Electrical switch apparatus having a wire engaging electrical conducting member

摘要

An electrical switch apparatus adapted for plug-in wiring. The switch apparatus has an insulating housing made of a cover and a body. The body defines a plurality of terminal receiving cavities therein. A terminal portion of a plurality of electrical contact strips is disposed in each of the terminal receiving cavities. The terminal portions are adapted for receiving and grippingly engaging an electrical wire inserted through an opening in the housing. A cantilevered strip extends from each of the terminal portions, and each of the cantilevered strips has a switching contact thereon. The contacts on each of the cantilevered strips are mutually aligned. When the switch handle is in a first position, the contacts on a pair of the electrical contact strips are in electrical communication. When the switch is in a second position, the electrical contacts on another pair of electrical contact strips are in electrical communication. The switch handle has a pin thereon for engaging one of the contact strips. The switch handle also has a lug thereon which is biasingly engaged by a spring such that movement of the switch between the first and second positions is facilitated as the switch handle is moved through a center position. The cover of the housing further includes walls or partitions thereon separating, aligning and supporting the cantilevered strips.