Circuit interrupter including linear actuator and manual pivot member

A power circuit interrupter comprising:

• a housing having an opening;
• at least one vacuum interrupter comprising separable contacts;
• an operating mechanism adapted to open and close the separable contacts of said at least one vacuum interrupter, said operating mechanism being supported by said housing;
• a linear actuator cooperating with said operating mechanism to open and close said separable contacts, said linear actuator being responsive to a close signal to close said separable contacts;
• a pivot member protruding through the opening of said housing and cooperating with said operating mechanism and said linear actuator to open said separable contacts when pivoted from a first position to a second position;
• a close circuit including an input inputting said close signal;
• and
• a switch including an operator and a contact electrically connected in series with the input of said close circuit, said operator being engaged by said pivot member to open said contact in response to partial pivoting of said pivot member from said first position toward said second position.

A power circuit interrupter comprising:

• a housing having an opening;
• at least one vacuum interrupter including separable contacts;
• an operating mechanism adapted to open and close the separable contacts of said at least one vacuum interrupter, said operating mechanism being supported by said housing;
• a linear actuator cooperating with said operating mechanism to open and close said separable contacts;
• a pivot member protruding through the opening of said housing;
• and
• a linkage between said pivot member and said operating mechanism to open said separable contacts when said pivot member is pivoted to an open position.