REDUNDANT SWITCH HAVING TORSIONAL COMPLIANCE AND ARC-ABSORBANT THERMAL MASS

摘要

A switch is provided that is of the type that may be installed in a contact block engaging a pushbutton operator via a latch assembly. The switch includes a spanner that engages a pair of terminals, each having a pair of contacts. The outer ends of the spanner are wider than the central portion so as to render the spanner torsionally compliant. The wide outer ends provide a sufficient thermal mass to absorb an arc that may be created when the switch is opened.