Switching system, and electrical switching apparatus and switching assembly therefor

An electrical switching apparatus for a switching system, said switching system comprising a communication device, said electrical switching apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• and
• a switching assembly comprising:
• a number of contact assemblies coupled to said base, a contact assembly of said number of contact assemblies comprising a stationary contact and a movable contact structured to move between a CLOSED position corresponding to engagement with said stationary contact, and an OPEN position corresponding to disengagement with said stationary contact, and
• a transfer assembly comprising an element and only one single actuator coupled to said element, said element being coupled to said base, said single actuator comprising a controller for receiving a signal from said wireless communication device,
• wherein said single actuator is structured to move said movable contact of the contact assembly of said number of contact assemblies between the CLOSED position and the OPEN position;
• wherein said single actuator comprises a drive shaft;
• wherein said transfer assembly further comprises a first gear member and a second gear member structured to cooperate with said first gear member;
• wherein said drive shaft extends through said first gear member;
• wherein said transfer assembly is structured to move between a FIRST position corresponding to said movable contact being in the CLOSED position, and a SECOND position corresponding to said movable contact being in the OPEN position;
• wherein, when said transfer assembly moves from the FIRST position toward the SECOND position, said first gear member drives said second gear member;
• wherein said second gear member has a thru hole;
• wherein said element comprises a planar portion and a protrusion extending outwardly from said planar portion;
• and
• wherein said protrusion extends into the thru hole in order to provide rotational control to said second gear member when said transfer assembly moves between the FIRST position and the SECOND position.

A switching system comprising:

• a wireless communication device;
• and
• an electrical switching apparatus comprising:
• a base, and
• a switching assembly comprising:
• a number of contact assemblies coupled to said base, a contact assembly of said number of contact assemblies comprising a stationary contact and a movable contact structured to move between a CLOSED position corresponding to engagement with said stationary contact, and an OPEN position corresponding to disengagement with said stationary contact, and
• a transfer assembly comprising an element and only one single actuator coupled to said element, said element being coupled to said base, said single actuator comprising a controller for receiving a wireless signal from said wireless communication device,
• wherein said single actuator is structured to move said movable contact of the contact assembly of said number of contact assemblies between the CLOSED position and the OPEN position;
• wherein said single actuator comprises a drive shaft;
• wherein said transfer assembly further comprises a first gear member and a second gear member structured to cooperate with said first gear member;
• wherein said drive shaft extends through said first gear member;
• wherein said transfer assembly is structured to move between a FIRST position corresponding to said movable contact being in the CLOSED position, and a SECOND position corresponding to said movable contact being in the OPEN position;
• wherein, when said transfer assembly moves from the FIRST position toward the SECOND position, said first gear member drives said second gear member;
• wherein said second gear member has a thru hole;
• wherein said element comprises a planar portion and a protrusion extending outwardly from said planar portion;
• and
• wherein said protrusion extends into the thru hole in order to provide rotational control to said second gear member when said transfer assembly moves between the FIRST position and the SECOND position.