Operating apparatus for switching device

An operating apparatus for operating a switching device having a movable contact and a fixed contact so provided that they can contact each other and separate from each other, comprising:

• an operating rod which is fixed to said movable contact and is held such that the rod can move in a direction in which said movable contact makes into contact with or is separated from said fixed contact;
• a movable member which is connected to the operating rod such that the member can move relatively to the rod and the relative movement to said operating rod is limited to a specific movable range;
• fixed member for holding said movable member such that the movable member can move;
• a first elastic member for acting said operating rod with respect to said movable member in the direction in which said movable contact is pressed against said fixed contact;
• a permanent magnet for attracting said movable member with respect to said fixed member;
• a closing magnetic circuit so constructed that, when said movable contact is in contact with said fixed contact and the switching device is closed, N and S poles of said permanent magnet attract said movable member in the direction in which said movable contact is pressed against said fixed contact;
• an opening magnetic circuit so constructed that, when said movable contact is apart from said fixed contact and the switching device is open, at least one of the N and S poles of said permanent magnet attract said movable member in the direction in which said movable contact is separated from said fixed contact;
• and
• an operating electromagnet for increasing and decreasing the magnetism in said closing magnetic circuit and said opening magnetic circuit.