Electrical switching apparatus and push-to-trip assembly therefor

A push-to-trip assembly (100) is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker (200). The push-to-trip assembly (100) includes a push-to-trip actuator (102) having first and second ends (104,106) and being movable 5 among a first position corresponding to the circuit breaker separable contacts (204,206) being closeable, and a second position corresponding to the second end (106) cooperating with a trip bar (208) to cause the circuit breaker operating mechanism (210) to trip open the separable contacts (204,206). The first end (104) is accessible from the exterior (218) of the housing (202) to actuate the push-to-trip actuator (102) from the first position to 10 the second position. A biasing element (108) biases the push-to-trip actuator (102) away from the base (212) toward the first position. At least one cover stop (110,112) of the push-to-trip actuator (102) engages a corresponding portion of the housing cover (214,216) to stop movement of the push-to-trip actuator (102). An overtravel restraint (114) proximate the second end (104) of the push-to-trip actuator (102) restrains 15 movement of the trip bar (208). -21- /,132 218 104 r' 218 22134 1213 2F4 r 0 204 OERAFIG.2 0