INTERLOCK MECHANISM FOR EXPLOSION-PROOF FIXTURE HAVING CIRCUIT BREAKER SWITCH

摘要

An interlock mechanism operably associated with the plug receptacle of an explosion-proof housing for ensuring that a plug may be inserted into or removed from the receptacle only when electrical current is not delivered to the receptacle. The interlock mechanism comprises a safety shaft for engaging a plug inserted into the receptacle, a reciprocating shaft operatively connected to a circuit breaker handle, and a locking pin for securing the safety shaft in a standby position, whereby the circuit breaker handle cannot be moved unless the safety shaft engages the plug casing, the safety shaft cannot be disengaged from the plug casing unless the circuit breaker handle has been moved to an off position, and the safety shaft will not engage the plug casing until it is released by the locking pin after the locking pin is biased to its disengaged position by the inserted plug.