Electrical switching apparatus

A switching apparatus for use in conjunction with a fuse, the switching apparatus comprising:

• a circuit interrupter having a pair of separable contacts;
• a sensor for sensing a line fault;
• and
• an actuator for moving the contacts to an open state when a line fault is sensed, and wherein the switching apparatus is arranged such that the contacts always return to a closed state, wherein the actuator is an electromechanical escapement containing:
• a double-toothed pawl pivotally movable between first and second positions;
• a spiral spring-loaded, single-toothed wheel mounted to an axle, to allow rotation of the wheel such that the tooth engages a first pawl tooth when the pawl is in the first position and a second pawl tooth, when the pawl is in the second position;
• a crank having a first end coupled to one of the contacts and a second end pivotally mounted to the wheel such that the contacts are closed when the pawl is in the first position, and open when the pawl is in the second position;
• a spring for biasing the pawl into the first position;
• and,
• a solenoid coupled to the pawl, wherein energizing the solenoid biases the pawl into the second position.

A switching system, comprising:

• a switching apparatus including:
• a circuit interrupter having a pair of separable contacts;
• a sensor for sensing a line fault;
• and
• an actuator for moving the contacts to an open state when a line fault is sensed, and wherein the switching apparatus is arranged such that the contacts always return to a closed state after a first time period, said actuator will only open and close the contacts a single time after which the switching apparatus will not cause the actuator to move the contacts to the open state for a second time;
• and
• a fuse in series with the switching apparatus.

A switching apparatus for use in conjunction with a fuse, the switching apparatus including:

• a circuit interrupter having a pair of separable contacts;
• a sensor for sensing a line fault;
• and
• an actuator for moving the contacts to an open state when a line fault is sensed, and wherein the switching apparatus is arranged such that the contacts have no stable open state after a first time period, said actuator will only open and close the contacts a single time after which the switching apparatus will not cause the actuator to move the contacts to the open state for a second time.