System and method of detecting a welded contact

A switching device for industrial equipment having at least one pair of contacts, the switching device comprising:

• an actuator having an actuator engagement section, wherein the actuator is selectively rotated around an axis of rotation between a first position and a second position;
• and
• a plunger configured to move reciprocally along a plunger axis between a first position and a second position, wherein the plunger axis is parallel to the axis of rotation around which the actuator rotates, the plunger having:
• a first end with an L-shaped engagement area configured to engage the actuator engagement section, and
• a second end with at least one movable switching element mounted on the second end of the plunger, wherein the L-shaped engagement area includes:
• a first portion oriented transverse to a direction of rotation of the actuator,
• a second portion oriented generally orthogonal to the first portion and tangential to the direction of rotation of the actuator, and
• a crossbar protruding from the first portion and the second portion, wherein the crossbar protrudes from the first portion toward the actuator engagement section when the actuator is in the first position;
• wherein when the at least one pair of contacts are not welded together, the actuator selectively moves the plunger along the plunger axis as the actuator is rotated between the first position and the second position, thereby moving the crossbar out of position to engage the actuator engagement section;
• and
• wherein when the at least one pair of contacts are welded together, the welded contacts prevent the plunger from moving along the plunger axis due to rotation of the actuator and the actuator engagement section engages the crossbar on the L-shaped engagement area of the plunger thereby preventing the actuator from rotating between the first position and the second position.