An apparatus includes a switch having alternately open and closed conditions, and a shunt trip mechanism configured to detect and respond to an electrical fault condition. The apparatus further includes an operating mechanism including a spring assembly. The operating mechanism is actuatable manually to deflect the spring assembly into a stressed condition, and is actuatable automatically in response to the shunt trip mechanism to shift the switch into the open condition upon return deflection of the spring assembly from the stressed condition. The spring assembly may include springs connected in parallel.

An operating device includes a lever rotatable about a rotating axis, a first torsion bar connected to the lever, and a second torsion bar connected to one end of the first torsion bar. The operating device further includes: a support fixedly supporting the second torsion bar at an end opposite to an end connected to the first torsion bar; a first pedestal portion structured to sandwich the support with a central axis of the second torsion bar interposed, the first pedestal portion supporting the support such that the support is rotatable about the central axis; a second pedestal portion including a penetrating portion extending through the second pedestal portion toward the support; a bolt including a shank passing through the penetrating portion, the bolt being screwed into the first pedestal portion; and a nut attached to the shank between the second pedestal portion and a head of the bolt.

An operating device includes: a first lever rotatable around a rotation axis; a torsion bar having a columnar shape or a tubular shape with the rotation axis as a central axis and connected to the first lever; and a support that fixes and supports one end of the torsion bar. Further, the operating device includes: a drive shaft having a tubular shape with the rotation axis as a central axis and surrounding a periphery of the torsion bar, one end serving as the first lever side being connected to the first lever, and another end opposite to the one end serving as the first lever side being rotatably supported around the rotation axis; and a plurality of second levers connected to the drive shaft and rotatable around the rotation axis on the support side rather than the first lever.

A circuit interrupting device including a loop split interrupter for interrupting a loop split circuit, and a quick whip interrupter for interrupting a charging circuit.

A spring operated actuator for an electric switching apparatus including an actuator spring and a rotary air damper. The damper has components that are rotatable relative to each other and is arranged to decelerate the actuating movement during an end portion. The damper has a toroidal working chamber with internal wall surfaces formed by two circumferential housing parts. They are rotatable relative to each other and are meeting each other such that a first and a second gap are formed. There is a seal between the two housing parts, which bridges the respective gap. The seal has a first circumferential seal at the first gap and a second circumferential seal at the second gap. At least one of the first and second seals includes a sealing body fitted in a groove formed in the internal walls of at least one housing part.

Actuator and electric switching apparatus including a spring to provide movement of the apparatus and a rotary air damper. The damper is arranged to decelerate the spring during at least an end portion of movement. The damper has a toroidal working chamber formed by two circumferential housing parts rotatable relative to each other. Each housing part has internal walls which together define the working chamber. The first housing part has a rotatable displacement wall, sealingly rotatable in the working chamber. The second housing part has a stationary end wall of the working chamber. The second housing part has one recess in its internal walls. The recess is located less than 90 ahead the end wall as seen is the rotational direction of the displacement wall at an actuating movement. The recess has an extension in the circumferential direction that is larger than the effective thickness of the displacement wall. Alternatively the recess is on the first housing part.

A spring operated actuator for an electric switching apparatus including an actuator spring and a rotary air damper. The damper has components that are rotatable relative to each other and is arranged to decelerate the actuating movement during an end portion. The damper has a toroidal working chamber with internal wall surfaces formed by two circumferential housing parts. They are rotatable relative to each other and are meeting each other such that a first and a second gap are formed. There is a seal between the two housing parts, which bridges the respective gap. The seal has a first circumferential seal at the first gap and a second circumferential seal at the second gap. At least one of the first and second seals includes a sealing body fitted in a groove formed in the internal walls of at least one housing part.

An operating device includes: a lever rotatable about a rotating axis; a first torsion bar extending in a first direction along the rotating axis; a second torsion bar provided inside the first torsion bar, extending along the rotating axis, coupled to the first torsion bar at a portion located farther in the first direction than the lever, and extending from the portion of coupling with the first torsion bar toward a second direction opposite to the first direction beyond the lever; and a third torsion bar surrounding the second torsion bar, having a tubular shape, coupled to the second torsion bar at a portion located farther in the second direction than the lever, and extending from the portion of coupling with the second torsion bar in the first direction.

Actuator and electric switching apparatus including a spring to provide movement of the apparatus and a rotary air damper. The damper is arranged to decelerate the spring during at least an end portion of movement. The damper has a toroidal working chamber formed by two circumferential housing parts rotatable relative to each other. Each housing part has internal walls which together define the working chamber. The first housing part has a rotatable displacement wall, sealingly rotatable in the working chamber. The second housing part has a stationary end wall of the working chamber. The second housing part has one recess in its internal walls. The recess is located less than 90 ahead the end wall as seen is the rotational direction of the displacement wall at an actuating movement. The recess has an extension in the circumferential direction that is larger than the effective thickness of the displacement wall. Alternatively the recess is on the first housing part.

An operating device includes: a first lever rotatable around a rotation axis; a torsion bar having a columnar shape or a tubular shape with the rotation axis as a central axis and connected to the first lever; and a support that fixes and supports one end of the torsion bar. Further, the operating device includes: a drive shaft having a tubular shape with the rotation axis as a central axis and surrounding a periphery of the torsion bar, one end serving as the first lever side being connected to the first lever, and another end opposite to the one end serving as the first lever side being rotatably supported around the rotation axis; and a plurality of second levers connected to the drive shaft and rotatable around the rotation axis on the support side rather than the first lever.