ELECTRICAL SWITCH WITH LIMITED CONTACT ARCING

摘要

An electrical switch is provided that includes a housing having at least one contact retention chamber formed therein. The housing includes an opening in one wall of the contact retention chamber through which an actuator is extended. A contact assembly is movably mounted within the contact retention chamber of the housing. The contact assembly has at least one contact that is movable along an arcuate path aligned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The actuator includes an insulated over-molded portion that retains a conductive member therein. The conductive member is configured to engage the contact. The housing slidably retains the actuator to permit movement of the actuator and the conductive member along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The actuator drives the contacts along the arcuate path between engaged and disengaged positions with the conductive member as the actuator moves along the longitudinal axis of the housing.