Interlocking mechanism for a switching device

A switching device comprising:

• a cabinet;
• a switch control handle mounted outside the cabinet, the switch control handle pivotally movable about a handle axis between an off position and an on position;
• a circuit unit mounted inside the cabinet;
• an actuator shaft connected to the circuit unit and the switch control handle, wherein the actuator shaft shifts the circuit unit to an open configuration when the switch control handle moves to the off position and shifts the circuit unit to a closed configuration when the switch control handle moves to the on position;
• a crank member pivoted at the handle axis and connected to the switch control handle;
• an interlocking arm comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the interlocking arm is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when positioned in the first position, the first end of the interlocking arm forms a releasable contact with the crank member blocking pivotal movement of the switch control handle at the handle axis, and wherein when positioned in the second position, the first end of the interlocking arm withdraws from the releasable contact with the crank member allowing operation of the switch control handle;
• and
• an actuator connected to the interlocking arm, wherein the actuator, in response to receiving an actuator signal, moves the interlocking arm between the first position and the second position.

A method of operating a switching device, the method comprising:

• determining that a pre-determined condition for operating a switching device is met;
• generating, in response to determining that the pre-determined condition for operating the switching device is met, an actuator signal;
• and
• sending the actuator signal to an actuator connected to an interlocking arm of an interlocking mechanism, wherein the actuator, in response to receiving the actuator signal, moves the interlocking arm from a first position to a second position, wherein the interlocking arm comprises a first end and a second end, wherein, when positioned in the first position, the first end of the interlocking arm forms a releasable contact with a switch operating mechanism of a switching device blocking operation of the switching device, and wherein, when positioned in the second position, the first end of the interlocking arm withdraws from the releasable contact with the switch operating mechanism of the switching device allowing operation of the switching device.