Automated secondary disconnect mechanism for electrical switchgear

摘要

An automatic secondary disconnect mechanism for an electrical switchgear apparatus having an enclosure and a removable circuit device is disclosed. According to a preferred embodiment, the automatic secondary disconnect mechanism comprises a guide rail mounted to the enclosure so as to extend substantially parallel to the racking motion of the circuit device; a slide member slidably mounted on the guide rail; apparatus for locking the slide member in place on the guide rail at a point corresponding to a test position of the circuit device; and apparatus for releasing the slide member when the circuit device reaches the test position from the disconnect position. One of a pair of mating secondary contact members is coupled to the slide member, while the other mating contact member is coupled to the circuit device. The mating secondary contact members automatically engage as the circuit breaker moves from the disconnect position to the test position, remain engaged and move together via the slide member as the circuit breaker moves between the test and connect positions, and automatically disengage as the circuit breaker moves past the test position toward the disconnect position.