ARC SPINNER INTERRUPTER

2070652 9108579 PCTABS00005 An arc spinner interrupter includes a first fixed electrical contact (10) and a ring electrode (14) coupled to the fixed contact through a field coil (62) surrounding the ring electrode. A second electrical contact (12) has an arm (36) which moves along a path perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis (60) for selective connection with the fixed contact. The arm may have a generally L-shaped configuration (36) including an angled portion (44) that extends in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis and a conductor (80) extends toward the angled portion through the ring electrode along the central longitudinal axis. The conductor has an inner axial end (82) that is spaced slightly from the angled portion of the arm when the arm is moved to a position intersecting the central longitudinal axis so that a grading function is carried out on the electrostatic field surrounding the angled portion of the arm.