Neutral base for disconnect switch and method of assembling same

A neutral base for connecting an electrical distribution device to a circuit having at least one phase, the neutral base comprising:

• a generally rectangular body having a mounting surface;
• a terminal for making an electrical connection, the terminal having a face for abutting the mounting surface of the body;
• an electrically insulating shield having sufficient size to substantially isolate the body from the adjacent module of the interior assembly, the shield abutting the body and terminal;
• and,
• means for releasably retaining the terminal abutting the mounting surface and the shield between the body and the adjacent module, the retaining means being integrally formed with the body.

A method of assembling a neutral base for connecting an electrical distribution device having an interior assembly of modules to a circuit having at least one phase, the step of the method comprising:

• manually and demountable affixing an electrically insulating shield to a generally rectangular body having a mounting surface without discrete fasteners;
• retaining a terminal on the mounting surface;
• and
• securing the body to at least one adjacent module of the interior assembly.