Switching device having terminal cover, and method

A circuit breaker comprising:

• a housing comprising a switching device cover, said housing having a line side and a load side;
• a terminal cover assembly comprising a first terminal cover coupled to said switching device cover proximate one of the line side and the load side of said housing, wherein said first terminal cover is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein said first terminal cover covers terminals at one of the line side and the load side in the closed position, wherein said first terminal cover provides access to the terminals in the open position, and wherein said first terminal cover is attached to said switching device cover in both the open and closed positions;
• and
• a handle extending through a handle slot formed in said switching device cover, said handle disposed between the line side and the load side and operable to switch said circuit breaker.

A method of selectively covering and accessing a terminal in a switching device, the switching device including a housing and a switching device cover coupled to the housing, the method comprising:

• coupling a first terminal cover to the switching device cover;
• coupling a handle to the switching device cover, the handle extending through a handle slot formed in the switching device cover, said handle disposed between a line side and a load side of the housing and operable to switch the switching device;
• placing the first terminal cover in a closed position to cover the terminal;
• and
• moving the first terminal cover from the closed position to an open position to access the terminal, wherein the first terminal cover is attached to the switching device cover in both the closed and open positions.