Electrical switchgear

An electrical distribution system comprising:

• electrical switch gear including;
• a first contact set composed of a first contact pivotable about a pivot axis and a second contact, said first and second contacts being relatively movable between a closed position wherein a load current can be passed therethrough and an open position;
• an arcing electrode, an arc being formed between said arcing electrode and said first contact during relative movement of said first and second contacts from said closed position to said open position;
• a field coil connected in series with said arcing electrode and operative in response to a current caused by the arc flowing therethrough to produce a magnetic field which causes the arc to rotate and become extinguished, said field coil having a major axis with respect to which said pivot axis is disposed transversely, whereby an end portion of said first contact moves transversely to and inwardly of said major axis when said first and second contacts are moved to said open position;
• a second contact set operable to earth said first contact set when said first and second contacts are in said open position, said second contact set including first and second contact members, said second contact member being carried by said first contact of said first contact set, and said first contact member being movable into engagement with said second contact member;
• a housing in which said first and second contacts sets are commonly disposed, said housing containing an electrically insulating fluid;
• and
• wherein said switch gear is connected to ring main equipment comprising ring main cables and a T-off connection, wherein said first contact set controls the flow of current to said T-off connection, and a further pair of contact sets are provided which control the flow of current to said ring main cables, said further pair of contact sets also being disposed in said housing.