electrical actuator actuating the mechanical switch and being controlled by an electronic control unit, which is itself powered via an auxiliary switching device. A lockout system with a lock is provided, which, in a lockout configuration, mechanically keeps the mechanical switch and the auxiliary switching device in an isolation configuration, and, in operating configuration, allows the mechanical switch and the auxiliary switching device to move between the conduction configuration and the isolation configuration.

An overload release includes a bimetallic element, a tripping slide, a latch and an energy store. In an overload situation the bimetallic element actuates the tripping slide; as a result, the tripping slide actuates the latch, and as a result, the latch allows the movement of the energy store. The latch is provided with a latch area and the energy store is provided with a latching area, the two areas mechanically interacting in the latched state and the latch area being released from the latching area in the unlatched state, when there is an overload, to allow the movement of the energy store. Further, the latch area or the latching area includes a projection.

An overload release includes a bimetallic element, a tripping slide, a latch and an energy store. In an overload situation the bimetallic element actuates the tripping slide; as a result, the tripping slide actuates the latch, and as a result, the latch allows the movement of the energy store. The latch is provided with a latch area and the energy store is provided with a latching area, the two areas mechanically interacting in the latched state and the latch area being released from the latching area in the unlatched state, when there is an overload, to allow the movement of the energy store. Further, the latch area or the latching area includes a projection.

A domestic appliance (for example, a microwave oven), comprising: a housing; a front door; a retention mechanism (for example including a latch), located within the housing and engageable with the door; wherein the retention mechanism is movable between a first configuration, in which the door is retained in a closed position, and a second configuration, in which the door is non-engaged; an electromechanical actuator (for example a relay), adapted to move the retention mechanism out of said first configuration; and a controller (for example a microprocessor coupled to the relay, the microprocessor being operable in responsive to one or more signals to activate the relay, and thereby release the door from the closed position. Under spring bias, the door thus opens to about 30-45 degrees. The microprocessor-controlled door opening may be operable in three or more modes, including: actuation of a touch switch, remote control, or a microwave end of cooking.

A lockout device is presented to maintain an on/off switch lever of a disconnect box in a preferred position. A grasp portion of the lockout device that is in an unlocked position may be inserted in the on/off switch lever of the disconnect outlet box preventing the on/off switch lever from being moved from an off position to an on position, or vise versa. Once the grasp hook is inserted in the on/off switch lever, the lockout device can be moved to a locked position and secured with one or more padlocks to prevent the lockout device from being removed. A middle portion of the lockout device may be made of varying lengths to allow easy access to on/off switch levers of disconnect boxes located overhead, below the user's feet or in confined spaces without the requirement for ladders or other special access equipment.

An appliance has an operating unit with an actuating element for triggering a pre-determined action. The actuating element is mechanically actuatable by force of a user. The actuating element is preferably a mechanically actuatable switch and/or key element. A touch-sensitive sensor is built into the actuating element, for detecting skin contact occurring as a result of the exertion of force for the mechanical actuation of the actuating element. The appliance is also embodied in such a way that, as a requirement for triggering the pre-determined actions, it is checked whether the actuating element is actuated and skin contact is detected by the touch-sensitive sensor. The appliance prevents defective actuations by associating touch-sensitive sensor technology with the mechanically actuatable actuating element. This ensures that mechanical actuation without skin contact does trigger the pre-determined action.

An appliance has an operating unit with an actuating element for triggering a pre-determined action. The actuating element is mechanically actuatable by force of a user. The actuating element is preferably a mechanically actuatable switch and/or key element. A touch-sensitive sensor is built into the actuating element, for detecting skin contact occurring as a result of the exertion of force for the mechanical actuation of the actuating element. The appliance is also embodied in such a way that, as a requirement for triggering the pre-determined actions, it is checked whether the actuating element is actuated and skin contact is detected by the touch-sensitive sensor. The appliance prevents defective actuations by associating touch-sensitive sensor technology with the mechanically actuatable actuating element. This ensures that mechanical actuation without skin contact does trigger the pre-determined action.

As described above, a withdrawable interlock device of a vacuum circuit breaker according to the present disclosure may locate the second lever between the link and the moving plate, and thus the second lever may be engaged with an outer side of the first lever in a state that the control power connector is coupled to the control power plug not to move the moving plate through the second lever so as to maintain a state that the fitting protrusion is fitted into the fitting groove, thereby having an effect of preventing the circuit breaker body from being separated to the outside of the cradle in a state that the control power connector is coupled to the control power plug to supply power.