Disconnect device with interlock mechanism

A modular disconnect switch, comprising:

• a first module comprising:
• a first housing,
• a first interconnect terminal disposed in the first housing, the first interconnect terminal accessible from an exterior of the first housing,
• one of a line-side terminal or a load-side terminal disposed in the first housing, and
• at least one circuit protection or control device disposed in the first housing, the at least one circuit protection or control device electrically connected between the first interconnect terminal and the one of the line-side terminal or the load-side terminal, the at least one circuit protection or control device operable to selectively connect or disconnect an electrical connection between the first interconnect terminal and the one of the line-side terminal or the load-side terminal;
• and
• a second module comprising
• a second housing different from the first housing,
• a second interconnect terminal disposed in the second housing, the second interconnect terminal accessible from an exterior of the second housing,
• the other of the line-side terminal or the load-side terminal disposed in the second housing,
• at least one electrical component disposed in the second housing, the at least one electrical component electrically connected between the second interconnect terminal and the other of the line-side terminal or the load-side terminal, the at least one electrical component operative to provide at least one of a status of the modular disconnect switch or electrical protection of the modular disconnect switch,
• wherein the first housing and the second housing are complimentary and selectively engageable with each other to complete an electrical connection between the line-side terminal and the load-side terminal through the at least one circuit protection or control device, the first interconnect terminal, the second interconnect terminal and the at least one electrical component, wherein the at least one circuit protection or control device comprises a switch movable between an OFF position and an ON position and at least one switchable contact selectively positionable in an open position and a closed position to respectively disconnect or connect an electrical connection between the first interconnect terminal and the one of the line-side terminal or the load-side terminal, wherein movement of the switch to the OFF position moves the at least one switchable contact to electrically disconnect the first interconnect terminal from the one of the line-side terminal or the load-side terminal, and wherein movement of the switch to the ON position moves the at least one switchable contact to electrically connect the first interconnect terminal to the one of the line-side terminal or the load-side terminal.

A protection module of a modular disconnect switch assembly, comprising:

• a housing;
• an interconnect terminal disposed in the housing;
• one of a line-side terminal or a load-side terminal disposed in the housing;
• a receptacle including first and second terminals disposed in the housing for receiving a circuit protection element, the first terminal connected to the interconnect terminal and the second terminal connected to the one of the line-side terminal or the load-side terminal;
• and
• an interlock operatively coupled to the receptacle and extending at least partially outside the housing, the interlock configured to cooperate with an actuator of an another module of the modular disconnect switch to selectively enable or inhibit access to the receptacle,
• wherein the housing is configured to be complimentarily engageable with a housing of the another module to complete an electrical connection through the one of the line-side terminal or the load-side terminal, the circuit protection element, and the interconnect terminal to provide protected electrical power into the another module.

A modular disconnect switch, comprising:

• a first module comprising
• a first housing,
• a first interconnect terminal disposed in the first housing, the first interconnect terminal accessible from an exterior of the first housing,
• one of a line-side terminal or a load-side terminal disposed in the first housing, and
• a first circuit protection element disposed in the first housing, the first circuit protection element electrically connected between the first interconnect terminal and the one of the line-side terminal or the load-side terminal, the first circuit protection element operable to automatically disconnect an electrical connection between the first interconnect terminal and the one of the line-side terminal or the load-side terminal;
• and
• a second module comprising
• a second housing different from the first housing,
• a second interconnect terminal disposed in the second housing, the second interconnect terminal accessible from an exterior of the second housing,
• the other of the line-side terminal or the load-side terminal disposed in the second housing,
• a second circuit protection element disposed in the second housing, the second circuit protection element electrically connected between the second interconnect terminal and the other of the line-side terminal or the load-side terminal, the second circuit protection element operative to automatically disconnect an electrical connection between the second interconnect terminal and the other of the line-side terminal or the load-side terminal,
• wherein the first housing and the second housing are complimentary and selectively engageable with each other to complete an electrical connection between the line-side terminal and the load-side terminal through the first circuit protection element, the first interconnect terminal, the second interconnect terminal and the second circuit protection element.