Knife switch assembly, an electric power distribution switchgear and a method for preventing electric discharges

A knife switch assembly comprising a pair of hinged contact knives, arranged parallel to each other and connected to each other at a first respective end, and moveable between at least two positions, a first electric contact element comprising a current carrying conductor, said contact knives being made of an electrically conductive material and being electrically connected at said first end to a first electric conductor, an operator device for moving said pair of contact knives between the at least two positions, of which a first position is an open position in which a respective second end of the contact knives is disconnected from any electrical contact, and of which a second position is a first contact position in which said respective second end of the contact knives is in electrical contact with the first electric contact element and, a guide member located between the two contact knives, said guide member having two projecting side parts the, projecting side parts extending along at least part of respective sides of contact knives, wherein each side faces one another, and said guide member is made of a non-conductive material and has a shape adapted to receive the first electric contact element between the two projecting side parts.