A novel latch and release mechanism for an electrical circuit breaker is disclosed herein wherein the switch assembly is held closed while contact loading pressure by-passes a thermal release mechanism so that this latter mechanism is unloaded. Trip cams are provided which are responsive to movement of the thermal release mechanism for releasing the load on the latch mechanism wherein spring pressure urges the latch open and the contact closures of the switch assembly open. A temperature compensation means is operatively coupled to the trip cams of the release mechanism for pre-setting the precise release point of the contact loading pressure.
