Resistor-type disconnecting switch for circuit breaker

A disconnecting switch, comprising:

• an electrically conductive member;
• an electrically conductive shield having a circular opening therein;
• a main contact and an arcing contact within said shield electrically connected to said electrically conductive member;
• a movable contact member insertable through said opening into said shield into physical and electrical contact with each of said main contact and said arcing contact inside said shield and retractable out of said shield through said opening so as to separate from said main contact before separating from said arcing contact;
• a resistive electrode in the shape of a toroid, disposed between a portion of said shield defining said circular opening and said movable contact member, said toroid having a curved surface externally protruding beyond said opening;
• and
• a resistor inside said shield connecting said resistive electrode to said electrically conductive member, so as to define a first current path from said movable contact member across a first gap between said movable contact member and said resistive electrode and through said resistive electrode and said resistor, said first path being electrically in parallel to a second current path across a second gap between said movable contact member and said arcing contact upon disengagement of said movable contact member from said arcing contact.