A latch-free actuator includes, for example, a movable arm, a first biasing element operable to apply a force to move the movable arm in a first direction, and a yieldable support having a rigid configuration defining a generally straight axis and a flexible configuration defining a non-straight axis. The yieldable support is operable in the rigid configuration to support a compression force along the straight axis due to and countering the first biasing element so that the movable arm is prevented from movement in the first direction, and the yieldable support is operable, by applying a tripping force, to the yieldable support to transition the rigid configuration to the flexible configuration to withdraw support of the compression force and allow the movable arm to be moved by the first biasing element in the first direction.

A circuit breaker includes, for example, a housing, a stationary electrical contact attached to the housing, a movable arm operably movably attachable to the housing and a second end having an electrical contact releaseably contactable with the stationary electrical contact, and an actuator mechanism. The actuator mechanism includes a first biasing means for opening the electrical contacts, a second biasing means for closing the electrical contacts, and a yieldable support. The yieldable support is operable in a rigid configuration to support a compression force to prevent opening of the electrical contacts while the second biasing means is operable to apply the force to close the electrical contacts. The yieldable support is operable, by applying a tripping force, to transition the rigid configuration to the flexible configuration to withdraw support of the compression force and allow opening of the electrical contacts.

A switching device has: a contact secured to a housing; a movable contact arranged on a contact arm arranged to be movable inside the switching device and including an extension facing away from the movable contact, the movable contact being designed to enter in contact with the contact that is secured to the housing; a breaker mechanism connected to the movable contact arm; a manually operated lever which is connected to the breaker mechanism; and a snap-action closing mechanism including a rotatably mounted snap action rocker which is controlled by a first cam of the manually operated lever and which includes a contact arm-catching unit that is to come in contact with the extension of the contact arm. The contact arm-catching unit preferably has a surface hardness which is greater than or equal to the surface hardness of the extension of the contact arm.

An opening switch and a remote circuit breaker are provided. The opening switch includes a base, and an energy storage assembly and a lock catch assembly that are disposed on the base; the energy storage assembly is disposed on an inner wall of the base, one end of the lock catch assembly is hinged to the base, a lock catch protrusion is disposed on the lock catch assembly, and the lock catch protrusion includes a barrier wall; and when the barrier wall is configured to abut against an energy storage arm of the energy storage assembly, under an action force of the energy storage arm, the lock catch assembly has a rotation tendency, so that the energy storage assembly maintains an energy storage state.