PERMANENT MAGNET MOC LATCH FOR THE SEISMIC QUALIFICATION OF A WITHDRAWABLE SWITCHGEAR

A MOC operator structure for a circuit breaker includes linkage structure coupled between the operating mechanism and an interface structure. An armature is associated with the linkage structure. Permanent magnet structure is associated with the circuit breaker and is disposed generally adjacent to the armature. Wherein, when the operating mechanism is coupled with the linkage structure and the operating mechanism moves in a first direction, a portion of the linkage structure moves in a first direction and moves the MOC operator structure to an open position, with the armature being magnetically engaged with permanent magnet structure to maintain the MOC operator structure in the open position. When the portion of the operating mechanism moves in a second direction, the portion of the linkage structure moves in a second direction and moves the MOC operator structure to a closed position, with the armature magnetically disengaging from the permanent magnet structure.