A switch including a first electrical terminal, the first electrical terminal including a blade pivotable between an open position and a closed position, and a rod extending from the first electrical terminal parallel to the blade. The switch further includes a second electrical terminal configured to receive the blade when in the closed position, the second electrical terminal including a vacuum interrupter, wherein the vacuum interrupter engages the rod when in the closed position. Rotating the first electrical terminal in a first direction causes the blade to disengage from the second electrical terminal at a first point, and further rotating the first electrical terminal in the first direction causes the rod to disengage from the vacuum interrupter at a second point.

A contact assembly for an electrical component includes: a bus member; and a switching assembly structured to move between first and second positions. The switching assembly includes: a stationary contact extending from the bus member, a movable contact engaging the stationary contact when the switching assembly is in the first position and disengaging the stationary contact when the switching assembly moves toward the second position, and a switching device coupled to the bus member. When the switching assembly is in the first position, the switching device and the stationary contact are electrically connected in parallel with the bus member and the movable contact. When the switching assembly moves from the first position toward the second position, the switching device disconnects power after the movable contact disengages the stationary contact in order that electrical disconnection between the bus member and the movable contact occurs within the switching device.

A switch may include a first electrical terminal, the first electrical terminal including a blade configured to move between an open position and a closed position, and a rod extending from the first electrical terminal, wherein the rod includes a rod receiving portion, and wherein the rod is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The switch may include a second electrical terminal configured to receive the blade when in the closed position, the second electrical terminal including a vacuum interrupter, and a vacuum interrupter rod, wherein, during a closing of the switch, while the blade moves from the open position to the closed position, the rod receiving portion engages the vacuum interrupter rod, thereby moving the rod receiving portion from the first position to the second position.