TRANSIENT VOLTAGE SURGE SUPPRESSOR HAVING A SWITCH WITH OVERTRAVEL PROTECTION

A transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS) receptacle having front and rear matable casings including a plurality of through openings for receiving the blades of an electrical plug; an electrical circuit within the receptacle having at least one element adapted to clamp high transient voltages imposed thereon to a lower level; an alarm electrically connected to the at least one element for indicating the failure of the at least one element; and a switch connected to the alarm for disabling the alarm, is described. The switch includes a moveable on-off element and a generally U-shaped, metal switch blade having a first leg for contacting the moveable element; a second leg for contacting a contact of the alarm in response to travel of the first leg caused by the moveable element, the second leg; an integral U-shaped portion connecting the first and the second legs; and a non-linear intermediate portion in the second leg extending toward the first leg for absorbing over-travel of the switch blade.