Electrical switching apparatus, and carrier assembly and spring guide therefor

The invention relates to an electrical switching apparatus, and carrier assembly and spring guide therefor. A spring guide is provided for a carrier assembly of an electrical switching apparatus such as, for example, a circuit breaker. The carrier assembly includes a carrier body, a plurality of movable contact arms pivotably coupled to the carrier body, and a plurality of contact springs. Each of the contact springs is disposed between a portion of the carrier body and a corresponding number of the movable contact arms. Each spring guide includes a guide member disposed between a corresponding one of the contact springs and the corresponding number of movable contact arms to maintains alignment therebetween. The guide member preferably includes a planar portion including a first side, which spans a pair of adjacent movable contact arms, and a second side, which includes a projection. The projection is disposed within the coils of the corresponding one of the contact springs.